" It's my right as an entertainer."

[quickesst]

Worse than a line out of a cheap B movie.This little jewel was the linchpin that sealed my belief that Al Franken was railroaded. I don't post a lot, but this has been nagging at me like a bad itch ever since I first read it. After following Franken's career as a comedian, and maintaining a general knowledge of his political career, it is my opinion that there is no way in hell that these words ever came from Al Franken's mouth. Just imagine if you will the alleged intern hastily exiting the room and Al Franken yelling after her, "It's my right as an entertainer. Franklin has been a sitting Senator since 2008, far removed from his days as a comedian and entertainer. It is my firm belief that had this episode actually occurred, and if he yelled anything at the alleged intern, absurd as it is, it would have increased her credibility tenfold if she had said he yelled "It's my right as a senator", which is still worse than a line out of a b movie that cost $10 more to make.
My belief is so strong that if Al Franken stood in front of me and confessed to uttering this statement, I would be looking for the red dot he knew was there from the laser scope attached to the rifle being held by a sniper with orders to shoot to kill if he did not confess to making this statement.
Some people say "move on, it's over and done", and even knowing there's not much I can do about it except write an email or letter, it won't be over and done for me until Franken's name has been cleared and his reputation made whole again.

[NastyRiffraff]

1. That caught my eye also

I can understand why some of Al's accusers might have been offended at his joking. But I don't think many entertainers would say that, even if they thought it. It's an unbelievably stupid thing to say out loud for many reasons. (Well, maybe Donald Trump would say it out loud, but no sane entertainer would.)

[kiri]

159. Franken is a better Senator and a better person than Gillibrand.

I have replied to every Democratic solicitation:
I will make no contribution until Gillibrand resigns.
Franken is a better Senator and a better person than Gillibrand.

[Ninsianna]

199. That's a bit harsh. Sen Gillibrand has her own strengths and

has an excellent record on this topic, this was a huge mistake she made. Terrible calculation, terrible poorly thought through action, but hse's not a terrible person, there is no reason to engage in ad hominems.

[Bluepinky]

2. Franken himself stated he never said it and never would.

Whoever stated he said it was lying.

[quickesst]

29. Like I said....

Worse than a cheap B movie script.

[Phoenix61]

3. I've wondered the same thing

Not at all what I would expect from a fast thinking comedian. Not saying it didn't happen but...

[quickesst]

24. The more I play the scene in my head...

.... the more absurd it sounds.

[Vinca]

4. The phrase that stuck with me, the first one he uttered, was:

"That's not quite how I remember it." The whole thing stinks of Roger Stone.

[quickesst]

37. I probably would have said something...

.... along the lines of "lying piece of dogshit", but Al Franken is the consummate mr. nice guy.

[jl_theprofessor]

74. You're right

He shouldn't have minced words and just directly called her a sack of lying garbage.

[Turbineguy]

5. A republican ratfuck.

The politics of personal destruction and democrats walked right in to it, eyes wide closed.

[pangaia]

6. I still want to know the REAL reason/reasons so many dems called for him to resign.

THAT really pisses me off.

More than anything trumpfuck has done. Because trumpfuck is a fuck. I expect it from him.

Al is a national treasure..

[RandomAccess]

7. The REAL reason is

cowardice. Pure, simple cowardice. And lack of imagination and core integrity. They couldn't figure out a way to stand up to Republicans on the Moore issue while retaining common sense about Franken. And they were apparently frightened of the women in their caucus who were calling for his ass.

[flamingdem]

9. Yes I think you're right. All they could think about was the Moore moment and trying

to capitalize and then pearl clutching about whether Franken would have more accusers.

Note: it stopped after the pukes got their way

[Eyeball_Kid]

35. The female gender is not devoid

of ambition. There was a strong tactical upside to calling on Franken to resign.

[green917]

86. Yep

Particularly for senator gillibrand.

[7962]

68. But they're saying the same thing about Moore;

ive read it several places; "how come now that Moore lost we aren't hearing anything from these women anymore?"
Not to compare what Franken dod to Moore, just that the talk is similar

I dont think franken should've left over what was alleged. But look at whats happening to Matt Damon; he merely speaks the truth that grabbing someone on the butt and rape are two totally different things and he's being savaged by the internet. even a petition to remove him from some movie project. but he's RIGHT. Both shoplifting and murder are wrong but shouldn't be punished equally.
And thats what happened to franken.

[pangaia]

11. That makes sense....Thank you. So-- my next question then would be..

Why didn't some(all)?? of the women calling for his ass think it through..?

And please don't ANYONE readin this go hit the ALERT button because "PANGAIA doesn't believe women accusers," etc etc...

I am 150% glad this issue of abuse has come up....

I am just interested in understanding what the hell happened...

[yurbud]

14. a lot of pols don't think. They follow the money and certain MSM opinion sources

and truth and morality have nothing to do with it.

[pangaia]

16. So the answer is.. the obvious one...

Guess I thought more of 'our guys' were more...... 'honorable' than that.

[yurbud]

193. more than Republicans but the exact number is in the double digits at most

[quickesst]

23. A person cannot be deemed credible

.... based solely upon their gender. Just a simple fact that has been lost on a few people lately.


"And please don't ANYONE readin this go hit the ALERT button because "PANGAIA doesn't believe women accusers," etc etc."

[pangaia]

52. True that....

[RandomAccess]

117. I wish I knew. The one thing I can add -- not as an explanation, but

part of the picture -- is that the media was driving this whole thing like crazy. THAT shouldn't have mattered, but I think it did. I'll never forget the "deer-in-the-headlights" look Pelosi had and how she stammered when asked by Chuck Todd whether John Conyers should resign. And then she was skewered for mentioning something else that was true about Conyers: that he's an icon.

[pangaia]

146. I missed probably all of the media coverage..

I never watch TV but get virtually all my world info right here.. and somehow still missed the coverage..

My fault for that....

[yurbud]

13. they take the MSM WAY too fucking seriously, partly because they grew up in an era when it

was all there was.

They don't realize that 2016 was the beginning of the end of their power.

They made Trump, but whether he's your cup of tea or not, they also couldn't stop the momentum of Bernie Sanders, who they mostly shut our and mocked.

We have other sources of news and opinion and have seen the MSM waste our time on gossip and bullshit and flat out lie to us too often to take them seriously.

I suspect the other part of it was they had some big donors either in common with Republicans or who found Al a bit too independent, who told them to show him the door.

[pangaia]

19. I am just too freakin' naive...

[yurbud]

145. How we think politics get done and how it actually does are universes apart.

We imagine careful debates and weighing facts.

