A Hurtful Joke, A Tasteless Joke, and Just a Joke
Friday, January 26, 2007 at 6:48 pm
- 18 Comments
With a senatorial campaign announcement likely, Al Franken is quickly becoming a target of Minnesota’s conservative attack blogs as they dig into the comedian’s past to find dirt for the future through 2008. At issue over the past two weeks is a joke Franken told to the Harvard Crimson in 1976 that made light of the murder of John Shivery Knight III, heir to the fortune of the Knight-Ridder Newspapers, Inc.
Knight’s murder was a sensational story at the time: a wealthy, closeted gay man and award-winning reporter, who frequently used the services of gay escorts, was murdered by men who were gay hustlers, and some speculated were hired by Knight in the past. This was in the winter of 1975.
more insideIn April 1976, in an interview with the Harvard Crimson, Al Franken joked about Knight’s murder and accused the Hasty Pudding show of being ‘homosexuals.’
“He [Al Franken] recalled writing a skit called ‘Seamen on Broadway’ that was rejected from the Hasty Pudding show ‘by some preppie so they could take some other preppie’s skit.’ Franken started to smile again, but his tone was serious, too serious. ‘It’s not preppies, cause I’m a preppie myself. I just don’t like homosexuals. If you ask me, they’re all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia.’ The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn’t stand it any longer. ‘Put that in, put that in,’ Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. ‘I’d love to see that in The Crimson.’”
And the article ends with: “Don’t forget to put ‘Kill all preppies’ in the article.”
The article opens Franken up to criticism by a whole host of people, communities and institutions. He has insensitive remarks to make about Italians, Native Americans, Whites, the disabled, Harvard, and Ronald Reagan, and he advocates for the death of “preppies.” That’s just one article. There are surely many more tasteless jokes about many more people to be dug up “from the archives.”
At least one Democratic insider sees that as a problem. According to the Jewish Daily Forward:
There are “great concerns that [Franken's old] jokes can come back to haunt him,” said one Democratic insider, who wished to remain anonymous. “I think there’s a mixed reaction… some people really want him to run, but others think he’s better as a commentator and satirist. People are surprised that right now there is no obvious candidate besides Franken, and the fact that Franken appears to be near an announcement is intensifying the discussion.”
Conservative bloggers are trying to make the case that Al Franken is at the very least a hypocrite riding the coattails of the GLBT community, and at most, a gay-bashing bigot. The GLBT community should embrace those rare and special moments that a Republican or conservative blogger is concerned about GLBT rights and shares thoughtful policy ideas on ending violence against GLBT folks. Is this one of those cases? Sadly, no.
These compassionate conservatives are more interested in Franken-bashing than the welfare of our community. Why else would they feign concern over a 30-year-old joke, while supporting anti-gay marriage amendments, and, in at least one case, be on the payroll of the campaign of a woman who called gay people “like Satan?” If labelling an entire population as intrinsically evil and aligned with the Prince of Darkness doesn’t invite derision of the GLBT community, I don’t know what does.
But, besides hypocrites calling Franken a hypocrite, what of the joke? It leaves me feeling very uncomfortable. Even with the strides America’s made in curbing violence aganst GLBT people, it still happens. It’s happened to me, and it’s happened to my friends. This joke is a reminder of a time when authorities didn’t take this type of violence seriously; back then you could be fined and jailed for being ‘homosexual.’ Just admitting the nature of the crime opened you up for criminal prosecution. The joke was hurtful, and members of the GLBT community are right in calling for an explanation, although the obviously satirical nature of the joke, coupled with the passing of more than 30 years make a response unlikely.
But lest my admonishment become fodder for the Franken-bashing machine, I’ll say this: it’s a joke, people. It’s not reflective of Franken’s “Midwest values,” it’s 30 years old, and it resides in a context that clearly shows he is trying to provoke a reaction. Franken’s support for GLBT equality is at the very least better than the most supportive member of the opposing party.
We can learn from this, however. Whether homosexuality agrees with you or not (the complex religious and social issues attached to the topic are intense), the issue of ending violence against people because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is one that most people agree with. I challenge those who are angered and blogging furiously about this joke to start debating how we end violence based on sexual orientation. I expect the silence from conservatives and GOP operatives to be deafening.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter18 Comments
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 10:25 am
I can’t believe I am about to do this…. but I have to set the record straight about the claim that MB said being gay is “part of Satan.” I work on the DumpBachmann blog so in no way do I support or condone Michele Bachmann’s treatment of and actions towards the GLBT community. That being said, if you listen to the actual talk she gives “The Effect of Same Sex Marriage on Education” (I have listened to the whole thing at least 4 times since she gave it) you will see that she doesn’t call homosexuality part of Satan. The actual part of the speech is talking about using the phrase “that’s so gay” or “that’s gay.” She said that people using those phrases and using the word “gay” in a derogatory fashion is part of Satan. In a kind of back-handed way she is advocating not using that language and recognizes the profound impact of saying it. At least that’s how I’ve understood it everytime I’ve listened.
In no way am I advocating that MB is good for the GLBT community, but I had to set this part of the record straight as it only discredits our cause to go around perpetuating a misquote or misinterpretation.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 11:12 am
David D just doesn’t get it does he Andy? DD this is MiniMoni.
Andy and his fellow sock puppets are paid by George Soros inc. to publish (or at the least stick to the spirit of) the daily George Soros talking points memo, and evidently George is interested in protecting Franken’s cred with the moonbat community.
