Damnit! Is Al Franken a homophobic bigot?

[11 Bravo]

The Washington Times is reporting that in 1976, in an interview with the Harvard Crimson, Franken said, "I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia." The "Pudding" reference is obviously a reference to Harvard's Hasty Pudding Club. Granted, this is from the Moonie Times, so it must be suspect, but did Al actually say this, and if so is there any context in which it can be forgiven?

[walldude]

1. Yeah and Obama went to a Madrassa

and John Murtha is senile and Hillary setup the whole Madrassa scam...

[ronnykmarshall]

6. Oh get off it!

Hillary setup? BULL SHIT!

[mvd]

14. I think walldude was being sarcastic

[ronnykmarshall]

16. Now I feel stoopid

Sorry Walldude.

[Bucky]

53. You cant' even spel "stoopid" right... I'll bet your a freeper moran!

and now your totally screwn!!!1!

[BOSSHOG]

54. Having a hard day

Ronnie? I almost always fail at sarcasm but I don't like using the sarcasm thing. Peace my Friend.

[walldude]

112. LOL.. no problem.. Sometimes it's hard to tell when you are in GD!

:toast:

[Sammy Pepys]

2. Well....

Why should we be so quick to forgive if it was something he meant? Why should we try to find a way for him to be exonerated if he is a hateful bigot?

That aside, context is king. If it was meant to be some kind of joke or something I could see that coming from Franken.

[Crunchy Frog]

105. Even if he did mean it, it was 31 years ago.

I mean, if most of us have forgiven Senator Byrd for having been a Klan member, we should be able to forgive Al Franken for an intemperate remark he made as a 25 year old. If he ever did have those beliefs, (which I very much doubt) I am certain that he has long since outgrown them.

[terrya]

3. That's unfortunate, but...

If he had those attitudes, he doesn't now. He's been pretty supportive on gay issues and homosexuality in general today.

[closeupready]

8. Yeah, it was a different era. I wouldn't make too much of it.

n/t

[xultar]

52. People change. THANK GOD!

[JohnLocke]

4. Even if it was true, it was 31 years ago (nt)

[leftofthedial]

5. he's a white male isn't he?

therefore he's a bigot and he rules the world.

[Bluebear]

9. Funny, you sound bitter. nt

[leftofthedial]

18. not at all bitter

just going along to get along

[La Lioness Priyanka]

47. honestly!

:eyes:

[dmost]

144. It was 31 years ago give him the benefit of the doubt nt

[eyesroll]

7. (I'll preface this with I have not read the article, and have no idea whether you're serious.)

But I'll answer as though you were:
I would submit that a remark from 30 years ago is pretty forgivable even if he meant it in earnest at the time, so long as more recent behavior suggests this is not his current stance.

[LSK]

10. The WASHINGTON TIMES?!??!!?!?!?!?!

THE WASHINGTON TIMES?!?!!????????????

THE WASHINGTON TIMES?!?!!????????????

[WI_DEM]

77. I wonder if they can back up this story?

[NYCGirl]

80. The quote is from this article from 1976:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149

[Auggie]

11. I want to hear from Al

[bullimiami]

12. Al is a comedian. IF he said it...IF. then it was comedy of course.

[Lerkfish]

13. Does Gephardt drink the blood of puppies and have sex with goats?

I dunno, and I have no proof, but if he actually did do this we should be really concerned.

or, at least the puppies should. and the goats, the GOATS, man! think of the GOATS!

[dsc]

15. I care about what he does as a legislator

Truman said vile stuff about African Americans but still desegregated the Armed Forces. Franken can say and believe what he wishes as long as he votes to protect my rights as a legislator.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

17. I don't know. What's Al Franken got to say...

about getting on air planes with muslims?

[The_Casual_Observer]

19. Right.

You can pretty much bet that this never happened.

[Why Syzygy]

20. He is not a bigot or a homophobe. n/t

[Goblinmonger]

136. Grammar Nazi Alert

Sorry, but this one really bothers me. It should be "He is not a bigot nor a homophobe." Not just nitpicking, but as written it could mean that he is both (in other words the "not" refers to the "or" and you could be saying "He is a bigot AND a homophobe).