Instead, it's more a matter of how much a particular business interest is willing to pay for a policy, and politicians at most weighing whether voting for it will hurt them with their constituents so much they will be turned out of office.

But even that is not so bad a consequence when a job as a lobbyist that pays ten times as much is waiting for them when they lose office.

[pangaia]

148. You know, I actually 'know' all that, and still...

I am gullible enough to think that our side is 'better'... Well, it IS better.. just not always...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[yurbud]

192. I agree with Howard Zinn who said with the Democrats we have a tiny ledge to stand on

to advocate for change and get some.

With Republicans, we have no ledge at all.

[green917]

87. Expertly this!

Well said.

[LiberalLovinLug]

26. The unabashed truth

[Hestia]

189. IMNSHO - there has been real talk of AF running as the Democratic nominee for President in 2020.

Heck, my DH & I have speculating about it for several months.

I think the DNC, DSCC, DHCC (or whichever acronyms, can't keep up) wanted to avoid a "Bernie" situation like 2016 and wanted to nip anyone in the bud if they haven't been properly vetted.

As always, YMMV

(Hello Fellow Arkie's )

Yuletide Blessings to All.

[quickesst]

18. Here is my take on that point

It's my belief that he was correctly seen as a threat to republican power. They had to do something about him. Enter Rodger Stone and cohorts. Just the accusations against Franken set off a chain of events that would have not been easy for anyone to overcome.
Next, enter an opportunity. Gillibrand was first to jump on the republican bandwagon and call for his resignation which I believe was in the guise of doing the morally right thing. Goal achieved. She is now in the 2020 spotlight. Those that followed suit did so out of fear, cowardice, and willful ignorance. I believe they were afraid they would be seen in the same light as kellyanne Conway and her steadfast defense of Donald Trump no matter the evidence against him. We are now seeing the regrets some of these Democrats are having as witnessed by their admission that they jumped the gun too soon, but it's too little, too late. Al Franken loses, we lose, and the Republican Party wins with an opportunistic assist from part of the Democratic Party.

[pangaia]

20. Then, we need more Horatio Hornblowers.

[Alliepoo]

39. It upset me

To see that Sherrod Brown jumped on that bandwagon. I thought better of him. I guess he was looking ahead to a battle with that nasty piece of work Josh Mandel. It’s gonna get ugly coz Josh Mandel is an ugly, nasty, politician who won’t hesitate to stoop lower than low and has a lot of right wing $$ behind him. I’m not excusing Sen. Brown but I’m guessing this was his reasoning.

[quickesst]

47. I suppose we can hope....

.... that this unfortunate episode can be a learning tool in how easy it is to step into a repug trap, and a little more savvy when it comes to opportunists.

[pangaia]

94. One would think 'they' learned this ages ago.

I mean, come on, guys and gals !!

[quickesst]

108. Unfortunately...

For many politicians, left and right, the first thought that comes to them when these situations arise is, " how will this affect my career?" We still have to support these Democrats until someone better comes along because as I said before, the alternative is far worse. Republicans do not have moral dilemmas as there is a lack of morality In general when it comes to the right.

[pangaia]

54. It is ALL going to get even uglier because that is who and what republicans are.

Democrat pols better all wise up right now. Hell, they should all have wised up long before this..
If the best of us can be taken down, what does that say for the rest??

Now I am starting to wonder... eh never mind....

[Alice11111]

64. Even worse, many Dems quit. As one person

told me, the Dems are not clever. She said, I have always voted Dem, but I do not want to be associated with them anymore...they just do too many stupid things to sink their own boat.

Unfortunately, it will give new life to a 3rd party candidate, and divide the party, again. Stupid,stupid...what were they thinking. The truth, most were not, just following the leaders off the cliff. I have told my blue Senators. I sort of got a 4th grade, but "everybody did it."

[green917]

84. because he's a strong progressive

they did it to remove a strong liberal contender for president in 2020 because senator Sanders doing so well against a more moderate candidate in secretary Clinton scared them because the 3rd way, dlc leaders of the party are just as afraid of removing the gravy train of corporate sponsors as the republicans are. Senator Gillibrand, in my opinion, led the charge because she wants to run and she saw it as an opportunity to remove a potential challenger that has better name recognition and a better favorability rating without having to beat him in a primary. It was the worst sort of craven politics that many in this country are tired of. The worst part of the whole debacle is the fact that my vote (and the votes of millions of other Minnesotans) was nullified for political expediency. Not exactly the stuff of which combating voter apathy is made of.

[pangaia]

97. I am so naive I never would have believed that.

Now I do...

And Gilibrand is my Senator.
I HAVE let her office know exactly what I think, in no uncertain terms and more than once.. Schumer's as well.


Jeesh !!

[bettyellen]

113. Lots of so called progressives had their eye on his seat for one of the Revolution

Saw them all over Twitter. Tks for nothing, revolutionary wastes of band width.

[delisen]

178. Is this humor?

[bettyellen]

112. Some progressives were eyeing his Senate seat. Same people who didnt help in Alabama...

[JI7]

153. Selfrighteousness, Grandstanding , aren't we so Pure .........

[pangaia]

155. Me??

[JI7]

156. no, the reason why democrats called for him to resign

[pangaia]

158. Oopps, sorry.

Sometimes here these days it's hard to tell.

🤣

Happy happy. 🎋🎁🎉

[RandomAccess]

8. You have a good point

Franken is certainly one of the celebrities with the LEAST sense of entitlement in general.

[dalton99a]

17. +1

[yurbud]

10. A talented writer saying a line that would sound more natural coming from...

an ignorant, immature, dyspeptic, trust fund baby--or the guy who puts the few semi-coherent words in his mouth, Roger Stone.

A guy who has had decades to think of more rico suave lines and the talent to do so, wouldn't resort to one that wasn't even a half-step above catcalling on the street.

[3catwoman3]

12. I cannot imagine him even...

...thinking, this, or whispering it, let alone shouting it.

This was a hit job, plain and simple.

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. That sounds like something tRump would say and probably has.

[greymattermom]

22. I thought that line was written by

Trump. It sounds just like him.

[subterranean]

44. "When you're a celebrity, they let you do it."

Exactly like Trump.

[Merlot]

182. That was the point of the qoute - to sound like something trumpft said

which is why I believe it was a total fabrication.

[KT2000]

21. he asked for and was denied

an investigation. They allowed the RW to destroy him. They have set it up so that every RW smear will take out any Dem that stands up to the RW. They have to fix this.
Why was it so easy to run him out - with so many senators piling on?

