Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 19 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Veterans caucus supports Al Franken for Senate
Published Tuesday, January 29, 2008
As Chair of the Minnesota DFL Veterans Caucus, I oversaw the screening of U.S. Senate candidates for endorsement by our caucus.
The candidates all had expressed a sincere desire to serve the interests of veterans, service members, and their families. But, one stood well above the others, having shown both admiration and concern for the men and women who serve this country long before he considered a run for public office.
Several years ago, Al Franken began visiting the troops overseas, bringing them entertainment and gaining an appreciation for the sacrifices they make. Since then, he's often spoken out on their behalf, advocating for more and better body armor and vehicle armor, the restoration of VA benefit cuts, and a recognition of the looming veterans healthcare crisis.
Early in his campaign, Al began holding listening sessions with veterans around Minnesota to better educate himself and his staff on the issues that matter most to us. But perhaps most telling as to the importance Al places on veterans is his desire to sit on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
It seemed a fairly obvious choice for the DFL Veterans Caucus to endorse Al Franken. He's been there for vets and active service members for years and he gives every indication of continuing to be there for us.
We're proud to support his candidacy.
Jim Bootz, chair - DFL Veterans Caucus
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 BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 29, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kudos to you, Bootz. Wise choice.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 29, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is that multiple personality disorder?
I'm not voting for Al. (turn head quickly) Me neither.
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on January 29, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tuffguii, are you saying that you are buying your own health care and not recieving any health care from the military??
Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on January 29, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Al Franken is just another un-employed ex Hollywood/New York comedian that has found a state that will let him run in. All he has done is made a few trips and told people what they want to hear, and sure enough they jump on his bandwagon. Come on Vets, you are not that gullible are you?
Posted by jafo (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jerry, did you vote for Reagan... just wondering. ;-)
Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jafo, yes I did vote for Reagan. He had proven himself as a leader in a liberal state. Don't even compare Franken to Reagan!
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes,, go ahead and compare Franken to Reagan, the contrast would be, well,,, a good education. Reagan was one great president!
Posted by tracy (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jerry and mel, if chip was here you would be really getting it right now!!!
Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please, educate yourself on Franken's policies before taking pot shots at him.
You're perfectly free to disagree with him, politically, but taking personal jabs is rather pedantic.
Posted by jafo (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Before Reagan was Governor, where did he come from?? You can't use the "Hollywood" tag for someone, and not the other. If you differ with Franken on the issues, that's fine... just keep it at that. He is just getting started in politics, just as your hero Reagan was at one time.
Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes Chip would be taking shots at me, but, I have a lot of respect of his opinions. I miss his presence, he kept us all in line. People need to realize that after all these posts are only opinions and you know what they say about opinions!
The fact that we have a two party system in this country, even with the problems, has allowed us to live in the greatest country in the world. Many complain about President Bush now, and when Hillary gets in there will be about the same amount of complainers.
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TUFFGUII so are you trying to say Tricare or Champus is a civilian insurance plan that anybody can join?
and are you trying to tell us that the premiums, co pays, and deductibles are any where close to say Blue Cross.
I hope your not going to tell us you were taking advantage of a Govt. program!!! Oh my that would mean you are dependent on them for everything! I guess that makes YOU a (oh my) A SOCIALIST !!!!
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When you are all praising Ronald Reagan just remember that he spilled his guts at the McCarthy hearings and turned on his former friends like a rat. He named names. Don’t deny it, it’s all on film. Never one iota of proof he just “thought they were communists”. Some great man, BS.
Posted by edrule3 (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan was a good actor. It almost seemed like he knew what he was doing from time to time. But, in the final analysis, he was just a puppet. Who do you think was really pulling his strings?
Tuffguii, what was your rank over there? What were your duties? In other posts you tell everyone they need to be over there, as you were, in order to understand what's going on in that world. Fact is, nobody needs to go there. Sources of video, like YouTube for instance, can depict a soldier's life very well. Some soldiers live to document their missions, it's all they have to look forward to each day. But be prepared, there is much video posted by Al Queda as well. At least now we have the opportunity to see, through all eyes, this world you claim to know. For whatever we Americans like to think ourselves to be, in the realm of righteousness, these vids will show the ugly truth. Is it any wonder terrorists grow in number daily, outpacing our attempts at attritting them. Google 'soldier's Iraq videos' or Iraq mission videos' or 'Iraq war videos' to get started. BTW, are any of those vids your's Tuffguii?
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tuffguii I am not upset at My health care priemiums I am all to familiar with Champus, I do believe that everyone should have the opportunity to have AFFORDABLE health insurance, I am quite amazed how ever that since you were "ATTATCHED" to a Marine division that you did not pick up on a portion of what they stand for, but I will cut you some slack since you are not a Combat personel.
Men with Honor do not serve and label THEMSELVES with hero status.
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love Al Franken. He'll be at the Bigwood Event Center this Saturday from 6:30-8:30pm. Love him or hate him, it's definitely worth coming out to hear what he has to say.
Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Confuscious Say: Tell them what they want to hear, and they shall follow you!
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey tuff guy, You are not the only veteran here and not the only one to go off to war, stop acting as if you were. And stop acting so tuff you are giving veterans a bad name or image. You talk like everyone should do everything for and by themselves. Is that how you operated in a war zone?
Posted by edrule3 (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Get a grip Tuffguii! Were you this hyper over there? No wonder you spent only 9 months in country. Re-read my post. I don't think you took the time to understand any of it. I don't 'presume' to know anything about you. That's why I asked. But, thanks for the insight. I have a better perspective of who Tuffguii is now.
You're really something, dude. You proceed to refer to me with words like: "pompus jerk", "Only a doushe like you. . .", etc., and end up with, "Finally I have nothing but the utmost respect for ANY veteran. . .". Where do you get off? The VA has counselors, ya know. Try talking to one, if you can find the time. You're obviously very busy with the shrine you're building for yourself.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)