http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/franken/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:49:20 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417312/posts In a nod to the growing Hmong populations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the states’ four U.S. senators teamed up in a joint statement Tuesday opposing the Thai government’s plans to forcibly repatriate more than 4,000 Hmong refugees back to Laos. The four Democrats, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken of Minnesota and Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, say they “strongly condemn” the Thais’ decision, which they say ignores the objections of the United Nations, the U.S. Government, and international human rights groups. The statement reads in part: “We share the concern of many of our Hmong-American constituents whose loved... StarTribune.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417312/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:49:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2144015/posts Video of Barney Frank singing "Banking Queen" to tune of ABBA's Dancing Queen. youtube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2144015/posts#comment Sat, 6 Dec 2008 15:16:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415793/posts When Sen. Al Franken, Minnesota Democrat, was a comedian, he was never that funny. Take the title of his book "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot" - that's some high-quality humor there. Clever, daring and yet so second grade. But when Minnesotans elected him to the Senate, Mr. Franken promised that those days were behind him and that he would work hard to win over his colleagues. So far, his presence in the Senate is making it a less civil place. If the old Mr. Franken were to write a book about it, the title might be "Al Franken... Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415793/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:37:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415495/posts Twice recently, Mr. Franken's obnoxiousness was on public display. On Dec. 14, after having missed most of a talk by Sen. John Thune, Mr. Franken tore into him, time after time accusing the South Dakota Republican of being dishonest by claiming that the Senate bill would hike taxes immediately while delaying the "spending benefits." Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415495/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:03:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414968/posts Al Franken, the Democrat from Minnesota who won election to the Senate after a successful career as a comic and author, has begun to show the sharp-tongued side of his personality by ripping into GOP staffers behind the scenes. The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414968/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:51:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2414249/posts We all sicken at the thought of the trillions of dollars being wasted by the Obama administration under the pretext of economic stimulus (18 million dollar websites, etc.) And we all have to restrain ourselves from throwing our shoes through the television as we watch the openly defiant nefarious dealings by the arrogant corrupt mental midgets in congress rush passage of their ill fated health care plan. But we should take a moment to regress a little. Two months prior to the 2008 election President Bush, under the reprehensible misguided advice of Hank Paulson (Secretary of the Treasury), rushed to... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2414249/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:52:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413892/posts A Congressional Research Service report commissioned by the House Judiciary Committee says ACORN hasn't violated any federal regulations the past five years. The report, released by Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers's, D-Mich., staff Tuesday evening, also reports that the undercover filmmakers that allegedly caught employees of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now breaking the law may have violated state law in their filming operation. politicon http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413892/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:18:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413285/posts Without sixty votes in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) would not be able to invoke cloture, or cut off debate. Anything short of sixty would allow a filibuster and doom Obama’s health care plan. The present 60-vote majority is artificial, the result of undemocratic means. Consider how three of these votes came to be: Roland Burris- Appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich just prior to his removal, Democratic leaders including Harry Reid pledged that he would never be seated. Barack Obama, along with other Democratic officials in Illinois, called for a special election to fill the seat. When... NLPC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413285/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:31:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412493/posts Congress has been working on a health care bill for the better part of a year. The coverage of the legislation inevitably takes on a day-to-day, blow-by-blow account of the political machinations in Washington, D.C. The public option is in, then it's out, then maybe it's in with a trigger, then it's out, then maybe Medicare is expanded to include some as young as 55, then that's out. The legislation will have changed more between the time we write this and you read it. Anything to come up with 60 votes in the Senate in a big hurry. What's easy... Pioneer Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412493/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:36:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410980/posts Al Franken joked about rape in a skit on SAturday Night Live while he was a writer on the show. EXCERPT "MN GOP Hits Franken Over Rape Joke In 1995 Article" ST. PAUL (AP) Democrat Al Franken's past work again complicated his present bid to become a U.S. senator, when Republicans on Thursday circulated 13-year-old quotes of him joking about rape while co-writing a skit for "Saturday Night Live............" wcco.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410980/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:44:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410616/posts Since I posted some audio of Senator Al Franken (D-MN) sending me to his press secretary recently, Mr. Franken has acted up quite a bit on the Senate floor in an unusual fashion for a freshman senator. He had an intense exchange with Senator John Thune (R - S.D.), the number four Republican in the GOP leadership, on Monday after Mr. Franken introduced a motion for the health care bill to change an excise tax to surtax(video below). Washingtontimes.com - Water Cooler http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410616/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:15:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2410584/posts Sorry for the vanity folks, but I stumbled across this video last night. It's a couple years old, before Al Franken was shaming the state of Minnesota as a Senator. An excerpt from a public forum featuring he and Ann Coulter, I think this so perfectly encapsulates Franken's weaselly methods in his attempts to smear conservatives as "liars," that it deserved addressing. Please take a few minutes to watch. Then, take a minute to read the ACTUAL ARTICLE by Thomas Friedman in question, and come back for my commentary. Now, did you notice what Franken did there? He started in... Youtube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2410584/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:37:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410575/posts A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday before Judge Nina Gershon on whether Congress can ban federal funds to ACORN. Rep. Darrell Issa, ranking Republican on the House Government Reform committee, released this statement: “Next week, the federal government has the opportunity to vigorously defend what the President signed and Congress overwhelmingly passed—a bipartisan recognition that ACORN is not fit to receive federal funds to perform duties on behalf of the American people. After hearing the government's case, hopefully Judge Gershon will reconsider her previous ruling and the taxpayers will no longer be forced to subsidize this criminal organization." Last... Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410575/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:29:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410290/posts Former Dem V.P. nominee gets cut off by comedy clown!It's a sign of just how bad things have gotten in the Senate under Democrat rule: [VIDEO AT SITE] These new Dems have no respect for the traditions and rules of the Senate. They deserve no respect in return!(Excerpt) Read more at floppingaces.net ... Flopping Aces http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410290/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:05:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410106/posts Democratic Sen. Al Franken took the unusual step Thursday of shutting down Sen. Joe Lieberman on the Senate floor. Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, currently is the target of liberal wrath over his opposition to a government-run insurance plan in the health care bill. Franken was presiding over the Senate Thursday afternoon as Lieberman spoke about amendments he planned to offer to the bill. Lieberman asked for an additional moment to finish -- a routine request -- but Franken refused to grant the time. "In my capacity as the senator from Minnesota, I object," Franken said. "Really?" said Lieberman. "OK." Lieberman... Foxnews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410106/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:48:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409943/posts Democratic Sen. Al Franken took the unusual step Thursday of shutting down Sen. Joe Lieberman on the Senate floor. Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, currently is the target of liberal wrath over his opposition to a government-run insurance plan in the health care bill. Franken was presiding over the Senate Thursday afternoon as Lieberman spoke about amendments he planned to offer to the bill. Lieberman asked for an additional moment to finish — a routine request — but Franken refused to grant the time. "In my capacity as the senator from Minnesota, I object," Franken said. "Really?" said Lieberman. "OK." Minneapolis StarTribune (aka The Red Star) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409943/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:01:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409877/posts WASHINGTON – Democratic Sen. Al Franken has taken the unusual step of shutting down Sen. Joe Lieberman on the Senate floor. Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, currently is the target of liberal wrath over his opposition to a government-run insurance plan in the health care bill. Franken was presiding over the Senate Thursday afternoon as Lieberman spoke about amendments he planned to offer to the bill. Lieberman asked for an additional 30 seconds to finish — a routine request — but Franken refused to grant the time. AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409877/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:31:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407744/posts Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) sparred sharply on the Senate floor Monday evening, a departure from the usually dormant speeches in the august chamber. Franken said he was struck by a speech in which he said Thune had refused to highlight when benefits to the health care bill would kick in and instead emphasized the negative parts of the bill. “You know, again, we are entitled to our own opinions, we’re not entitled to our own facts,” Franken said, his booming voice rising. And in a reference to a chart Thune held up, Franken said: “If... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407744/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:40:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404071/posts WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today urged the Senate to pass an extension of unemployment and COBRA benefits before the end of the year, citing the 10 percent unemployment rate and the annual rise in heating bills coming this winter. The Minnesota Democrats joined 22 other senators who signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, asking for a vote on the issue by Dec. 31. A 65 percent subsidy of premium costs for those with COBRA benefits, authorized by the stimulus bill, is set to expire at the end of the year. Minnpost.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404071/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 22:44:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389241/posts WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's choice for a top job with the Treasury Department is having tax problems. A congressional report says Obama's nominee for undersecretary of the Treasury for international affairs, Lael Brainard, was late in paying real estate taxes in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The report by the Senate Finance Committee staff also challenges the accuracy of a deduction Brainard claimed for running an office from her home. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389241/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2376372/posts Regardless of how lively an election season might be, a new study shows that more 3.3 million voters on current registration rolls across the country are dead. Another 12.9 million remain on voter registration lists in an area where they no longer live. The analysis was conducted by the Aristotle International Inc., a technology company specializing in political campaigns, developing software and databases for politicians. In total that means about 8.9 percent of all registered voters fall under the category of “deadwood” voters on the rolls, the term for voters who should no longer be eligible to vote in a... CNSNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2376372/posts#comment Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:41:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374540/posts KSTP investigated absentee ballot inconsistencies and reported their findings last night, and you can watch the video here. Many cities put up roadblocks to their investigation request -- and Bloomington threatened felony charges against KSTP if they reported on their findings. The most damning part is Sec. of State Mark Ritchie's denial of problems and response when asked to look at ballot envelopes and comment. "Ritchie first told us he could not read our examples, then said he wouldn't look at photocopies of absentee ballot envelopes." A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS investigation has found that mistakes made with absentee ballots in... True North http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374540/posts#comment Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:29:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2367795/posts Sometimes the dems know no bottom to the cesspool within which they live. Franken offers an amendment to the Defense appropriations bill. It stems from the awful case of Jamie Leigh Jones who was allegedly sexually abused while working for contractor Halliburton/KBR in Iraq. The Patriot Room http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2367795/posts#comment Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:13:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2363025/posts If the next election is the first time you will vote there is something called a "spoiled ballot" and they will not count your if challanged and it is spoiled. In Minnesota, incumbant Republican Norm Coleman lost to radio talk show host Al Franken in a very close election. The election was decided by a few hundred votes. Each of the states have their own rules about conducting elections. In Florida the Bush v. Gore election was close and "voter intent" seemed to be the Florida standard with the hanging chad. Take a look at this ballot. Here the voter's... Minnesota Senate Race Spoiled Ballots http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2363025/posts#comment Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:03:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2362724/posts Theresa Marie Barslou said she voted for the first time in the November 2008 elections. Nearly a year later, her vote has come back to haunt her. Barslou, 29, of St. Paul, illegally voted as a felon on probation, states a Ramsey County criminal complaint charging her with felony voter fraud. Barslou was arrested Monday after she failed to appear last month at a court hearing. She was released the next day on $3,000 bail. Barslou is one of the 23 felons charged with voter fraud in Ramsey County since the 2008 elections, County Attorney Susan Gaertner said. During a... Pioneer dePress http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2362724/posts#comment Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:37:22 GMT