[RVN VET71]

28. I's like to believe there was some sort of conspiracy forcing the Dems to stab and twist the knife

But I really think the problem is -- and has been, consistently, of late -- that the Dems have no cojones and will run like title "mousies" away from even the shadow of a scandal -- rather than stand and fight. The GOP is pro-fascist and pro-1%. They've made it clear that they will fight like the devil to get what they want. The Dems are pro freedom and for the little guy, but they're cowards and, in this instance, craven cowards.

I'm sorry to say so, but I feel it's true.

[KT2000]

56. I'm afraid you are right

My sister used to be a repub decades ago but she cannot stand them any more - she is always telling me that the Dems show weakness. if we are ever to garner more support from R voters there has to be a demonstration of strength and courage from the Dem politicians. The Franken debacle was the opposite of that.

[MacKasey]

25. Did you notice

The accusations stopped when he said he would resign.

I wonder how many were lined up till he resigned?

[quickesst]

27. I'm pretty sure they had a few...

.... waiting in the wings as backup.

[treestar]

169. The ones they had were lame and getting lamer

Now that putting your arm around someone's waist for a photo is harassment.

[quickesst]

173. There is another question....

.... Concerning Stephanie Kemplin. I have looked at the photograph of her and Franken in which she states that moments before it was taken he had groped her breast. Maybe it's just me, but she looks pretty damn happy to be in that photograph given her claims. Who takes a smiling, happy photograph with someone who just sexually assaulted them moments before? Although I can't post the photo, here is a link in case there are any questions about my stated opinion.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Al+Franken+and+Stephanie+kemplin+photograph&oq=Al+Franken+and+Stephanie+kemplin+photograph&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.4020j0j4&client=tablet-android-lenovo&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=YIh8sdeCakyg9M:

[pangaia]

99. And I read at least some of the dems telling him to quit

told him how great they thought he was after the fact.

Shit on that...

[pandr32]

30. Those words are sheer projection

They mirror the words from Donald Trump's own mouth. This was retaliation--a political vendetta.

[Rocky888]

31. This was what did it for me too.

I think Tweeden was a roger stone plant, and others are right wing fame seekers or Gillibrand groupies. And the intern that told this lie was pissed about being overlooked for a job.
I almost changed my voters red to independent. But I want my say in the primary. I still wish he would run as an independent in 2020.

[Alice11111]

61. He needs to go to NY, like Hillary, and run for the Senate.

I will be there working to help him.

It wasn't just the Senate, the DNC lined up against him as well.

[pangaia]

101. I live in NY and I would work for him in a New York minute.

[Alice11111]

185. !!!

[LiberalLovinLug]

32. What really grates me is knowing that

Roger Stone, LeeAnn Tweed, Don Trump Jr. and others in on this are laughing their asses off somewhere about how easy this all was.

Like a drunk uncle taking candy from a child.....and then convincing the child that that it is all their siblings fault and they should smack them.

[Demit]

33. I would have loved for that anonymous accuser to REALLY come forward

—like, testify under oath forward—and say that is actually what he said. It doesn't ring true.

Any more than the anonymous accuser at the public event who claimed he offered to accompany her to the bathroom.

I would also want Leeann Tweeden to explain the discrepancy of, if she was so traumatized by his actions that her "hands clenched into fists" every time she saw him, why was she happily yukking it up with him at an award event soon after, as seen in a casual snapshot from the event.

I still can't believe 30 senators would let these dubious claims just hang in the air like that.

[WomanWhoRoars]

34. there's no doubt ....

...in my mind that he was railroaded. I'm hoping the Stone/Hannity plan will be revealed and Al will be vindicated.

[Susan Calvin]

170. I sure hope so.

But I doubt anyone in officialdom is working on that.

[Lifelong Protester]

36. K & R!

[JDC]

38. "Left is Best"

There was news story earlier this summer about a Connecticut man that vandalized a school and tried to frame it as if liberals were to blame. He spray painted slogans and threats against trump.

You knew immediately that it was BS because he painted "Left is Best"

These types of people are nefarious, but plainly stupid. This, I believe, is one of those times. It's their tell.

[quickesst]

40. "It's their tell"

Which we have seen on more than one occasion here at DU.

[Danascot]

138. Like "Bernie Bernstein of WaPo"

robo-trolling for Moore accusers.

[quickesst]

141. Heh heh...

[jalan48]

41. It was an hysterical rush to judgment.

[Alice11111]

46. !!!

[Lint Head]

42. This accuser has a right wing radio talk show. Yeah. No agenda there.

Men have been subjugating women for centuries and it's time for that to end. But hypocrisy is hypocrisy. I don't think Al Franken bragged about grabbing a woman by her genitals. The cowards on the news shows do not know how to really question a Republican. Democrats are constantly having their feet held to the fire even by other Democrats. But it seems like Republicans get their feet and egos massaged everyday. When a republican gets pissed because a reporter asked them a hard question during an interview the reporter backs off. Or they diplomatically pussyfoot their approach when asking the question.

[Alice11111]

45. It makes me weep that the Senate threw out our best

Senator for such BS.

[quickesst]

98. The search for a spine...

.... Is an ongoing Quest. Al Franken has one, but it is being ripped from his body through bizarre bipartisanship. Destruction on the Republican side, and opportunity on the Democratic side.

[Alice11111]

43. I agree. Thanks for your post!

It knocked the sails out of our party. I know there are a few who don't believe that. However, for many Dems, at best, we were gut punched and lost a few layers of trust and lots of enthusiasm.

At worst, many Dems quit, and said they couldn't be a member of a party who acted so foolishly We did not need this. It may cost us in 2020 because there are many people who say, that was the final straw of self destruction. I called some friends a few days ago about a march. We did the Women's March together last year. They said, they may vote Dem, but they don't want to be associated with the party anymore. Some had given very large donations.

I trust Pelosi. Schumer has not been terribly effective, but that was expected. He says the right things, often after the fact. He is not a leader, like Franken was though.

[quickesst]

51. Thanks

Although part of the Democratic Party has caused some disillusionment, I do hope people can get past it enough to get out the vote for them. The alternative is too damn scary to think about.

[Alice11111]

55. Yeah, but there needs to an effort to restore trust & credibility.

...or it won't end well.

[tavernier]

100. Definitely.

Dumbest damn thing they could have done. I was waiting for weeks for the other shoe to drop, certain that there was some brilliant strategy coming, something that would make us say, “Oooh, now I get why they did that!” But it never came, and then I really felt like a fool for trusting that they wouldn’t actually do something that stupid.

I have to wonder if Al wasn’t thinking the same thing, and then in the end, just threw up his hands and said “F this shit.”
Sacrificing him accomplished absolutely nothing. It was like pulling out a front tooth that wasn’t decayed, just so we could walk around proudly with... a big gap??

Just stupid.

[CrispyQ]

175. "Democratic Party" and " brilliant strategy" don't go together.

