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FRANKEN ASIAN STEREOTYPE SHOCK VIDEO
By Michael B. Brodkorb | March 14, 2008
The Al Franken video posted above is one that I have struggled with since I received an e-mail from a friend who viewed its content on YouTube. The video is a segment of a book reading of Al Franken's book, "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big, Fat Idiot, And Other Observations", of a chapter called "Chickenhawk".
In it, Franken attempts to use a combination of crude humor, sexual references and what I believe to border (some may suggest that the border is crossed) on racist stereotypes to attack a number of Republicans he disagrees with on American foreign policy.
I have been reluctant to publish this post, not as much because of the cursing or even the crass sexual language. In that context, one could argue that Franken, a comedian, is only using words that other comedians use and that consenting adults have the right to decide whether or not to view or approve of such language.
My greater reluctance is based upon what I believe to border on outright sexist, and borderline racism, of a comedian doing a stand-up routine where he uses sterotypical language and literary imagery to elicit a laugh and to sell books. The visual imagery of a laughing, smiling Al Franken mocking the language of a young, Asian woman "servicing" Newt Gingrich is shocking and degrading.
At a time when one of the leading candidates for President in the United States is a woman, and another is an African American, the nature of Al Franken's comedy and what he believes passes for legitimate political rhetoric must be called into question.
Of course, I expect the Franken campaign and its defenders to insist that this chapter of Franken's was meant as pure satire. I am not sure that Minnesotan's 150,000 citizens of Asian descent would find his characterization of Asian women as funny — or dignifying — or satirical.
For a person who wants to represent Minnesota in the United States Senate, this video clip will most certainly call into question the credibility of someone who apparently doesn't realize that Minnesotan has one of the largest Hmong population in the country. A culture that has succeeded in this nation by having to fight against racism, inequality and cultural stereotyping.
We have seen other comedians and celebrities in the United States make jokes or comments that have resulted in firestorms. Don Imus and Michael Richards both come to mind.
And, Geraldine Ferraro just stepped down from the Clinton Campaign for making her own ill advised comments that many have taken to be offensive (I believe they were offensive).
I anticipate attacks by the Franken campaign and his defenders about this video clip. I have no doubt that they will attempt to deflect criticism away from the content. Al Franken has often said he is proud of his work on Saturday Night Live…I wonder if he is still proud of his mocking of an entire culture for the purpose of making a political attack and selling a book?
The people of Minnesota will need to judge the character of a candidate for the United States Senate who is willing to mock any person, culture or belief for the sake of a laugh — and a book sale.
Democrats across Minnesota will have to decide whether their desire to beat Norm Coleman is more important than calling into account the words, and actions of their leading candidate for the United States Senate. Or, will they succumb to their desire to defeat Coleman and stand by a comedian who has already shown his hypocrisy and disdain for the very principles the party stands for.
We'll see.
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This post also appears on Blogs for Norm!, an online community and blog covering the 2008 U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota. The primary goal of Blogs for Norm! is to organize bloggers who support U.S. Senator Norm Coleman.
Topics: Uncategorized | 56 Comments »
56 Responses to “FRANKEN ASIAN STEREOTYPE SHOCK VIDEO”
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March 14th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
You didn’t serve this great Nation in the Armed Services, did you, Michael?
March 14th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
No, I did not. Why?
March 14th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Thank goodness you worked through your struggle to post this. I’m particularly grateful you warned me of the strong language.
March 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Well, I did serve, as you well know.
And I’m not offended by this at all; as a matter of fact, Gingrich could rightfully be called “Number 10″.
And if you weren’t there, you probably won’t get it.
Get it?
March 14th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
So, the Republican party is adding lack of a sense of humor to their growing list of things they lack (vision, a majority, electability)
Good to know.
The bottom line is, Al Franken is a comedian. He has, in the past, written books that were humor based. If having a past work history that is not entirely government-based disqualifies you from service, then I guess the voters will have but one choice. NORM COLEMAN.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I wonder if the Asian community in Minnesota will stay silent about Franken’s behavior…just as the GLBT community stayed quiet over Franken’s galling attacks on them.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Liberals will put up with ANYTHING their candidates do as long as they’re ideologically pure and their opponent is a Republican. It’s not about character or the person, it’s about how they’ll pull the lever for their hateful causes.
