Al Franken fallout has GOP fuming

[sabra]

Source: Politico

Republican senators feel burned by Al Franken — and not by his old jokes.

The Republicans are steamed at Franken because partisans on the left are using a measure he sponsored to paint them as rapist sympathizers — and because Franken isn’t doing much to stop them.

“Trying to tap into the natural sympathy that we have for this victim of this rape —and use that as a justification to frankly misrepresent and embarrass his colleagues, I don’t think it’s a very constructive thing,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said in an interview.

...

In a chamber where relationship-building is seen as critical, some GOP senators question whether Franken’s handling of the amendment could damage his ability to work across the aisle. Soon after Tennessee GOP Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander co-wrote an op-ed in a local newspaper defending their votes against the Franken measure, the Minnesota Democrat confronted each senator separately to dispute their column — and grew particularly angry in a tense exchange with Corker.

...

At issue is an amendment to the Pentagon spending bill that would bar “future and existing” federal contracts to defense contractors and subcontractors “at any tier” who mandate employees go through a company’s arbitration process for workplace discrimination claims — including claims of sexual assault. The measure passed 68-30, with 10 Republicans voting yes and 30 voting no.

...

“I don’t know what his motivation was for taking us on, but I would hope that we won’t see a lot of Daily Kos-inspired amendments in the future coming from him,” said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, No. 4 in the Senate Republican leadership. “I think hopefully he’ll settle down and do kind of the serious work of legislating that’s important to Minnesota.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30088.html

[Tesha]

1. Somehow, I wish our Senators would spend more time working with folks on OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE

and less time worrying about working with folks "across the aisle".
After all, didn't those folks across the aisle LOSE the last two elections?

Go Al!

Tesha

[valerief]

31. +1,000,000,000

[onethatcares]

65. remember how well they worked with us?

when we were the party across the aisle?

I say, screw em. Let's be lefties the way we were supposed to be in the bginning.

[the blues]

87. Screw 'em indeed.

There's a reason the Democratic Party controls Congress and the White House; it's called the will of the people. It's time our representatives start legislating accordingly.

And, to Al, I say: :yourock:

[CreekDog]

127. Scour their records for any reference to "death panels"

then raise holy hell if you find anything. :grr:

[HowHasItComeToThis]

156. I HOPE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS DESTROYED UTTERLY

[dogfacedboy]

158. Anything that harms the GOP is a good thing. n/t

[rhett o rick]

173. Sounds so good, but do you really want a one party system?

Where do you think the republicans will end up? In the Democratic Party. This is already a problem as we see the blue damn dogs controlling the party. It is easier to fight them when they are in their own party instead of in ours.

[existentialist]

187. If the Republican Party ceases to exist as a viable

political entity the Democrat Party will divide into two parties.

The Blue Dogs could indeed be the source of the next major party in American politics if the Republicans continue to self destruct.

I have some major differences on policy and politics with the Blue Dogs. But on things like simple decency they are a major improvement on the Republicans.

I do not think that the political demise of the Republican Party as a viable political entity would be a bad thing.

[AlbertCat]

108. After all, didn't those folks across the aisle LOSE the last two elections?

And how many of them will still be "across the aisle" when their elections come up? And of course 10 Repugs were with Frankin. That beats the "across the aisle" of the Olympia Snow kind x 10. Seems like he works across the god damn aisle better than most other Dems and any Repugs by a long shot.

These baby whiny Repugs aren't man enough to be in the Senate, apparently.

[Hekate]

2. Three cheers for Al Franken, is what I say. nt

[SharonAnn]

85. And I'm glad he got angry with Bob Corker. It's about time someone did.

I'm embarassed that he says he's representing our state.

He's only representing his corporate buddies.

[dhpgetsit]

120. Corker can put a cork in it!

All 30 of those whiners had an opportunity to vote the other way. They have themselves to blame.

[Mnpaul]

3. You are either with the rapist or against them

Paybacks are sweet.

[Cosmocat]

16. what is bizarre is ...

the morons who are against legislation that protects rapists are ... "blaming" someone else for making them look bad ...

and that isn't the bizarre part. That is just usual, run of the mill republican thinking. They do it, don't see who sad it is, and just keep doing it.

What is bizarre ... The media plays that storyline like it is normal. I mean, the media should be absolutely castigating these idiots as is, but they should be getting strung out by their heels for trying to blame THEIR failings on the person who is protecting woman ...

This sad, completely bizarre BS is accepted as a reasoned position and advanced as "news" in a manner that is a negative for the person doing the right thing ...

1000 times a day the media does this to help positively institutionalize the right wing crape ...

[BrklynLiberal]

42. Disgustingly true!!!

[NewJeffCT]

58. +1 on that

you're 100% correct. It's sad to see how they take any unreasonable Republic position and weigh it 50-50 against the Democratic position as if both are equal.

