# Now, Al Franken **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 16, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770 "2017-11-16T15:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 68
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1342 "2017-12-07T19:00:06Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Just to recap: most of Bears Ears has now reverted to the same status it had just over one year ago. Somehow, we had managed to avoid selling it off to mining and exploitation companies and destroying the land for all those years prior to 2016, and I suspect that trend will continue now that it’s back in the same status. That’s ignoring the fact that oil/gas companies were lobbying for this and the Executive Order specifically mentioned “energy independence.” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1343 "2017-12-07T19:08:39Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Only if their reaction would have been exactly the same if there was a Republican in the Wisconsin Governor’s Mansion. My cynical viewpoint is that for either political party the number of Senators they have in Congress is more important than any misconduct. :smack: Minnesota of course. The rest stands. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1344 "2017-12-07T19:08:51Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Just to recap: most of Bears Ears has now reverted to the same status it had just over one year ago. Somehow, we had managed to avoid selling it off to mining and exploitation companies and destroying the land for all those years prior to 2016, and I suspect that trend will continue now that it’s back in the same status. > [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > That’s ignoring the fact that oil/gas companies were lobbying for this and the Executive Order specifically mentioned “energy independence.” Is this federal land? If so, I suspect it is, in fact, in more danger of being exploited for mining and oil interest now with Trump as president than it was prior to 2016. Now, that might be a good thing, and whoever thinks so should make his or her case. But I don’t buy the idea that the Trump administration will protect land in the same way earlier administrations did. And why is this a issue in this thread? Did Franken molest some woman in this area or something? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1345 "2017-12-07T19:25:51Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Is this federal land? At least most of it. [There were some SITLA lands owned by the state of Utah that were caught up in the designation](https://trustlands.utah.gov/109k-acres-of-school-trust-land-captured-in-bears-ears-national-monument/). There might have been other few odds and ends here and there. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > If so, I suspect it is, in fact, in more danger of being exploited for mining and oil interest now with Trump as president than it was prior to 2016. More danger than when our president was a Texas oilman? This land managed to survive the ravages of the Bush administration too, at least intact enough that Obama felt it was worth declaring a national monument at the tail end of his presidency. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > … And why is this a issue in this thread? Did Franken molest some woman in this area or something? No, it’s a tangent that got started when I answered a question about my support for Trump. See post #1319. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1346 "2017-12-07T19:33:14Z")
That fucker pre-empted **Wayne Mother-Fuckin’ Brady** and \*Let’s Make A Deal \*for his self-serving Blah-blah! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1347 "2017-12-07T19:34:21Z")
How was anyone made worse off because of the establishment of protection of the area? IOW, why are you so pissed off? ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1348 "2017-12-07T19:37:02Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > How so? > > This thread is about senator Al Franken. How is he as morally bankrupt as Donald Trump or Roy Moore? I never said Al Franken was as morally corrupt as Moore or Trump, or that Moore or Trump were as morally corrupt as Al Franken. I made no moral judgement on matters we the public have limited knowledge on. I simply pointed out that the Dem reaction to sexual harrasers and abusers within the Democratic Party for the past 25 years has been pretty woeful; the Democratic Parties reaction and complicity is roughly on par(or worse) than the reaction and complicity of the Republican Party to abusers and harrasers within the Republican party. That may all change from this day forward but for most of recent history the Democratic Party has certainly not been better at dealing with sexual harassment internally within the Party than the Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1349 "2017-12-07T19:39:49Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > How was anyone made worse off because of the establishment of protection of the area? > > IOW, why are you so pissed off? See above. SITLA lands were made inaccessible. This costs Utah taxpayers money. It would have taken years to agree to land swaps with the Feds. Also, less access for grazing & ATVs. Then there’s my general dislike for most things done by the federal government to consider. But ultimately, I wouldn’t call myself “pissed off” right now. I’m actually pretty happy. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1350 "2017-12-07T19:41:25Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > I never said Al Franken was as morally corrupt as Moore or Trump, or that Moore or Trump were as morally corrupt as Al Franken. I made no moral judgement on matters we the public have limited knowledge on. I simply pointed out that the Dem reaction to sexual harrasers and abusers within the Democratic Party for the past 25 years has been pretty woeful; the Democratic Parties reaction and complicity is roughly on par(or worse) than the reaction and complicity of the Republican Party to abusers and harrasers within the Republican party. That may all change from this day forward but for most of recent history the Democratic Party has certainly not been better at dealing with sexual harassment internally within the Party than the Republicans. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1351 "2017-12-07T19:42:13Z")
