Reply #92: Wow, hot topic... [View All]

To get this out of the way: I didn't hear the skit in question, and I personally believe Arafat was a thief and not the leader needed for peace. However, no one's dying screams, real or imagined, are funny. Death is the end of the road; it's when all the lights go out forever. No more chances for redemption or sin; never again will you see the light of day. That's why we are all afraid of death, remember? That's why we let funeral processions pass us on the highway and why we cry when it hits close to home. Ever hold a dead person's hand? That's the chill of the grave, and whether it's Rachel Corrie, Yassir Arafat, or Jesus Christ, when a human dies, all humanity is lessened in strength, even if that particular link in the chain was weak. Arafat will never have the chance to redeem himself now; that is the tragedy of death*.

Getting back to Mr. Franken: It was clear to me from day one that Al is not suited for radio. He wasn't trained to do it (yes, Al, it *is* a skill unto itself) and hasn't improved. Me, I listen to Mike and Randi; oddly enough, I've been listening to Mike for years, and Randi was a DJ for WAPP when I was in high school in the 80's.

*Here's a prophylactic "whatever" to those DUers ready to tell me Arafat would never redeem himself. Maybe so and maybe no. No one knows what goes on in the heart of another.