"We're not them" is the only strategy I've heard from dem leadership, in a long time.

[Alice11111]

187. Sadly, I agree.

The Repubs are much better at marketing and strategy, though lying and cheating helps too. They just DON'T have a clue how to govern.

Tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts...

[Alice11111]

186. Great analogy!!

[mythology]

48. I don't understand how you can be so certain

You don't know Al Franken. You know a public persona.

Also you are wrong about when he said it. He is accused of saying that in 2006, two years before he ran for Senate when he was still on the radio.

When you say even if he admitted it, you wouldn't believe it and you get basic facts wrong, it's obvious that you aren't even trying to look at this objectively. You've created a narrative for yourself, divorced from the actual claims, and use that to justify feeling like Franken is being railroaded.

[quickesst]

58. I'll give you your due...

.... when you can prove to me that this particular accuser even exists. How can you be so sure that the three accusers who have made their names public and are known Trump supporters and Republicans are telling the truth? You got one photo with hover hands which is pretty much on a par with tweeden grabbing the ass of the musician on stage. Looks like I'm not the who has a problem with objectivity.

[moriah]

197. If you're going to object to being called on your timing error....

... by ad-hominem against a user on DU instead of "My bad, but it still sounds ridiculous"....

You're making Mythology's point.

[quickesst]

201. Is it look a little closer

.... You will find the post where I absolutely conceded "my bad" to mythology's correction.

Definition of Ad Hominem. Ad hominem, which stands for the Latin term argumentum ad hominem, is a response to a person's argument by attacking the person's character rather than the logic or content of the argument. Ad hominem remarks are often an example of fallacy, because they are irrelevant to the overall argument."

I conceded the error, but stand by everything else I've stated throughout this thread. I'm pretty sure there was no attacking of character in my reply to the poster. Just looked at my post again, and yeah, no character assassination there that I can see, and I absolutely did not object to being called on my error. Otherwise, I would not have written a post acknowledging said error.

[moriah]

203. You weren't going to acknowledge the error to that poster and said so...

... until they proved they anonymous accusers even existed and said they were the ones refusing to look at reality.

I have repeatedly said that the obligation when an accusation is made is to hear it out with an open mind, but not so open your brains have to go away.

In other words, I agree with that person's point that refusal to believe even if a person admits it is not having an open mind (not saying Franken admitted to anything other than having taken a tasteless photo). I also agree with you that the idea Franken would say such a thing is ridiculous -- you don't have a to turn off your brain to have an open mind. But if the anonymous accuser had said "as a Senator" for a 2006 accusation, it wouldn't strengthen their argument -- it would disprove it.

It's easy enough to just say "My bad" in response, as you did in your response to me. We need to look at facts, not be swayed by our own emotions.

That's all.

Take care.

[quickesst]

205. Really?

I was not refusing to give the poster their due on the mistaken date. Besides, if one can read and speak English the error was self-evident. If this episode did not occur or at the least the accuser was not truthful, that would make the date a moot point anyway. Whether this incident, if it actually occurred, happened in 2006 or 2008, the fact remains that no one except Al Franken and the supposed accuser knows. Once again, whether the alleged incident happened in 2006 or 2008 I choose to side with Al Franken's word rather than an anonymous accuser with a memory of outrageous dialogue. That's all. And you take care as well.


"I have repeatedly said that the obligation when an accusation is made is to hear it out with an open mind, but not so open your brains have to go away."

Isn't that the same thing as attacking someone, accusing them of losing their mind or of being temporarily mentally deficient? It's okay. I ain't mad.

[moriah]

206. I certainly hope not...

... because it's not my intent. This is my view.

Believing every accusation without thinking = bad.
Disbelieving every accusation without thinking = bad.
Listening to every accusation, and trying to divorce strong emotion from the rational processes to decide for yourself whether you believe = good.
Prioritizing investigations by extent of abuse of power over or vulnerability of the alleged victim = essential. (Yes, abusing the power of your office to target vulnerable juveniles is more serious than being juvenile.)

Just my opinion though.

[quickesst]

210. Ok

[spooky3]

49. If it doesnt make sense, it usually is not true. Judge Judy

[Tipperary]

50. I know. I do not post a lot either., but this nonsense makes me sick.

This is sad, to see this posted here. Not YOUR post. All this other stuff.

[CK_John]

53. IMO, the problem was all about Gillibrand trying to decide if she should run for her current seat or

go for broke and run for Potus in 2020.

I think that 2020 will be a flood of billionaries.

[lunasun]

57. Email him or write a letter. I did & I know not much can be done but I also wrote my 2 senators

that participated

[quickesst]

63. Good for you

May not do any good for the current situation, but might give your senators and others pause before they make hasty decisions. Hopefully it has been a learning tool for them.

[Hekate]

59. KnR

[GaryCnf]

60. The accusation is bull****

The only question is whether it's RWers behind it or the "Must run (establishment) females at all cost" of our own party.

This is a sad attempt to up the ante after the widespread rejection of the "butt pat equals political death" standard.

[Butterflylady]

62. Here, here

[Casprings]

65. Lets review the facts: this reading is entirely wrong

Original story: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-accusation-sexual-harassment-2006-281049

1. This occurred in 2006. He was still an entertainer. The line makes perfect sense.

2.This was a staffer of a democrat, given that it was an interview in studio at Air America. One, that is likely a really good reason she doesn’t want her name used. Two, she has no political rationale to lie.

Also, this is the seventh woman.

People, give me a break.

[marble falls]

71. No, puhleeze give US a break. Take a breather, come up for air. Due process. Facing one's accusers..

ever hear of them? The real power of #metoo is putting a face on the problems of assault. Anonymous accusations are the stuff of witch-huntery.

[Casprings]

78. So the argument is, its not true..

Until it’s pointed out that the story makes sense. Then it’s about due process, damn it!

I am for due process. If he was going to prison, sure. But this is about service In the Senate and rather we should support that service when multiple accounts of wrong doing appear.

[marble falls]

81. The argument is that those things you claim to believe in YOU want to throw out the window....

Last edited Sun Dec 24, 2017, 04:59 PM - Edit history (1)

and you act like we're the unfeeling ones in what is border-line haranguing. Slow your roll and give us at least a semblance of respect. That's really not too much to ask.

[Casprings]

90. I certainly will

When posters start giving this democratic staffer some respect and stop assuming she is lying because they really like some guy they don’t know but was good on TV.

[marble falls]

111. But you do know Al Franken, right? You do know at least the unnamed accusers, right? Shame on you...

your uninformed opinion supersedes everybody else's.

Shame on you.

