I feel I must defend Al Franken.  The man was a comedy writer for SNL, which I don’t view as a negative, but it wasn’t until Franken got into the political world that he became a truly famous.  He isn’t a celebrity along the lines of a Jesse Ventura because he has actually taken the time to become deeply involved and knowledgable. 

Franken had the main show for Air America from 2004 to 2007 and has written 4 political satires.  This means he has actually taken the time to learn about various issues. If you are wondering what type of a politician he aspires to be, just remember the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone from Minnesota. He genuinely feels he can help Americans have a better life.

He is also a very intelligent man. He received his B.A. in political science from Harvard and gradutated cum-laude. He is also hilarious.

I think this is more a good sign than a bad one. I have written a bit about Norm Coleman’s legal issues before. I think Franken’s victory is just another sign that people are disillusioned with the current state of politics in America and want something different. Say what you will about Franken, but he is most certainly different. Whether or not he remains so in the U.S. Senate is yet to be seen, but I am hoping he doesn’t lose his willingness to be honest.

I definitely don’t think Franken is the ultimate sign that any celebrity can run for office. They always had the ability to run for office. Reagan, Fred Thompson, Arnold, Sonny Bono, and probably more I’m missing. But I do not think status as a celebrity should keep anyone from running for office, because they can be, as with Al, qualified.

At any rate, I am excited to see how Franken does in the Senate. Maybe he’ll be great. If he doesn’t compromise his beliefs, I think he will.

Here’s where I got my information and some more:
Franken Bio
More Franken Info

Enjoy Ball State’s domination in the G MAC.

Adam Feser

Not that either candidate was qualified or fantastic…But now that Al Franken is the likely winner of the Minnesota senate race, this means any second rate celebrity can now run for office.

Well Kids…I asked the question several times of myself during the presidential campaign where the money was going to come from to fund all of the promises that Barack Obama was promising. Remember, we can’t afford the war in Iraq/Afghanistan. Well is looks like democratic congress and the democratic president want to raise our gas prices. We already have to deal with OPEC and what they do with our oil over seas now we have to pay attention at home as well. With today’s price of regular unleaded at $1.659, 10% of that goes to the Federal Gov’t. The proposed plan is to raise it another 33% of what the current tax is. Same goes for diesel. Just when we thought we could get a gas price break, they spring this on us. All this is going on while our democratic led congress is giving themselves a pay raise…Our economy is struggling so lets give the wealthiest people more money!

Arianna Huffington recently did a list of things from 2008 she is happy are done. Her list is pretty solid and thorough, but I’d like to add a few things I am happy are over and done with.

I am glad I will not be receiving any more racist, ridiculous e-mails about Barack Obama’s ethnicity or religion. He’s not a Muslim, but why would it matter if he was? Obama proved people who blindly hate minorities are the new minority. Good riddance to open and accepted bigotry.

The Redskins’ late season collapse after they got my hopes up oh so high. Why, Zorn? WHY!!!

The troops used for political leverage.

The Red Sox’ loss in game 7 of the ALCS to the Rays. Let’s just hope it’s not the dirty Yankees this year.

Wars forgotten by the media. Hopefully coverage improves.

Brett Favre retirement drama. Wait… d’oh!.

People that hate George W. but love Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin.

Manny being Manny. Retire already.

The Jonas Brothers and purity rings.

Combining celebrity couples’ names. Do people think it’s clever?

Giuliani using a tragedy as his entire campaign. “9-11″ should never leave his lips again.

The blame game played over the economic fiasco. Less talk about whodunit and more problem solving would have been nice.

People who say history will judge W.’s presidency. Most of his presidency is already history, and it is not looking good.

I will continue to update this list, but I need to get groceries in preparation for Nebraska’s drubbing of Clemson. I’d like you, the few avid readers, to include your own lists in the comments. Please.
To be continued.

Senator Arlen Specter focusing on tapes destroyed by the New England Patriots at a time when the CIA had destroyed interrogation tapes. Oh, the priorities of the Senate.

Rampant xenophobia about immigrants.

High gas prices (let us all knock on wood together).

Mike’s Hard Lemonade commercials. Your lite cranberry lemonade is not going to make a world gone soft hard. (I may open my act with this bit.)

The creepiness from the China olympics, including but not exclusively the exploitation of little girls.

The Dallas Cowboys. If we quit paying attention, maybe they will go away.

Britney Spears’ struggles. She seems to have found her mind. Hopefully I can avoid hearing of her ever again.

Blagojevich. Fade away already.

I’m taking another pause. Add your comments already. I’m lonely.

