A.M. Links: Al Franken Expected to Resign Today, Australia Legalizes Gay Marriage, Southern California Wildfires Spread

• 

  C-SPAN

  Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

• More mandatory evacuations have been ordered as the Southern California wildfires continue to spread.
• "Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers broke out Thursday in Ramallah and other places in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, one day after President Trump announced that his administration would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital."
• Australia has legalized same-sex marriage.
• Singapore Airlines has re-routed all of its Seoul-Los Angeles flights due to North Korea's recent missile test.
• Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says it is an "open question" whether or not U.S. athletes will participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

Well, he can always fall back on his stellar comedy career, where he did his best groping.

[Anomalous]

At least this will give him some new material.

[OpenBordersLiberal-tarian]

Have you seen this?

36 Women From Saturday Night Live Sign Letter of Support for Sen. Al Franken

Franken, like Conyers, is the victim of a right-wing witch hunt. I'll be so disappointed if he resigns. Not just disappointed in him, but in the rest of the Senate Democrats as well for not fighting back against these baseless Republican smears.

[Rhywun]

I'll see your performance art and take it up a notch: it's a witch hunt on all sides.

[mad.casual]

I'll see your performance art and take it up a notch: it's a witch hunt on all sides.

And by 'witches' you mean warlocks.

[Rhywun]

Good point.

[Incomprehensible Bitching]

#metoo

[Texasmotiv]

Am I missing something or is this really all about him grabbing a girls waist during a picture and trying to kiss a girl. Seems relatively benign compared to, oh I don't know "grab(bing) 'em by the p...y" or jacking off in a plant.

It's a little stupid to call it a republican witch hunt when most of the pressure is coming from his own party. Makes me feel like there is either more we don't know (like Franken has a reputation) or there is some political machination at work.

[Fist of Etiquette]

It's coming from his own party because the current governor will appoint a Democrat to replace him, whereas if he was to stick it out until the seat comes up for election, the party would likely lose it to a Republican challenger. Their chances would be better if a different Democrat incumbent was defending it.

[Tom Bombadil]

So, 'machinations' it is.

[Eric L]

^This^

[CE]

Plus they can make the Repubs look worse if they don't get rid of Moore, by saying, "look, we good rid of the Franken-monster".

[mad.casual]

It's a little stupid to call it a republican witch hunt when most of the pressure is coming from his own party.

Almost intentionally stupid, like he were mocking the situation with irony or something.

[JWatts]

No, there are 6+ women who have come forward and said he did something inappropriate, kissing, grabbing etc. I'm not sure any of it is really completely out of bounds behavior, but the Left is on a Moralistic crusade at the moment.

[Krabappel]

Actually grabbing a woman's boobs is less bad than making a crass comment about a hypothetical woman's vajayjay?

[Sevo]

"36 Women From Saturday Night Live Sign Letter of Support for Sen. Al Franken"

Doggone it, people LIKE him!

[Rhywun]

And their support is totally not politically motivated!

[Rufus The Monocled]

Hello.

Guess who is going to be the next host of SNL?!

[Rich]

Hitl, I mean, Steve Martin?

[Libertarian]

With musical guest Lou Reed.

[BYODB]

I miss Steve Martin. I thoroughly enjoyed his take on Cyrano De Bergerac.

[MP]

He immediately put his hand on my waist, grabbing a handful of flesh. I froze. Then he squeezed. At least twice.

Really? This is what we're ending careers over? Yes, as described it's in appropriate. But are we really equating it with assault?

[Rich]

Yes, MP. Get with the program.

[Libertarian]

Dammit, Rich, why didn't you mention that "Handful of Flesh" would be a great name for a band? I depend on you.

[Rich]

*** starts to slink off in shame ***

Depend on me? What kind of Libertarian are you?

[Rhywun]

It's a good thing Biden doesn't have a career to ruin any more now that getting handsy is the new Hitler.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Diamond Joe getting handsy.

[Rhywun]

LOL a classic

[Citizen X - #6]

That one is my favorite. Every single facial expression in that photo is priceless.

[Griffin3]

Oh, holy crap, that's funny.

[Rhywun]

Buford T. Justice there cracks me up.

[Zeb]

Yeah, it's getting ridiculous. Some people are a bit grabby like that. It's not a good character trait. And strictly speaking any unwanted contact can be assault. But it's not something that should ruin someone's career (as much as I'd like to see Franken out of office).

[Rhywun]

And strictly speaking any unwanted contact can be assault.

Yeah, it's long been something that could ruin someone's career. If I pulled that at work, and they complain, I am out the door. The Silence Breakers seem to believe that they're going to change human nature with this but I have a feeling it won't accomplish what they think.

