Al Franken Flips Out on CNN

NewsMax.com ^ | 8/26/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Al Franken must be having a hard time these days.

The liberal media have been parading him on all the shows -- to claim that the liberal media is not liberal at all, but really a right wing propaganda machine.

These liberal media outlets (along with a silly lawsuit from Fox News), have helped to propel Al Franken's new book into the bestseller lists.

But it would only be fitting that when appearing on a liberal network Franken would complain he is being censored.

Decent folks were aghast at such chutzpah on CNN's Crossfire Monday, when Franken subbed for James Carville as the show's co-host, pitted against conservative Tucker Carlson.

As anyone who watched the program saw, Franken was given more than enough time to air his baseless complaints about a right wing cabal taking over the major media.

All was fine while Franken and ally, Joe Conason, also out with a book claiming -- you guessed it -- the right wing control the media -- monopolized most of the conversation.

No doubt they were reveling in the good old days, when a typical TV talk show had four liberals and no conservatives, or one token conservative who was rudely interrupted anytime he dared challenge the prevailing p.c. sentiment.

So when Carlson and fellow conservative, talk show host B.Q. Cullum, began challenging the notion that somehow the major media like the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, the three major networks, CNN, MSNBC, and practically every other media outlet in the country are and remain -- liberal, Franken clearly had a panic attack of seismic proportions and flipped out -- on air.

Franken's hysterics began as soon as B.Q. challenged his claim that the Clinton administration "were building the military that won the war in Iraq and that won the war Afghanistan."

B.Q. responded, accurately, that the Clinton administration was "not funding -- they were not funding the military."

Co-host Carlson tried to add his two cents, when Franken clearly became unglued and began screaming, no less than four times, "I am the co-host of this show. I am the co-host of this show. I am the co-host of this show. Let me say one thing. I am the co-host of this show. I get to say this. Now, Dick Cheney ..."

Franken's unusual behavior drew some nervous laughter from the audience, and even his co-host Carlson was taken aback, saying, "Al, your face is actually twitching, so you're starting to make me a little nervous."

Later, after returning from a commercial break, Carlson again noted Franken's freakish behavior.

Carlson said to Franken, "Your face is starting to twitch again, Al. You are making me nervous, I have to say. I love having you here, but ..."

When Carlson went to wrap up the show, and fade out for the final break, Franken started again, in his nasally high pitched voice, "No, no, no."

A baffled Carlson, who handled himself with great poise, looked at Franken and again tried to end the show.

Here's the transcript:

Carlson: "I know. I'm sorry. We're totally, completely out of time. I'm getting it in my ear. They're saying they're going to cut us off."

Franken: "No, no, no, no."

Carlson: "Yes. No. It's true."

Franken, unrelenting: "Because I've got to say this."

Carlson ". . . I'm sorry."

Clearly, after this show Franken has more evidence of conservative bias for his next book, "How CNN's Conservative Censored Me and Other Ways Right Wing Enterprises Silence Paranoid Liberals Like Me."

We're not finished with Franken.

Let's put aside his dramatics and review the subject matter at hand.

Is the press biased in favor of conservatives?

As Carlson stated, the evidence is not anecdotal. Studies show the press to be very biased, to the liberal side.

Carlson cited one study: "This is a survey from the American Society of Newspaper Editors. And it asked journalists to describe their own political leanings. This is self-reporting: liberal/Democrat, 61 percent; conservative/Republican, 15 percent."

Another baseless claim made by Franken:

"Now, Dick Cheney said that any secretary of defense fights with the military that was given to him by his predecessors. And he said that after the Persian Gulf War in 1991, the first person he thanked was Ronald Reagan. I think Bill Clinton is entitled to that same call from Donald Rumsfeld."

First, Bill Clinton needs to call America and explain how he allowed al-Qaeda to grow for more than a decade.

In the same call he could also apologize for emasculating the CIA and FBI -- to the point that 19 foreigners could penetrate our borders and hijack four jets on Sept. 11, 2001.

There is no question that Mr. Bush, just months into his presidency, truly did inherit this disaster from his predecessor.

More to the point, Clinton also needs to make a second call to Mr. Bush and explain why he reduced America's military capability by almost 50 percent during his eight years. Unlike you Al, the numbers don't lie.

Clinton could also tell him why military stocks had been so depleted after his war in Kosovo and bombing aspirin factories that the Pentagon's arsenal was practically depleted of smart bombs or cruise missiles when Mr. Bush arrived at the White House.

A little story the press has not fully reported: it took more than a year for the Bush administration to go to war against Iraq, partly because it had to keep munitions factories running 24/7 for a year to rebuild stocks depleted during the Clinton years.

Yes, America "won in Iraq and Afghanistan," as Franken says.

But we won because of smart bombs and hi-tech equipment developed largely during the Reagan build up of the 80s -- a build up so vociferously opposed by Franken and his ilk.

We also won because of the greatness of our troops and their commanders -- many of whom persevered during the 90s to serve their country under a commander in chief they did not respect.

[nutmeg]

FoxFan ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my FoxFan list. *Warning: This can be a high-volume ping list at times.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Deb]

Tucker Carlson is a cardboard cut-out and Blanquita's response to the "Clinton military" lie is as weak as they come.

When is someone going to say to Franken and Paul Begala when they rave about how we won with "Clinton's military":

Yeah, after the Clintons got done, we could beat any country on earth...as long as the enemy had NO NAVY, NO AIR FORCE, NO HELICOPTERS, BATTLESHIPS, HARRIERS, BRADLEYS OR BATTLE PLANS. AND IF THEY LIVED IN CAVES, RODE CAMELS AND THEN GAVE UP WHEN WE SHOT AT THEM!!! Yeah, we could kick their asses! Thanks Bill!!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Seems doubtful that even CNN will ever have Franken back on to host this show.

[tgslTakoma]

I know I'm coming into the thread way late, but I'm in need of help from an artistically skilled FReeper...

Is anybody out there who can do a little creative editing of the cover of Al Franken's new book? I'm thinking that it should read, "An autobiography by Al Franken", or "Al Franken's autobiography", or something similar.

I have a plan... but I need a doctored cover, suitable for enlargement to poster-size; like was done for Hillary!'s book...

Any help that anyone can give is greatly appreciated!

Here's the image...

Thanks!!!

[Paul Atreides]

Been there, done that. ;-)

[tgslTakoma]

Thank you so much! Most excellent book cover!

I owe you a root beer!

:-)

[Angelwood]

Al Franken is going to hate seeing your work this week...but I LOVE IT! Thanks for making me laugh!

[Levante]

to post #80, Texasbluebell:

"Garsh! Judging from that horrible picture, Al Franken is either a homosexual, a eunuch, or just got his pelotas racked!