[quickesst]

80. Ok

1. I have already conceded that this supposed remark was supposedly made in 2006 before he was a senator by a supposed accuser. Prove to me she exists.

2. Air America has been gone since 2010. Is she living in a fantasy world where she goes to a fantasy radio station everyday? There is no political rationale for a person who cannot be proven to exist.

What is it, 3 or 4, maybe 5 people here? Give me a break.

[Casprings]

83. Holy fu...

There are a ton of reasons why a woman staffer would not want to come out. A lot of the reason is that she would help take down popular senator and receive threats or hurt her career.

There is only one real question. Does Politico maintain basic journalist standards to check the story out.

You are so sure some dude you don’t know is innocent, why don’t you research the other women?

[quickesst]

91. All bow to the Almighty "fu"

Here's what I know. You can't prove that these people even exist no matter the source unless they make themselves public. I know for a fact at least three women who have gone public that have accused Roy Moore are all Republicans. Who would have more to fear for their safety and career? Retaliation by the Roy moore Republican wing, or retaliation from the Al Franken Democratic wing? You are showing great concern for women who have yet to be proven to exist, but very little concern for the women who have shown the courage to go public with their accusations. Your rationale( correct use of the word in a sentence) is sorely lacking.

[Casprings]

93. Roy Moore should be in Jail

Trump should also likly be in Jail. Al Should be out of the Senate.

This isn’t about there versus our side. It’s about setting a standard for what’s allowed.

[quickesst]

105. Uh-huh

... and still showing no concern for the courage the women who came forward and accused him have shown. Looks to me like the only women you are supporting are the Donald Trump voting Republican women who have come forward, well, unless you count the anonymous Franken accusers who have yet to be proven to exist. I'll ask again. What about the safety and careers of the Republican women who came forward and publicly accused Roy Moore?

[Casprings]

107. If you dont beleive the Politico story

You can’t beleive any story that comes about trump on Russia or a range of subjects. Journalist use sources they protect. It’s common practice and we depend on them to maintain professional standards when they report. Politico is a source that maintains such standards.

I think the women who came out against Moore are brave. Some took the extra step and went fully on the record. That was extremely brave to do on Alabama. Moreover, what Moore was accused of doing is 100 Times worse then here. Moore should go to jail.

[quickesst]

114. I don't take as fact...

.... Anything that any source puts out until it is proven. I have opinions, which are completely different than accepting as fact something coming from an anonymous source. You and I both know that there is a possibility that the anonymous sources any journalist listens to is lying. You can't say something is a fact because you work for Politico etcetera because an anonymous source told you so.
What would have happened if Moore had won in Alabama? He would have been a United States Senator, and it is somewhat unlikely that the Republicans would have expelled him from the Senate. He wins. He is a senator. A man who, as you say, is a hundred times worse than Al Franken's situation, but Franken was forced to resign by his own party for dubiously questionable accusations from dubiously questionable accusers. The quest for a democratic spine has suffered a huge setback because of the ouster of the one Democrat who actually had one.

[Casprings]

120. And I would still not beleive Moore should be there

And I would beleive that he should be in Jail.

What is your point? RepublicAns suck?

[quickesst]

129. Don't know what you're talking about

You're the one who started this s*** with me and I have answered every post and subject that you mentioned. Can't say the same for you. I will say you have a knack for cherry picking what you will respond to in any of my posts. That's what some might refer to as a "tell". Later gator.

[rzemanfl]

126. There, their, they're. Calm yourself. n/t

[BannonsLiver]

127. If you get an email from a Nigerian prince

Offering you millions if you just send them a few thousand don’t do it.

[mn9driver]

85. Nonsense.

Franken bent over backwards to avoid calling any of these women liars.

Except this woman. He called her a liar because she is lying.

Unlike the other women who he either doesn’t remember because hundreds of photos per day are kind of hard to remember, or in Tweeden’s case he really didn’t want to say outright that she was lying about the rehearsal kiss and lying about the sex and prank atmosphere that everyone on the USO tours can tell you about.

So yeah, some people are able to look at a story that makes no sense and claim that it makes perfect sense. Because they REALLY want to believe it. Check your mirrors.

[Casprings]

88. You are screaming the woman is lying..

But provide no logical argument. Most of her story is pretty easy for Politico to check out, as they would know who her boss was and could easily research if an in studio interview occurred.

[mn9driver]

89. Screaming? Not me.

Franken says she is lying. It’s pretty simple. Too bad you can’t acknowledge that.

[Casprings]

92. Roy Moore said she was lying

Same logic.

[mn9driver]

96. Roy Moore said they were all lying.

In contrast, you are saying that Franken is lying about the one particular woman whose accusation he can plausibly recall and say it is a lie. Which he didn’t do with any of the other women. Because he was being honest. Which you cannot acknowledge or admit.

It’s been fun playing. Bye bye.

[Casprings]

102. One..

Please provide the link where he said this one was false. I haven’t seen that.

Second, it is also true that this is the worse action and the one you would deny if you did not want to resign. Not sure that proves he is telling the truth. Moreover, seems awful strange that Politico would get a democratic staffer who went with her boss for an in person interview to make this up. Not really a lot of women with a rock solid story of time alone with Franken and no political reason to lie... unless it’s true..

I got it, he is good on TV. But you don’t know him and have no reason to disbelieve these statements.

[mn9driver]

118. Its your own link.

”This allegation is categorically not true and the idea that I would claim this as my right as an entertainer is preposterous. I look forward to fully cooperating with the ongoing ethics committee investigation...”

Funny how some folks only see what they want to see.

[Casprings]

119. It still does not mean this is true

[marble falls]

124. None so blind as the willfully blind. Give it a rest, will you?

[ProfessorGAC]

109. How Weakly Convenient!

You are doing a one trick pony bit, and YOU are the one failing to provide any logic as to YOUR conclusions.
Logic dictates one must call into question any anonymous accusation. Absent the willingness to put ones name on an 11 year old accusation, it's ILLOGICAL to accept it face value.
Given the recent events and environment, it's ILLOGICAL to presume a fear of retribution over an 11 year old event!
Give it a rest, Trigger!

[Casprings]

110. I mean if this thread shows anything, it shows that there

Are clearly no consequences for a woman accusing a popular liberal on the record.

I mean, clearly.

[ProfessorGAC]

135. Ibid!

Just got weaker! And more illogical! You must be so proud.

[Ghost Owl]

143. We don't know Politico's vetting standards.

"Most of her story is pretty easy for Politico to check out, as they would know who her boss was and could easily research if an in studio interview occurred."

Yeah, but did they?

I know they should have, and they could have, but do we know they actually did? WaPo, when it was researching the Moore accusations, thoroughly investigated the claims, independently corroborated their stories. And not because they thought the women were lying, but to make sure they could prove that they weren't.