[AlbertCat]

152. you're 100% correct.

Indeed...even with the typos.

[NewJeffCT]

167. hmm

which typos?

[ZombieHorde]

69. The media's goal is to make money and retain the status quo. nt

[L. Coyote]

106. good analysis, bull's eye n/t

[cliffordu]

22. How right you are.

[sui generis]

27. snork!

:P

Just like playground bullies - willing to beat you up when they think they have the advantage but poke 'em in the tit and watch them scream to high heaven about how you're being unfair.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

89. +1

[MyOwnPeace]

114. Ain't.........

that the truth!!!!!!!:fistbump: :fistbump:

[mascarax]

88. 2 good points, Mnpaul

and thank you, Al.

They side with rapists...what did they expect? So out of touch.

[grytpype]

4. Hilarious.

[sasquatch]

5. Uh guys, the conservative movement has been exhausted its time for you to work with our side

[Enrique]

6. an instant Politico classic

yeah, the republicans filibuster nearly everything the democrats do, but at least they stick to their clubby tradition of ending their conversations gradually. :crazy:


People familiar with the Corker exchange say it was heated and ended abruptly — a sharp departure from the norm on the usually clubby Senate floor.

[mbperrin]

26. I guess that Cheney telling Leahy to go fuck himself did not

count.

[Lasher]

99. Excellent point. The clubbiness has been one way for years.

Many's been the time over the years that I have screamed at the TV during Sunday talk shows, when a Republican Senator would slur Democrats, and the corresponding Democratic Senator would offer no rebuttal whatever. The Democrat would typically just sit there and blink, and later say something bipartisan and clubby about his 'good fried' who had just defamed him and every other Democrat on the planet.

[cui bono]

"a sharp departure from the norm"

That's why they elected Al, to depart from Norm!

:)

[spooky3]

134. They ruined the country but were nice to other Republicans.

Yeah, that's an even trade-off.

[silverweb]

7. Hurray for Al!

Who gives a shit what hypocritical, pervy old reTHUGs think!

They have no "natural sympathy" for rape victims -- or any other kind of compassion or empathy, for that matter. Their sole loyalty is to those who help them line their pockets and entrench their power.

Go, Sen. Franken!!

[Mithreal]

17. Damn straight.

[Odin2005]

37. Don't forget how Palin made rape victims pay for their own rape evidence kits.

[NewJeffCT]

59. well, remember what John Kyl of Arizona said

why did he need to pay for maternity coverage - he obviously wouldn't need it.

No concept of the idea that 100% of the people in the Senate had mothers who needed maternity care. (Thanks to Debbie Stabenow for her comment on that one)

[TygrBright]

8. ooooo... "Daily Kos-inspired amendments"!! Someone page Markos and tell him he's made the Big Time

::snork::

If only these assclowns knew how dorky they sound...

Nahhhh... let 'em keep sounding dorky. We have to take our entertainment where we can get it, these days.

ironically,
Bright

[L. Coyote]

109. "Daily Kos-inspired amendments" the Red Scare of the 21st century LOL

Like us Daily Kossacks are Stalinists or something evil, not Americans who have a voice in a democracy.

I guess the "Kossack" thing has them confounded about which side of the planet dKos is on :rofl: or maybe Kossack has simply confused my good friend, the Senator from South Dakota. :rofl:

[ldf]

142. daily kos is the new

ACORN

[AlbertCat]

153. "Daily Kos-inspired amendments" the Red Scare of the 21st century LOL

They still think they are a majority....in the Senate and in the country.

Like "Daily Kos" amendments are something fringey and peculiar.

How about Big Pharma amendments and oil cartel amendments. Now they speak of what Americans want!

[TankLV]

140. I hope we see MOSTLY Daily Kos Inspired ammendments for the FORSEEABLE future!!!

Nothing short of John Birch and KKK inspired legislation like we've had for the past EIGHT YEARS will ever get these assholes' "support"

[Somawas]

9. Just because they ARE rapist sympathizers

does not mean they should be PERCEIVED AS rapist sympathizers. Fuck 'em and fee 'em fish.

[Roland99]

10. Can we order up a fleet of wahmbulances for the whiny ass Repubs?

[krispos42]

12. First on scene

[TroglodyteScholar]

94. Quick, over here!

[spooky3]

189. LOL to both of you!

If there weren't such evil behind their behavior, and such harmful consequences, they would be a constant source of amusement.

[krispos42]

11. "I don’t know what his motivation was..."

Victim: Gang-Rape Cover-Up by U.S., Halliburton/KBR

By BRIAN ROSS, MADDY SAUER & JUSTIN ROOD
Dec. 10, 2007

A Houston, Texas woman says she was gang-raped by Halliburton/KBR coworkers in Baghdad, and the company and the U.S. government are covering up the incident.