What Michele Bachmann actually said couldn’t matter less.
You can be sure that Andy knows the difference between “a joke” and “a joke that embraces murder”…he’d much rather be shredding Franken but hey…a contract is a contract.
Get with the program.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 11:14 am
BTW Andy.. Sit boy, sit…..Goood sock puppet..here’s a biscuit.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
Now there’s a joke for ya’ Al Franken’s 30 year old joke embraces murder but when Ann Coulter embraces murder of supreme court justice’s or liberals, why that’s just satire.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 10:33 pm
Thanks Swiftee! Your comment on anything relating to the LGBT community means so much. Care to venture any thoughts about ending violence against us perverts swiftee?
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
DavidD Michele Bachmann: “And again, don’t misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgendered. We need to have profound compassion for the people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life, and sexual identity disorders. This is a very real issue. It’s not funny, it’s sad.
Any of you who have members of your family that are in the lifestyle – we have a member of our family that is. This is not funny. It’s a very sad life. It’s part of Satan, I think, to say this is gay. It’s anything but gay.”
That’s the transcript and I’ve listened to the audio quite a bit. I assumed she was refering to ‘homosexuals’ referring to themselves as “gay.” Gay being a word that has a double meaning, which includes ‘happy.’ And she feels we lead a very sad life. For me it’s a pretty clear interpretation, but others are free to disagree.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
I’d agree with Andy’s interpretation But I also think when the quote is just the part about being gay being “part of satan” is taking it out of context a bit.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 11:50 pm
I think Franken should explain the joke I don’t quite see the humor in it.
Comment posted January 28, 2007 @ 9:20 am
I see Andy-
I see how you interpret it. Regardless, I’d think that it would serve Franken’s cause to come out and speak on this issue and make a blanket statement that he is a satire comic and he understands that a lot of things have been said in the past that people will find offensive. He should be ready to explain and answer questions on all of these things.
It would serve the cause of the DFL to nominate someone other than Franken. He’ll lose because a lot of people like me won’t vote for him because we want a serious candidate, not a comic. That’s why people like me voted for Amy Klobuchar over the Republican or IP candidate.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 4:25 am
I can't believe I am about to do this…. but I have to set the record straight about the claim that MB said being gay is “part of Satan.” I work on the DumpBachmann blog so in no way do I support or condone Michele Bachmann's treatment of and actions towards the GLBT community. That being said, if you listen to the actual talk she gives “The Effect of Same Sex Marriage on Education” (I have listened to the whole thing at least 4 times since she gave it) you will see that she doesn't call homosexuality part of Satan. The actual part of the speech is talking about using the phrase “that's so gay” or “that's gay.” She said that people using those phrases and using the word “gay” in a derogatory fashion is part of Satan. In a kind of back-handed way she is advocating not using that language and recognizes the profound impact of saying it. At least that's how I've understood it everytime I've listened.
In no way am I advocating that MB is good for the GLBT community, but I had to set this part of the record straight as it only discredits our cause to go around perpetuating a misquote or misinterpretation.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 5:12 am
David D just doesn't get it does he Andy? DD this is MiniMoni.
Andy and his fellow sock puppets are paid by George Soros inc. to publish (or at the least stick to the spirit of) the daily George Soros talking points memo, and evidently George is interested in protecting Franken's cred with the moonbat community.
What Michele Bachmann actually said couldn't matter less.
You can be sure that Andy knows the difference between “a joke” and “a joke that embraces murder”…he'd much rather be shredding Franken but hey…a contract is a contract.
Get with the program.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 5:14 am
BTW Andy.. Sit boy, sit…..Goood sock puppet..here's a biscuit.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Now there's a joke for ya' Al Franken's 30 year old joke embraces murder but when Ann Coulter embraces murder of supreme court justice's or liberals, why that's just satire.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Thanks Swiftee! Your comment on anything relating to the LGBT community means so much. Care to venture any thoughts about ending violence against us perverts swiftee?
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
DavidD Michele Bachmann: “And again, don't misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgendered. We need to have profound compassion for the people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life, and sexual identity disorders. This is a very real issue. It's not funny, it's sad.
Any of you who have members of your family that are in the lifestyle – we have a member of our family that is. This is not funny. It's a very sad life. It's part of Satan, I think, to say this is gay. It's anything but gay.”
That's the transcript and I've listened to the audio quite a bit. I assumed she was refering to 'homosexuals' referring to themselves as “gay.” Gay being a word that has a double meaning, which includes 'happy.' And she feels we lead a very sad life. For me it's a pretty clear interpretation, but others are free to disagree.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
I'd agree with Andy's interpretation But I also think when the quote is just the part about being gay being “part of satan” is taking it out of context a bit.
Comment posted January 27, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
I think Franken should explain the joke I don't quite see the humor in it.
Comment posted January 28, 2007 @ 3:20 am
I see Andy-
I see how you interpret it. Regardless, I'd think that it would serve Franken's cause to come out and speak on this issue and make a blanket statement that he is a satire comic and he understands that a lot of things have been said in the past that people will find offensive. He should be ready to explain and answer questions on all of these things.
It would serve the cause of the DFL to nominate someone other than Franken. He'll lose because a lot of people like me won't vote for him because we want a serious candidate, not a comic. That's why people like me voted for Amy Klobuchar over the Republican or IP candidate.
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