Comments on: Me, Al Franken and the worst meeting in the history of show business: a true story http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 07:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Karen http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1493036 Karen Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1493036 I'm going to comment on the actual content of this article instead of going on and on and on endlessly about my political opinions, and say that I enjoyed reading it, and watching that video. I’m going to comment on the actual content of this article instead of going on and on and on endlessly about my political opinions, and say that I enjoyed reading it, and watching that video.

]]> By: jhoosier http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1492846 jhoosier Mon, 30 Jul 2012 02:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1492846 Very apt description, I'm stealing this. Very apt description, I’m stealing this.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1492732 Antinous / Moderator Sun, 29 Jul 2012 21:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1492732 The correct answer to, "I've heard that you're a screamer," would be, "I never would have pegged you as a homophobe, Mr. Franken." The correct answer to, “I’ve heard that you’re a screamer,” would be, “I never would have pegged you as a homophobe, Mr. Franken.”

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1492575 retepslluerb Sun, 29 Jul 2012 14:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1492575 Thanks for the reminder. I'll cache “Curious. I've heard the same about you.” as an answer. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll cache “Curious. I’ve heard the same about you.” as an answer.

]]> By: cepson http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491754 cepson Sat, 28 Jul 2012 05:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491754 Maybe earlier that day he had met with some other person who worked for Newsweek, ended up hiring him because he had decent references, was well-respected by his co-workers, and had a reputation for being even-keeled and easy to work with.  But then he found to his horror that the guy was a total loose cannon, who yelled and screamed at everyone whenever things didn't go his way. Maybe earlier that day he had met with some other person who worked for Newsweek, ended up hiring him because he had decent references, was well-respected by his co-workers, and had a reputation for being even-keeled and easy to work with.  But then he found to his horror that the guy was a total loose cannon, who yelled and screamed at everyone whenever things didn’t go his way.

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491575 marilove Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491575 Stories don't have to be "noteworthy" to be worth something.  Franken is a comedian and I'm sure he'd really enjoy the spirit of this story. Stories don’t have to be “noteworthy” to be worth something.  Franken is a comedian and I’m sure he’d really enjoy the spirit of this story.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491514 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 27 Jul 2012 23:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491514 It's the reason that most companies will only give out your dates of employment when asked for a reference. It’s the reason that most companies will only give out your dates of employment when asked for a reference.

]]> By: Ben http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491432 Ben Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491432 'standing on the floor of the greatest deliberative body in the world ' uh huh ‘standing on the floor of the greatest deliberative body in the world ‘

uh huh

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491416 EH Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491416 So you're saying that having dealbreakers is the same as perfectionism? So you’re saying that having dealbreakers is the same as perfectionism?

]]> By: taj1f http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491395 taj1f Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491395 Yes, MarkV, it is. However, it's also hard to prove/prosecute, when to do so would mean convincing/hauling a prospective employer's rep into court. We all found out because the old boss's assistant got canned, but signed a "do not disclose agreement" when she left. She's told us all what he's done, but won't/can't go to court on our behalf. Luckily, we got the word out, so no one uses him as a reference anymore. Yes, MarkV, it is. However, it’s also hard to prove/prosecute, when to do so would mean convincing/hauling a prospective employer’s rep into court. We all found out because the old boss’s assistant got canned, but signed a “do not disclose agreement” when she left. She’s told us all what he’s done, but won’t/can’t go to court on our behalf. Luckily, we got the word out, so no one uses him as a reference anymore.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491359 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491359 American politics is based on the principle of killing with fire anything that even mildly annoys you. American politics is based on the principle of killing with fire anything that even mildly annoys you.

]]> By: Pedantic Douchebag http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491357 Pedantic Douchebag Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491357 When your house is mostly termites, with little actual wood left, it's time to burn down your fucking house. When your house is mostly termites, with little actual wood left, it’s time to burn down your fucking house.

]]> By: MarkV http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491306 MarkV Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491306 That's slander. That’s slander.

