Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 8 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Reader appalled by Franken’s comment
Published Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Most of us are aware that Al Franken has voiced some outrageous comments in his life, but when I read in the Daily Journal that he visited Fergus Falls, and called the efforts expended in Iraq by our military as 'fruitless', I was appalled.
Thousands of our fine troops have returned to Minnesota in the last couple of weeks, after completing the longest tour of duty of any unit in Iraq.
Many of these troops returned to the Fergus Falls area with two homecoming celebrations hosted in Fergus Falls. These men and women of the military were greeted in many communities with a much deserved heroes welcome. We appreciate these troops and their efforts in Iraq.
Mr. Franken's comment is one of the most insulting and irresponsible things which he could say at this time.
Al Franken owes all of the troops an apology.
Brent E. Frazier - Pelican Rapids
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on August 1, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are so right, if the people of Minnesota put this idiot into an elected office, politics in MN have sunk to a new low. He isn't even a good comedian!
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on August 1, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow these guys right here are an example of why we have to keep building or education system, to see that there are still IDIOTS out there who can't seem to get there minds to work, or refuse to use there minds.
However there is hope, the news reports have shown that an overwhelming MAJORITY in the US do not support this war!!
just because they do not support the war does not mean they do not support the troops!!!!! how IDIOTIC!!!!
AS far as Al Franken I do not know of another politition who has supported these troops more! He has taken more trips there and actually done something while there (with his own money mind you!) than any of our paid polititions using our money to take a vacation trips and make a brief stop in Iraq to just look at things for a couple of hours.
Posted by Dubliner (anonymous) on August 1, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With all due respect, Jerry, however much that would be, Mr. Franken is significantly more intelligent than you could ever hope to be.
Posted by donnyguinness (anonymous) on August 1, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Jerry, Franken is an idiot. And thanks for the lesson on better education fungus. Next time make some more grammatical errors in your comments.
Posted by Dirk (anonymous) on August 1, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is Al Franken even running for Senate? Was Dan Aykroyd too busy on the set of Blues Brothers 3?
Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on August 1, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it was when MN put Bachmann into office that MN politics sunk to a new low.
As for the letter... are we still rehashing this same argument? That not supporting the war is not supporting the troops? It's sickening that people actually think this argument has merit.
Posted by reluctantpopstar (anonymous) on August 2, 2007 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Frazier, it is you who owe the troops an apology.
Al Franken's acknowledgment that the efforts of our military in Iraq are "fruitless," are not an insult or criticism of the abilities of our troops.
That statement is an acknowledgement that the nation of Iraq, and by extension the entire Middle East, is a region rife with tribal and religious conflicts going back thousands of years, all of which have relatively little to do with Minnesotans, Americans or George W. Bush.
To think that the US Military could quell those conflicts in a few months, a few years, or even a few decades, is to ignore the facts of history. Our soldiers are not Superman or demi-Gods, just brave human beings with tough jobs to do.
Al Franken's determination that our troops do not have the resources and backing they need to make any difference in Iraq, leads to his call to bring the troops back home for the heroes' welcome you clearly wish for them, as do I. Bringing the troops out of harm's way, back to Minnesota to their families and their homes: now that's what I call supporting the troops.
Posted by Venti (anonymous) on August 6, 2007 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Support our troops!
Not this war!
Support our troops!
Not this war!
Support our troops!
Not this war!
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)