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I'm reading Al Franken's new book now and while

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EC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:24 PM
Original message
I'm reading Al Franken's new book now and while
reading this chapter on Social Security, it occured to me that if ** did privatize everything like the GOP wants, what would make America great then? What would make us choose this country over others?
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Reverend_Smitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:28 PM
Response to Original message
1. well we would completely lose out to Europe
and other industrialized nations when it came to social safty nets...but hey I'm pretty sure we have the market cornered when it comes to reality TV!
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EC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:37 PM
Response to Reply #1
5. And why on earth would anyone start a small business
without any safty nets? You're right Europe would grow...and the reality shows would get even more gruesome in the desperation of the people trying and get some sort of actual retirement cushion, without relying on the ups and downs of the stock market (i.e. gambling)
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wryter2000 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:30 PM
Response to Original message
2. I loved that book
It was free of the comments on people's personal appearance. I guess it probably wasn't as funny as his other books, but maybe I didn't laugh because I'd heard all the jokes on the show. The book really pulled all the important points together in a very moving way.
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Zinfandel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:30 PM
Response to Original message
3. Is Al Franken still alive?
Edited on Thu Jan-05-06 04:33 PM by Zinfandel
I thought he and his show died a long time ago....I guess its because I listen instead to the much more informative, entertaining, excellent and a true radio pro like Thom Hartmann, in the most important radio time slot (as Franken)...

Talk about weighting down a network, Franken is just there, neither rising nor falling...Good thing Air America Radio has Randi Rhodes and the great Mike Malloy!!!!

www.airamericaradio.com
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NYCGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:34 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Yes, he's still alive and his show is still #1 on Air America for ratings.
Edited on Thu Jan-05-06 04:34 PM by NYCGirl
Edited for typo.

His show is also in the Top 20 (usually middle teens) on iTunes for podcasting.
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Zinfandel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:38 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. Just think...
Edited on Thu Jan-05-06 04:44 PM by Zinfandel
what a Mike Malloy, or Randi or Hartmann could do in that time slot...the most prestigest and listened to time slot on talk radio...going up against the likes of the pigman Limbaugh...

Anyone in that time slot should and will do well...However, I just named three who would do much better and would TRULY kick ass in that top time slot \!!!!
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NYCGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:43 PM
Response to Reply #6
11. Malloy is in exactly the right time slot. He'd scare away drivetime or
lunch listeners. Hartmann is remarkably learned but soporific. Randi gets the #2 ratings, but she still lags behind Al. The best on AAR IMO are Al and Rachel Maddow.
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Zinfandel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:51 PM
Response to Reply #11
14. I disagree...I listen to Mike in Randi's spot for two weeks...
Edited on Thu Jan-05-06 05:04 PM by Zinfandel
and the fucker Malloy, (said with sincere & true affection), was the most entertaining and kick-ass radio I've heard in a long time in daytime...probably since Malloy and Peter Werbe were doing daytime talk on "i.e.america"--- a couple of years ago!!!

Do you think Limbaugh is too much and would "scare away" listeners, he's in that same time slot?

Mike was great those two weeks, 3 pm Eastern AND 12 noon Pacific!!

Shit, Mike would overwhelm and kick ass going head to head against the pigman...

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NYCGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:54 PM
Response to Reply #14
17. Limbaugh is "too much," but those rightwing jerkoffs would listen to
a horse dropping a load if it was rubber stamped by the GOP.
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EC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:58 PM
Response to Reply #14
20. I listened too, and he wasn't as hard hitting as he is
at night.

And Rush's audience is a different sort of person, they are hateful and screamers anyway...that sort of lefty would be listening to Howard Stern so we have it covered for the time slot anyway...

that time slot is a perfect time to get the soccer moms and professionals at lunch or business offices that keep radios on all day, and the more easy going host is better there...for that matter Thom's manner isn't that much different than Al's.


This is silly, They are all good in their own way, stop complaining...
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EC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:38 PM
Response to Reply #3
7. I like Thom too,
and listen to the repeat of Franken at night...no need to knock him when he is actually doing good...
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Buddyblazon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:39 PM
Response to Reply #3
8. You may dislike Franken....
but he is responsible for taking me from my complacent "once every 4 years only" political life...to a regular reader, poster, activist. I'm still not nearly as savvy as many of the posters here. But at least I'm trying now.

And I passed the book that gave the spark onto a couple of friends...and they too have made the transformation.

Like Randi. Like Mike. But I like Al too.
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Reverend_Smitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:41 PM
Response to Reply #3
9. you may not agree with his politics all the time...
I don't, thats because he's pretty much a moderate however without him AAR would probably never have become a reality. My dad who sits on the fence politically likes to listen to Franken but can't stand Rhodes and Malloy (whom I love) so I applaud Franken for bringing in a wider audience to liberal radio.
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Mabus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:41 PM
Response to Reply #3
10. I like Franken
and I don't think he's weighing down AAR. I think each of the hosts appeals to different segments of their target audience. We're all basically on the same side so instead of bashing Franken (or any of the other AAR hosts) just remember that each of us different preferences on presentation. I've listend to Hartmann once in a while and he is good. I also listen to Rhodes and Mallory. Although I have to admit I love it when Seder goes on one of his rants.
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K-W Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:54 PM
Response to Reply #3
16. My radio host could beat up your radio host. EOM
Edited on Thu Jan-05-06 04:54 PM by K-W
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NYCGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #16
18. Franken was a wrestler in school. He can kick any other radio host's
ass (and metaphorically, does that every day).
:evilgrin:
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Mabus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:44 PM
Response to Original message
12. I'm reading it too
although I have to wait until my husband puts it down. I haven't gotten very far though. He's been taking it with him when he leaves the house.

As for your question, my first thought was the education system but then I remembered I live in Kansas. So, I'm out of answers.
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EC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:52 PM
Response to Reply #12
15. But they want to privatize the education system
too, so would you be able to afford it? And would we like what they teach?
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K-W Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:59 PM
Response to Reply #15
21. Privatize = sell off to the lowest bidder. EOM
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Maine-ah Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:46 PM
Response to Original message
13. I just finished that chapter last night! Great book
hubbie got it for me for xmas.

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TNOE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 04:57 PM
Response to Original message
19. Saw him on C-SPAN Book TV
over the weekend - and he inspired me all over again. I like him too - haven't read his latest book though.
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Jane Austin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 05:10 PM
Response to Original message
22. What I don't understand
is why someone would take a perfectly reasonable question in the opening post about something in Al Franken's best-selling book and use the thread to launch a big rant against Al Franken?

Doesn't matter what somebody may think of Franken, but why the nasty tone in a gratuitous attack?

Why would somebody use a thread about Social Security to rant against a radio show and host he just doesn't like?

Wouldn't that be more appropriate for a new thread?
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NYCGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #22
24. Thank you.
:applause:
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Beaverhausen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 05:14 PM
Response to Original message
23. Franken's first book -Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot ...
...addressed the fact that many of the programs we have here like social security, medicare, public education, etc. are indeed what makes this country so great. He made a great case for these things...the very things that the GOP wants to get rid ot.

I am waiting for my boyfriend to finish the new one so I can read it. Franken's books are great!
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rniel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-05-06 05:28 PM
Response to Original message
25. Ultimate GOP Plan
To privatize the air we breathe so all the poor people who can't afford air just die.

They would love a world like that.
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