Jamie Leigh Jones, now 22, says that after she was raped by multiple men at a KBR camp in the Green Zone, the company put her under guard in a shipping container with a bed and warned her that if she left Iraq for medical treatment, she'd be out of a job.

"Don't plan on working back in Iraq. There won't be a position here, and there won't be a position in Houston," Jones says she was told.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court against Halliburton and its then-subsidiary KBR, Jones says she was held in the shipping container for at least 24 hours without food or water by KBR, which posted armed security guards outside her door, who would not let her leave. Jones described the container as sparely furnished with a bed, table and lamp.

<more>

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=3977702&page=1




Hey, Thune, if only your morals were as strong as your chin...

[mistertrickster]

98. It this were my sister,

those KBR dirtbags would be begging for police protection.

As well as the boss that's protecting them.

A lawsuit would be the least of their worries.

[Danascot]

13. The party of no always demands that

the dems to reach out to them. But the only time the GOP reached out to dems when they were in power was to poke us in the eye.

[Wednesdays]

14. Would Cornyn like a little cheese with that whine?

I mean, heck, the Republicans never implied anything negative about Democrats via innuendo. Nope, no, never. Uh-uh.

:eyes:

[BrklynLiberal]

44. LOL!!!!

[bread_and_roses]

15. Boo-Hoo you Corpocrats! It's rare that someone can craft legislation that impacts the moneybags

in such a way that it is so obvious where the true interests lie. As I see it, that's what Franken managed to do with this one, and kudos to him!

[Mr. Sparkle]

18. Republicans, "work across the aisle" lol

i must of him missed that when i went out for launch back in the 90's. It's a bit rich for the party of no and corporatism to even bring up "working across the aisle". They have some nerve.

[Wizard777]

19. They are mad because everyone knows the GOP supports rape?

Hell the GOP has been raping the Constitution for decades. Supporting the rape of people is just a natural progression of their sociopathy.

[BulletproofLandshark]

20. I do have one problem with Senator Franken.

There aren't 60 or 70 more like him in the Senate.

[existentialist]

35. And I wish

we had a few like him in the House too!

[Demeter]

84. Don't Forget the Courts! We Need Franken-Democrats in the Courts, Too!

[onehandle]

21. The GOP are the pro-rape party. Al just shined a light on the cockroaches.

Facts are facts.

[and-justice-for-all]

23. Repukes got exactly what they want...

as usual, they voted to protect corporations rather than the people...

[Vinca]

24. Republicans had a choice. They could have sided with the victim.

[bergie321]

45. They thought they were siding with the victim

Giant military contractors need to be protected against the evil gang rape victims. :sarcasm:

[winyanstaz]

25. YOU GO AL!!!!!

Fuck working with these traitors on the right.
Those bastards supported that bill and should accept the responsibility for their actions of supporting people being raped not being able to have justice.
They did it and now they are whinning because Al is a real man and called them on their cowardly and dispicable actions.
To hell with them and the Bush they rode in on.

[Arugula Latte]

28. Gawd I love Al Franken.

[burning rain]

29. So Thune thinks Minnesotans are cool with rape?

My bet is, he's wrong.

[Angry Dragon]

55. We are against rape.

I actually got to vote for the man.

Waiting for the other states to clone him.

[burning rain]

146. Oh, that goes without saying.

I'm just a big believer in the principle that when Republicans bawl about you sucker-punching them, you sucker-punch them again.

[Angry Dragon]

179. I disagree with sucker-punching

I believe in getting in their face and saying either do the right thing or I am coming through and over you.

[burning rain]

188. They could have gotten on board with the Franken Amendment had they wanted to.

So much the worse for them that they didn't.

[DeSwiss]

30. Keep it up Senator Al!!!!

Because you know that you're on the right track when the Repukes start whining about how unfair the Dems are being.

:mad: - Screw all you Repuke assholes!!! You're getting what you deserve. Rapist sympathizers!!!!!

[Plucketeer]

32. I am so GOD DAMNED PROUD

to say that I helped Al get elected! It's about time someone with a flashlight and a spray-bomb of disinfectant started addressing the root of the fester in DC! :grr:

[existentialist]

33. Why was the Franken amendment not good legislation?

Unless the Republicans begin by addressing that question, how can their complaints be taken as anything but an illustration of vicious hypocrisy?

[LaPera]

34. Fuck the republicans, don't want them, need them nor give a shit what they say. They are ALL liars

and as soon as you turn your back you have a knife in it....republicans are the most repulsive creatures on this earth....power, greed and hate is what motivates these slimy swine.

they care nothing about America, only how they can use it to profit and use our tax paid military to steal resources and exploit cheap labor and rape the environment where ever in the world they decide to steal & abuse for profit.

