Sen. Al Franken Franken expresses support for Pres. Obama's Afghanistan troop increase

[bigtree]

U.S. Senator Al Franken, D-Minn., talks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday.

January 14, 2010 - 12:35 PM

WASHINGTON - "I do support the president's plan," Sen. Franken said, adding that he will vote for additional funding. "I may have done it a little bit differently myself but I ... came away from this trip feeling that we already have momentum from the president's speech."

Sen. Franken noted that officials in the area told him local police recruitment spiked after Obama's announcement - likely, they think, because of the stated deadlines for withdrawal.

Sen. Franken said he has attended 13 military funerals. "I don't want to see one more soldier go to Afghanistan than has to go there," he said.

After meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Sen. Franken said that "I'm having more optimistic feelings about the government there," but added that "there is still some reason to be skeptical."

Given the region's long history of corrupt government, he said, "This is not going to be a Jeffersonian democracy in a year and a half."


full article: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/81523727.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUq9_b9b_jEkP:QUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. I hope he looks out for buses.

[bigtree]

2. beep beep

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. That one ran out of gas a long time ago.

Here's the modern version.

[bigtree]

26. you're misinformed. It's been upgraded

[dflprincess]

38. How about this one

[bigtree]

39. aw

missing him

[FLAprogressive]

3. well boo on him. I see he's drank the nation bulding kool-aid.

[marshall]

30. Al, we hardly knew ye!

One more Washington insider.

[El Supremo]

4. The Pod People have gotten to him.

I'd like to see, just once, somebody besides Kucinich stand up against the excuses for war.

[graywarrior]

5. Oh, so now Franken is wrong

You guys really need to run for office so you can save us all.

[grantcart]

7. Then who would save the world by mashing hard on keyboards?

[graywarrior]

11. Dr. Phil?

Oops, I meant Dr. Who.

[bigtree]

13. c,mon now

Do you really want folks here to take that attitude toward your opinion that you so graciously share here? How about arguing the issues and leave the 'keyboard' analysis of folks who post here out of the debate?

[grantcart]

23. your very considerate

my narrow point is that people who actually go out and run for office should be given more consideration than all of us who mash on keyboards, myself included.

[bigtree]

24. It's up to the senator to convince on this issue and vote

. . . in my view he hasn't convinced.

That's what we do out here on the verge, we listen to our senators and representatives that we advance to office and we agree or disagree. I don't know of any rational or acceptable precept of democracy which counsels that we merely delegate all of our opinion to those we elect.

[grantcart]

28. of course we don't delegate our conscience to our representatives

and your posting this thread which is against your personal interest speaks volumes to your contribution to the debate.

That is why I try to read all of your postings, knowing that some, especially on Afghanistan, are going to conflict with my opinion.


My snarky response was not aimed at folks like you but others who post anti Obama remarks EVEN WHEN THOSE ACTIONS AGREE WITH THEIR OWN POSITIONS.

[bigtree]

10. yeah, Sen. Franken is wrong

. . . and no one who dares disagree with him needs to 'run for Congress' to register their dissent here.

[graywarrior]

12. I would think you'd all want to run, being that you are experts on financial, health & military

issues. God, if only I were as smart, I'd find somewhere else to post.

[bigtree]

15. at what point in our expression here would you allow 'us' the benefit of your approval?

. . . let us know when we've reached the limits of our intelligence, willya? :crazy:

[graywarrior]

You're intelligent enough to figure that out on your own.

I am not worthy.

[NYC_SKP]

31. .

you do realize that visits to GD can result in unwanted stress, don't you?

Here, just in case: :hug:

:P

[graywarrior]

34. I went and had a life for a few hours

That's where I differ...lol.

Thanks for the hug and back atcha

[NYC_SKP]

35. I think...

this thread, as it has good news in the subject line, would benefit from a highjacking.

I'll start.

How surprised are you that the Lounge thread still lives?

Don't you wish you had a nickle for every reply?

[graywarrior]

36. I am so proud of us.

we've accomplished something Obama "disappoint-ees" could never ever accomplish by hard work and stick toitiveness (is that a word?) Is dissappoint-ees a word? I'm so rad.

[NYC_SKP]

37. Yes, I believe you have that right...

"Disappointees", with the President being the "Disappointor in Chief", so say NYC_SKP and graywarrior, and so shall it be.

Of course such a thread could never live long among the self-appointed disappointees because the subject of their specific disappointment would become a matter of division and mortal combat.

you are so rad.

[frog92969]

6. oh well

Must be some strong kool-aid up there.

Score +1 for the PTB, and goodbye Al.

[grantcart]

8. Bigtree you continue to amaze K and R

[marmar]

9. But wasn't Franken in favor of the Iraq War, too, at least initially?

This shouldn't come as a huge surprise. Al is a middle-of-the-road Dem, not a progressive.

[bigtree]

19. right

He's been mostly 'moderate' on the issue of the ongoing deployments throughout.

[Mari333]

14. so sad. so very sad. Al sells out.

I am saddened by this, and took him off my email list.

[shadesofgray]

33. +1

[elocs]

16. Well, it won't take long for DUers to turn on Franken now. n/t

[bigtree]

17. If folks are consistent in their opposition to the Afghanistan escalation and occupation

. . . they'll likely consider his comments and vote in that light. I don't see that as anything sinister or a stance which deserves ridicule.

[Ozymanithrax]

18. Support for Franken was not unanimous here during the long recount...

Many considered him a DLC stooge.

I have enormous respect for the man inteligence, wit, and humanity.

[bigtree]

20. no doubt

. . . all of those superlatives apply to Sen. Franken.

[blondeatlast]

22. This place could give one whiplash.

I had to laugh at his newfound hero status here. I remember some of the bile directedtowards him even as the decision hadn't come yet.

FWIW, I always thought he'd be a fine Senator and still do.

[Eyerish]

21. Well that's a damn shame...

I knew he supported Iraq, but after everything that's happened, I was hoping he wouldn't be be so willing to give his support of the Afghanistan occupation.

I voted for him despite his hawk-ish nature, just like I did with President Obama.

[Smarmie Doofus]

27. Al Franken is a big, fat idiot. nt

[seeinfweggos]

29. recommended

[MilesColtrane]

32. Hear that sound?

It's a couple of million knees jerking.