January 28, 2004
The Truth About Al Franken?
I have read two vastly differing accounts of the incident involving Al Franken and supporters of Lyndon LaRouche at a Howard Dean campaign appearance. Here is the CNN account of the event:
Followers of perennial presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche interrupted a campaign event for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean on Monday before being drowned out by Dean supporters and removed from the room with the assistance of comedian Al Franken. [snip]Here are several quotes from the New York Post account which tell a vastly different story, mostly in Franken's own words.Franken, a comedian and self-described liberal well-known for his attacks on the Bush administration and conservative-leaning media, helped carry out one of the disrupters. In the process, Franken's glasses were knocked off his face and broke in two.
Wise-cracking funnyman Al Franken yesterday body-slammed a demonstrator to the ground after the man tried to shout down Gov. Howard Dean.A couple of questions spring to mind. First if the NY Post/Al Franken version of the story is true, what the hell is CNN reporting and why? Second, if the CNN story is accurate is the the sort of self-aggrandizing lying BS we can expect when Franken hits the radio waves? Third, if the NY Post story is closest to the truth, why isn't Franken in jail for assault?The tussle left Franken's trademark thick-rim glasses broken, but he said he was not injured.[snip]
"I got down low and took his legs out," said Franken afterwards.[snip]
The trouble started when several supporters of fringe presidential candidate Lyndon Larouche began shouting accusations at Dean.
Franken emerged from the crowd and charged one male protester, grabbing him with a bear hug from behind and slamming him onto the floor.
"I was a wrestler so I used a wrestling move," Franken said.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 01:44 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
1
Hmmm. It describes a bear hug, which Franken says is one of his ol' wrestling moves; but Franken also said he got down real low and took out his legs.
My guess is that your second listed possibility is more likely. Franken was probably spouting off colorful embelishments to make it more interesting. And, yeah, we can expect more of same from him on his radio show.
My guess is that your second listed possibility is more likely. Franken was probably spouting off colorful embelishments to make it more interesting. And, yeah, we can expect more of same from him on his radio show.
Posted by: Tuning Spork at January 28, 2004 09:10 AM (Jh82k)
2
From the manager of the theater, who was actually there, sounds like it's the Post that's slanted the story:
Some people are claiming that it was Al who was the aggressor and should be booked for assault. What do you make of that?
That's absurd. If I talked to him today, I'd thank him for helping.
I'm the president of the Palace Theater trust, which is a public venue in Manchester, and we have 900 seats, and it became clear to me that we had a disruptive patron, and I went over to the patron to be quiet or I'll have him arrested and all of a sudden he started pushing and shoving, and in the midst of that he hit someone who reacted back. And frankly, I had to warn the guy ten times.
Some people are claiming that it was Al who was the aggressor and should be booked for assault. What do you make of that?
That's absurd. If I talked to him today, I'd thank him for helping.
I'm the president of the Palace Theater trust, which is a public venue in Manchester, and we have 900 seats, and it became clear to me that we had a disruptive patron, and I went over to the patron to be quiet or I'll have him arrested and all of a sudden he started pushing and shoving, and in the midst of that he hit someone who reacted back. And frankly, I had to warn the guy ten times.
Posted by: The Real Story at February 01, 2004 09:20 AM (KPwsC)
3
I actually offered no comment as to the veracity of either the CNN or the NY Post story. I was questioning the disparity of their accounts. You, and others offer yet another version. I have also read accounts in which the person who was struck was Franken himself.
Nothing in Franken's own comments quoted in the post and elsewhere make any reference to self defense or responding to the heckler's assault of another. He has asserted repeatedly that he acted to protect Howard Dean's free speech.
Should Franken be arrested for assault? If what he did fits the definition of assault, absolutely.
Nothing in Franken's own comments quoted in the post and elsewhere make any reference to self defense or responding to the heckler's assault of another. He has asserted repeatedly that he acted to protect Howard Dean's free speech.
Should Franken be arrested for assault? If what he did fits the definition of assault, absolutely.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 01, 2004 09:37 AM (CSxVi)
4
Well Stephen,
Excuse me for noticing but it sounds to me like you have already decided what the truth should be. Here we have someone who was actually there and appreciated Franken's role. The fact that Franken was not arrested would suggest that CNN got it right. Does your disappointment with this possibility preclude you from accepting it. I suspect so.