The republican corporate ideology is to give all our tax dollars to corporations none to social programs or to help the people, to privatize everything in order to fuck over the consumers with their price fixing & collusion, as well as bust the workers only voice, the unions, republicans despise the poor and worship the wealthy and their corporations and military imperialism.

Why should Franken give a shit what they want....they are obstructionist and partisans who want the democrats to always cater to their views and NEVER give an inch on their fucked up ideology.

[pengillian101]

164. Why should Franken give a shit.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

186. and manipulating authoritarian fundy religion to their own ends....

I just had to add that to a very good post.


they disgust me to the ends of the earth.

[Odin2005]

36. GOP = Grumpy Old Rapists

FUCK THEM!!!

[L. Coyote]

111. GOP = Grumpy Old Perverts

Thank Al Franken for this serendipitous arrival at calling them what they often are, Craig, Vitter, and .....

[orbitalman]

38. VERY GOOD, AL

He's getting the democratic purpose down!! Keep it up. Maybe some of the old timers will catch on.

[leftynyc]

39. I LOVE this story

The junior senator outflanked all the puke big guns and now they want him to pull their asses out of the fire. Whiny losers.

[seeinfweggos]

83. THAT sums it up perfectly

[spooky3]

139. add all their IQs together and Al's still is higher

and he doesn't suffer fools gladly.

I still smile when I think about that smackdown he did of the RWer who smirkingly testified about health care bankruptcies and walked right into his trap.

[bergie321]

40. Just so I understand the Republican mindset

It is ok to promote Faux News-inspired bills like the ACORN defunding but it is bad to promote Daily Kos-inspired bills like the anti-rape amendment?

To recap:
Helping poor people and minorities vote=bad.
Protecting rapists=good.

They are making it so easy I might run for Senate in Arizona since they both voted pro-rapist.

[BrklynLiberal]

41. Where oh where is my "sympathy for repukes" violin????

:nopity:

After all the crap they have pulled in the past 20 years, the repukes have titanium balls to go around accusing
the Democrats of broad-brush painting. After all the disgusting lies the repukes have been passing around about Democrats
and "wayward" repukes, they should all have to walk around with wheelbarrows to carry their noses.

[hobbit709]

49. Actually, this calls for the full violin ensemble

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[BrklynLiberal]

74. Excellent!!!

[barbtries]

43. these fucking hypocrites

all they're really pissed about is that they lost the round.

republicans never play nice. never. nor do they give a rat's ass about their constituents.

[Metta]

46. Call the waaambulance. They got what they deserve. Now they want to emasculate him.

Happy karma, thugs. :toast: Here's to you, Al.

[cadmium]

47. The 30 could have voted against rape and then they

wouldnt have to be whining about it now. They had a chance.

[Guilded Lilly]

48. Welcome to Republican thinking,,,Republicans.

"<snipped> —and use that as a justification to frankly misrepresent and embarrass his colleagues, I don’t think it’s a very constructive thing,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said in an interview.


Misrepresent? Embarrass?..not constructive? Well, you and your buddies would know all about that.

Physician heal thyself. Franken stood for what he believes in. You hit the vote button all on your own conscience, pal.

[Angry Dragon]

50. All the republicans do is

bitch and vote against everything the democrats put out there without any regard for their states nor people. It just seems a little bit hypocritical to me.

[GrantDem]

51. Dear GOP:

If you do not in fact support rape then you should support amendments/legislation aimed at stopping it.

[ohtransplant]

52. They chose politics over integrity

and the whole world should know it.

Go Al!

[Uncle Joe]

53. They're not supporters of rape, but they are supporters of corporate supremacy over the

American People and if rape happens to take place, the corporation's interest will always be paramount over that of the victim.

That continuous view of supporting amoral, soulless, profit driven corporations over that of the individual or the greater public good's best interests shines through in all their deliberations whether it be rape, global warming climate change, health care etc. etc.

Had these Republicans given a damn about former President Eisenhower's farewell address warning against allowing the military industrial complex to have too much power "whether sought or unsought," they would've thought twice or three times before committing such a mindless, unconscionable vote.

Furthermore, Politico shows their stripes by their slanted title "Franken Fallout" this should easily be Republican Corporate Supremacist Fallout as some members of that political party made themselves radioactive with their cynical, corporate supremacist vote against basic human rights and now wish to project their guilt on to that of Senator Franken.


Thanks for the thread, sabra.

[BobTheSubgenius]

54. Ah, yes. BoxTurtle Cornyn. Definitely the one the Senate should listen to

when it comes to bipartisanship and constructive dialogue. How can people not see through hypocrites as crystal-clear as this dipshit?