Given that, Asian DFL’ers will ignore it and give him a “pass”. In fact, there isn’t one liberal “group” that will saw a word about Angry Al’s failings because he’s their guy, good or bad.
It demonstrates just how sad liberalism is today – no conscience.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
The bottom line is, Al Franken is a comedian.
Case in point, the never-ending “pass”: “He’s a comedian”.
That’s the “hall pass” that gets him by every liberal voter in MN. He’s allowed to do or say anything as long as he’s a “comedian” (a LIBERAL “comedian”, of course – a conservative comedian would be harassed out of their candidacy for saying this offensive non-sense, but who’s talking hypocrisy?)
March 14th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
You see, the reason these communities stay quiet is because if given the choice of a senator who makes no jokes but supports legislation that makes their lives worse, or a senator who makes inane jokes but understands that there are Minnesotans who don’t work in boardrooms and winter in Naples, the choice is clear.
Norm Coleman has done nothing with his term in office, and the fact that he is watching old Franken clips to give this blog something to talk about is proof positive that he can’t (and won’t) get re-elected on his record.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
michael wrote: “I wonder if he is still proud of his mocking of an entire culture for the purpose of making a political attack and selling a book?”
What michael doesn’t get, and neither do his merry band of ChickenHawks, is that Franken was NOT mocking the girl, nor the culture; he was mocking Newt “I had a deferrment” Gingich.
Of course, it’s possible michael DOES get it, but he’s trusting his merry band of ChickenHawks won’t….
March 14th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
His parents must be so proud…..
….I wonder if that sweet old school teacher in those ads cracks up over this stuff….
March 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I am sure Al will have some clever way of trying to explain how MDE is trying to twist his words around again as he has time and time again.
Minnesotans are a lot smarter than that and it will show at the ballot box come November.
March 14th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
If Minnesotans are smart enough to surmise that Franken has told some off-color jokes over the years, I assume they will also be smart enough to see just how ineffective Norm Coleman has been in the Senate.
If given the choice between a guy who has told tasteless jokes and a guy whose service to the state has been a tasteless joke, I like Franken’s chances.
March 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Is it ok if I call tooputz an idiot? I know if I were a comedian I could get away with it. I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
March 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
it’s like 50 Cent running for office and dismissing all his anti-women, anti-cop, pro-drug, pro-gang message as simply “music”…..
March 14th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
So Fred Thompson IS a Naval Commander in search of a missing Russian sub?
March 14th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
huh?
March 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I saw him on television this week helping Alec Baldwin search out a sub that was being stolen from the Russians by Sean Connery and Sam Neill.
What nerve you republicants have taking him away from our national defense to run for president.
March 14th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
This is important because it show’s Mr. Franken for who he is. He is lewd. He is angry. He is out of step with every Minnesotan. Not quite…every Minnesotan except for the few who define themselves by an elite code that allows behaveor for themselves that the state they secretly make fun of reviles. A lot like the Governor of the stae Mr. Franken just left. New York.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I wonder if the Asian community in Minnesota will stay silent about Franken’s behavior…just as the GLBT community stayed quiet over Franken’s galling attacks on them.
they were silent because its not that big of a deal. they care more about what Al will do as senator, especially given Norm’s stellar record of being a republican stooge.
its amazing how bad this stuff is taken out of context. this smear campaign will backfire.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
When you have no record to run on, you have no other refuge.
I have yet to see a single poster on here say anything positive about Norm Coleman. You would think they would have something to say after nearly six years other than that he isn’t Al Franken.
Oh well. Having two Senators from the other party will be a good enough sign to the republicants that the politics of sleeze doesn’t work here.
March 14th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
So, KeepItSimple, how do YOU defend Newt “I Got A Deferrment” Gingrich from bein’ a ChickenHawk?
Remind me, will ya, where his second wife was, when Newt served her with divorce papers, will ya?