OK, I'll shut off teacher mode for a while longer.

[Why Syzygy]

141. Valid.

Consider it 'nor'.

[yardwork]

21. The Washington Times is a highly suspect source - it is funded by busho

The Washington Times is reporting something they claimed happened in 1976? This has no credibility.

[Glorfindel]

22. Here's another take on the same story - different source

More reliable, IMHO..."Just a Joke"

http://www.eleventh-avenue-south.com/archives/001194.html

[Bluebear]

25. "The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut."

He couldn't stand it any longer. 'Put that in, put that in,' Franken laughed, leaning over the desk.

http://www.eleventh-avenue-south.com/archives/001194.html

thx glorfindel

[niyad]

23. anybody have an actual link to a real article? the harvard crimson?

[NYCGirl]

28. Right here:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149

[blm]

24. This was timely dark humor - irreverent. If you understood that O'Donoghue was a mentor

to many of these young writers at the time, you can get what Franken is saying.

I met Franken on a number of occasions when he was younger and he is not a homophobe.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

65. The thought of...

Michael O'Donohue mentoring anyone at anything is frightening and disturbing. ;-)

[blm]

79. heheh.....I don't think he CHOSE to do it....I think they gravitated towards him.

.

[mitchum]

101. Hell, that was my dream as a teenager!

RIP, MO'D

[Love Bug]

26. Sounds like sarcasm to me

Poor Franken. Every joke he ever made on SNL is gonna come back to haunt him.

[hlthe2b]

34. Exactly... I can imagine an endless supply of one liners....

that, totally out of context of a comedy routine, sound really awful. Here's hoping the LW will be there to counter the attacks.

[maddezmom]

27. here's a link to entire interview

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149

[hlthe2b]

29. Give us a break.. Franken is a comedian...

Are you going to pull every statement he has ever made in jest and scrutinize it out of context, literally, as it appears on paper? You can certainly expect RW rags to do this, but hopefully we'll have Al's back...

[AlinPA]

30. In a lot of comedy skits his lines were outrageous and the bastards are going

to say "he said this or that" as if it were his policy/personal view. It will hurt him for sure, IMO.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

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[NYCGirl]

33. Where do you get that from? NT

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

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[NYCGirl]

42. I guess all us Jews are to blame, eh? As a German Jew, with his family background,

Franken does not see anyone as disposable as human beings.

[BuyingThyme]

50. Supporting a lie of a war, in my view, is seeing human beings

as disposable.

[hlthe2b]

43. That is absolutely ridiculous....

You are trying to equate Franken to Lieberman...and that is neither fair, accurate, nor defensible.

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

51. Deleted sub-thread

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[TroglodyteScholar]

64. Excellent proof you've provided for your assertion...

:sarcasm:

:eyes:

[BuyingThyme]

72. It's not a secret.

[TroglodyteScholar]

95. More excellent proof.

Why not back up your non-secret with something substantial?

Oh, that's right, you don't HAVE anything substantial.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BuyingThyme]

83. Proof of what? That Franken supported the war?

[cali]

89. How about some proof that he hates Muslims?

You made that inflamatory and disgusting claim without any evidence. And sorry if you're going to say that because he supported the war initially, that just won't cut it, BT. Try coming up with even one statement that he's made that would indicate his "hate".

[JackBeck]

93. KCIK

[BuyingThyme]

100. I equate murder with hate. I'm funny that way.

And your decision to play the anti-Semite card whenever somebody mentions Israel is no different than playing an anti-Christian card whenever somebody speaks poorly of U.S. policy. It doesn't make sense and it simply doesn't fly anymore. Actually, it never did. But it's easy to understand why you have to do it.

[Name removed]

107. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

108. Deleted sub-thread

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[JackBeck]

110. You know what's funny?

The way "Deleted sub threads" follow certain posters around.

cali, it's not even worth it asking for facts or links. You'll pass out from holding your breath.

You're now a member of a large club that enjoys watching BT further alienate themselves for the DU community.

[Name removed]

111. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JackBeck]

113. I don't know why you think I'm a stalker.

I'd ask you for proof but you never like to provide any when anyone asks you to do so. Hence, the aforementioned deleted sub thread.

