SENATOR FRANKEN (D) blames rigged system heavily on Roberts-led court

[NurseJackie]

I'm very happy that Senator Franken (D) is leading the way among DEMOCRATS... demonstrating through word and deed that the Democratic Party is not "corrupt" or morally/intellectually bankrupt or beholden to Goldman Sachs (blah-blah-blah). Now is not the time for Democrats to have to face attacks and division from "within" and it pleases me to see loyal Democrats like Senator Franken taking the lead in bringing the fight to the REAL threats to our nation.

He's got a presence and a demeanor that commands attention. He gets respect because he also knows how to GIVE respect. People listen to him because he speaks TO them, not AT them... and he can do it all without shouting.

Anyone can shout and rant and rave and make angry accusations (which will make people clam-up and go on the defensive)... but with Al Franken's calm and thoughtful and deliberate style, he can be very disarming and quietly take the advantage before the other person knows exactly what's happened.

He's the same way in interviews! I've seen some senators being interviewed who get all bilious, scowling and "foaming-at-the-mouth" whenever a reporter challenges them or asks uncomfortable questions. That type of abrupt and angry behavior is unseemly and unprofessional in my opinion... and it would appear that Al Franken agrees with me. Obviously, Franken has encountered his fair share of aggressive reporters, but Al Franken possesses important skills that allow him to successfully handle reporters on his own terms.

Franken can detect when a reporter has an agenda or when the reporter is twisting facts (or attempting to force him into a corner) and Franken knows how to gently lead the conversation in a different direction. It's a wonderful thing to watch and it's worlds apart from the behavior of politicians (or their spokespersons) who employ obvious and amateurish tactics to change the subject or to simply spew out a word-salad that says absolutely nothing.

We are very fortunate as Democrats that Al Franken is on our team.



https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2017/live-updates/trump-white-house/neil-gorsuch-confirmation-hearings-updates-and-analysis-on-the-supreme-court-nominee/franken-blames-rigged-system-heavily-on-roberts-led-court/?utm_term=.b2dca2250b96

President Trump often railed against a “rigged system” during the campaign. In his opening statement, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) agreed that the system is indeed rigged — though he argued that the current Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., is heavily culpable for that unfair system.

“The Roberts Court bears a great deal of responsibility for that,” said Franken, arguing that the court has ruled in favor of wealthy and powerful business interests at the expense of everyday Americans.

The senator said he looked forward to hearing Judge Neil Gorsuch defend his judicial philosophy. But Franken warned that if “past is prologue,” he will probably continue to have concerns about the judge.

[brer cat]

1. Al Franken is the antithesis

of the charges many are lobbing at democrats. Those who complain (endlessly) that democrats are rolling over aren't paying attention to Franken as well as many others who are getting the job done without climbing on a pulpit to rant and rave.

Thanks for the post, NJ!

[NurseJackie]

12. Politics reminds me of marriage at times...

Through personal experience (and by observing my friends and family) I've learned that there are much better methods for someone to to get-their-way. For many, it's only natural that they default to the not-so-subtle method of REPETITIVE NAGGING and PUBLIC HUMILIATION.

Based on my recollections and observations, this type of INCESSANT FAULT-FINDING may be a good way to "vent" and release any pent-up frustrations... but when it comes to getting the desired outcome, it's almost always a BIG FAILURE.

Unfortunately, for many spouses, the endless whining and angry griping become a way of life. For them, it's an ingrained way of life. They don't even think about it... they just complain about everything.

Nag nag nag! Gripe gripe gripe! Whine whine whine! Scream and shout! Stomp and slam and break! And, predictably, the other spouse resists or just completely tunes it out. (Go figure.)

Sometimes a more subtle approach works wonders. A calm discussion, in the privacy of one's own home (rather than making a SPECTACLE of one's self in public) and some negotiation, some give-and-take, some respect and love... all go a LONG WAY towards a harmonious and fulfilling relationship.

Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of perpetually unhappy people who were so SELFISH that they refused to concede or negotiate. It was "their-way-or-the-highway" ... and, many of them got their wish. The spouse chose the highway. The marriage ended in shambles, leaving both to pick up the pieces.

The marriage analogy may be flawed... I don't know of any analogy that's a perfect match for politics... but it does help to illustrate how the stubbornness and vanity of some nag-nag-naging politicians (and their supporters) can only lead to an equal amount of resistance. Ultimately, failure.



PS: But getting back to marriage again, briefly... some things are so obvious, and the outcome is so inevitable... it makes me question what a person's true motivations are. When it's obvious that nagging isn't working, yet they continue to badger and berate the spouse anyway, is this a clue that they see the constant nagging as a "shortcut" to divorce without actually have to be the one who files for divorce? Some people, huh? Weird.

[Cha]

2. "He's got a presence and a demeanor that commands attention. He gets respect because he also knows

how to GIVE respect. People listen to him because he speaks TO them, not AT them... and he can do it all without shouting."

Great point, Jackie.. Senator Al Franken is brilliant and a statesman who knows what the Democratic Party stand for.

[NurseJackie]

3. He's a statesman... exactly. (He's NOT a "whiner" or a chronic complainer.)

He's a real Democrat who makes me proud to be a Democrat.

[Cha]

4. We have so much to be

proud of.

Don't care what those with an agenda have to say about our Democratic Party.

[mcar]

5. Our Dems are doing great!

Sen Franken is one of the best. They are fighting for us!

[retrowire]

6. Seriously wouldn't mind if he was gearing up for 2020. Nt

[Wounded Bear]

7. IIRC, Gorsuch is a known "business friendly" judge...

Franken is right to bring that up.

[okieinpain]

8. franken for president. dude is always ahead of the class. n/t.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

9. the weird part of the Franken story is his brazen self promotion...

Back in the SNL days. His comedy had at its center the "Me, AL Franken". He's positioned perfectly as a countertrump.

A reminder here:

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/weekend-update-segment---al-franken/n8832?snl=1

[NurseJackie]

11. Great clip! Thanks for the memories! ("Countertrump" ... HA! Perfect!)

[ismnotwasm]

10. Thank GOD for Democratic Senators such as Al Franken!