Tonight I saw a very heartwarming episode of the Al Franken show on Sundance. Hilights included ex-VP Walter Mondale speaking out eloquently against the abuses perpetuated against this country by our current administration. Ending the show was a wonderful little guitar number by Leo Kottke. What was really heartening about the whole situation is that it was held in a theater in downtown Minneapolis in front of a live audience. It was a mix of informed discussion, justified anger, and the pleasure of being in the company of others who seek positive change in our country’s direction; you could tell by the faces of those in the crowd.

I think the success of Air America (we are now broadcasting a near full lineup in Boston ((Minus Malloy 🙁 ))) and other such leftist venues – (including Howard Stern’s soon to be shit on the FCC) – just goes to show that many Americans are informed and want to discuss important issues that face all of us. That we are not all suckered in by the faux-news of FOX and other such immitators is itself good. And that we are now working together to combat that menace in both its own and alternative formats is even better.

Although I am still largely cynical, and realize that a good portion of Americans would just like to retreat into their outwardly perfect suburban lives and leave the issue of governance to self-appointed (or bought) experts, this seems far less an absolute than I once imagined. I think that sociology class at Trinity scared me a little much…. This country has some brilliant comics, social critics, thinkers and politicians. Watching them on a show like Al Franken showcases them as people, which in itself, I feel, is a truly emboldening message.