The most important issue facing America today is the counter-productive and divisive paradigm of our political discourse. I will refer to this as "image-based politics".
Our democracy cannot function well in such an environment. The true patriots of this country are duty-bound to set a course toward productive and inclusive political discourse, what Al Franken calls "reality-based politics".
Most people know of Al Franken through his humor and celebrity but few are aware of his brilliance, intellect, thoughtfulness, kindness, compassion and integrity. I consider Al Franken a true American patriot, and I wish there were more like him.
Al Franken is the sleeper candidate of this election cycle. Now that Al has received the DFL party endorsement and is well-funded enough to get his message out, others will come to know the person, not the persona. Substance over image.
As we get closer to the November election the current poll numbers will flip, and the flip-flopping political opportunist Norm Coleman will be packing his bags.
One consequence of image-based politics has been the precipitous loss of respect within the world community. Even so, America still represents the best hope in the world against tyranny and oppression. It is painfully unfortunately that we totally blew it by electing (at least for one term) a corrupt and arrogant administration.
The Bush administration squandered the goodwill of the world community as it was extended to us after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Bush administration has also squandered our monetary and moral capital by pursuing an unnecessary war in Iraq.
Iraq, Kyoto, ANWAR, off-shore drilling, record petroleum industry profits, suppression of alternative energy solutions - it's all about the oil and those who profit (like the Bush dynasty) from this limited world resource. We are paying dearly for these profiteering "misadventures"
In light of the continuing struggles of black Americans in addition to the fallout from an ill-conceived foreign policy, there is today an exciting and historic opportunity to break from the old ways. For me, Barack Obama is the man for the times.
A Barack Obama presidency will send a message to the world that there is still an ember of hope in America amid the ashes of our shame. The status quo has finally become so intolerable and the conduct of our highest officials in government so egregious that we are now finally ready to embrace the new paradigm of reality-based politics.
With Barack Obama as President, our minority citizens might feel less disenfranchised. The American Muslim community might feel less reluctant to become a part of the body politic. Other minorities might feel a renewed sense of hope and opportunity. America will become more American.
With Barack Obama as President, the American people will once again begin to earn back the respect of the world community by actually living up to the promise that is America. The promise that all are created equal, that this is a land of opportunity, that a diverse society can transform itself into an enlightened electorate and establish a government and a way of life that really does serve the interests of the common citizen. E Pluribus Unum!
In regards to Al Franken's character, political positions, intent and vision my sources are two-fold.
First, I have read front-to-back all three of his best-selling books:
- Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot (and other observations)
- Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them
- The Truth (with jokes)
I challenge anyone to find fault with Franken's facts as presented in the books mentioned as his listed sources are explicit and verifiable and his research is impeccable. This is in stark contrast to right-wing hate radio and neo-conservative propaganda, including the so-called "Fox News" drivel.
Secondly, I have personally spent time with Al and Franni Franken on half a dozen occasions, mostly at political events such as a rally in St. Cloud, a DFL event in Robbinsdale and a private fundraiser in Minneapolis. A couple of times the setting was non-political, intimate and social.
For information regarding Barack Obama's character, political positions, intent and vision I have depended foremost on Minnesota Public Radio, and to a lesser extent on the Minneapolis Star & Tribune.
I have been a local musician in the Twin Cities area for nearly 28 years. About a year and a half ago I was contacted by a DFL party activist and fellow musician to be part of a band dedicated to supporting Al Franken in his bid to unseat the incumbent US Senator from Minnesota Norm Coleman. I jumped at the chance and have been active with the band ever since in what has come to be called Al's Grateful Volunteers.
I have never been actively involved in politics other than always doing my duty and voting whenever possible. When I heard that Al was leaving his radio show to go after Coleman I was thrilled and inspired, having realized at that time (having already read two of the three books mentioned previously) that here is a guy that speaks for me, one who I believed could address in a fundamental way all those things that had created in me a profound despair and cynicism. I now have a hope and excitement about our country that had been lacking ever since Nixon, with the exception being Bill Clinton's presidency.
