Anybody remember this classic from SNL?
Jane Curtin: Well, the 1970′s are in their final month, and with some thoughts on this decade and the one we’re about to enter, here’s Weekend Update’s Social Sciences Editor Al Franken.
Al Franken: Thank you, Jane. Well, the “me” decade is almost over, and good riddance, and far as I’m concerned. The 70′s were simply 10 years of people thinking of nothing but themselves. No wonder we were unable to get together and solve any of the many serious problems facing our nation. Oh sure, some people did do some positive things in the 70′s – like jogging – but always for the wrong reasons, for their own selfish, personal benefit. Well, I believe the 80′s are gonna have to be different. I think that people are going to stop thinking about themselves, and start thinking about me, Al Franken. That’s right. I believe we’re entering what I like to call the Al Franken Decade. Oh, for me, Al Franken, the 80′s will be pretty much the same as the 70′s. I’ll still be thinking of me, Al Franken. But for you, you’ll be thinking more about how things affect me, Al Franken. When you see a news report, you’ll be thinking, “I wonder what Al Franken thinks about this thing?”, “I wonder how this inflation thing is hurting Al Franken?” And you women will be thinking, “What can I wear that will please Al Franken?”, or “What can I not wear?” You know, I know a lot of you out there are thinking, “Why Al Franken?” Well, because I thought of it, and I’m on TV, so I’ve already gotten the jump on you. So, I say let’s leave behind the fragmented, selfish 70′s, and go into the 80′s with a unity and purpose. That’s what I think. I’m Al Franken. Jane?
Jane Curtin: Thank you, Al. That’s the news. Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.
The Minnesota Supreme Court has uninimously declared Franken the winner over incumbent Norm Coleman. As surreal as it sounds, Al Franken is the newest US Senator.
Is it over? Will Coleman appeal to Federal Court? Will Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty execute the certification? Will the Federal Court grant Coleman an injunction against certification? Will the Senate Republicans filibuster Franken’s confirmation?
Coleman is holding a press conference at 4:00 eastern time, which is about a half hour away from this posting.
Pawlenty has said he would sign the certification.
TPM has a slide show of the trial. And Franken’s career.
The photo comes from TPM.
Update: It’s over. Norm concedes.
Addendum: someone brought my attention to this amusing clip from a debate between Franken and our favorite hippie.
Posted by request, but of less interest I think, is a brief clip of a confrontation between Al and Norm following a debate. Franken’s wife gets in between them. Not sure why it’s post-worthy, but I aim to please.
Tom Davis reminisces about being arrested with Franken.
Second addendum: The Freepers are freaking out.
Third addendum: TPM headline – Murdoch Press Blows a Gasket over Franken Win
29 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 30, 2009 at 12:04 pm
humboldturtle
I like Al. He looks like a turtle.
June 30, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Skippy
Better late than never!
June 30, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Mr. Greenjeans
O’Reilly, Hannity and Rose are not going to like this.
June 30, 2009 at 2:04 pm
milt
Great! My autographed copy of; Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, should be worth some bucks. Now if I can only figure out a way to get Rush to sign it. And return it.
June 30, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Dave Kirby
I heard on the radio that Coleman’s people were appealing to the supreme court. In an unrelated vein… who’s V.P. nominee was Curtis LeMay ?
June 30, 2009 at 7:49 pm
milt
AF Gen Lemay was Gearge Wallace’s VP. He was also the model for Gen Turgidson,( George C.Scott), in Dr. Strangelove.
The often used phrase used by more than a few Bushites,”Bomb them back to the stone age”, is first attributed to him. I suspect that he’s the personal role model for more than a few wingnut talking heads..
June 30, 2009 at 8:09 pm
milt
Incidentally, Eric, your hippie friend found out that you posted that and shes pissed .
June 30, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Carol
Congratulations Stuart Smiley! “Because I’m good enough, smart enough, and, by golly, people like me!”
June 30, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Moviedad
It’s accepted practice nowadays for the republicans to obstruct and confuse and basically commit crimes against the United States without any punishment. Coleman has been trying to steal the election from the time he started. Still, I have no faith in rich democrats anymore than I have faith in rich republicans. If our system wasn’t broken, we would have conscientious honest people working for their own people. but instead we have wealthy career politicians working for their own people.
June 30, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Anonymous
Quite the video with Coulter and Franken. You can see on her face that she knew Franken had nailed her.