Not every media outlet investigates like that, some have little to no resources or time devoted to vetting stories and people. It's not like it used to be, and I do wonder at the ability of little outlets like Politico or Jezebel to do research needed for stories like this.

So did Politico check to see if this person was employed by who she said she was, if she was at the studio that day, did they talk to other people who may have been there to see what they remember? Nothing about it is mentioned in the article, they only mention two other people who said Accuser #7 told them about it after it happened. Did they talk to Accuser #7 and their corroborating witnesses multiple times over a period of time, to make sure the stories were consistent (WaPo did this for the Moore accusations)? Did they try talking to other young female assistants and staffers who were ever at Air America to see if anything ever happened to them, if they ever witnessed anything inappropriate.

One of my biggest issues with this whole Franken scandal is the general lack of vetting I've seen, compared to WaPo's Moore stories, or Ronan Farrow's Weinstein/Hollywood stories. Some of these claims were never vetted at all by the media at large (like Tweeden's or Dupuy's), and others are not up front with how the story was vetted (vetting is more than just having the accuser bring in a corroborating witness, which at least most of the stories did seem to have). There are glaring unanswered questions that I can't believe NO ONE in the media asked or tried to find the answer to, like who was the USO photographer who took the picture of Tweeden (because at the least, they are witting accomplice to the harassing and inappropriate picture). Or the USO photographer in Kemplin's case. Or talking to ANY military person who might have been at either event, like Franken's escort. Why didn't anyone try to find a copy of the souvenir CD it was supposedly put onto?

People like Moore or Lauer or Weinstein leave a trail of people who will tell you privately what a creep they were, will have whispered stories and innuendo for years. One of the things that stands out about Franken is that he doesn't. That doesn't mean he isn't a creeper, but it is different than what is typical in these kind of cases. A lot of things are, that's whats bothering people.

[Demit]

147. Why would being a Democratic staffer a good reason for staying anonymous?

She had the cover of Democratic SENATORS (Kirsten Gillibrand et al) pushing for Franken's resignation. Seems that that would give her the courage to come forward & own up to the accusations she was making.

[Casprings]

150. Oh yeah... this thread clearly shows the support she would get . NT

[Demit]

162. "I might get skeptical comments on a message board! I fear for my life!"

LOL, that's pretty weak.

[Casprings]

163. If you dont think physical harm and threats would be a real possiablity,

You are kidding yourself

[uponit7771]

180. Still not a justification for taking Anonymous accusations so seriously

[IluvPitties]

66. Franken would have embarrassed Trump in '20.

He would have won the Democratic nomination with ease in my view. Too many people felt threatened by him on both sides, including a certain Dem senator from NY...

[quickesst]

70. Bingo

Al Franken's resignation was a huge bonus for the Republican Party.

[IluvPitties]

72. Al would have been Trump's worst nightmare

A brilliant comedian with great political gravitas who would have disarmed Trump with intelligent mockery. He would have made America laugh at Trump's expense while truly connecting with working and middle class voters.We allowed the right to swift boat him and some ambitious Dems played along.

[quickesst]

76. He would have made....

.... Swiss cheese out of the trumpenfuhrer.

[quickesst]

67. 2 all thread participants

It has been pointed out to me that the phrase Al Franken was supposed to go to have said was done in 2006 before he became a senator. My mistake, but it does not change my opinion that Al Franken never uttered these words. My response is:
I will take this person seriously when it is proven to me that this particular accuser even exists. How can one be so sure that the three accusers who have made their names public and are known Trump supporters and Republicans are telling the truth? You got one photo with hover hands which is pretty much on a par with tweeden grabbing the ass of the musician on stage. I believe the anonymous accusers are there only to lend credibility to the others accusations. Besides that, aren't Progressive Democratic women supposed to have more courage and integrity than their Republican counterparts? Who are they?

[Casprings]

77. You are literally blaming the women NT

[quickesst]

82. And you...

,,,, are in the teensiest, tiniest, trump hands small minority...... literally.

[desi]

95. I blame the woman who started the ball rolling...

and those who used her to bring Senator Franken down. Namely Roger Stone, Hannity and Donald Trump Jr among others. Mainly Corey Lewandowski and his cohort David Bossie

Link to tweet

/photo/1

[Casprings]

103. And if that was the end of it, I would have huge questions also

That said, it wasn’t. These things normally go in patterns. Moreover, whatever her politics and how she was used, she does not deserve to be touched without her consent.

[desi]

106. OK

She would then be shoving him mightily away...yes? Of course he is not really "kissing" her is he?

[idahoblue]

69. I think she is lying

She said Sen. Franken said to her almost exactly what Donald said on the Billy Bush tape.
Seriously? I smell a giant pile of bullshit.

[quickesst]

73. I think you're right

trump: " And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything."

Supposedly Franken: " it's my right as an Entertainer"

,,,,cuz donald said so.

[samnsara]

75. i agree...

[blue cat]

104. Me too!!!

[RoBear]

115. I'm with you!

Idiotic on the face of it. Whoever reported it sure as hell shouldn't try to write dialogue...

[quickesst]

137. It reminds me of the B-movie....

Plan 9 from Outer Space where the leader of the invading force proclaimed, "YOU OF EARTH ARE ALL STUPID!" It was so dumb it was funny.

[cp]

121. Since day one, never passed the smell test

Completely agree, quickesst. Thank you for posting.
This was a set up.

[quickesst]

130. Thanks

I say if it smells and looks like a pile of shit, it's probably a pile of shit.

[mudstump]

122. I'm very angry about what happened...

to Senator Franken. This is war and they just took out another progressive with the help from the democrats of all people. This is sickening. Republicans go to battle FOR their base and dems kick their base every chance they get.

[quickesst]

131. I know...

.... But as disappointing as it is, I still feel we have to support all Democrats. Once again we are faced with the reasoning that the alternative is far worse.

[R B Garr]

123. +1000, that is the stupid person's paraphrase of "when you're a star, they let

you do anything."

LOL, "it's my right as an entertainer." What kind of forced bullshit is that. They took Donald's words and substituted them so that they could pretend he did the same thing as Donald, thereby equalizing things ala "both sides do it."

I totally agree with you; that is the stupidest fabrication ever. A total giveaway that the person is forcing it, and a dumb person at that.

[quickesst]

132. If a dumb person said that...

.. it certainly doesn't reflect well on the people who believed it.

[PatSeg]

125. Though I was sure Franken was being set up,

it was that ridiculous phrase that confirmed it without a doubt. What the hell were they thinking?

[quickesst]

133. Creative thinking....

.... has never been a strong suit among the right wing. That's why it only takes about a half a second to see through their b******t.