Should you want to do some eye-rolling, check out his All Hat, No Cattle video, if you haven't seen it yet.

[DFW]

162. Plenty of Texans are ashamed of Cornyn

I'm one of them.

This low-life goes around proclaiming his patriotism by saying he's the "son of a veteran," so he
doesn't have to mention that he never served, himself.

Plenty of us Texans think he's the son of something else, actually............

[Paladin]

193. Want To Know How Bad Cornyn Is?

He makes Kay Bailey Hutchison look like Winston Churchill by comparison, in terms of intelligence and political acumen. Like DFW says, he shames my beloved state on a daily basis......

[santamargarita]

56. Great work, Al - I love it when the GOP is fuming

:toast:

[Dumak]

57. Thos Republicons can just cry me a river

What exactly did Republicons say when their erection rallies got out of hand? Pretty much *nothing*.

[Mithreal]

60. Never forget the GOP vote on this.

[fascisthunter]

61. can't stand being exposed... not so mighty righty

if you were, you'd have the balls to just come out and say what you believe. If ya really want to be pissed, grab a mirror, but open your eyes this time. That's what you are mad at.

[harmonicon]

62. HA-HA!!

Those stupid fuck-nuts found out for once what can happen when you have someone in the senate who cares more about the average American than that club of rich old white men!! Fuck, yeah!! I hope those little shits drown in their own tears or choke on their own phlegm.

[NewJeffCT]

63. It wasn't Franken who humiliated them

Franken's bill passed. The Pro-Rape 30 humiliated themselves.

[K8-EEE]

64. Due process is bad because people hire big bad trial lawyer?

HUH??? Is that really their official opinion, anything in which anybody may hire a lawyer to represent them is "bad?" Because being hired is a "giveaway" for the lawyer? AM I READING THAT RIGHT?

Boy they've gotten so nutty!

[depakid]

66. The truth hurts

And working with Republicans never results in anything positive- so score two for Frankin.

[smoogatz]

67. Fuck the "clubby" atmosphere of the Senate.

The problem with many of our Dem senators is that they're more invested in their relationships with their Republican pals than they are in serving the people who sent them there. Time to play some hardball, and put the Republicans on the record as the heartless, soulless assholes they are.

[davidwparker]

68. Go, Al. Inspire the others (D)'s towards some Daily Kos-inspired

amendments.

[Enthusiast]

70. Daily Kos-inspired amendments?

I mean, if the fucking shoe fits, you hypocritical sexist asshole! No Daily Kos necessary!

Three cheers for Al Franken!

[Diane R]

71. I wish we had 60 Al Frankens....finally, a Senator with guts.

[emsimon33]

72. With the Republicans, "working across the aisle" is all their way or no way

God bless Franken for calling the slime bastards out. Republicans have no trouble twisting the truth,btu when others call them out for the mean political stances, they going crying to mama MSM!

[Duende azul]

78. This time someone reached out "across the aisle" , but with a kick in the nuts.

That should be the only way allowed to cross the aisle.

Well a kick in the ass should be on the list too.


How could the DLC permit this man entering the "clubby" halls of the senate?

[emsimon33]

79. Yes, I suspect that both the Republicans AND the DLC thought

they the election was adequately rigged to assure a Franken defeat. Now, Franken must be careful never to fly in a small plane!

[penndragon69]

73. Senator Franken is absolutly right!

Boy, i just love saying that!
What part of RAPE do the repugs not understand?
But then they are the party of war,corruption, greed and intolerance.

Work across the isle? Not even on the titanic!

[Geek_Girl]

75. The world would be a better place if my 2 Senators Lamar Alexander and Corker

were replaced with a Senator like Al Franken. Maybe I should move to Minnesota.

[lisa58]

76. Ya gotta love Al

[PSzymeczek]

116. I do!!

I really do!

[rpannier]

77. Absolutely pathetic

So pathetic it's almost not even laughable...

In a chamber where relationship-building is seen as critical, some GOP senators question whether Franken’s handling of the amendment could damage his ability to work across the aisle.

From 2000-06 the republikkans totally ignored the Democrats
The republikkan idea of bipartisanship is you give them everything they want

Fuck Corker, Alexander and Cornyn

[seeinfweggos]

80. oh, give me a fucking break

these women hating pukes vote for halliburton over rape victims (undoubtedly for pure political reasons)and then get pissed when it blows up in their ugly hateful faces.

boo-hoo

[Bette Noir]

81. Ah, the widdle Wepublicans voted for wape, and got called on it.

I feel so sorry for them-- not.

[Cleita]

82. How about some California cheese with that whine.

:nopity:

[Hippo_Tron]

86. Yea becuase Republicans never dramatize an issue to get their way

Hey Republicans, Franken won you lost get over yourselves. Oh and by the way he happens to be right too.