March 14th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Mikey’s just fulfilling the requirements of his contract with Norm’s campaign and MNGOP. Minimum number of posts per week, things like that. Throw whatever you can on the wall and see if it sticks. Just keep the meter running.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
MDE Exposer – if you haven’t seen Richard Armitage’s interview with Charlie Rose, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdwBR44aeBs
At about the 32 minute mark, Richard Armitage talks about war, and Ronald Reagan.
Clearly, todays republiCons bear little resemblence to Reagan’s Republicans.
And there is no doubt why all those democrats Reagan recruited to vote for him, will no longer vote for anyone with an “R” behind their names, and that is because:
today’s GOP now stands for GreedOverPrinciples.
Ronald Reagan would be horrified at what today’s GOPer has done to the once proud Grand Old Party.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Did this video recording take place in the State of New York? [MBB may have to ask the "friend" that sent him the video.]
[I think that NEW YORK is where Franken & Coleman are originally from.]
Norm is no stranger to actresses and actors. He probably knows some of the standard clauses that are used for actresses & actors in their jobs/contracts.
It seems to me that Norm may have been included or mentioned in a shorter-type film by Michael Moore.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am
TwoPutt…Re†your post # 22…
..so you are saying that Angry Al is a vulgar sexist racist because of where Newt Gingrich served his wife?..
…….just how twisted is Angry Al?
March 15th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Trust me, the Asian community is up in arms about this. I fielded 6 calls THIS MORNING about this issue, and they all said that if this Franken guy is the Dem nominee, they’re voting for Coleman.
And TwoSplut, can you try to stay on topic? You’re reading like a schizoid.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Three hundred and four Asian people called me today to tell me that if Coleman beats Jack Shepard in the Republican primary, that they will be voting for Franken. They went on to say that if Shepard is the republican nominee, they will still vote for Franken.
Now, if someone could just tell me why they all called me, I would be much less concerned.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Sakaki,
Asia covers a large area. If the Pacific Islands are included, the area is larger yet.
Perhaps if the USA Senator from Idaho would have been using one of the many types of Asian toilets, it would have prevented him from using his “wider stance.”
[A David Letterman Show type of caution: Being "up in arms" may be safer in a modern western MSP restroom stall, than being wider at legs.]
March 15th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
el presidente:
If you have a point, make it. If you don’t, then sit down and shut up. Either way, start making some sense.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I don’t think that the comments are necessarily that obscure. I think that others, at other web sites, and if the others were familiar with current events, would probably understand the comments within the MDE content.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Sakaki, visitors to China for the upcoming Olympics may find this out:
When using [some] Asian toilets, one has to squat; when using a Minnesota toilet, one usually sits.
If USA Senator Larry Craig (R-ID)would have used a squatter, rather than a sitter, his wide stance, as he put it, would have been reduced.
When you wrote the words “Trust me,” after getting SIX (6) calls from the Asian community, and wrote about the “Asian community” being “up in arms,” it triggered a few images.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Presidente:
Here’s a suggestion: Take your head, and put it in one of those squatter toilets. Get it stuck nice and good, then start talking again. Then you’ll understand how relevant your speaking is.
Asshat.
Oh, and on the by, I didn’t mention that after the 6 that called, there were about 150 more that came around during the entire day. I’m spending my Monday going around and talking to these people about it, and explaining to them that voting Republican doesn’t hurt them or anyone else.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Why would you lie to the Asians?
March 16th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
If you make it to the summer Olymics, I don’t think that the Forbidden City isn’t very far away from that.
If you get there. Check out the Emporer’s Commode. It was western style [sit not squat].
I think that the 156 [or so] Asian community members that you fielded calls from might have a lot to say about perceptions & misconceptions that the average Minnesotan has about Asia.
I think that my speaking about Asia is probably much more realevant than you may think. TwoPuttTommy recently posted some interesting things on his blog about an American Vietnam Vieteran whom returned to what Americans used to call the Republic of South Vietnam.
I think that it made for some interesting reading. Much more so than your suggestion that I: take my head, put it in an [Asian] toilet, get it stuck in an [Asian] toilet, start talking, and that then [according to Sakaki] I should understand how relevant my “speaking” is.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
The guys I know who did the most, talk the least.
2Pud: Big mouth, no action.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I have read the comments related to the posting of the Franken video on MDE, and I have to admit I am confused.