I once crossed party lines when I voted for Jesse Ventura for governor. It was the biggest political blunder of my life and I am ashamed to admit it. I've learned my lesson and will never make such a mistake again.
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Comments: 19
It seems that the left and the right will always be diametrically opposed in their view points and that will never change.
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my article.
I must strongly disagree with you. The facts are out there should you care to inform yourself, but that does take a little bit of effort.
There are plenty of substantial reasons to be critical of Bush and his administration. Even his own former press secretary has come out with a book that is very critical of his former employer. It is our patriotic duty to speak the truth.
I suppose you won't even consider reading Al Franken's books. If you won't ever consider another point of view, no matter how reasoned, accurate and verifiable than you will simply be uninformed and will accordingly make bad political decisions.
Did not Jesus say "None are so blind as those who refuse to see"?
Lucky for all of us, McCain seems to me to be a decent man and a true patriot and I won't despair should he win the presidency. Never before have I been able to say something like that.
I would consider any argument in defense of the Bush administration, but you must give me something to work with. You make statements about WMDs yet you do not specify any sources or examples to support the statements you have made.
The reason Congress went along is because the Bush administration lied and deceived the Congress and the American people in order to justify a war from which Bush, Cheney and others would ultimately profit. Follow the money.
If you get your "information" from Fox News, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Jerry Falwell, Bill O'Reilly and the like, all I can say is that you are being duped by a sophisticated propaganda machine directed by Karl Rove. This is a great disservice to the country. These folks profit hugely from their propaganda, so again follow the money.
If you can open yourself up to it, please read my article "The Karl Rove Con and How to Fight It".
I hope you will make an effort to learn something substantial concerning the issues that affect us all. Once you arm yourself with some valid information I hope you will return, present your arguments and then support your arguments with facts and sources. We can then engage in a constructive debate.
Republicans are not my enemy, and Democrats should not be considered your enemy. We are all Americans, and both perspectives need to be heard and accommodated as much as possible. We need to base our political beliefs and debate in the reality of the times for this to happen. Anything less is un-American.
E Pluribus Unum!
Thanks for your comments.
Polls are pretty insignificant right now for just the reason you mentioned.
Al's career and celebrity have created an image in peoples minds and does make it more difficult to get through to the truth of the matter, but that is precisely what Franken is all about!
It's like this (forgive me for repeating myself if you've seen this before, it's just my talking point on the subject):
Just because Arnold Schwarzenegger's character kills people in his movies does not mean that Governor Schwarzenegger of California is a murderer!
But then the Memorial Service. What could of been a great memorial service became a political event. The Democrats overplayed their hand. Gov. Jesse Ventura got up and left because he couldn't partake in the event.
This inspired the Republicans. This turned off much of the politcal middle. Coleman won.
And the Dem's have no one to blame but themselves.
Now, they have chosen a candidate that has more baggage than Samsonite. All the outrageous and outlandish stuff he said in the last five years are on tape, just waiting to be exposed. Oh, sure, the hard core political left will love it, but the political middle won't. You have to win more than your loyal followers.
Coleman wins. The Dem's could have run a better candidate. I know many middle of the roader's who easily would have voted for Ciresi.
The Dem's will have no one to blame but themselves, again.
Thanks for commenting, it's good to hear from you.
Wellstone certainly would have been re-elected had he lived.
I agree with you that the scene at the Memorial Service was unfortunate to say the least and did play a part, perhaps a big part, in getting Coleman elected.
I also agree that Mondale was probably the safest choice as a last minute replacement candidate.
I also agree that Al Franken has said some really outrageous and outlandish things, and that those of us on the political left really enjoyed it, even though we found it hard to breathe at times as we were laughing so hard. A satirist or comedian who does not say outrageous and outlandish things will soon be out of work!
Wow, Winston. I've just agreed with you three times! This is a first for us! I like it when we can find something to agree on.
But I now digress. Time to disagree with you once again.
It is not fair to suggest that this politicizing of the Memorial Service was a planned or concerted effort by the Democratic Party. This was one grief-stricken individual who happened to be a Democrat. The responsibility for any political fallout is on this one individual and not on the Democratic Party.