[wryter2000]

128. What convinced me

He supposedly did all or most of the abuse in front of a camera. What molester does that? His alleged crimes did not fit the normal pattern.

[quickesst]

134. Maybe it was the challenge...

.... and the thrill, you know, like the criminal who taunts and dares the police to catch him. ......

[wryter2000]

204. Riiiiight

[catrose]

136. I agree

As many times as Dems have gone along with the latest RW "scandal" (Sherrod & Acorn, for starters), you'd think they'd recognize the methodology. I thought Al handled it well--asking for an investigation, not wanting to make the conversation about him, saying that he remembers the occasion differently (as opposed to denying he knew her or nope, never did it). And didn't Tweeden say she didn't think an investigation was necessary? How often does that happen, that the accused wants to investigate but the victim doesn't?

Other differences between Franken & Moore, Trump, et al.: Franken was not in a position of power over his accusers. They did not stand to lose their jobs or risk injury or death if they objected to whatever it was he did (if anything). Also, all these events took place in public (except maybe the dubious intern), during photo shoots. The women who worked with him behind closed doors had different stories.

As a survivor of assault and harassment, I'm horrified by the Senate women and the men that went along with them. I thought one of the things that made us better was our insistence on due process for everybody. I spent many years in the union hearing that that the union stands by everyone, gives everyone a chance to defend themselves. Supposedly it's in our legal code that the accused has the right to see/hear the accuser in court. Instead, the Mean Girls swung into action, and accusers who were anonymous or coached by Roger Stone brought down a hard-working senator with no chance for him to defend himself. I don't understand why it's weak to say, "These are terrible accusations, and we will investigate them and take action against Senator Franken if necessary."

"Believe women" sounds as earnest as "Believe the children," which I heard several decades ago, when childhood abuse survivors came forward. Unquestioningly believing the children (or what people thought the children said) led to the MacMartin preschool and Keller day care trials, the latter ending with innocent people spending decades in prison, years "lost to other people's delusions."

I don't feel any better about our senators rushing to judgment, throwing aside legal protections, for the sake of "believing women." Yes, I know what it's like to not be believed, both as a child and a woman. But how about we believe with discernment and still preserve everyone's rights: the accusers' right to be heard, the accused's right to be confronted with those accusers and to defend. After all, over 50% of white women voted for Trump; over 60% voted for Roy Moore. These people are not reliable.

Instead of admiring our brave senators rushing to believe women and chase off one of their number, I think think they're gullible idiots, which may not be the impression they wanted to give.

I haven't read every word Al Franken has written, but I've read enough to agree with the OP. One of the bravest things he did was when he discovered his wife was an alcoholic and his best friend was an addict, he turned the spotlight on himself, asked why his nearest and dearest had these issues, and sat himself down in Alanon to work his own program. Most people are content to point fingers at the identified patient and feel smugly superior.

In honor of Al Franken, I'll watch "Stuart Saves His Family" again this holiday.

[quickesst]

139. I don't believe...

.... anyone could have said it better. I have always said that if you base your belief in a person's credibility based solely on one characteristic, be it gender, race, age, sexual preference, or religion Etc, you are not doing your due diligence in finding the truth.
Thanks for posting. You have my gratitude and admiration.

[catrose]

144. Thank you so much, quickesst!

I appreciate your kind words. I've been feeling like I lost my Democratic, feminist, and woman cards.

[quickesst]

151. Your welcome....

....and I have a feeling you're gonna be fine, well, unless trump kills us all first.

[catrose]

154. yeah, there's that condition...

[riverwalker]

140. He would never say that

The other odd thing with her story was : “he looked like he was thinking of kissing me”. Really ? What does that “look” like? Maybe he had gas, maybe he was reaching for the door nob to have her leave, because he knew she was a wacko. A lot has been written about men misinterpreting signals, I think women are a little guilty as well.

[quickesst]

142. Yeah....

I agree. It seems the more you delve into it the more bizarre it gets. They need better scriptwriters, but I don't think they will have any luck finding anyone dumb enough to join them, and smart enough to write better scripts.

[Honeycombe8]

149. You are right. I followed him for DECADES.

Saw him on SNL, countless interviews, read about him, read his book "Lies, and the Liars Who Tell Them" or something like that.

You get a sense of someone's character after hearing them speak on different topics over decades, and reading a book, where he lays out his concern for the common "man" (meaning all people).

Despite his success, he seems to be a grounded person, with many friends, and a sense of ethics. Sure, he's a man. But I would have to hear those words out of his mouth before I'd believe them.

That claim, BTW, was the first time he showed real anger at the allegations against him. He plainly stated that that just did not happen.

He was targeted because he was effective in the Senate, and popular, and looked like he might be on a path to the Presidency.

[quickesst]

152. I think he had the republicons scared shittless...

....and there might have been a few knees knocking on the Democratic side too.

[orleans]

157. this thread is getting too long for me to read tonight

i just want to say (maybe someone else already has)
i heard this story supposedly happened after one of his air america radio shows
but i still don't think he would have said that (or if he did he was joking because it's so stupidly absurd)

he was very serious about his show. i would bet he didn't consider himself an "entertainer" at that point as much as he saw himself as a political radio talk show host

[quickesst]

160. Hell...

This thread is getting too long for me, and I started it.
I will say that there is so much absurdity in several of the accuser's statements that it boggles the mind. I am questioning the integrity of the statements made by them. Gender, in itself, does not guarantee honesty.

[orleans]

191. agree! n/t

[Honeycombe8]

165. Bingo. nt

[Hugin]

161. I'll believe this whole metoo movement is real and not yet another tool of the Patriarchy, when...

it takes down one of the real 1%-er oligarchy. You know almost all of those assholes are riven with sexual harassment, abuse, and assault. It's a major component of their being.

Until such a thing happens, I'm skeptical.

Right now the movement appears to be serving the interests of the uber class. The only people going down are from THEIR coterie of bugaboos.

#1: Hollywood (Liberal stronghold, they say.)
#2: Journalists, Bloggers, and the Press. (Another threat to TPTB.)
#3: Prominent successful Progressive and Liberal political figures. (Once again, TPTB are fine with as few as they can get.)

You may point at Weinstein and say, "But, look". No, he is not a top dog. He is crude and it is a bright day he is out of a position where he can victimize any longer. He had bosses who provided him with the income and prestige required to continue and I'm positive they knew damn well what he was up to and they were okay with it until they weren't. Why? Because, they do it too. Bank on it. Weinstein was merely a convenient scape goat, but, for GAWD's sake, don't look any deeper.

