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Reid Brings Franken Into Fold

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Watch www.theuptake.org on Tuesday July 7th at 12:15pm ET/ 11:15pm CT as Al Franken is sworn in as the US Senator from Minnesota. By Noah Kunin, Senior Political Correspondent 7/6/09 Washington, DC Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator-elect Al Franken made statements to the press before entering a close door meeting. Vice President Joe Biden will swear Franken in as Senator on Tuesday on the Senate floor. Live coverage will begin at 1200pm ET / 1100am CT. Reid urged Republicans to join the Democratic majority in passing upcoming legislation with bipartisan support.

The UpTake Ruins Al Franken's Vacation

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Senator-Elect Al Franken thanks The UpTake for its coverage of the recount and election trial. Franken talks about how his campaign staff insisted that he take a vacation the first week of the trial and how he spent his vacation watching The UpTake. Franken talks about health care, the late Senator Paul Wellstone and the logistics for his swearing in next week. Franken has two words of advice for any DFL candidate who may possibly end up running against Norm Coleman for Governor: "call me."

Senator Elect Al Franken Accepts Coleman Concession

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By Noah Kunin, Senior Political Correspondent 6/30/09 In a midday ruling, the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Former Senator Norm Coleman's appeal to overturn the decision by the three judge Election Contest trial court that Al Franken won the the 2008 Senate Election in Minnesota. Coleman, in a humble concession speech, (which The UpTake was not allowed to film) said the process has gone far enough. This video is Senator-Elect Al Franken's response, from his home in Minneapolis, MN. While Senator-Elect Franken will be the 60th Democrat in the US Senate, he says it's more important that he will be the "2nd Senator from Minnesota". He is expected to be sworn in next week.

Milestone In Ending Iraq War

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

more at www.theuptake.org President Obama announced that on Tuesday (June 30, 2009) US Troops turned over all of Iraq's towns and cities to the Iraqi government and security forces. Transcript I want to say a few words about an important milestone that we've reached in Iraq. Today, American troops have transferred control of all Iraqi cities and towns to Iraq's government and security forces. (Applause.) This transition was agreed to last year as part of our Status of Forces Agreement with the sovereign Iraqi government. It's a part of our strategy to responsibly end the war by removing all American combat brigades from Iraq by next September, and all of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. So the Iraqi people are rightly treating this day as a cause for celebration. This is an important step forward, as a sovereign and united Iraq continues to take control of its own destiny. And with this progress comes responsibility. Iraq's future is in the hands of its own people. And Iraq's leaders must now make some hard choices necessary to resolve key political questions, to advance opportunity, and to provide security for their towns and their cities. In this effort, America will be a strong partner to the Iraqi people on behalf of their security and prosperity. Make no mistake: There will be difficult days ahead. We know that the violence in Iraq will continue -- we see that already in the senseless bombing in Kirkuk earlier today. And there are those who will test Iraq's ...

Protecting the poorest from Governor Pawlenty

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Opponents of Governor Pawlenty's veto of health care for the poorest Minnesotans are asking the Governor's neighbors to call him and ask him to change his mind. Literature from the DFL organized group says the Governor's "pledge to far right-wing Washington politicians is hurting Minnesota's economy - and Minnesota's families.

HUH? Bad law turns "Lawbreakers Into Good People"

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

more at www.theuptake.org Representative Mark Buesgens (R- Mankato, MN) probably meant something different, but he states not once, but twice that keeping the speed limit at 45 mph along 35E south of downtown St. Paul will "turn lawbreakers into good people." The author of the proposal, Representative Pat Garafalo (R-Apple Valley) steps in to clarify that it's really the other way around. Either way, the speed limit on 35E stays the same as the proposal is defeated 62 to 72, sparing the State of Minnesota a potentially very expensive lawsuit so Representative Garafalo can shave a few seconds off his commute from Apple Valley to the Capitol.

Beam Me Up Before The Budget Vote!

