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Al Franken’s outreach to the Asian community
Hot Air ^ | March 17, 2008 | by Ed Morrissey

Posted on 03/17/2008 12:48:44 PM PDT by jdm

My NARN colleague Michael Brodkorb discovered this nugget of Al Franken’s comedy genius last week, and today the Minnesota GOP has demanded an apology from the Senate hopeful for his sexist and racist routine. Franken reads a chapter from his book Rush Limbaugh Is A Big, Fat Idiot, And Other Observations called “Chickenhawk” and supposedly recounts a sexual fantasy of Newt Gingrich. It goes without saying that this is Not Safe For Work.

(Warning: Video Contains Strong Language)

The GOP sent out its review of the comedy stylings of Al Franken in a press release today:

“The outrageous and offensive ‘comedy’ of Al Franken has reached another vile low. We all know Franken feels compelled to attack his political opponents with venom and hate but to use stereotypes of a culture, and to mock them in voice and character, is appalling and disgusting.

“There’s no excuse for this type of hate-filled and degrading language. The idea that Minnesotans should ignore Franken’s career as a comedian where he spews such intolerant humor is incomprehensible. Al Franken needs to apologize for this mean-spirited and demeaning ‘comedy’ routine.”

Well, this isn’t exactly a comedy routine. He wrote the passage in his book, and the performance of it seems a little lackluster. He didn’t even reach Rosie O’Donnel’s “ching-chong” passion levels, demonstrating yet again those talents that led Air America to bargain-basement ratings.

How offended should we get about this passage? Have we had enough outrage for this cycle? Unlike Jeremiah Wright, this involves the actual candidate — but it also only involves a bad joke based on a Subic Bay/Vietnam stereotype that passed its sell-by date years ago. Rather than being offended, perhaps we should laugh at Franken’s inability to be creative and his need to rip off Full Metal Jacket and every other Vietnam movie ever made by Hollywood.

Still, this comes courtesy of the political party that loves to accuse Republicans of latent racism. This certainly provides a little evidence that the identity politics that has tripped Democrats this year may hide some ugly truths underneath.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 1996; alfranken; asians
I'm assuming this video was shot circa 1996, when the book was released (you can see many copies of the book on display in the background).
1 posted on 03/17/2008 12:48:46 PM PDT by jdm
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To: jdm

And the books are probably still there today!


2 posted on 03/17/2008 12:53:24 PM PDT by 70th Division (If we loose the Republic we have lost it all.)
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To: 70th Division

LOL. Yeah, or at a .99 cent store.


3 posted on 03/17/2008 12:54:55 PM PDT by jdm
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To: jdm

Franken is a drug-addled thug, who cheats his workers out of their benefits and steals (literally) from widows and orphans.

So it comes as no surprise that he is a racist hate-monger.

Worst.

Senate.

Candidate.

in.

History.


4 posted on 03/17/2008 1:00:09 PM PDT by FormerACLUmember (When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.)
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To: jdm
" I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!..."

Franken is still in an Oz-like world.. he vacillates between Oz and Alice's Wonderland..

5 posted on 03/17/2008 1:01:45 PM PDT by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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To: jdm
Some people never grow up!


6 posted on 03/17/2008 1:03:21 PM PDT by TexasCajun
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To: jdm

It’s a disgrace to the US Senate that this pathetic man is even running for that office.

Matthew Reid
http://www.Rice2008.com
McCain - Rice 2008
(McCain: Reluctantly) (Rice: Strategically)


7 posted on 03/17/2008 1:09:29 PM PDT by ElephantMan (sorry, no smart a$$ tag line today)
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To: jdm

Asshat Franken is a classic vile liberal!


8 posted on 03/17/2008 1:27:50 PM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
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To: jdm

It’s not outreach. It’s shameless sucking up.


9 posted on 03/17/2008 1:31:03 PM PDT by Lizavetta
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To: jdm

Everybody knows that dems are racist. It’s the Republicans who are accused of it.


10 posted on 03/17/2008 1:31:42 PM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged
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To: jdm
Al Franken’s outreach to the Asian community

...consists of once having had dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

11 posted on 03/17/2008 1:39:12 PM PDT by TBP
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To: ElephantMan
It’s a disgrace to the US Senate that this pathetic man is even running for that office.

Nah, that evil and stupidity exist we always knew. And they hardly ever been a threat --- until embraced by the masses.

The disgrace is that he is heard; that enough people support him. Democrats are about to nominate for presidency a man whose main qualification is charisma. This unites him with Lenin, Stalin, Hitler. Like them, he proposes socialist agenda for our country. Is he a problem? Not at all. It's one half of America supports him --- that's the problem.

12 posted on 03/17/2008 1:42:39 PM PDT by TopQuark
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