]]> By: rtresco http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491286 rtresco Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491286 ...insisted on having the interview...that he had already decided the outcome on. It's like Franken wasn't saying "no, I'm just here today, let's do this interview", he was saying, "No, I want to cut you loose now - not later". I imagine showbusiness isn't as HR regualted as the corportate world, but from my experiences in corporate HR - people do get interviews even though it's already been decided they aren't a true candidate. It's a legal preemptive manuever that demonstrates that there was a job opening and that a variety of candidates were given the opportunity to apply/interview/what have you, so that even though  individual(s) are often times already earmarked for that position, other people were given an opportunity. Again, not likely what happened here, but I'm saying the  "pre-determined interview" is a regular occurance. …insisted on having the interview…that he had already decided the outcome on. It’s like Franken wasn’t saying “no, I’m just here today, let’s do this interview”, he was saying, “No, I want to cut you loose now – not later”. I imagine showbusiness isn’t as HR regualted as the corportate world, but from my experiences in corporate HR – people do get interviews even though it’s already been decided they aren’t a true candidate. It’s a legal preemptive manuever that demonstrates that there was a job opening and that a variety of candidates were given the opportunity to apply/interview/what have you, so that even though  individual(s) are often times already earmarked for that position, other people were given an opportunity. Again, not likely what happened here, but I’m saying the  ”pre-determined interview” is a regular occurance.

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491270 awjt Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491270  uhhh, didn't think I needed to state: activate the sense of humor module?  uhhh, didn’t think I needed to state: activate the sense of humor module?

]]> By: LaylaSV http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491236 LaylaSV Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491236 My point wasn't that it said anything negative about Franken only that, to me, the story wasn't particularly noteworthy, that it certainly wasn't the worst meeting in the world and, further, that any interest the story had was derived from being a 1st percent witness to someone learning about the death of a friend. It would have to be a whole lot funnier to transcend that initial moment. As it is, it is just sort of "look at what happened to ME when this dude's friend died." And the thing that happened to him was just a workaday crappy meeting. My point wasn’t that it said anything negative about Franken only that, to me, the story wasn’t particularly noteworthy, that it certainly wasn’t the worst meeting in the world and, further, that any interest the story had was derived from being a 1st percent witness to someone learning about the death of a friend. It would have to be a whole lot funnier to transcend that initial moment. As it is, it is just sort of “look at what happened to ME when this dude’s friend died.” And the thing that happened to him was just a workaday crappy meeting.

]]> By: Jacques Tilburn http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491137 Jacques Tilburn Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491137 I agree with @Diogenes:disqus downthread that I don't see the resemblance at all from these clips. I agree with @Diogenes:disqus downthread that I don’t see the resemblance at all from these clips.

]]> By: anechoic http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491132 anechoic Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491132 show biz is about getting away with ripping other people off show biz is about getting away with ripping other people off

]]> By: J. Brad Hicks http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491101 J. Brad Hicks Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491101 Bitter, drunken guy in a bar: "You farm the same plot of land profitably for 20 years, and do they call you Farmer Tom? No. Build a stone bridge with your own hands that everybody walks over every day, and do they call you Tom the Bridge Builder? No. But if you ____ one goat ..." There are some issues on which I don't care what else you agree with me on; get those wrong, and I cannot vote for you. Period. Bitter, drunken guy in a bar: “You farm the same plot of land profitably for 20 years, and do they call you Farmer Tom? No. Build a stone bridge with your own hands that everybody walks over every day, and do they call you Tom the Bridge Builder? No. But if you ____ one goat …”

There are some issues on which I don’t care what else you agree with me on; get those wrong, and I cannot vote for you. Period.

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491076 mccrum Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491076  &*$&, that is brilliant.  I cannot believe I have never seen it before.  That has made my week.  &*$&, that is brilliant.  I cannot believe I have never seen it before.  That has made my week.

]]> By: Mark http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491069 Mark Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491069 When you agree with him about many things, but you drop support because you disagree about one thing, then apparently it is about perfectionism. When you agree with him about many things, but you drop support because you disagree about one thing, then apparently it is about perfectionism.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491046 grimc Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491046 It stopped being a private death of a friend moment when Franken insisted on having the interview. It stopped being a private death of a friend moment when Franken insisted on having the interview.