[Casprings]

164. Bill OReilly and Roger Ailes NT

[Hugin]

167. They had enabling bosses and if anything, what is occurring now is retribution for their ousters. nt

[Casprings]

168. Its the same reporting team from the NYTs

[quickesst]

171. I get what you're saying

Like receiving an injury to a limb and gangrene sets in. Amputate the infected limb and the vital parts of the body are safe. Unfortunately, without testimony from any victims of the 1% you refer to, and the refusal of any of the known actors to implicate any of them, there is virtually nothing that can be done. Although I don't share your lack of enthusiasm concerning the metoo movement, I do believe there are certain elements that can be described as questionable. The case against Al Franken being one of them.

[Hugin]

174. Amputation is an excellent metaphor.

Unfortunately, metoo suffers from many of the exact weaknesses of the previous Occupy movement. One thing I've learned is the Right-Wing hit teams are experts at twisting a movement to smear people they want gone. They do it every time.

Sen Franken is the latest manifestation of these machinations. Along with, if you don't have any dirt, make some up. Hillary was the previous victim and the drip-drip-drip of whispered conspiracy along with a game-able electoral process cost her the presidency.

Wow... Don't look now, but, they've already hit the Urban Dictionary definition of Patriarchy.

[quickesst]

179. Yep

The right wing is working night and day to undermine the left, and lying is a natural and essential tool.

[Hugin]

184. Character assassination has been a main Modus Operandi of TPTB since at least...

Jimmy Carter.

Until the Democrats develop an organized means of dispelling it, we'll see more John Kerrys, ACORNs, Planned Parenthoods, and Al Frankens.

Meanwhile, we will have to live under the boot of the likes of President-wanna-be Trump and his bigoted sexist ilk.

[Jakes Progress]

166. Have you ever noticed how many

of the posters that are attacking Al Franken are fairly new to DU?

Things that make you go "Hmmmmm".

[quickesst]

176. Yes

Also, it seems that questioning the integrity of some of the statements put forth by his accusers always translates into: "Why are you attacking the women?"

[Jakes Progress]

195. That's the script they've been given.

[CrispyQ]

172. The dems really fucked this one up.

We're in the fight for our country & they jettisoned one of our best bulldogs so they could claim the moral high ground. The GOP has their boot on our neck & we're worried about taking the high road. WTF? I've been disgruntled with the dems for a long, long time, & their inability to get in the ring & fight, & this didn't help one damned bit.

[quickesst]

181. Agree

The almost certain exoneration of Al Franken was not blocked by the republicon party or his accusers. That was solely on the shoulders of those Democrats who refused to even consider an ethics investigation or to show any kind of support while the process played out. A party in search of a spine, and they just helped sideline the strongest one they had.

[OU65802]

177. It would be so wrong to say that but I dont believe he said that

[quickesst]

183. His response to that accusation

Franken told Politico in a statement: “This allegation is categorically not true and the idea that I would claim this as my right as an entertainer is preposterous. I look forward to fully cooperating with the ongoing ethics committee investigation.”

Thanks to some opportunistic and frightened Democratic senators, he never got the chance at cooperation. Shameful.

[Faux pas]

188. I believe that they

screwed him over to clear the way for gilibrand. We got screwed too.

[quickesst]

190. I can't say with certainty...

.... that they (democrats) paved the way for gillibrand, but, I do believe that an opportunity arose brought about by Rodger Stone and cohorts in which gillibrand, with possibly the help of others, seized upon an opportunity that presented itself to further her political ambitions. In any case, Al Franken, and we the people, are the losers in this ordeal.

[sl8]

194. "And you women will be thinking, "What can I wear that will please Al Franken?"

Last edited Mon Dec 25, 2017, 08:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Al Franken: Thank you, Jane. Well, the "me" decade is almost over, and good riddance, and far as I'm concerned. The 70's were simply 10 years of people thinking of nothing but themselves. No wonder we were unable to get together and solve any of the many serious problems facing our nation. Oh sure, some people did do some positive things in the 70's - like jogging - but always for the wrong reasons, for their own selfish, personal benefit. Well, I believe the 80's are gonna have to be different. I think that people are going to stop thinking about themselves, and start thinking about me, Al Franken. That's right. I believe we're entering what I like to call the Al Franken Decade. Oh, for me, Al Franken, the 80's will be pretty much the same as the 70's. I'll still be thinking of me, Al Franken. But for you, you'll be thinking more about how things affect me, Al Franken. When you see a news report, you'll be thinking, "I wonder what Al Franken thinks about this thing?", "I wonder how this inflation thing is hurting Al Franken?" And you women will be thinking, "What can I wear that will please Al Franken?", or "What can I not wear?" You know, I know a lot of you out there are thinking, "Why Al Franken?" Well, because I thought of it, and I'm on TV, so I've already gotten the jump on you. So, I say let's leave behind the fragmented, selfish 70's, and go into the 80's with a unity and purpose. That's what I think. I'm Al Franken. Jane?

"It's my right as an entertainer", sounds to me exactly like something Al Franken might write or say.

Apparently, he's denied saying that particular phrase, and I tend to believe him, but I'm not sure what to make of the people that say that it doesn't sound like something he might say. Have they not read or seen or heard any of the bits he's written in his comedy career?

[quickesst]

196. I don't quite know what to say here

"bits he's written in his comedy career". There is absolutely no basis to believe that his character in a comedy bit is a reflection of who he is in his personal life. If you have any credible inside information as it pertains to his personal life, please share. That's the best I can offer.

[kcr]

208. I'm not sure what to make of people who don't understand

the difference between fiction and reality. People write and create things all the time that have no bearing on who they actually are as people. For example, Stephen King is not actually a mass murderer or a clown in a sewer. And Franken isn't automatically just like the buffoons he's clearly satirizing. It's more along the lines something Trump would say.

[moriah]

198. I agree the line was idiotic, but he wasn't a Senator then.

So if he'd said anything gave him the "right" to do what he's accused of then, it wouldn't have been his Senate status.

I still think it sounds so overdramatic to be unbelievable, but all he was then *was* an entertainer.

[quickesst]

202. Date and status error...

.... acknowledged in a stand-alone post to all participants. Believing that Franken actually uttered those words is like asking me to believe Santa Claus is a real person.

[Awsi Dooger]

200. As much chance he said that as Russia sweeping every Olympic medal

in February.

But it sounded logical to all the rural white right wingers. That's all that matters.

[kcr]

207. That, and the anonymous accuser on Huffpo was a member of a feminist choir.

Because of course she was.

[Skittles]

209. and FUCK the comrades, er, political hit job apologists on DU

seriously, FUCK THEM

[quickesst]

211. Ok

But next time don't beat around the bush. Tell us how you really feel.