First, MDE made it clear that the context of this video was Franken attacking Republicans who didn’t serve in Vietnam, but have also been ardent supporters of military action (i.e., the Chapter “Chickenhawk” in Franken’s book)
Second, MDE made it clear that Franken was attempting to use “humor” or “satire” to make his point about those Republicans.
So, it’s clear that context was honest and straightforward.
But, I am curious as to how far Franken supporters will go to defend him and his brand of political rhetoric and speech?
Certainly he has the right to say what he says…but, don’t those who are offended by what he says or injured by it also have the right to clearly be offended and outraged?
Do those who defend Franken really, truly believe that those things he has said as a “comedian” are not fair to analyze and, frankly, attack when they offend our common sensibilities?
Look, nobody can honestly (and I mean honestly) say that Franken couldn’t have called Gingrich, Quayle and Limbaugh asses — or worse — without having to make a cariacture of Asian women doing fellatio or speaking in a stereotyped voice or accent.
Is there anybody amongst us — those who hate Republicans and those who don’t — that aren’t capable of ripping on one another without having to resort to that?
Can it really be said that the only way to make the issue humorous was to belittle, demean and denigrate someone else’s race and culture?
This isn’t a debate about war — for or against it — or whether Gingrich is a bad role model for America’s children.
The issue is whether Al Franken and his past actions, comments and philosophy (which he himself says should be training for him to serve in the Senate) can be legitimately explored and raised as qualifiers or disqualifiers for him to serve in the United States Senate?
If any other politician in Minnesota — Democrat or Republican — attempted to make a political point by using a sterotyped caricature of a culture they would be run out — rightfully so — of office.
Is it really legitimate to say that the bar for Al Franken is different than anyone else?
The Franken video…in its bleakest and starkest form is a snapshot of a man who, up until he decided to run for the United States Senate, was willing to use any avenue of attack he could to sell books and make money.
He may regret those words today — and I suspect he does — but, cutting him slack by saying that the people he attacked were jerks and therefore he should be allowed to abuse others cultures in his attempts to attack them is not being honest and it is disrespectful of those he demeaned in the process.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
So, what someone considers ‘Humor’ doesn’t show anything about how they really think and feel? I gotta tell ya, I think it is one of the best indicators of the kind of person you’re dealing with. If Al was spewing his kind of humor among my friends and me he would soon find himself sitting alone.
I enjoy the mind numb Al support too. Makes me laugh. Almost as funny as the stereotype of all Republicans are corporate big wigs with vacation homes in exotic locals, are greedy and don’t care if everyone dies. Al will make sure that they pay; he’ll punish those evil business people, the hard working, the producers, the wealth generators, you betcha.
Yep, that is the ultimate greed. Al will take money from the hard working and give it all to the greedy who want something for nothing. So just sit in front of your TV, turn off the brain and turn on your envy ‘cause Uncle Al is gonna fleece those big, bad producers for you. Expand the Government Dependency Enslavement programs so you can bend the will of the poor to your liking. By God don’t actually help them because then they might not vote for handouts.
Kneel at the feet of Al, for he will smite the responsible, the planners, the savers and those who wish to keep any of their hard earned money. For it is those who work 60 hour weeks and go to night school who are the true evil in this land. How dare they think they should get ahead? Why do they think they should have a bigger house than the high school dropout? How dare they WORK for a bigger paycheck and hope to keep some of it. Who do they think they are? Al has pledged to crush them, as he should. Bwuuuuhahaha!
Democrats: the ultimate greed and envy.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
[...] This comment about the video I posted of Al Franken doing an impression of an Asian woman was well written. "I have read the comments related to the posting of the Franken video on MDE, and I have to admit I am confused. [...]
March 17th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
[...] My NARN colleague Michael Brodkorb discovered this nugget of Al Franken’s comedy genius last week, and today the Minnesota GOP has demanded an apology from the Senate hopeful for his sexist and racist routine. Franken reads a chapter from his book Rush Limbaugh Is A Big, Fat Idiot, And Other Observations called “Chickenhawk” and supposedly recounts a sexual fantasy of Newt Gingrich. It goes without saying that this is Not Safe For Work: [...]
