Franken urges senators to 'stand up for truth' in final floor speech

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/366011-franken-urges-senators-to-stand-up-for-truth-in-final-floor-speech


Franken urges senators to 'stand up for truth' in final floor speech
By Jordain Carney - 12/21/17 12:44 PM EST


Outgoing Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) took a parting shot at President Trump and the rhetoric of the GOP on Wednesday as he delivered his final speech from the Senate floor.

Franken ran through a litany of policies — including the newly passed tax bill, ObamaCare and climate change — where he said the Trump administration's positions are at odds with what's best for most Americans.

"The values being advanced by the president and his allies in Congress simply don't represent my belief that our economy, our democracy and our country works best when they work for everyone," Franken said.

The GOP agenda, he said, is about "consolidating political [and] economic power in the hands of corporations and the very wealthy."

He questioned whether senators were "losing the war on truth."

"Who will stand up and fight for more honest debate? ... I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will stand up for truth," he said.

Franken, who is resigning from Congress after a number of women accused him of forcibly kissing or groping them, had initially said on Wednesday that he would give a "a series of final speeches" before leaving office. But he appeared to backpedal on Thursday, saying his remarks would be his final speech from the floor.

The Senate could wrap up its work for the year as soon as Thursday. Franken will formally resign on Jan. 2.

Franken used the speech to express worry about the direction of the country, saying "there's something wrong with the way that we are arguing" and urging Americans to become more informed about current events.

"It started long before 2016. Lurking behind each of those issues isn't just a difference of opinion or a different of values. There's something far worse, a lie," he said.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/366011-franken-urges-senators-to-stand-up-for-truth-in-final-floor-speech

[janterry]

1. Don't go Al

[question everything]

4. He cannot, really. He will lose all shred of dignity

He came to the Senate to fight for us, not for his chair. And once he decided to resign there is not going back.

And for those senators that regret their vote, well, perhaps you can think on how to do better.

Will miss you

[janterry]

5. If there was a tsunami of support and regret

in the Senate leadership, he might stay. But that won't happen - and of course you're right.

I still want him to say, though

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. He put his hand on her waist. Period.

This is apropos given how fucked up this country is now.

A great man, true patriot, faithful husband and FEMINIST is destroyed while a habitual sexual assaulter sits in the WH stealing our country and our money.

[flamingdem]

3. Major blunder by dem leadership

When will they own it?