And for the record, the deleted sub thread was started by you, in which your OP was deleted hours ago.

I'm sure those who were involved would agree. I was just collateral damage.

[Name removed]

114. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JackBeck]

117. To the contrary.

I participate all over DU. A simple search would prove that. From GD, to the Lounge, as well as the HIV/AIDS forum. At the exact moment when I choose what I have to share should be solely at my discretion. Not left up to someone else when and where I am allowed to do as such.

I am far from alone when it comes to questioning your choice of discourse as a DUer. As far as this thread, your treatment to DUers who participated in this thread is no different than how you've treated others in the past. Just pointing out the obvious. That is all.

[Name removed]

121. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AngryAmish]

137. Deleted sub thread is my favorite poster

[JackBeck]

140. LOL.

Along with Name Deleted. But neither of them ever have anything to say.

[hlthe2b]

40. I have never heard him say anything to give me that impression...

In fact he relayed a story about a Muslim soldier in Iraq, who had misunderstood a joke he'd made. Al clearly felt horrible about it... Yes, Al is Jewish, but if you are implying that automatically means he hates Muslims, well, I think that to be a perverse misconstruance of the situation. I"ll just say that...

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

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[hlthe2b]

55. He does not support the war nor the horror ongoing...

He has often become very emotional about his early support for the war. While I too was upset that he (and much of Congress) could not see through the admin's lies, he has made clear, that his respect for Colin Powell made him take him at his word and that he was, in fact, bamboozled.

I have worked extensively in the ME and have tremendous sensitivity when it comes to those who become totally biased in their views for OR against Muslims and Jews. I have left jobs over it, when I found those I worked with could not be fair and even handed. If you are unwilling to be convinced, there is nothing I can say, but I am firmly convinced that Al Franken, despite his Jewish ethnicity and heritage, IS fair and unbiased towards Muslims.

[BuyingThyme]

57. When the Powell lies came out, Franken continued to support the war.

[hlthe2b]

62. Not in a very long time...

Again, it appears you have your mind made up... That saddens me, but I don't choose to joust with those who are unmoveable nor willing to consider a broadened view. I don't say that with any intent to offend you, but you do seem incredibly entrenched in views that are simply not accurate.

[BuyingThyme]

67. You, my friend, are the one with entrenched views.

I haven't said anything about Jews; I've only stated facts about Al Franken. You're the one making generalizations about Jews.

[hlthe2b]

71. Pardon? You don't seem to even be able to keep up with

what poster you are responding to.... I never said anything of the kind. YOu are blasting Al Franken based on wrong preconceived notions. It is irresponsible and that is why so many DUers are calling you on it.

I've never seen posts like this from you BuyingThyme. I am totally dismayed.

[BuyingThyme]

75. These aren't your words?:

"If you are unwilling to be convinced, there is nothing I can say, but I am firmly convinced that Al Franken, despite his Jewish ethnicity and heritage, IS fair and unbiased towards Muslims."

I judge Franken by what he does and says.

[hlthe2b]

78. Whatever.....

That was your implication, but I'm done... Bait someone else.

[BuyingThyme]

82. I baited you with your words?

[JackBeck]

85. Congratulations.

You've joined the club.

[Name removed]

126. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

87. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

103. Deleted message

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[Greyhound]

32. Have you ever heard of the writing/comedy team of Franken and Davis?

If he said it, I'm sure it was said in the spirit of over the top, humor. That is what made him famous in the beginning and got them on the writing staff of SNL.

[rinsd]

66. Agreed. The Hasty Pudding Club reference is a likely tipoff top the context (nt)

[stellanoir]

35. the Hasty Pudding Club was and is entirely satirical.

I'm as sure as I can be that he was just goofing on the fact that they have traditionally had guys dress up like women.

I'm more worried about his continual misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the insecurity of the voting machines based entirely on the say so of one MIT statistician the day after the '04 election. Ughhh. It was puke city.

He's not studied the issue most perilous at all.

Andy and Gore Vidal concurred on this one.

Have a nice day.