[xxqqqzme]

90. Well, all I have to say is.....

"Elections have consequences."

Those 10 retthug asswipes should have thought about the consequences of their vote. They have twisted 'no' votes against democrats repeatedly.

[struggle4progress]

91. Is this the guy who encouraged Coleman to drag out his election challenge for years? Why,

I do think it is! I wish Mr. Cornyn good luck with the junior Senator from Minnesota :rofl:

Texas Sen. says Coleman has right to pursue legal fight for years
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5357934

[DWilliamsamh]

92. To John Thune:

Franken wasn't "taking you on." The amendment wasn't about you. He was taking on federal contractors. It was about taking on contractors that force workers into arbitration of CRIMINAL activity, including sexual assault, against them by their fellow employees. One way not to be seen as sympathetic to rapists being adjudicated in arbitration processes laid out by corporations is to vote AGAINST that idea. It isn't Franken's fault you voted the way you did and are getting heat for it.

What assholes.

[tularetom]

93. What's REALLY wrong with this story is the implication by Politico that Franken is wrong

to not defend these pukes against the people that are correctly painting them as pro rapist.

I think the whole incident is hilarious and just proves to me that Franken is destined for big things in the Senate whether the other Senators (Dems as well) like it or not.

He's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it, I like him!

[24601]

95. Amen! So I take it everyone here is in favor of mandatory "Life

Without Parole" for convicted rapists? If not, you're in bed with the repugs, n'est pas?

[mistertrickster]

96. Really?! The same people that said that Libs WANTED our soldiers to die in Iraq because we didn't

support the war. That if we opposed the Iraq War, "we wanted the terrorists to win and wanted our wives and sisters to wear burkahs."

These are the folks that are outraged! that their position is misrepresented.

Yeah . . . well, good.

[Wizard777]

97. The GOP Supports Child Rape Too!

They were real proud that couple going around to Acorn Offices advocating Child Prostitution. Now to be fair. Some ACORN employees advocated tax evasion. But The GOP's sweethearts were advocating Child Rape! The GOP did see anything wrong with that couple traveling all over the country advocating Child Rape.

[MetaTrope]

103. Yes, that's well documented

Check out the 5 pages of GOP child rapists at http://www.republicanoffenders.com/Pedophiles.html

[underpants]

100. "The Truth (with jokes)"

Way to go Al

I do think that the standard practice is to lay low for the first year or so and then make such moves but this is such a no brainer there was no reason to wait on it.

BTW- the DC press still thinks that what the Republicans say is the way it is

[MH1]

101. "work across the aisle" - ha ha.

Guess Franken sees how well that's working anyway.

[Joanne98]

102. LOL

[Devil_Fish]

104. We need to contact the ten republicans that voted for the bill and ask why they do not support rape.

www.republicansforrape.org

[rhett o rick]

145. They dont support rape. They support CorpAmerica and whatever they want to do.

It doesnt matter if it is rape or murder, they consider us peons to not warrant due process against CorpAmerica. They are fascists to the letter.

[L. Coyote]

105. Cry babies in suits and ties! Get real and get back to work, FCS!!

On edit, they know better than to mention DU and send the herd to read the comments here :rofl:

[madrchsod]

107. he`s following in the footprints of the giants

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Hubert_Humphrey,_civil_rights_pioneer,_1948.jpg





and so far he has`t let them down....

[Eric J in MN]

110. The amendment should have gone further...

...and said that federal courts shall not consider mandatory arbitration agreements in deciding whether hear a complaint by an employee or a consumer.

[Cha]

112. gop can't handle reality either.

It's a tough world out there when you can't face reality.

[Oldtimeralso]

113. Well Done, Senator Al

Let the Greedy Old Perverts show their true colors.

[peacetalksforall]

115. somawas said in concisely in $9.

Just because they ARE rapist sympathizers
does not mean they should be PERCEIVED AS rapist sympathizers.

[colsohlibgal]

117. Boo Hoo

They brought it on themselves by being unfeeling misogynist knuckle draggers - and dumb as a box of rocks, at least most of those 30. Sessions may be the least bright of them all, comparing his intelligence to a box of rocks might not be fair to the rocks.

[ShamelessHussy]

118. but I would hope that we won’t see a lot of Rush&Fox-inspired amendments in the future

they got some nerve, eh!

[janet118]

119. Too funny . . ..

"In a chamber where relationship-building is seen as critical, some GOP senators question whether Franken’s handling of the amendment could damage his ability to work across the aisle."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[judesedit]

121. That is so funny. Give them a dose of their own medicine.

Gotta luv it. Go, Al.