March 17th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
This is out of context, i believe. It is an excerpt of a ‘pretend war memoir’ which includes all the cheesy tropes of Vietnam stories, written as if the draft-dodging chickenhawks had actually been there. This was from ‘Big Fat Idiot’ if i recall.
I believe it ends with Gingrich or someone shooting Oliver North in the back so they can get out of there. There are several layers to what the entire satirical story is about; its whole meaning comes across quite a bit more offensive if you deliberately crop that out! Cherrypicking? naaah
March 17th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Al Franken has been debunked.
The lies and falsehoods from his books are chronicled here:
http://WWW.FRANKENLIES.COM
March 17th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
[...] This comment about the video I posted of Al Franken doing an impression of an Asian woman was well written. "I have read the comments related to the posting of the Franken video on MDE, and I have to admit I am confused. [...]
March 17th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
[...] My NARN colleague Ed Morrissey picked up on my post about Al Franken's Asian stereotype shock video. "My NARN colleague Michael Brodkorb discovered this nugget of Al Franken’s comedy genius last week, and today the Minnesota GOP has demanded an apology from the Senate hopeful for his sexist and racist routine." Source: Hot Air, March 17, 2008 [...]
March 17th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Al Is a loser and so are the defenders of this dork.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:27 am
You guys have got to be kidding! When does someone affecting an accent become demeaning? Do Nicole Kidman and Russell Crow demean Americans when they are not speaking with an Australian accent? I happen to be in Bangkok right now and there are plenty of Asian accents here. And thank goodness because their English is way better than my Thai!
Al was making fun of a guy who acted (and voted) as if war was a great thing. He was pointing out the absurdity of it, since Newt had never actually served except in his fantasies.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:36 am
[...] My NARN colleague Ed Morrissey picked up on my post about Al Franken's Asian stereotype shock video. "My NARN colleague Michael Brodkorb discovered this nugget of Al Franken’s comedy genius last week, and today the Minnesota GOP has demanded an apology from the Senate hopeful for his sexist and racist routine." Source: Hot Air, March 17, 2008 [...]
March 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Russ, the answer is yes… but only if they’re also propogating a racist and sexist stereotype.
For example, if Nicole Kidmann affected an accent of your daughter sucking off a gang of Hell’s Angels…. that might be considered offensive and demeaning.
Assuming, of course, your daughter isn’t inclined toward such behavior.
March 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
“Al was making fun of a guy who acted (and voted) as if war was a great thing. He was pointing out the absurdity of it, since Newt had never actually served except in his fantasies.”
Nobody in their right mind has ever voted as if war was a great thing. Moreover, are you making the claim that only those who HAVE served are qualified to make judgments on America’s war policy?
If that’s the case, I join you in asking the vast majority of Leftist peace-nik assholes, including the vast majority of the Democrats in Congress to shut up.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
“Nobody in their right mind has ever voted as if war was a great thing. ”
That’s the whole point. BTW, I served my country in uniform for 20 years and I was against Bush’s adventurism in Iraq from the begining. I’m proud to be a “Leftist peace-nik asshole”.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Good, I’m glad you meet your qualifications for making judgments on national security and military action.
And I join you in asking the vast majority of Leftist peacenik assholes (cowards who’ve served nothing but their own selfish interests) to shut the hell up.
At a minimum, I’ve also served. And I cancel out your vote.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:33 am
“And I cancel out your vote.”
Darn it, now Al Franken can’t win. That’s too bad because he would’ve been a great Senator.
Huh? What?
HOWEVER, I will vote for Al: somebody tell me that they cancel my vote and then we can have butt sex instead of going to the polls. Hells Yeah!
March 19th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Wow. Fox news really reaching for straws. How wonderful life would be if all republicants would kill themselves.
March 20th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
[...] Click here to watch Franken’s January 1996 reading at Boston University Bookstore (Warning: graphic language)! [...]
May 11th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Democrats are like “piano players in a Cat Hou
se”:they always act like “innocent bystanders”.
May 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
[...] Flashback: Franken Stereotyped Asian Women. (WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT) (Minnesota Democrats Exposed Blog, http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2008/03/14/franken-asian-stereotype-shock-video/) [...]