[MethuenProgressive]

36. "Don't forget to put 'Kill all preppies' in the article," he smiled.

Al's a Preppiephobic!

:rofl:

[kikiek]

38. It is an early attempt by the repugs to attack him. Maybe some don't know him as well

as others so they really don't understand his sarcasm and humor. Franken doesn’t have a campaign spokesman yet, so Andy Barr the political director of Franken’s Midwest Values PAC, agreed to respond, thusly:

“It’s deeply unfortunate, kind of pathetic, and completely unsurprising that Sen. Coleman and his Republican allies are already dragging out decades-old quotes and taking them out of context to suggest that Al is a homophobe and a crack addict. Now who’s the comedian?

“I would suggest that Sen. Coleman let his pals back in Karl Rove’s oppo shop know that this sort of nonsense doesn’t play in Minnesota. Just ask Senator Mark Kennedy.” http://www.startribune.com/blogs/bigquestion/?p=506

[Matariki]

39. Is Bat Boy real?

The Washington Times has as much cred as the Weekly World News, probably less. So why post something you read there aksing if it's true?

[ripple]

41. Here is some context:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149

It appears to have been an intentionally over-the-top poke at the Hasty Pudding Club.

[Cerridwen]

44. Quote - in context

He recalled writing a skit called "Seamen on Broadway" that was rejected from the Hasty Pudding show "by some preppie so they could take some other preppie's skit." Franken started to smile again, but his tone was serious, too serious. "It's not preppies, cause I'm a preppie myself. I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia." The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson." (emphasis added)

As several others have also posted - yep, I'm being redundant and repeating it over and over and over because that's how the rw is going to use this to attack Franken - repeat it out of context, over and over and over and over.

[Warpy]

45. Dunno. I knew somebody who worked with him ages ago

and found him to be an overbearing asshole. It's certainly not out of the question.

However, it's just as likely to be debunked.

Who knows? If you want a plaster saint who is always right about everything, go to a church. If you want somebody who is perceptive when it comes to political analysis, expect feet of clay and skeletons in the closet.

[Goblinmonger]

139. I'm sure he is an overbearing asshole

So was Twain. So was Hemmingway. So were countless very successful artists and politicians. It kinda comes with the "genius." Doesn't mean he is homophobic or "unliberal."

[Warpy]

142. I can't agree

because I've done the showbiz thing. The people with the most astonishing talent tended to be very shy. When I went into nursing, I found the same thing with the docs who were doing the best research and who had graduated at the tops of their classes at Harvard. When I worked at MIT, I found the same pattern among the true luminaries. I met Noam Chomsky, and he fit the pattern (he's a very nice man).

The blowhards are generally second stringers.

[Bucky]

49. Agree with the above: 1st, it was freakin' 1976. 2nd it was about the Pudding Club

It's Harvard frat boy humor from when Franken was in his 20s. Not exactly germain to the three subsequent decades as a very liberal and very inclusive humorist. He's always been edgy, of course. But if this doesn't fit in with a pattern of homophobia, it's hardly a disqualifier when he's running against a party whose very platform embraces homophobia.

[AngryAmish]

138. Stuart Smalley was VERY edgy

[Pirate Smile]

56. It sounds like something he says as a joke. He would say outrageous

things on his show which you knew he meant sarcastically. I'd bet a lot that that was the same type of thing. A Joke.

He mocks ridiculous things. That was his SOP.

[Neoma]

58. I've never paid much attention to him...at all.

I guess it's because he said he doesn't go into the internet or something like that.

[NYCGirl]

63. He blogs on the Huffington Post from time to time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-franken/

[blogslut]

59. No. Al Franken is not a homophobic bigot

Once again, the Moonie Times distorts the truth to fit the neocon agenda.

[AlCzervik]

60. Was there any context at all? Was he doing an impression of someone or lampooning

a group of politicos?

[npincus]

61. Classic Franken: make an idiotic statement,

something that the people he has contempt for would say-- then crack up.

[LSK]

68. ok DUers, this is the WASHINGTON TIMES

The people who brought you the Pelosi airplane nonscandel.

They employ Tony Blankley.