[Scarecrow Repair & Chippering]

It makes me think of one of Asimov's Foundation and/or Robot series, where an entire planet's population lives in individual isolation, seeing each other only by video, dreading face-to-face contact.

Is that what these clowns want? A culture which is so scared of receiving even the slightest unwanted physical contact that they dare not get anywhere near each other lest some chance hand waving be misconstrued as a threat?

[Tom Bombadil]

More pussy for me!

[TW]

Yeah but on the planet Scarecrow is referring to, everyone was a hermaphrodite.

[Griffin3]

It makes me think

That's where you've gone wrong, right there.

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

I figure they think that the society portrayed in Demolition Man is the blueprint for Utopia.

[double ham fisted]

I do love Taco Bell

[BYODB]

Not to burst your bubble, but 'online harassment' is also a thing with them so just because you never physically interact with someone it doesn't mean that the left considers whatever you've done 'not assault'.

That makes sense once you realize that they believe words can literally injure someone.

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

They'll just replace him with some other turd. The punch bowl that is our political class is full of turds.

[Fist of Etiquette]

"Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers broke out Thursday in Ramallah and other places in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, one day after President Trump announced that his administration would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital."

Antifa is everywhere.

[Mithrandir]

"Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says it is an "open question" whether or not U.S. athletes will participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics."

Yeah I'm calling bullshit.

[Zeb]

I'm not sure why the UN ambassador would be in a position to comment.

[Mithrandir]

Agreed. There's no way we don't compete imo and regardless, I don't think that kind of comment helps the situation at all.

[Texasmotiv]

It's stupid all the way 'round.

[Tom Bombadil]

First of all, everyone is in a position to comment, as we all prove here many times each day.

Second, the UN ambassador is part of the State Department. The State Departments of many nations have a long, proud tradition of fucking up the Olympic dreams of athletes.

[Mithrandir]

Nice handle

[Tom Bombadil]

And my boots are yellow.

[Citizen X - #6]

Nerds.

[Mithrandir]

You're too kind

[Tom Bombadil]

Citizen X is the Farmer Maggot of this site. He acts all grumpy, but in a pinch, he'll give you a ride in his wagon and a basket of mushrooms for you trip.

[Citizen X - #6]

Oh my god, you nerd. You NERD.

[Tom Bombadil]

There is only one way you could know my discourse is nerdish.

[Bacon-Magic glib reasonoid]

^^^Gollum

[Mithrandir]

"Citizen X is the Farmer Maggot of this site. He acts all grumpy, but in a pinch, he'll give you a ride in his wagon and a basket of mushrooms for you trip."

LOOOOL. I don't know if I want a ride in his wagon, I'll definitely take the mushrooms though. As long as there are no dogs involved.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Australia has legalized same-sex marriage.

Legalise it or recognize it? BE MORE PRECISE.

[Rhywun]

Celebrate it?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Fuck that. I'm not wasting a whole Saturday where I also have to bring a gift AND deal with a cash bar? I've had enough and I'm putting my foot down.

But as we debate libertarian ideals we need to use exact language.

[Rhywun]

I said celebrate it!

[lap83]

Rhywun likes surprise ingredients in his cake

[Tom Bombadil]

*Her* cake (I think)

[Rhywun]

Think again.

[Tom Bombadil]

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa.

[Citizen X - #6]

Rhywun is so masculine he only has sex with dudes. He won't even look at a vagina.

[BestUsedCarSales]

I'll still think of you as a lady.

[KDN]

deal with a cash bar

What kind of monster gets a cash bar at a wedding? That's even worse than opting for the buffet.

[Rich]

"What have we always said?" continued Haley. "We don't ever fear anything, we live our lives."

Apparently there's the open answer.

[Conchfritters]

[Fist of Etiquette]

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says it is an "open question" whether or not U.S. athletes will participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In solidarity with the president's master.

[Rich]

😎

[Rich]

So, *that* is "English script".

[Rich]

A majority of Senate Democrats on Wednesday called for the resignation of Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) after determining that they could no longer tolerate his presence in their midst

Hey, Al could just teleconference in from Minnesota or the set of SNL.

[Conchfritters]

My guess is his house is already on the market. He only moved to Minnesota so he could run for Senate.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Singapore Airlines has re-routed all of its Seoul-Los Angeles flights due to North Korea's recent missile test.

No one likes surprise tests.

[CE]

Trump has a mid-term coming up next year.

[Fist of Etiquette]

More mandatory evacuations have been ordered as the Southern California wildfires continue to spread.

Or else what? This is fine?

[Libertarian]

This is Chelsea Handler's tweet from yesterday:

"Just evacuated my house. It's like Donald Trump is setting the world on fire. Literally and figuratively. Stay safe everyone. Dark times."