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

more at www.theuptake.org Minnesota House Minority Leader Marty Seifert upset that Republican tax plans are not being voted on in the Minnesota House tries to scare Freshman DFL members with a well-rehearsed story from a Star Trek episode. We're not positive which episode the speaker was referring to, but it sounds like one of a dozen on the show. But please don't call Representative Seifert a "Trekkie". If he was he would have quoted the episode's name, original air date and the name of the actor who played bit part of the crew member. This is from debate on Thursday April 23, 2009 about 8 CT

Late Night Standup Comedy In MN House

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at www.theuptake.org. Watch out Conan O'Brien, David Letterman and other late night comedians. The Minnesota House of Representatives is trying to provide you competition. At 11 last night when most Minnesotans have turned off the TV and gone to bed, the House put on its own version of stand-up comedy. It all began with a proposal to not pay lawmakers expenses (per diem) during any special session. The idea being that would be an incentive to finish all the work during the regular session which is scheduled to finish next month. Instead of voting down the proposal, Rep Rod Hamilton (R) Mountain Lake moved to amend it to require Twin Cities metro areas legislators to provide housing, food, laundry and entertainment for non-metro area legislators. The amendment touched off a round of comedy and eventually led to original proposal being withdrawn. In other words, the proposal to eliminate special session per diem pay made by Rep. Joyce Peppin (R) of Rogers was literally laughed off the House floor.

Coleman Appeal To MN SupCo Filed From "Secret" Location

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Former US Senator Norm Coleman's lawyers announced today that he has filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that said Democrat Al Franken won the state's US Senate election. This is a press conference phone call with Coleman spokesperson lawyer Ben Ginsberg and Coleman attorney Jim Langdon. For some reason, Ginsberg did not want to reveal where he was making the call from-- saying it was only "secret and undisclosed".

Cap and Tirade: Bachmann Repeats Falsehood

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at www.theuptake.org. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) is still spreading false information regarding an MIT study on cap and trade. She held two townhalls today to discuss proposals for a cap and trade program to abet greenhouse gasses. She was joined by Chris Horner, a lawyer for the Competitive Enterprise Institute. They gave prepared presentations and only took highly moderated pre-written questions. For us to know if Rep. Bachmann is "willfully lying" vs "unwittingly misrepresenting" we would have to know if she knew the author of the MIT report had spoken out on the subject. Regrettably, Rep. Bachmann refused to speak with ALL press today.

What A Long Strange Trip- MN US Senate Election

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at www.theuptake.org It's the longest election in Minnesota's history, and it's still not over. But a ruling from Minnesota's election contest court may have signaled the beginning of the end of Minnesota's US Senate race. Former Senator Norm Coleman's chances of winning the election were severely dimmed when the court ruled that only 400 additional ballots will be counted. Democrat Al Franken leads Coleman by 225 votes. The election contest has been a soap opera, drawing thousands of viewers from all over the country every day. In the above video, The UpTake's Mike McIntee takes us through the major plot lines and moments of the trial, which has been educational as well as entertaining.

21st Century Schizoid Men

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

more at www.theuptake.org Even immediate family members often describe the SCHIZOID as “disconnected”, "robots", or "machines". But the schizoid is not depressed, merely indifferent. As such, borderline schizoid personalities thrive in a culture that celebrates the self above the group, is charged with masochism, and thrive in what Eisenhower called the “military-industrial-academic complex.” Reference- “America is in Need of a Moral Bailout”- http BIO Dennis Trainor Jr is a regular video contributor to TheUptake.org. He was a writer & media consultant for Dennis Kucinich's 2008 presidential campaign & a 2007 "Best of YouTube" nominee for his work as writer/ performer on "The Hermit with Davis Fleetwood." He is currently at work on two books: "My Progressive Dilemma" (chronicling President Obama's 1st year in office) and a novel adapted from his play, "I Coulda Been a Kennedy."

Franken: 'We will be seated. And by we, I mean me.'

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

more at www.theuptake.org Al Franken has trouble finding the exact words describe when he will be seated as a US Senator and his current status. He is speaking to the Minnesota Young Democratic Farmer Labor group on Saturday March 28, 2009. Franken has a 225 vote lead in the MN US Senate race over former Senator Norm Coleman. A court has yet to rule on an election contest suit filed by Coleman. Testimony on that suit wrapped up two weeks ago.

Obama address highlights our audacity of hope

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States will emerge stronger than before. That was the message sent by President Obama during his address to the joint session of congress on Tuesday night. Like a doctor talking to the family of an obese patient who has just undergone quadruple bypass surgery, President Obama had to walk the tightrope of instilling a sense of urgency and a sense of optimism to the American people. For, just like our hypothetical heart patient, America as we know must undergo a metamorphosis or all of America’s yesterdays will have “lighted fools the way to dusty death.” Metamorphosis- change- is what we bought when we elected Obama- and the time has come- as he said- to act boldly and wisely. Among the metaphors that Obama used to illustrate the change that lie ahead what struck me most was his mention of the town Greensburg, Kansas, a town that was completely destroyed by a tornado, but is being rebuilt by its residents as a global example of how clean energy can power an entire community how it can bring jobs and businesses to a place where piles of bricks and rubble once lay. "The tragedy was terrible," said one of the men who helped them rebuild." But the folks here know that it also provided an incredible opportunity." From the rubble of our economic crisis, what how do we rebuild? By stimulating lending- Obama says- giving more money to banks- but telling us it is really to benefit main street- because we must grow ...