From Wikipedia:

The Times was founded in 1982 by Sun Myung Moon, leader of the Unification Church and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, to be a conservative alternative to the larger Washington Post. The Times is widely perceived as maintaining a right-leaning editorial stance. By 2002, the Unification Church had spent about $1.7 billion in subsidies for the Times. <1>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Times

WHY ARE WE STILL ACTING LIKE THIS STORY MIGHT BE TRUE??????????????????????????

[AlCzervik]

70. plus there is 0 context which would be helpful.

[Fleshdancer]

69. Here's the rest of what he said:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149


He recalled writing a skit called "Seamen on Broadway" that was rejected from the Hasty Pudding show "by some preppie so they could take some other preppie's skit." Franken started to smile again, but his tone was serious, too serious. "It's not preppies, cause I'm a preppie myself. I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia." The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson."

on edit:

click the link I posted to read the entire smart ass interview

[Lurking Dem]

84. Thank you for that.

:toast:

[Auntie Bush]

73. Unfortunately, weren't most people homophobic in 1976?

Now if he said that in the past 15-20 years...that would be incriminating.

Also don't forget he was a comedian and they are the last ones to respect minority rights. That's just the way it is.

[NYCGirl]

74. No, and Al's in show business where they're the FIRST to respect minority rights.

If you read the rest of this thread, you'll see it was a JOKE.

[theboss]

131. Well...Sinatra was....

Not so sure about the rest of the entertainment industry.

[NYCGirl]

133. There are always some outliers. But in general, the entertainment business

is more tolerant — one reason why historically, minorities are overrepresented in the business.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

81. Al is a big advocate for gay marriage-he think civil unions are a cop-out`

he's not aq homophobe. this is a madrassa moment

[devilgrrl]

86. Quoted from 1976?????????

Get out of here! :nuke:

[slackmaster]

88. Someone's going to be checking into rehab soon

:argh:

[Thevenin]

90. Anybody ever hear of

They are SWIFT BOATS

[swimboy]

143. Welcome to DU, Thevenin!

:hi:

[Warren DeMontague]

91. No. But he IS a Deadhead.

woohoo!

[nosmokes]

92. No.

it's an assinine question. al franken doesn't have a bigoted or homophobic bone in his body. can you say satire boys and girls? i knew you could! FFS.

[cadmium]

94. It was probably satire if said at all It's a ridiculous claim by W. Times. N/t

[Cleita]

96. It's easy to find out.

He's a candidate and probably has an email or telephone number to contact him. Just ask him. Sheeesh!

[GoneOffShore]

97. Too easy!

Far too many people would rather speculate and bloviate and stir s**t. It makes them feel like they're making some sort of difference when they're actually just doing the circular firing squad thing.

:mad:

[David Zephyr]

98. I have gay friends who "hated" gays (themselves) in 1976.

Al Franken is no homophobe.

[devilgrrl]

104. I was going to say....

eom

[fujiyama]

99. LOL 1976?

He could have been a raging RWer back then. Most likely this was done as some attempt at humor. And if he was homophobic back then, who cares what his views on issues were over thirty years ago?

And who really gives a fuck about some Harvard frat? This sounds like some goofy inside joke about some Harvard club. This is irrelevant. Does Franken advocate bigotry against gays now? I didn't think so.

[AnnInLa]

102. From listening to him almost daily for a long, long time on AAR,

I'd say no.

[CTyankee]

106. My ex husband was in Hasty Pudding and they are NOT all gay

Also, I will not ever believe that Al Franken said any such thing about gay people. It just doesn't fit. Period.

[spanone]

109. Al Franken is a comedian. 30 years ago?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

115. It's answered in the thread, but I'm putting it again at the bottom. READ the original Crimson

interview, which I'm sure was not provided or linked by the Washington Times, and judge for yourself.

This is the equivalent of RWers taking that clip from Colbert where he and the Dem congressman were having a goof playing the game of "let's say things that could really get you in trouble if you weren't running unopposed" and made statements like "I like to use cocaine because it's a fun thing to do." Clips were then shown on FOX etc. of course without the context of the gag.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149

He recalled writing a skit called "Seamen on Broadway" that was rejected from the Hasty Pudding show "by some preppie so they could take some other preppie's skit." Franken started to smile again, but his tone was serious, too serious. "It's not preppies, cause I'm a preppie myself. I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia." The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson."