It's funny, I don't see Franken having any political baggage whatsoever. Satire is satire and politics is politics.
No one is accusing Arnold Schwarzenegger of murder even though he kills people in his movies. It's no different for Al Franken.
The thing about Franken's satire and humor is that it all comes from exposing the truth. Everything he has written is based on explicitly sourced information that is there for anyone to check and verify. All his material is rigorously researched.
The man is all about truth and you're all about shooting the messenger. Listen to the message, read the books and see if you can find fault, deception, distortion or untruth in anything that Al Franken has reported. I challenge you to do this and come back and share what you have found. Good luck.
No, my friend, it is the Republican Party that has the baggage. They are the Lying Liars. Sorry.
After Al Franken's book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" came out, Fox News took Franken to court in a slander suit and Franken won! What does that tell you, Winston? It tells me that Franken is truthful and that Fox News is full of it.
You are missing an even bigger point, and that is the DFL delegates who gave Franken a first ballot endorsement represent the middle ground. These folks are not extremists. This nomination occurred amidst all kinds of controversy, including Betty McCollum's sour grapes comment concerning the Playboy article.
What did they know that others did not? You and the rest of Minnesota will find out as we proceed to the elections in November.
Franken will continue to surprise. There is no better candidate bar none to take on this fight. Digging through the BS and getting to the truth is what he does. He is an expert, and now he simply has to apply his talents to his own political efforts.
Bye-bye, Norm.
Larry Jacobs is a big time leftward leaning poly wonk.
If he says Al's in trouble, Al's in trouble
I just watched the clip. No news here. The pundits have been predicting and getting it wrong pretty consistently. Jacobs is no different.
Make no mistake, Coleman and the political machinery behind him are formidable opponents and not to be underestimated.
Franken has truth on his side and a well-funded campaign coffer.
There is no fear here, just the challenge of running on truth when the other side is not similarly constrained.
This is a turning point: Continue with image-based politics or embrace the new paradigm of reality-based politics. The people, not the pundits, will choose.
That's true. That press secretary was also quoted (in an interview) as saying that people who wrote books about how bad an administration was when he/she was there are real losers. If it was so bad, why didn't they quit. That could probably apply to him too, don't you think?
I've crossed party lines a few times, but this time it's Republican for sure. Every time I think I'm a little impressed by Obama, he disappoints (by his lies and distortions).
McClellan calling himself a loser? I missed that one. Please provide the link or source so I can get on the same page as you and make an informed comment.
What lies and distortions are you refering to? Specifics and sources are always helpful.
Is it the recent flap about campaign funding? The devil is always in the details, so if you would please provide the specifics and I'll follow up with a comment.
Don't blame Obama for being a politician and doing what politicians do. They all play the same game. He still gets my vote.
By the way, WCCO is not known for any left-leanings. I think they are pretty firmly in the Coleman camp.
Larry Jacobs does not appear to be a lefty in my view.
Wow, what color is the sky in your world?
Generally blue or grey, depending on the weather. At times multi-colored, especially at sunrise or sunset. Never black or white.
Okay, I admit it. I don't watch TV, so I am certainly not the expert here. But don't we have more important things to discuss than labeling this and that.
Let's move our discussion beyond the labels so commonly used and talk about things that concern us all.
Let's try to find some common ground where we might occassionaly agree like in our last discussion about Wellstone's Memorial Service. I thought that was a fairly productive discussion.
1. It's a friend who has relatives working for him.
2. The person is not a lobbyist, not working for the US Gov, and not a recipient of government contracts or legislation.
3. So, is this the Franken campaign getting desparate?
4. Why was this OK for John Kerry in 1996 and why is it OK for Sen Chuck SChumer?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/garden/18roomies.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
WHAT!? Al not wanting to raise gas taxes! He must have stuck his finger in wind on this one!
I once again have no idea what you are talking about concerning rent in DC. I think you could do a better job framing the issue.
Again, what's your point. I can't respond to blah-blah.
Make a point, state your arguments, give examples, state your sources (you do okay here with the links) and make your conclusion(s). Give me something to work with please.
Thank you. You are very kind.