UpTake Op/Ed-Obama And Lincoln

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at www.theuptake.org About this video Last week I brought to your attention the far flung theory of Russian academic Igor Panarin, who foresees civil war in the United States arising from the current economic crisis www.youtube.com With Obama's new Director of Intel Dennis Blair telling congress that the number one security peril facing the United States is global economic turmoil, has the Intel community agree with Panarin? Furthermore, is the Obama strategy of inviting comparison between himself and Lincoln an example in "be careful what you wish for?" …………… Dennis Trainor, Jr is a regular video contributor to TheUptake.org. He was a writer & media consultant for Dennis Kucinich's 2008 presidential campaign & a 2007 "Best of YouTube" nominee for his work as writer/ performer on "The Hermit with Davis Fleetwood." He is currently at work on two books: "My Progressive Dilemma" (chronicling President Obama's 1st year in office) and a novel adapted from his play, "I Coulda Been a Kennedy." Contact: dennistrainorjr (at) gmail (dot) com

Judge "Not Buying" Coleman Lawyer's Argument

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

more at www.theuptake.org Was it courtroom levity or an indication the court may rule against the Norm Coleman campaign? Coleman attorney James Langdon was explaining why the court should count certain absentee ballots when he looked at Judge Denise Reilly and said "I see you are not buying this." Reilley laughed and replied "I thought I had a poker face." "No I don't think so" said Langdon. "What can I tell you that will help you buy it?" Reilley smiled and said "My concern is that the legislature passed a statute, and I took an oath to uphold the law." Langdon then asked "And how are you not upholding the law, may I ask..." Reilley interrupted him saying "You know typically judges ask (the) questions."

The End Of America

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at www.theuptake.org ABOUT THIS VIDEO President Obama's stimulus package is intended not only to shore up the economy, but the US psyche. The American Dream itself. But what if we euthanize the American Dream? The Uptake wants to hear your voice. Submit your own video "letter to the editor." More information: How to submit a video 1) Have something intelligent to say 2) Record it on a video using your real name. 3) Upload it at www.tubemogul.com using info@theuptake.org as your log in and uptake411 as your password. 4) Send an email to info@theuptake.org telling us about your video. Dennis Trainor, Jr is a regular video contributor to TheUptake.org. He was a writer & media consultant for Dennis Kucinich's 2008 presidential campaign & a 2007 "Best of YouTube" nominee for his work as writer/ performer on "The Hermit with Davis Fleetwood." He is currently at work on two books: "My Progressive Dilemma" (chronicling President Obama's 1st year in office) and a novel adapted from his play, "I Coulda Been a Kennedy." Contact: dennistrainorjr (at) gmail (dot) com

The "Obama Abortion Ad"; The Super Bowl Ad Rejected By NBC

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Uptake wants to hear your voice. Submit your own video "Op/ED." More information here: opinion-editorial.groups.theuptake.org How to submit a video 1) Have something intelligent to say 2) Record it on a video using your real name. 3) Upload it at www.tubemogul.com using info@theuptake.org as your log in and uptake411 as your password. 4) Send an email to info@theuptake.org telling us about your video. ABOUT THIS VIDEO: NBC has rejected a anti-abortion ad submitted for its Super Bowl broadcast. After several days of negotiations, an NBC representative in Chicago told CatholicVote.org today that NBC and the NFL are not interested in advertisements involving "political advocacy or issues." Brian Burch, President of CatholicVote.org reacted: "There is nothing objectionable in this positive, life-affirming advertisement. We show a beautiful ultrasound, something NBC's parent company GE has done for years. We congratulate Barack Obama on becoming the first African-American President. And we simply ask people to imagine the potential of every human life." The ad reads: "This child's future is a broken home. He will be abandoned by his father. His single mother will struggle to raise him. Despite the hardships he will endure...this child...will become...the 1st African-American President." The ad concludes with the tagline, "Life: Imagine the Potential." The ad is the first of several ads in new campaign launched by CatholicVote.org. Dennis Trainor, Jr has worked as a writer ...