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1491013 EH Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1491013 It's not about perfectionism, guy, it's about being on the right side of big issues. It’s not about perfectionism, guy, it’s about being on the right side of big issues.

]]> By: phlavor http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1490964 phlavor Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1490964 I'll just leave this here: I’ll just leave this here:

]]> By: Rezeya Montecore http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1490950 Rezeya Montecore Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1490950 That sounds a little bit... attribution bias to me. I mean, this particular story takes place in the middle of a crisis; in all likelihood, so does whatever anecdote you've heard.  I'm not sure it's fair to extrapolate the guy's normal behavior from things he does under extreme stress -- or anyone else's, really, but in the case of a celebrity I think it's even more important because the "juicy" stories are so much likelier to reach our ears than the mundane ones. Perhaps Al Franken is just a dick when he's stressed out and can't bite his tongue, kinda like me, kinda like most of us? That sounds a little bit… attribution bias to me. I mean, this particular story takes place in the middle of a crisis; in all likelihood, so does whatever anecdote you’ve heard.  I’m not sure it’s fair to extrapolate the guy’s normal behavior from things he does under extreme stress — or anyone else’s, really, but in the case of a celebrity I think it’s even more important because the “juicy” stories are so much likelier to reach our ears than the mundane ones.

Perhaps Al Franken is just a dick when he’s stressed out and can’t bite his tongue, kinda like me, kinda like most of us?

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1490937 marilove Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1490937 "Mean spirited"?!  This was a really great story, and it was REALLY favorable to Franken.  Like, really favorable.  It was also funny. I think Franken -- <I>a comedian</i> -- would really like this story.  Sometimes, the best stories (humourous or not) come from dark places. And that's okay. And, you know, it's fine if you don't like this story -- but "mean spirited"? HOW? It is in no way mean spirited. “Mean spirited”?!  This was a really great story, and it was REALLY favorable to Franken.  Like, really favorable.  It was also funny.

I think Franken — a comedian — would really like this story.  Sometimes, the best stories (humourous or not) come from dark places. And that’s okay.

And, you know, it’s fine if you don’t like this story — but “mean spirited”? HOW? It is in no way mean spirited.

]]> By: factbased http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1490893 factbased Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1490893 For not hiring the guy, or for setting up the interview in the first place? As for the latter, I saw no indication that he talked to HF before setting up the interview. If it was after, should he have cancelled the meeting? For not hiring the guy, or for setting up the interview in the first place? As for the latter, I saw no indication that he talked to HF before setting up the interview. If it was after, should he have cancelled the meeting?

]]> By: Jorpho http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1490856 Jorpho Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1490856 <blockquote> But I think I also had the glimmer of a sense, right away, that I was a dead man walking. There was no way in hell I was going to get this job. I think I may also have had the presence of mind to wonder why Franken had decided to meet with me at all under the circumstances. Years later, I still don't know.</blockquote>Why <i>do</i> people do this?  I can recall several occasions on which something like this has happened to myself and truly they make me despair.  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor" rel="nofollow">Hanlon's razor</a> alone cannot quite cut that deeply.

But I think I also had the glimmer of a sense, right away, that I was a dead man walking. There was no way in hell I was going to get this job. I think I may also have had the presence of mind to wonder why Franken had decided to meet with me at all under the circumstances. Years later, I still don’t know.

Why do people do this?  I can recall several occasions on which something like this has happened to myself and truly they make me despair.  Hanlon’s razor alone cannot quite cut that deeply.

]]> By: Diogenes http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1490849 Diogenes Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1490849  http://vbox7.com/play:33080ec2  http://vbox7.com/play:33080ec2

]]> By: Mark http://boingboing.net/2012/07/27/me-al-franken-and-the-worst-m.html#comment-1490848 Mark Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=173452#comment-1490848 When you find a politician who agrees with you 100% of the time, be sure to let us know. You might be the first. When you find a politician who agrees with you 100% of the time, be sure to let us know. You might be the first.

]]>