FYI the interview was in 1976. The Crimson is the student paper of Harvard, and Franken is a class of '73 alumnus.

[11 Bravo]

116. Thanks to you and others for a little context.

The Moonie Times certainly provided none. As I mentioned in the OP, anything in the Times is suspect, but I knew my brother and sister DUers would provide me with answers to my question.

:toast:

[Lautremont]

118. Reading the whole article, it's clearly an intentionally OTT joke,

a running headbutt at the envelope.

Anyone who takes this as a true expression of homophobia must also believe National Lampoon wants to shoot dogs.

[bullwinkle428]

119. In 1976, G.W. Bush was a drunk-driving, cokehead little punk!!!

Franken's comments are a complete non-issue, IMO.

[Gold Metal Flake]

120. Others have already posted this, but I don't care.

The rest of the paragraph:
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""

One more time:
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""

Once again:
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""


Are you still "concerned"? If so, try this:
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""
"The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Put that in, put that in," Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. "I'd love to see that in The Crimson.""

[Kingshakabobo]

124. HaHa! Thanks!

I can't believe people entertained the thought.......AND didn't read the links.

Please.....SNL liberal Jewish hippie Dead-Head pot smoker. Give me a break.

[mzmolly]

128. Ahh, my instincts were correct.

:rofl:

[nam78_two]

122. Moonie Times....nuff said.nt

[mzmolly]

123. Al Franken uses sarcasm in his "humor" on a regular basis.

I'd need to have the context, as well as a better source.

[Kingshakabobo]

125. See post #120. LOL n/t

[Beelzebud]

134. For many, comedy is a dead art form.

This is what the politically correct bullshit gets us.

A bunch of people with no sense of humor, looking at comedy bits, and judging them on a mirthless literal scale.

I've noticed it a lot around here. Satire is a dead art form to many people on DU, and in the world in general. Thats why so many right-wingers thought Colbert was on their side for a few months.

[GreenZoneLT]

127. Anybody remember 1976?

About 90 percent of straight Americans would have agreed with the first statement back then. (I can recall my grandmother saying she felt sorry for them, and she was a politically liberal art teacher). The bit about the Pudding is obvious exaggeration for "humorous" effect. Sophomoric, sure, but wasn't he about a sophomore then? Also, Al Franken's entire comedy career is based on irony; it's just as likely he was completely kidding about the whole thing.

Next week, the Washington Times reveals that Al Franken is a selfish egomaniac because he declared the '80s the "Al Franken Decade."

[deutsey]

129. I remember watching SNL in the late '70s when Franken and Davis

called for the violent overthrow of the US government. There's also a photo of them in SS uniforms from another skit.

That was the "Harvard/National Lampoon" style of humor then.

[Katherine Brengle]

130. I wouldn't be surprised if this was taken completely out of context --

knowing Franken, he was probably mocking someone else's ridiculous opinion.

[Little Wing]

132. How much blow was Bush doing in 76? Do we get to call him a cokehead now?

[Beelzebud]

135. Tool - Hush - Everyone needs to read, and keep these lyrics in mind!

FUCK YOU!
I can't say what I want to,
even if I'm not serious.
I can't say what I want to,
even if I'm not serious.
Things like....
"Fuck yourself, fuck yourself
you piece of shit why don't you just kill yourself?!"
I can't say what I want to,
even if I'm not serious.
I can't say what I want to,
even if.. I'M JUST KIDDING!

People tell me what to say,
what to think ,
and what to play.

I say...
"Yeah well, go fuck yourself, fuck yourself
you piece of shit.
Why don't you go kill yourself?"
I can't say what I want to,
even if I'm not serious.
I can't say what I want to,
even if.. I'M JUST KIDDING!

"Fuck yourself, fuck yourself,
you piece of shit."

People tell me what to say,
what to think ,
and what to play.
Just kidding.


The point? Free Speech rules, and Comedians can be comedians.