It looks like former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is going to write a book; yet another book that will have some gems about the Bush administration. Once more we’ll get to see the usual cycle: controversial book is written about the Bush administration by a former member, the press focuses on one or two things, writer does the talk show circuit, writer’s credibility and life and reputation called into question by administration’s mob, real problems addressed or brought up by the book go unanswered. This time it may be easier for the mob to discredit the information since Gonzales is already disgraced, still under investigation, and having trouble finding a new job.

He says he feels like a victim and wants to get the whole story out there, if only for his sons. I have mixed feelings about how this will end up. I normally feel bad for people like Paul O’Neill when the attack machine goes nuts, but in the case of Gonzales, I will sort of enjoy seeing him crushed by the same people he gave himself amnesia to protect. At any rate, the book may have some interesting nuggets that will ultimately be cast aside. What will be more fun is watching the circus it causes.

Here’s a link with some more information: Gonzales writing a book

Additional note: if you haven’t read The Price of Loyalty, you definitely should. It was written by Ron Suskind with the help of former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill. It will make you wonder why there wasn’t more coverage of it and more questions asked about its revelations. It will likely also make you mad.

Enjoy a merry New Year’s Eve.

Adam Feser

Blagojevich has appointed Roland Burris to the United States Senate. What a jerk. He simply will not quit. He felt he had to obey the law. Um… go ahead and make your own joke here. I’m sicking of reading and writing about this. Why won’t he just go away? Here’s a link with a video of the press conference and some notes:

Blagojevich at it again

Enjoy some Big Ten beat downs in bowl games.

Adam Feser

Here is a slideshow that goes through much of the history of African Americans in this country. It is amazing to look at. While on this continent, African-Americans have been enslaved longer than they have been free. This fact and other moments captured by the slide show helped me realize just how amazing Barack Obama’s victory is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Enjoy the show.

Adam Feser

Everyone close to Blagojevich knows he is a fighter. He was a boxer and had several run-ins with various politicians. Maybe the reputation as a fighter worked as a sort of folksy image he could use to his advantage, but now it is simply annoying. “I just think that he is living in an alternate reality right now,” state Sen. Christine Radogno, a suburban Chicago Republican said earlier Friday. “I don’t think he’s being realistic, probably even with himself, with respect to how much trouble he’s in so he’s just carrying on with what’s worked for him before.”

One idea is that he is completely oblivious to how dire his circumstances are. Another is that he just will not relinquish any power. Blagojevich has issues 22 pardons. It’s not known who received them or for what crimes, but his message is clear: I am still in power and I will wield it.

The Illinois House voted 113 - 0 to for an impeachment committee. Impeachment must happen quickly. They need to finish the job before this cornered rattle snake… no… this rabid raccoon… no… this bull in a china shop… no… this stubborn ass can do any more damage. (I had trouble finding the right crazed animal metaphor.) They need to have a special election or take some other actions to ensure that he does not try to appoint the US Senator to replace Obama. He has proven he does not care about the good of his state, his party, or the country, and something needs to be done about it.

His lawyer, Ed Genson, has made it clear they will not stop until they find the loophole to sneak through (”The wiretaps were illegal”). Gensen has also complained that Illinois law is unclear on the grounds for impeachment and what evidence should be considered. Perfect. If it is unclear it should be easier to impeach him. Impeach him for his horrid hairstyle, just hurry up and impeach him for something.

If not, things will only get worse. As another of Blagojevich’s lawyers said, “He’ll worry about the criminal part, the governor will continue to govern.” Scary.

Here’s a link with much of the information I used an some more:

Blagojevich still governing for some reason

Enjoy some chex mix, a wonderful holiday treat.

Adam Feser

Apparently Ryan Seacrest is getting crushed by Miley Cyrus in a fight. I got a new one and I would like everyone’s participation. I have noticed that there are a lot more post views than there are poll votes, so we can kick it up a notch.

Enjoy new polls.

Adam Feser

The United States is not supporting a UN Declaration calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality worldwide. In some countries (70 members of the UN), it is a crime to be gay, even punishable by death in certain nations.

The US worries that the non-binding declaration would commit the federal government to act for areas that are under state jurisdiction. I repeat, non-binding declaration.  Many states allow landlords to discriminate based on sexual behavior. For some reason, we want this to be okay. The federal government also does not allow gays to openly serve in the military, even if they are gifted translators we desperately need.

Instead of siding with human rights leaders (which we claim to be), we are siding with those who would arrest, even kill, people who are gay. What kind of message does this send?

I guess we want to maintain the right to discriminate.

Here’s the link: US not on board

Enjoy everything homosexuals do for the country, as long as they don’t ask for equal rights, right?

Adam Feser