[suzanner]

122. Those Repubs just don't know what a fair game looks like.

They seem to think all advantage must be to their side. Then they cry foul if they can't find some way to spin things back their way. Disgusting. Low. Think even lower.

[earcandle]

123. repugs are language twisters. One has to be committed to one's words to rise above their snark.

And Al doesn't mince words while working in on of the most
powerful offices ever.

Thanks, Al.  Keep it up.  We'll have them copping to the truth
any day now.

[gateley]

124. Oh, please. Like the Reps have any "concern" about working across the aisle. nt

[femrap]

125. I have been waiting for DECADES

for a Dem to call these anti-choice assholes Rapist Sympathizers!

Goddess bless Al!

And Thune seems to forget that over 1/2 of the population of MN is women!

I'm so proud of Al. I'm going to call his office tomorrow and send him a card as well.

Damn....finally a Dem who said it!

I'm so happy.

[tosh]

126. Cool!!

Let 'em fume! Fume all the way to hell!

:rofl:

[truthisfreedom]

128. Good for Al. The fumes have been rising off the stenchpile called the GOP for years.

If he makes them fume some more, so much the better. Make's 'em easier to see, for better targeting.

[waiting for hope]

129. Love Al - I wish more would follow his lead ...

What he has done is displayed their pathetic hypocrisy and misogynistic attitudes for everyone to see. If they don't like what they see in Al's mirror - Fuck 'em.

[Name removed]

130. Deleted message

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

[dflprincess]

132. I'm Minnesotan and Franken is representing me better than I'd ever hoped

Jack Nelson Pallmeyer was my first choice and really more of an heir to Wellstone, but Franken seems to have moved a bit to the left since he was elected and he's doing a good job.

I miss Wellstone too - all of us do, there will never be another one like him. The DSCC, DNC, DLC & the state party all love to pay homage to him but they'll do their best to see to it we never elect anyone like him again. I take comfort in knowing that Franken was a good friend of Wellstone's and hopefully he sometimes asks himself what Paul would do.

Amy Klobuchar - now there is a disappointment, she should take lessons from Al.

[spooky3]

137. You are aware that that is a photoshopped item you have posted that the Rethugs

circulated during the campaign?

[pengillian101]

143. You are aware that that is a photoshopped.

NOTSOMUCH.

Look it up. It's real. Saturday Night Live was his livelihood back then as a comedian! He is still just a joke.

[pengillian101]

147. No it is not photoshopped.

That's his SNL photo.

[Name removed]

150. Deleted message

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

[pengillian101]

151. The HELL it is!

Goddamit it, learn some SNL history.

[Name removed]

154. Deleted message

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

[spooky3]

175. if you did even a modicum of homework, you would find that it's a fake

Here's just one example, including a statement from Franken's campaign.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/26/franken-ohio-photo/

Here's a second from the well-respected MediaMatters:

http://mediamatters.org/research/200905040004

There are many others.

[Bosso 63]

144. I'm Minnesotan and Franken represents me!

and damn well I might add.

[pengillian101]

148. OK then, glad to hear it!

How did he represent you so well, if you don't mind me asking.

[Canuckistanian]

131. Those votes against the amendment were indefensible. Period.

Sometimes, you just have to do the right thing. Those 30 GOP senators chose not to.

They can eat it.

[Sugarcoated]

133. Love it.

[TankLV]

135. Tough shit, repukes - GOOD for Senator Franken - he speaks for ME!!!

Get used to it, assholes - it's only going to get WORSE for YOU!!!

and it's WAY overdue...

[rudy23]

136. Al hasn't gotten the memo---he's not supposed to score points on R's. It's like Hannity and Colmes.

Congress, and our entire political system is expected to work exactly like Hannity and Colmes.

[spooky3]

138. when something is outrageous, you have to be outraged

I wish we had a dozen Senators like Franken, Grayson, etc.

[Grassy Knoll]

141. Assholes, they shit their pants.....

an blame the smell on Democrats.
:shrug: WTF

[proud2BlibKansan]

149. Dear Senator Thune, Elections have consequences.

P.S. Fuck you.

[InfiniteThoughts]

155. Senator ... you have it wrong ...

How can the republicans be so dumb:

1. Where was bipartisanship when the govt was trying to push thru the $787 bn stimulus package. If my memory is right, it had $250 bn+ of tax cuts.

2. Sen Thune - You are a UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SENATOR and not the senator for just South Dakota. Hence your legislating activity should focus on what's important for USA and not just South Dakota.

3. Al Franken did the right thing by closing down on the moral-less action of the federal contractors. How can the republicans not support action against rapists? GOP should be ashamed to be calling themselves the party of morals & family values. The only value they have is the corporate dollar!

[RobbinsdaleDem]

157. I am so proud to have voted for Al.

Ha, ha, Republicans. I voted by that despised absentee ballot.