"Cherry picking" ballots in MN US Senate Election Trial

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Video Chuck Olsen- Text Noah Kunin - The other aspect, that I found notable, was the idea of cherry picking. These clips are going to be in our highlight reel released later today. Friedburg acknowledged both campaigns were doing it and if someone didn't know about cherry picking they really shouldn't even keep their job. Most observers have conlcuded that both campaigns were targeting their likely supporters but today it was put in stark relief in the cross examination of Peter Demuth - Demuth said that he was called by the MN Republican Party, told his absentee ballot was rejected and ASKED if he supported Coleman. When replied that he had, he was offered legal support to draw up an affadivt.

Coleman concedes on 171 ballots in MN US Senate Court Case

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at www.theuptake.org Video-Chuck Olsen, Text-Noah Kunin -- Quick recap: lots of talking about previous positions by each campaign, when those positions were taken, when they were reversed. Not a lot of discussion on who actually got the most votes. In fact, the scope of this election contest actually SHRANK. Upon questioning from Joe Friedburg, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann discussed the chain of custody regarding 171 ballots unscanned ballots in a voting machine during the recount. Satisfied with Mr. Gelbmann's explanation, Friedburg dropped that complaint from the Coleman election contest. While yesterday was dominated by testimony from Mr. Gelbmann, today the Coleman legal team mixed it up a little with testimony from two additional voters whose absentee ballots Coleman claims were improperly rejected. Overall, Coleman's argument is that a lack of adherence to statute or rule requirements should not mean those votes are rejected as long as they are registered voters in MN.

Op/Ed-Our Safety And Our Ideals

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Uptake wants to hear your voice. Submit your own video "letter to the editor." More information here: opinion-editorial.groups.theuptake.org ABOUTH THIS VIDEO: Barack Obama wrote the headline to chapter one in his own administration's history when, with George Bush sitting just feet away and the whole world watching, he seemed to wipe away a whole doctrine with:"We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals." As he the new president was signing executive orders that shut down the detention facilities at GITMO, US military drones fired missiles that killed at least 15 people inside Pakistan, leaving people around the world asking if the controversial military policy begun by George W Bush had changed after all. Dennis Trainor, Jr has worked as a writer/ media consultant for Dennis Kucinich's 2008 presidential campaign. In addition to contributing video commentator to The Uptake (www.theuptake.org ), he is host at Operation Itch ( http )

Franken Jokes With His Radio "Base"-Blasts Rush Limbaugh

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at www.theuptake.org US Senate candidate Al Franken was loose and making jokes as his legal team prepared for Monday's election contest trial that could determine who is Minnesota's next US Senator. After a state-wide hand recount, Franken holds a 225-vote lead over former US Senator Norm Coleman. Coleman is taking the election to court claiming irregularities on how some of the votes were counted and handled. You can watch that trial live on The UpTake http starting Monday at 1pm CT/ 2pm ET/ Noon MT/ 11am PT. Known initially as a comedian, Franken solidified his seriousness about politics while hosting a radio show on Air America. Saturday he recalled those days while speaking at a party thrown by the Minnesota Air America affiliate AM 950, KTNF "The Voice of Minnesota". While he joked he has "lost his sense of humor", Franken showed that he still has his comic chops and used them to make points about the right wing, the recount and the future of America. Partial Transcript: I feel coming to the Blue State Ball that this is my base. I am very proud of what we did with progressive radio. I am very proud of people like Rachel Maddow who have gone on to such great things. And we've really established a foothold. We really have. The other side is really floundering. They don't know what to do. Rush is now " I want 'em to fail". It's pretty amazing, huh? Showing their stripes. And don't they show their stripes. First of all I want to say something about Amy. Amy really ...

Closing Prayer Gets Some Laughs

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Reverend Joseph Lowery utters the most memorable lines at the Obama inauguration not spoken by Obama himself.

Op/Ed-History Book Material-Where Were You?

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More at opinion-editorial.groups.theuptake.org Dennis Trainor talks about today's inauguration. No longer with head in the sand, is America really going to change? To submit a video for The UpTake's Op/Ed section (we're going to have a better name for it soon) follow these steps: 1) Have something intelligent to say 2) Record it on a video using your real name. 3) Upload it at www.tubemogul.com using info@theuptake.org as your log in and uptake411 as your password. 4) Send an email to info@theuptake.org telling us about your video.

With Dream Realized, The Work Begins

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Students at the traditionally African-American Howard University in Washington DC are committed to a long struggle for progress after Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States. Cognizant that it might take at least eight years to resolve the problems of the past administration, students are ready to simultaneously support President Obama while holding him accountable for his campaign promises.