[lap83]

How delightfully droll! And people say she isn't funny

[Rhywun]

It's funny but then I feel bad for laughing at someone "special".

[Citizen X - #6]

What a lazy statement. You can say that about any random person you feel like accusing of arson.

"It's like Chelsea Handler is setting the world on fire. Literally and figuratively."

"It's like Kevin Hart is setting the world on fire. Literally and figuratively."

"It's like Lionel Messier is setting the world on fire. Literally and figuratively."

"It's like your mom is setting the world on fire. Literally and figuratively."

[Tom Bombadil]

It's like the word 'cunt' was custom designed by a Colorado baker just for Chelsea.

[Citizen X - #6]

Twitter is actually a wonderful medium, because it almost seems to compel public figures to announce that nothing they say should ever be taken seriously.

[Tom Bombadil]

Yes! This is why no speech should ever be outlawed. There is no better way of identifying the asshole in the room than handing him/her a length of rope, a rickety stool, and encouragement.

[BestUsedCarSales]

It also let's me follow Norm MacDonald's opinions on golf.

[Citizen X - #6]

+130 consecutive tweets that start out unremarkable but become increasingly bizarre, culminating in a ridiculous, hilarious non-sequitur

[lap83]

The "like" threw me for a loop. I guess "like...literally" means figuratively. But wth does "like...figuratively" mean?

[Tom Bombadil]

The first rule of 'retard'. Don't try to figure out the retard.

[mad.casual]

What a lazy statement. You can say that about any random person you feel like accusing of arson.

"It's like Chelsea Handler is setting the world on fire. Literally and figuratively."

Ironic that this was your first choice. I'm only dimly aware of who Chelsea Handler is but I strongly doubt her ability to light anything larger than candle on fire literally or figuratively. I strongly suspect she's the type of woman who proudly admits that she doesn't even know how to light a stove.

[Conchfritters]

Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers broke out Thursday in Ramallah and other places in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

It was a Thursday, so that makes sense.

[Old Mexican's Speedos]

Australia has legalized same-sex marriage.

Ha! Those Aussies are so far behind. America legalized homosexual marriage a looooong time ago and without even having to legislate anything!

[Libertarian]

"Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers broke out Thursday . . ."

Tomorrow's headlines: TRUMP CAUSES UNREST IN MID-EAST.

[Rufus The Monocled]

THIS time it's really bad!

[Jerryskids]

"Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers broke out Thursday in Ramallah and other places in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, one day after President Trump announced that his administration would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital."

So just a normal Thursday?

[Rich]

Australia has legalized same-sex marriage.

Finally it's permissible to wander in the Outback.

[Tom Bombadil]

Outback Mountain.

[Old Mexican's Speedos]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

What a coward. Roy "Get Em While Em Young" Moore dug his heels and simply denied anything happened, even remembering that he wasn't supposed to remember having dated one of the accusers, many days after he said he did remember. That takes some cojones to say with a straight face.

[Tom Bombadil]

Eddie Murphy provided the template: It wasn't me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_f6qFBQD9U

[Azathoth!!]

Yeah--except none of that happened.

[Rich]

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called for a new uprising in the Palestinian territories and declared Friday a day of rage.

"Day of Rage" is a nice band name; but perhaps too similar to "RATM".

[Griffin3]

Day of Rage would be an EXCELLENT name for a band that did covers of lounge songs and classic muzak tunes (with a twist).

[chemjeff]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

So you know what this means, right?

Get ready for Senator Michelle Bachmann!

[Rich]

Wait. Isn't she a witch?

[chemjeff]

No no. That's the OTHER crazy woman candidate from the recent past.

[Hank Stamper]

Christine O'Donnell from DE I believe.

[Tom Bombadil]

She turned me into a newt. I got better.

[Mithrandir]

I prefer threatening to turn folks into frogs personally.

[Conchfritters]

She dropped any solidarity with Minnesota when she ran for President in 2012 and declared herself an Iowan. She crossed that bridge and then burnt it down to the ground.

[Rhywun]

Plus she's a Republican.

[SIV]

"libertarian-Republican"

(Reason set the bar low with Jeff Flakey)

[Citizen X - #6]

Michelle Bachmann is the only living non-chicken female that SIV finds attractive.

[Tom Bombadil]

*burned (verb)

[Libertarian]

That would be crazy.

[chemjeff]

Crazy like a fox! With crazy eyes! Like a crazy eye fox!

[This Machine Chips Fascists]

I read Norm Coleman might like a government job.

[Conchfritters]

Of course he does, he's from New York.

[Old Mexican's Speedos]

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says it is an "open question" whether or not U.S. athletes will participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In related news, skier Lindsey Vonn doesn't want her p...y grabbed by El Presidente.

