"Franken's old Playboy article concerns Democrats"

[laststeamtrain]

Franken's old Playboy article concerns Democrats

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer 48 minutes ago

Senate candidate Al Franken's satirical and explicit take on virtual sex and other topics, published in Playboy magazine eight years ago, is drawing concern instead of laughter from some Minnesota Democrats.

Rep. Betty McCollum, who supported the comedian's rival Mike Ciresi until he dropped out of the race for the party's nomination for the Senate, complained Thursday that she and other Minnesota Democrats will be on the same November ballot as a candidate "who has pornographic writings that are indefensible."

<snip>

Two other Minnesota Democrats in the House, Keith Ellison and Tim Walz, also expressed concerns about the 2000 satirical article that Republicans began circulating last week. None of the critical House members called on Franken to step aside.

At one point in the Playboy piece titled "Porn-O-Rama!" Franken called the Internet a "terrific learning tool," writing that his 12-year-old son was able to use it for a sixth-grade report on bestiality.

"As a parent and an aunt, and talking to other parents, people are very concerned about the type of Internet use that's out there, and how it has a potentially harmful effect on children," McCollum said. "Sexually explicit material is one of the things that parents are very concerned about, and want to make sure that they're steering their children away from."

Ellison said that and other parts of the article about sexual activities "made me feel a little uncomfortable."

"I have to ask myself, can I explain it to my 11-year-old daughter? I'd have considerable difficulty," Ellison said, adding that voters who have talked with him about it are "just sort of appalled."

<more>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080530/ap_on_el_se/franken_playboy
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Gawd, I hate people who don't get jokes.

[BlooInBloo]

1. A comedian says a lot of things that are bound to be awkward in an election....

We'll see how well Franken's team handles them.

[asthmaticeog]

"I have to ask myself, can I explain it to my 11-year-old daughter?"

Um, start by not letting her read decade-old back issues of Playboy and it's a lot less likely to come up, dumbshit. Or do you leave your stroke-rag stash where your kids can find 'em, Mr. Ellison?

[Withywindle]

7. NO man can hide them well enough from a curious 11-year-old girl.

From someone who used to be one. My dad tried, and he was clever...but I was clever too, and I had more time on my hands. :evilgrin:

[asthmaticeog]

9. What else did you have on your hands?

:freak:

[Withywindle]

10. It's good to be a girl.

No fuss, no muss.



But I really did read it for the articles. I'm a nerd that way.

[Mojambo]

2. And here I assumed Democrats were the grown-ups.

You can't explain that to an 11 year old?

You're a fucking moron.

[mucifer]

3. bill o'reilly can't attack Franken on this one because he wrote his own porn.

[and-justice-for-all]

4. A bit anal retentive....

It was an article meant to be sarcastic and humorous for the people that actually read Playboy. Who cares, not relevant in the slightest, at least Franken has not killed anyone or had his pockets filled by special interest.

[Monk06]

5. "That's just stinkin' thinkin!"

[rusty quoin]

6. I use to listen to Franken on AAR a lot and even many listeners...

wouldn't get when he was joking. I did everytime, but I can see how this could hurt him.

[Selatius]

8. If this is the best thing the Repubs have on Franken, then they're royally fucked in November.

People don't give a shit about a porn article as much as they give a shit about losing their jobs in a downturning economy or record high gas prices or record high food price inflation.

[Generic Brad]

11. Did Franken pose nude in Playboy? No!

He wrote a comedy piece. What a bunch of nonsensical outrage.

Which is worse? Franken's crude humor or Coleman's total obedience to the Bush agenda?

[Mnpaul]

12. I know which is worse

Some sore loser Ciresi supporters who bad mouth our own party.

[dflprincess]

18. Then there are the pictures of Senator "Grabass" Coleman's lovely wife

the would be model/actress





Check out the thread in the Minnesota Forum
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x30352#30354

[notesdev]

13. This ain't gonna fly

Franken's a career comedian, and this isn't going to shock anyone.

Some hypocrites may feign offense, but if you're going to be offended by comedy on a sexual topic... you shouldn't be reading Playboy in the first place!

[w13rd0]

14. Hmmm...

...if I recall, that was the issue that Drew Barrymore was on the cover...

Yes, it'll be interesting to see how it is handled. I don't consider it a big deal, but I'm not one of "those" people.

[sutz12]

15. Didn't Playboy interview Billy Graham? nt

[wellstone dem]

16. Just a reminder that Al is not the democratic nominee

he has a serious opponent who is more progressive and has a life long record of dedication to public service. Jack Nelson Pallmeyer

http://www.jackforsenate.org/

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/18526239.html

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gMpTmr96V5hKIfyHT4Av4jsVQgrQD90JIDM00

I'm a delegate for Jack at the state convention next week.

[blondeatlast]

17. Betty, why are YOU reading Playboy? And, as the parent of an 11 yo myself I can say

that if they ask questions, explain it--otherwise they don't give a good g*ddamn.

Idiots.