AL FRANKEN KNOCKS DOWN DEAN HECKLER

NY Post ^ | 1/27/03 | VINCENT MORRIS

[FormerACLUmember]

Wise-cracking funnyman Al Franken yesterday body-slammed a demonstrator to the ground after the man tried to shout down Gov. Howard Dean. The tussle left Franken's trademark thick-rim glasses broken, but he said he was not injured.

Franken - who seemed in a state of shock and out of breath after the incident - was helped back to his feet by several people who watched the tussle. Police arrived soon after.

[Toespi]

which means people should be able to assemble and speak without being shouted down." '

No, Franken, people should be able to assemble and speak without being KNOCKED down.

[rintense]

Here's what Franken missed: the Dean heckler ALSO has a right to be heard- and Franken body slamming him to the ground was an affront to the free speech process (according to his own words). What a dumb ass.

[biblewonk]

ping

[Jimmyclyde]

More information, from the Boston Herald:

Franken fights back vs. Dean dissenter

By David R. Guarino and Elisabeth J. Beardsley

Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Al Franken may be used to stand-up comedy, but yesterday it was more like knockdown-drag out comedy.

The sometime-comic, full-time liberal Democrat took on an outspoken Lyndon LaRouche supporter who loudly interrupted a rally for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in Manchester, N.H., yesterday.

The protester shouted, ``You're not a real Democrat, You're going to lose,'' and was being ushered out of the Palace Theater when Franken - in town to pundit and spin for various television stations - tackled the unidentified man.

In the process, Franken broke his trademark glasses right at the bridge of his nose.

After tearing in to a back room without his specs, Franken emerged a bit red-faced and with bright yellow tape holding his glasses together after the event.

On a side note, apparently the LaRouche supporters favor Bay State Sen. John F. Kerry of all people.

Shouting down Dean for not fully taking on Vice President Dick Cheney, the protester several times yelled, ``Only Lyndon LaRouche and John Kerry are Democrats. You're not a Democrat.''

Somehow, we're sure Kerry appreciates the support.

[laker_dad]

Sounds more like a suplex to me

I was thinking the same thing... A bear hug is always done facing the person, grab around lower back, squeeze, press chin into solar plexis & down he goes.

[Spiff]

This was a publicity stunt, pure and simple. It was planned. Leave it alone and maybe it will go away and not help Al Franken and his new radio show as it was intended.

[N. Theknow]

Al "I'm for free speech, so I had to make that guy shut up" Franken.

[Lazamataz]

The protester shouted, ``You're not a real Democrat, You're going to lose,'' and was being ushered out of the Palace Theater when Franken - in town to pundit and spin for various television stations - tackled the unidentified man.

So the man was already being ushered out by security, and Franken cold-cocked him.

Franken needs a serious beat-down.

[Lazamataz]

I was thinking the same thing... A bear hug is always done facing the person, grab around lower back, squeeze, press chin into solar plexis & down he goes.

Curiously, I've always called that 'seduction'.

[stevio]

LOL!

[Paul_B]

Shows what liberals really think of the rule of law, when things aren't going their way.

[Lazamataz]

Dime to donuts this was all staged so Franken would get more listeners for his radio show.

No chance of a ruinious lawsuit against Franken, then?

[George W. Bush]

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.

Attacking without warning from behind is a wrestling move?

Oops. I forgot. These are Dims. Never mind.

[BlueLancer]

"Curiously, I've always called that 'seduction'."

Funny, I always thought it was called "foreplay" ...

[rintense]

If this is the last we hear of this, and there is no lawsuit, you can pretty much bet it was all a set up. Who knows. Maybe Franken will slip the guy some cash to shut up. It all sounds just a bit too convenient for Franken.

[ought-six]

That is assault AND battery.

[George W. Bush]

I'd love a crack at this guy.

Take a friend with a digicam. We've got to have pictures!!!

Heck, I'd pay money for video of it. I suspect that one light tap would leave Franken crying like a young girl, screaming about his lawyers. Then he'd start wearing one of those neck-brace things.

[laker_dad]

Curiously, I've always called that 'seduction'.

LOL! Laz, you alway crack me up! But, have you ever seen the move done by a sweaty 275lb high school wrestler? Not the same as your mental picture!

[laker_dad]

aways

[laker_dad]

always???? sheesh!