[Libertarian]

Yeah, well, I want tax subsidized martinis, but you don't see me whining about it.

[MP]

Please turn in your decoder ring.

[Rhywun]

"Well I hope to represent the people of the United States, not the president," Vonn told CNN's Alpine Edge.

So brave.

[Don't look at me.]

Why are we still paying for this outdated concept of sending athletes across the globe to compete against one another in the name of country?

[Tom Bombadil]

"We" aren't, unless you are a donor/sponsor. U.S. Olympic Committee receives no federal funding. Which is why it's so strange to see the State Department sticking its nose into Olympic business.

[Don't look at me.]

So they aren't representing the country, but the donors and sponsors.

[Tom Bombadil]

"In related news, skier Lindsey Vonn doesn't want her p...y grabbed by El Presidente."

What about by El Tigre?

[mad.casual]

In related news, skier Lindsey Vonn doesn't want her p...y grabbed by El Presidente.

OK, if their goal was to end the tyranny of the Olympic Games the whole Russian conspiracy makes (some) sense (finally!)

[Rich]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

It'd be a nice career move if he dropped trou while resigning.

[This Machine Chips Fascists]

Grabs handfuls of flesh on the way out, shouts "Et tu bootay!"

[Citizen X - #6]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

Good. He can finally devote himself to making the long-awaited sequel to Stuart Saves His Family.

[chemjeff]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

Actually, can you imagine a Senate primary candidate debate between Michelle Bachmann, Keith Ellison, and Jesse Ventura?

[Libertarian]

I'm not ashamed to say it. I miss Jesse.

[BestUsedCarSales]

It was so sad when he got sucked into the plug bag a few years ago on Comedy Bang Bang.

[Citizen X - #6]

That's one of the few scenarios i can think of where an outbreak of violence would be the preferred outcome.

[Rebel Scum]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

I may be taking too much pleasure in this. But I like to see hypocritical a-holes get what they deserve, especially smarmy weasels like Franken.

[Sevo]

San Fran's candle makers are safe!

"San Francisco to robots: Don't crowd our sidewalks"
[...]
"Robots that trundle along sidewalks R2D2-style to deliver takeout food or packages are still in early test phases. Few even exist.
But San Francisco is cracking down on them, and that may stem from mounting concerns about automation gobbling up jobs."
http://www.sfchronicle.com/new.....ate-result

We've got a $15M/W, mandated benies up the whazoo, so SF has no alternative but to (try to) outlaw the things which will those 'workers'.

[lap83]

Can human delivery drivers even afford to live there?

[Rhywun]

No, that's why we have to give them "affordable housing". God it's like you don't even progressive.

[Mike Laursen]

Standard libertarian disclaimer: I think people should be free to create delivery robots.

Having said that, I've had conversations with folks from these delivery robot startups. Twenty-something fresh-out-of -college programmers telling me they are going to "change the world" with what amounts to beer coolers on wheels that delivers stuff to other twenty-something programmers. It's not clear at all that they are filling a real need, but they are getting funding.

[Rhywun]

I agree. It's like Segway all over again.

[CE]

It will be difficult for the robots to make deliveries in San Francisco until they master stepping over the bums.

[Rebel Scum]

Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers broke out Thursday in Ramallah and other places in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

So, a normal day? Or is it that the Palestinians only just now hate us and the Israelis bc Trump?

[Don't look at me.]

To be sure, it's a new kind of hate.

[Brian]

Why are all these democrats rapists?

[widget]

Al Franken is expected to resign from the Senate today.

He shouldn't.

The Democrats are salting the earth to make way for Kamala Harris. Medusa in Chief.

[mad.casual]

one day after President Trump announced that his administration would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital

So if we get through this uproar in the Middle East without losing an ambassador all that will really be left on my not-Hillary bucket list is a video of Trump literally slam dunking over Hillary Clinton.

[widget]

Donald Trump is an alpha male. He doesn't give a shit what Hillary thinks.

Watch the way he behaves in the company of beta male (like me FWIW). Starting at the 2:00 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyxuWpol8lc

[Tom Bombadil]

In yo' face, bitch!

But seriously, the world's obsession with Israel is just tarded.

Imagine if Egypt changed it's capital city from Cairo to Giza, and the rest of the world announced Days of Rage.
Moses-tap-dancing-Christ.

[This Machine Chips Fascists]

YHWH's chosen people will be in your face until The Temple is rebuilt(yet again) and The Messiah comes and Israel will rule the world. Or not.

[BYODB]

?Australia has legalized same-sex marriage.

Uh oh, it sounds like Australia is trying to piss off the Palestinians...

Or...wait...am I doing this wrong?