Excuse me for noticing but it sounds to me like you have already decided what the truth should be. Here we have someone who was actually there and appreciated Franken's role. The fact that Franken was not arrested would suggest that CNN got it right. Does your disappointment with this possibility preclude you from accepting it. I suspect so.
Posted by: Bill at February 27, 2004 04:08 PM (0SrUW)
5
I'm not quite sure what you think you noticed. I have noticed a certain lack of reading comprehension. I merely commented that there are numerous versions of the story and pointed out that the Franken was justified if not heroic versions don't generally tend to match up well to Franken's own statements.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 27, 2004 04:23 PM (CSxVi)
6
Stephen
I agree that there is a confusing array of stories out there. I also know that there are many people who have a vested interest in discrediting Franken. This should always cause rational folks to critically read anything (this is true for others like Bush, Clinton, etc.). Unfortunately critical thinking seems to be a rare skill in our country these days.
What I noticed is that you concluded your entry with an intimation that Al should possibly be arrested. If you were neutral, or willing to accept the version of the story of the theater manager, I don't think that you would have concluded that way. I think my reading comprehension is quite good - as is my ability to read between the lines.
Now, I'm sorry for letting a good discussion degenerate but I can't help myself - is the last sentence of your last entry a new type of sentence structure? It really does not read well.
Nice conversing with you.
Sincerely, Bill
I agree that there is a confusing array of stories out there. I also know that there are many people who have a vested interest in discrediting Franken. This should always cause rational folks to critically read anything (this is true for others like Bush, Clinton, etc.). Unfortunately critical thinking seems to be a rare skill in our country these days.
What I noticed is that you concluded your entry with an intimation that Al should possibly be arrested. If you were neutral, or willing to accept the version of the story of the theater manager, I don't think that you would have concluded that way. I think my reading comprehension is quite good - as is my ability to read between the lines.
Now, I'm sorry for letting a good discussion degenerate but I can't help myself - is the last sentence of your last entry a new type of sentence structure? It really does not read well.
Nice conversing with you.
Sincerely, Bill
Posted by: Bill at April 09, 2004 04:02 PM (s6c4t)
7
I merely commented that there are numerous versions of the story and pointed out that the "Franken was justified if not heroic" versions don't match up well to Franken's own statements. (is that better?)
As for intimating that Franken should be arrested, I was responding to a question in a comment aboveSome people are claiming that it was Al who was the aggressor and should be booked for assault. What do you make of that?I responded that IF Franken's actions constituted assault he should be arrested. I was intimating that his celebrity status should not exempt him from arrest IF it were warranted.
In this case your between the lines reading skills failed you. Perhaps it would be best if rational folks such as yourself stopped to think that perhaps a writer actually meant exactly what he wrote.
As for intimating that Franken should be arrested, I was responding to a question in a comment aboveSome people are claiming that it was Al who was the aggressor and should be booked for assault. What do you make of that?I responded that IF Franken's actions constituted assault he should be arrested. I was intimating that his celebrity status should not exempt him from arrest IF it were warranted.
In this case your between the lines reading skills failed you. Perhaps it would be best if rational folks such as yourself stopped to think that perhaps a writer actually meant exactly what he wrote.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at April 09, 2004 04:26 PM (4819r)
8
Stephen
Well said, and yes I do think that anyone who commits assault should be subject to the full weight of the law. I must admit that this is the first rational interchange I have ever had on the net. I had heard so much about the value of the internet in the exchange of views - pretty disappointing at most sites. So moving on to meatier matters. What is your opinion on George W. Bush?
Bill
Well said, and yes I do think that anyone who commits assault should be subject to the full weight of the law. I must admit that this is the first rational interchange I have ever had on the net. I had heard so much about the value of the internet in the exchange of views - pretty disappointing at most sites. So moving on to meatier matters. What is your opinion on George W. Bush?
Bill
Posted by: William at April 17, 2004 04:00 AM (s6c4t)
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