Much of our audience here has likely already seen this video (it’s been making the rounds), but just in case you missed this revealing moment (kudos to Dusty Trice for capturing it!), here it is:
If you don’t have the time (or speakers) to watch it, the summary is that Senator Franken was intercepted (that’s the nicest way I can phrase it) by a mob of tea-party-ites aching to give him an earful on socialized medicine. Instead of resulting in a yelling-match, Franken manages not only to diffuse the situation but then initiate an honest, insightful, and informed discussion on health-care reform. It’s truly remarkable. Especially for the loud-mouthed loon-bat the right wing has been telling me this guy is…
Queue right-wing response that’s totally off subject in 3, 2, 1,…
And lets hear the Republicans come up with some “Angry Al” or other stupidity. Put Norm the Opportunist in the same position with constituents who don’t agree with him and watch what would happen. Makes it hard to demonize somebody when they treat people like adults and actually talk to them doesn’t it?
I think our new Senator is going to have a long and productive career.
I’m certainly not a right-wing loony. In fact, I regularly and rather meanly decry right-wing loonies. However, I’m not seeing this group of people as a “mob” of torch-wielding zealots that Franken had to calm down. Franken did a great job: kudos to him, but if we’re going to see the “other side” as a bunch of loonies- even when they don’t appear to be- then we’re not doing what we praise Franken for here.
Did you watch the rest of the video (15 aditional minutes) or just the truncated 10 minute clip?
The no nothing in the opening shot is wearing her loony tunes tea party shirt. We should be grateful that they were willing to talk rather than water the tree of liberty with the blood of a patriot.
“Will you vote as all my old lady friends think you ought to vote or will you vote the way that that negro wants you to vote?”
Thank you Al, you are a credit to our State and to the nation. It is likely that we will be sending more legislators of your caliber to St. Paul and to Washington in 2010. People want that. You are helping to bring an end to the destructive and highly polarized politics of the last 30 years. Our nation needs roll models like you to help us remember what the voice of reason sounds like.
It’s taken me about a year, but I have grown to like Al. He is a man of many talents.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-FYyuvrRk