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Al Franken Flips Out on CNN
NewsMax.com ^ | 8/26/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

Posted on 08/26/2003 12:24:18 AM PDT by 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.



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alfranken; bucktoothedmoron; cnn; conservativebashing; dummycrats; goshpeoplelikeme; hadafit; leftistloons; leftwingnuts; looser; mediabias; threwahissyfit; waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa; whereshismeds
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To: SkyPilot
I just read the transcript and I am soooo sorry I missed that show! I love the way the Carlson guy kept calling Franken, Al Sharpton. It was hilarious. The whole thing was a funny read. It actually makes me want to start watching Crossfire.
81 posted on 08/26/2003 8:16:56 AM PDT by honeygrl
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To: honeygrl
AF is on crossfire again tonight, apparently. I never watch that program, but may have to, just to see if he completely loses it this time.
82 posted on 08/26/2003 8:20:47 AM PDT by texasbluebell
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To: honeygrl
Crossfire's days of a serious debating show are long gone. It read more like a script for some comedy show. There were some funny parts on both sides, but a lot of the usual liberal tripe. Franken certainly doesn't know how to be a good host.
83 posted on 08/26/2003 8:20:49 AM PDT by =Intervention= (Moderatism is the most lackluster battle-cry.)
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To: kattracks
Franken, like Garafolo and Michael Moore, implode as an aside to satisfying their intense need for attention.

As their egos grow, their true behavior is revealed.
84 posted on 08/26/2003 8:21:49 AM PDT by mabelkitty
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To: cajungirl
I'd like to see Shep Smith kick his butt. Shep is just yummy.
85 posted on 08/26/2003 8:30:19 AM PDT by honeygrl
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To: Fawnn
How to Write Good

ROTFLMAO

86 posted on 08/26/2003 8:32:15 AM PDT by Samwise (There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.)
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To: texasbluebell
Any idea what time it comes on?
87 posted on 08/26/2003 8:35:55 AM PDT by honeygrl
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To: ko_kyi
Addendum to rule 1: Facts, logic, and consistency are worse than irrelevant, they are the tools of the oppressor. (I actually heard one of Farrakhan's flunkies say that once.)

So much for "The truth shall set you free."

88 posted on 08/26/2003 8:36:28 AM PDT by Samwise (There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.)
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To: Samwise
Glad you enjoyed it. (As I already said, I think it's "spot-on.") ;)
89 posted on 08/26/2003 9:06:22 AM PDT by Fawnn (I think therefore I'm halfway there....)
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To: honeygrl
I was thinking that same thing. :-)
90 posted on 08/26/2003 9:30:06 AM PDT by retrokitten (That Simpson. He thinks he's the Pope of Chili Town.)
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To: weegee
I was wondering that, too.
91 posted on 08/26/2003 9:57:23 AM PDT by King Prout (people hear and do not listen, see and do not observe, speak without thought, post and not edit)
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To: Quilla
as E.D. is known to get a bit excited.

Hell, that's the best thing about F&F. Remember when Kilmeade lit into Jeneane Gawdawfulho?
92 posted on 08/26/2003 11:19:28 AM PDT by johnb838 (Liberalizm and homoizm are cults of death - no life can come from them.)
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To: martin_fierro; reformed_democrat; Loyalist; =Intervention=; PianoMan; GOPJ; Miss Marple; Tamsey; ...

Schadenfreude

This is the New York Times CNN Schadenfreude Ping List. Freepmail me to be added or dropped.


This is the nascent Mainstream Media Shenanigans ping list. Please freepmail me to be added or dropped.
Please note this will likely become a high-volume list.
Also feel free to ping me if you come across a thread you would think worthy of the ping list. I can't catch them all!


93 posted on 08/26/2003 12:28:55 PM PDT by Timesink
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To: johnb838
Jeneane Gawdawfulho

LOL!!!
94 posted on 08/26/2003 12:35:35 PM PDT by Fawnn (I think therefore I'm halfway there....)
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To: kattracks
The left have lost their collective minds.
95 posted on 08/26/2003 12:42:53 PM PDT by Peach (The Clintons have pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured or killed.)
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To: SkyPilot
What exactly does this mean for the president? It means that his coalition of disgraced energy executives, gun dealers, Confederate flag-lovers and other white guys with prostate problems...

(LAUGHTER) FRANKEN: ... won't be enough to get Bush a majority. It looks like he may have to steal this election, like he did in 2000.

Okay, so it is alright to laugh about someone's health when we are using prostate problems as an insult but not when telling someone to drop dead (of AIDS, choking on food, getting a parasite from undercooked sausage,...).

The double standard continues. I never got a Political Correctness handbook.

96 posted on 08/26/2003 12:50:28 PM PDT by weegee
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To: kattracks
FRANKEN: Well, we have a Constitution, though. And I think that rule of law is really important.

Where did this clymer stand on X42's perjury and impeachment? Where did he stand on Chinese Communist contributions to the DNC? Where did he stand on Albert Gore Junior's defense of "no controlling legal authority" for phone calls he made?

What a pontificating doofus.

97 posted on 08/26/2003 12:57:22 PM PDT by weegee
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To: SkyPilot
i read that whole transcript - what a waste of time - I want that 20 minutes back. lol
98 posted on 08/26/2003 1:03:32 PM PDT by Frapster (John 3:16)
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To: kattracks
FRANKEN: Yes.

And remember, they warned in February of 2001 that a catastrophic terrorist attack was coming? And remember what the president did? Nothing. He appointed...

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: That's part of your conspiracy theory, Al. But the fact is...

FRANKEN: No, no, no, that's not a conspiracy theory. That's a fact.

CARLSON: Well, it sounds a bit like a conspiracy theory ,that the president sort of knew this would happen, but didn't do anything.

(CROSSTALK)

FRANKEN: No, no, I didn't say that.

Shut your lying pie hole, Al.

99 posted on 08/26/2003 1:04:59 PM PDT by weegee
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To: honeygrl
Sorry, didn't get to answer you sooner, but just checked and it looks like it's on in half an hour. Their schedule says 4:30 ET anyway, so I'll have to tune in to see if that's accurate.

100 posted on 08/26/2003 1:05:16 PM PDT by texasbluebell
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