[Nikki Stone1]

159. Embarrass colleagues vs Justice for Rape....a no brainer, unless you're a GOP dick.

Assholes.

[cyclezealot]

160. Franken hit the juglar with these Freepers

we call GOP senators.. These right wing hacks..... Legally, can you imagine the futility of rape victims , going through company channels to seek justice. All the While Blackwater has something to hide.. Those Goopers cared more about the interests than Blackwater than the rights of rapists.. Al had them by the nads and they are seeking a way to not make them appear as the jerks they are.

[Greyhound]

161. "GOP senators question whether Franken’s handling of the amendment could damage his ability to work

across the aisle."
:rofl:"working across the aisle"!:rofl:
Go Cheney yourselves.:rofl:
:kick: & R

[Triana]

163. "the serious work of legislating" - SO, Mr. Thune, RAPE isn't serious?

Good to know where YOU stand you goddamned fucking misogynist pig.

[SeattleGirl]

165. Awww, poor widdle babies!

Big, bad Al Franken wants to protect victims of rape.

Isn't that just the SADDEST thing?

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

I would never, EVER wish rape on anyone, but I'd love to see how these fucking assholes would react if someone on their family had been raped, and then faced being unable to go after the assholes who did it.

I bet they'd be singing a different tune.

[defendandprotect]

166. We should all be fuming that this legislation didn't pass ...and instead of

the GOP being ashamed, they're somehow back in here running the show, framing the story????

[Lorien]

180. Exactly. Once again attacking the messanger to evade the message

and the hell of it is that it usually works for them.

[defendandprotect]

191. Yes . . . somehow it all works for them -- !!!

:shrug:

[nxylas]

168. Karma's a bitch, ain't it?

Does anyone seriously believe the GOP would pass up an opportunity to label the Dems as "rapist sympathisers" if one were to arise? Yet, like all bullies, they run away crying when someone hits back.

[noamnety]

169. "GOP declares itself real victim in rape case"

(don't mind me, just writing my own headlines here)

[Hubert Flottz]

170. The Pig party can dish it out but they can't take it!

Al is rubbing their noses in their own shit and I'm guessing it don't smell well.

[shellgame26]

171. Drop him a line

Let him know we've got his back
http://franken.senate.gov/contact/

[Hepburn]

172. The RW assholes really don't get it, do they.

They ARE and WERE rapist sympathizers ~~ in the scenarios where big defense contractor corps are involved.

What is it exactly Corker, et al., do not understand about what the fuck is WRONG with their pro-rape position?

Sheesh....:eyes:

[CanonRay]

174. Keep it up Al

That's why we helped send you there.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

176. Consider the source

of both the quotes and the 'news' organization they come from. It's just the "R"s trying to sling mud.............

[LynnTheDem]

177. "hopefully he’ll settle down and do kind of the serious work of legislating" ...because after all,

LEGISLATING AGAINST RAPE CRIMES ISN"T IMPORTANT TO REPUBLICANS.

[Zorra]

178. "Crossing the aisle" for a Democrat is like crossing the River Styx.

No good can ever come from it - there's nothing but darkness and death on the other side.

Sen. Franken allowed the republicans to make total fools of themselves.

This has got to be Al Franken's best joke ever.

[Doctor_J]

181. Those who voted to legalize rape are crying about the blowback

this issue should liner right through the next election cycle.

[rocktivity]

182. TRANSLATION: Al Franken Legal and Moral Victory

Has GOP Humiliated

:evilgrin:
rocktivity

[Blue Owl]

183. Love it!

Thanks Al!!!

[hvn_nbr_2]

184. "could damage his ability to work across the aisle": hilarious crock of B.S.

some GOP senators question whether Franken’s handling of the amendment could damage his ability to work across the aisle

What a hilarious crock of lying bullshit, from the party of no.

[spooky3]

190. yes, they have done such a great job of cooperating "across the aisle" with more moderate

Democratic proposals, haven't they?

Rethug "working across the aisle" = doing whatever we want even though you're in power and have a mandate

[BlancheSplanchnik]

185. daily kos inspired amendmendts:BAD...Fux, Rush, Beckkk,

Evangelical Inc., and all other conservative, corporate megaphones: double plus good.

You fucking self-serving, POS lying hypocritical REPUKE

I hate these people and their fucking profiting off of other people's suffering so much.... :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Dutch]

192. You know, I never actually liked Franken the comedian all that much.

But I'm really coming to like Franken the Senator. Boggles the mind that these Republican think they should be able to vote against such an obviously just bill and not be called on it- they're not the sort of people anyone should be expected to work with "constructively", in fact I doubt it's even possible to do so.

[yurbud]

194. Republicans are worried about ''relationships''? where was that attitude when they were in control?