Al Franken, Air America Radio, Tom Oliphant

WHAT CRISIS?

While Others Focus On Terrorism, AAR Lives On Mars





While conservative hosts across the nation worked feverishly to bring listeners the latest news on a massive terror plot to blow up as many as ten planes that was thankfully foiled by the British government, on liberal radio, it was another story entirely.

Other than a sick joke about not bringing an increasingly- expensive gallon of gas onboard as a carry- on item, Al Franken spent much of his time focused on other issues, such as the minimum wage.

Does the "progressive" talker live on Mars?

And rather than deal directly with the obvious danger that these terrorist schemes carry for Americans, Stuart Smalley instead highlighted the secret nature of Bush Administration- backed anti- terror legislation.

What timing!

In a sign of even further detachment from reality, Franken asked political cartoonist and columnist Tom Oliphant about "increasingly tough times for conservatives". Oliphant and Franken also talked about the policy failures of "neo- cons" and their "outdated" strategies, both in Iraq and with the public education system at home.

How about "tough times" for "progressives" in denial about massive terrorist plots unfolding all around us?

Despite the huge news, Franken mostly stuck with this planned guest schedule:

It's Boston Globe day here at The Al Franken Show. 66% of Thursday's guests work, or have worked for the Boston Globe, 100% have appeared in the Boston Globe, and 100% read the Boston Globe.

(1:00) Susan Milligan, a reporter for The Boston Globe. She'll discuss how classified intelligence bills make their way through Congress, often without Congresspeople knowing anything about them.

(1:30) Steve Clemons, a Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation and proprietor of the blog TheWashingtonNote.com. He'll talk about what the UN is doing with Lebanon-Israel.

and (2:00) Tom Oliphant, our Thursday regular. He's the author of Praying for Gil Hodges, and a former columnist for the Boston Globe.

Only near the end of the interview did Oliphant even mention the terrorist scheme in passing, blaming the Bush Admin- istration's policies for ongoing terrorism. Instead of encouraging it, Franken steered him toward a discussion of sectarian violence in Iraq.

When they largely ignore a plot to bring down ten jumbo jets over the Atlantic, Franken, Oliphant and his pals make the case that their Sheehan / Dean / Lamont wing of the Democrat Party certainly isn't up to the task of keeping the world safe.

UPDATE: Randi Rhodes is largely doing the same thing during her program today, ducking the issue and focusing on her showdown with Neal Boortz on CNN's Larry King Show. When she did address it, Rhodes wass quick to blame Blair and Bush for taking "vacations" that "seem to trigger plots".

Later, Rhodes compared "right-wing talk hosts" to Osama bin Laden, but following her train of thought is often nearly impossible. She mocked Rush Limbaugh's "love for Jews" while living in West Palm Beach.

More "nutroots" updates at Orbusmax.

Welcome RealClearPolitics readers!

Further news updates: RTE - Ireland, NYT: Lieberman attacks Lamont over terrorism story, CNN: how an undercover British agent may have saved thousands of lives! Daily Telegraph: American carriers targeted.

From Radio Equalizer reader Mike:

While all this was going on this morning, (Air America morning host) Rachel Maddow interviewed Jane Hamsher, recently of the Lieberman black-face picture. Regarding rumors of Rove calling to support Joe, Rachel said, to paraphrase:

"Rove goes after his enemies using personal attacks - homophopic and RACIST
attacks."

Jane agreed and they both laughed. ha ha ha

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Airport crowd photo: AP, Franken Rials: Pete at IHillary for the Radio Equalizer. Visit his site today!