July 1, 2009 at 7:05 am
Carson Park Ranger
Good riddance to Coleman.
Thanks for the video; Coulter’s stark awfulness really comes through when contrasted against a human being instead of a Fox News host.
July 1, 2009 at 8:47 am
Illustrado
This is the best and the brightest they could come up with? He’s a mean, spiteful, hateful jackass who hides behind the “it’s comedy” curtain. But it’s all OK because he’s a liberal.
July 1, 2009 at 8:54 am
Anonymous
Bill O’Reilly must be pissed!
July 1, 2009 at 10:49 am
Anonymous
Yup.
July 1, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Buhne St. Game Warden
“He’s a mean, spiteful, hateful jackass…”
Compared with the right-wing attack dogs? “Illustrado” had better back his goof-ball comment with some illustrations.
July 1, 2009 at 4:13 pm
milt
Now that Franken is in the Senate, this is what one sorry-ass Republican tells us is not funny about him and the 59 other Democrats in power.
On the up side now we will all be able to legally speed at 104.585 kph.
July 1, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Carson Park Ranger
Thanks for the link, Milt. It’s always good to read of the desperation of an ambitious lobbyist, who is cashing in on his Republican connections. What’s bad for John Feehery is good for the USA.
July 1, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Eric Kirk
I remember having to learn metrics in the seventh grade. It was simple to learn, and it makes great sense to use for science purposes, but I was never clear on why they felt it was important to make a complete switch. Orwell made a big deal about the transition in England in 1984 when a minor character commented on how he got less beer because a half-liter was less than a pint.
And while I am glad for the 65 mph speed limit when I’m traveling, the 55 limit did indeed save many, many lives – for what it’s worth.
July 1, 2009 at 5:57 pm
milt
I agree. I usually set the cruise control at 55 and the difference in gas mileage is not to be sneezed at. So I get to Eureka 10 minutes later, so what.
There was a monumental screw-up on the space lab thingy some time ago because we were using our standard King’s nose to his thumb, whatever, measurement system while the rest of the partners used the metric system. It cost millions to fix the resulting discrepancy. And we don’t even have a King anymore – not since 2008, at any rate.
July 1, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Eric Kirk
Well, the meter isn’t any less arbitrary. It represents one ten millionth the distance from the pole to the equator on the Meridian which travels through the center of Paris. Paris is the center of the universe.
July 1, 2009 at 8:01 pm
milt
It may have originally been measured through Dunkirk, and since the French scientists were doing the computations they should be given their do. Still, it is based upon trying to obtain a real measurement of something we all live on – the Earth’s size. That’s not arbitrary, unless it is expanding or contracting.
Now compare that to the English system: The one-foot measurement is based on one-third of the length of the arm of King Henry I (1068-1135) of England.
It would be exceedingly difficult to dig up the old King now and remeasure for accuracy, I would think. Do they know even where he’s buried? And there’s the shrinkage factor with old codgers; disinterment proceedings in an English Court that would probably frown on such nonsense; and then there’s that division into 12 inches(?) oddity. Ever try to figure out the English currency system? Talk about arbitrary!
It’s like the saying – Mommy has always been Mommy, so we’re stuck with her I suppose.
July 1, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Anonymous
Congratulate Al Franken!
Moveon.org has an on-line card congratulating him on his victory. Want to sign?
http://pol.moveon.org/congratsfranken/?r_by=16485-15249902-AOGISGx&rc=confemail
July 2, 2009 at 8:57 am
milt
Yes, but there’s nothing more desperate than a flailing, former, newspaper trying to figure out new ways of making money.
July 2, 2009 at 8:58 am
milt
Somehow the link wound up in the bottom comment @11:45
July 2, 2009 at 9:00 am
milt
Ah, no it didn’t. try this: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24441.html
July 2, 2009 at 2:37 pm
ecumenik
Al sure has one helluva set of balls.
July 2, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Illustrado
Brand new Rasmussen national poll shows 44% have an UNfavorable view of Senator Smalley. It will only go higher.
July 2, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Eric Kirk
Who cares? I just hope he takes advantage of the inevitable media focus on him to change the frame of the debate on health care. If he lasts only one term and the result is universal health care which means something, he’s accomplished more than most senators in a lifetime.
July 3, 2009 at 7:38 am
milt
Some of that 44% were confused by this Smalley , which is a Bachmann ,with an (R), creation.
Who’s your comedian now, eh, Minnesota?