I bet Jefferson Beauregard Sessions is lighting up a victory cigar. General Beauregard’s probably calling the Senator now to work out an official resignation ceremony just a few miles down the road at Appomattox. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1352 "2017-12-07T19:44:19Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I bet Jefferson Beauregard Sessions is lighting up a victory cigar. There’s definitely plenty of gloating on the right today. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1353 "2017-12-07T19:49:35Z")
Will you also be gloating as you swear in Senator Chester the Molester? Were you gloating when your Pussy Grabber in Chief took the oath? The only way to gloat is if you do indeed put party over both country and decency. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1354 "2017-12-07T19:55:37Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > SITLA lands were made inaccessible. This costs Utah taxpayers money. It would have taken years to agree to land swaps with the Feds. [That sounds like it was a \*good \*thing.](http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=56847177&itype=cmsid) > [@](#): > > SITLA’s codified mission is to make as much money as possible on lands it oversees, which goes into a trust fund to make even more money, a tiny bit of which goes to fund public education. That single-minded mission, which does not allow SITLA to consider the long-term value of any parcel of institutional trust lands, should be changed by the Utah Legislature. > > That need for change — advocated on this page and by others — was re-emphasized last week when SITLA announced it planned to lease parcels of land in the Book Cliffs for oil exploration and drilling. IOW, Obama made it harder to destroy the land irreparably for the sake of oil company profits. But fuck 'em, right? > [@](#): > > Also, less access for grazing & ATVs. Damage from those is recoverable, but takes a long damn time even if does get stopped. But fuck 'em too, I suppose. > [@](#): > > Then there’s my general dislike for most things done by the federal government to consider. Why should anyone consider your base emotions? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1355 "2017-12-07T19:55:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Will you also be gloating as you swear in Senator Chester the Molester? Were you gloating when your Pussy Grabber in Chief took the oath? > > The only way to gloat is if you do indeed put party over both country and decency. I do not like Al Franken, as a person or as a Senator, but I think I’ve actually kept my personal gloating over this issue to a minimum. I was just noting that on right-wing sites there’s plenty of laughter over “salty liberal tears” and the like today. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1356 "2017-12-07T19:58:04Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > [That sounds like it was a \*good \*thing.](http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=56847177&itype=cmsid)IOW, Obama made it harder to destroy the land irreparably for the sake of oil company profits. But fuck 'em, right? > > Damage from those is recoverable, but takes a long damn time even if does get stopped. But fuck 'em too, I suppose. > > Why should anyone consider your base emotions? It is NOT a good thing if you’re a taxpayer in Utah. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1357 "2017-12-07T19:58:08Z")
Tell us why you’re gloating at all. And why you maintain any respect for those who do. > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > It is NOT a good thing if you’re a taxpayer in Utah. That cite was from the Salt Lake Tribune editorial page. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1358 "2017-12-07T20:00:40Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That cite was from the Salt Lake Tribune editorial page. I don’t know why you’d think I’d find that significant. You probably don’t realize this, but SLTrib is the liberal paper in Utah. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1359 "2017-12-07T20:03:43Z")
So the editors there are not Utah Taxpayers? It seemed like you were attempting to speak for all Utah taxpayers. Guess not. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1360 "2017-12-07T20:14:21Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > So the editors there are not Utah Taxpayers? It seemed like you were attempting to speak for all Utah taxpayers. Guess not. Don’t be silly. You should know the only Utah taxpayers who matter are the _conservative_ ones. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/1361 "2017-12-07T20:28:23Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > So the editors there are not Utah Taxpayers? It seemed like you were attempting to speak for all Utah taxpayers. Guess not. It does cost all Utah taxpayers money. The editors of the SLTrib probably care more about grandstanding for liberal causes than the difference it will make in their taxes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770.md?page=67) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770.md?page=69)