Michael Lewis on why U.S. COVID response was so…crappy. (My word)

[@michelebenedosso3899]

We’ll done, Al… we’ll done. Just wish you were there at those SCOTUS hearings… we needed you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@clarafedde8674]

Get well soon Al Franken. Still want you to rerun for office again. You would be a great asset for America.

[@jayhalley2642]

He will be back in the senate Clara. Come 2024 he will be taking the stained seat away from the big mouth bully jilly gillabrand becoming the next ny Senator

[@easterlywesterly9304]

No thanks! He likes to degrade women, he gets a kick out of it... proven fact

[@baberRuth]

Ppl you wd vote for threw him out. Everyone in the Senate who fell for Roger Stones gimmick, is someone you'd vote for. Your friendly D Party. You are greedy. "AL, fix my problems". He's a happy ex Senator.

[@Lulu-ue2lj]

Al your points on racism here in America and that privileged git Cruz and others like him is one of the best synopsis I’ve heard. Your guest and topic was brilliant. Thank you

[@karenhynes217]

Please please please run again, WE NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Valerie-mz4et]

Trump didn’t sideline Fauci because he didn’t agree with Trump. It was because Fauci was more popular than Trump. Ego. Excellent conversation!! Thanks

[@j.warburton5269]

Now that is one ill informed comment you just made! WOW.

[@13699111]

I agree thank you for posting your comment

[@parrisprice5892]

It was more than that. Dr. FAUCI is an expert at pandemic, dump is an expert at fraud.

[@dawndead9591]

It was both the reasons below. Stage narcissism and aversion to competence that was counter to the Drumpf bloviations.

[@j.warburton5269]

@@dawndead9591 You think Fauci is competent? I have a nice bridge to sell you in the NY area, very historical, nice arches.

[@yabits]

Q: "Are there racist babies?" A: "Show me their parents." (To the tune of: "You Have to be Carefully Taught" from South Pacific.)

[@TheLolapuff]

Great point. When the original cast of “South Pacific” headed to Atlanta the city demanded they take that song out. Rogers & Hammerstein told them to shove it and they of course, caved.

[@annabelclara]

Democracy needs you. Thanks for all you do.

[@CDIDDY327]

Thank you for this Al Franken. You are doing good work.

[@hereigoagain5050]

Loved Al's "Senate" speech. Al and Michael are way too optimistic. The GOP is achieving its 50 year goal of destroying the Federal government, except Defense, Customs, and Immigration.

[@robertthweatt1900]

Except? They're on the agenda, too. Calling our military "woke" pussies(as opposed to those tough manly Russians), calling Chairman of the Joint Chiefs a stupid pig..

[@k.c.8658]

The GOP thinks the same thing about the Democratic Party. Perhaps it’s the 2 party system, trying to pit Americans against each other while funding endless wars and preventing us from getting universal health care, that is the real problem.

[@windmedic]

Agree wholeheartedly…they still believe in the average American having any common sense or empathy for their fellow citizens..

[@solarnaut]

2012 ? was when 1980+ was identified as America's descent into oligarchy ... when what "We The People" wanted failed if CORPORATE Amirekah wanted different.

[@geoffreytudor5674]

Exactly. Dubya appointing a horse-show empresario to head FEMA, then pointing to the incompetent response to emergencies such as Katrina as evidence of govt ineptitude. If you take the dedicated professional monitors out of the govt monitoring positions and replace them with dedicated wreckers on a mission to undermine those very agencies they head, those agencies live down to the expectations of the public, which have been lowered by their leaders by a steady drip, drip of disinformation. It's a sick and vicious circle that is undoing 50 years of hard-fought progress in public safety and protection from both Nature and corporate America.

[@michael.schuler]

Al, listening to your floor speech reminds us all that you should never have quit. Realizing we would be asking you to wrestle with pigs (again), all of your legion fans would beg you to run again. MASA (Make America Sane Again).

[@lcflngn]

Ding dang Al, the pretend senate questioning is painful. Miss you enormously and wish you were back where you belong. And yet, your current self is so useful and hopeful. Keep at it!

[@lcflngn]

Omg was just about to post this word for word… So painful. Still and yet, we have you Al. Stay well, we need you!

[@tlowe2502]

Thanks AL, Aways enjoy your podcast. Get well soon 😷🤒👍

[@cc1k435]

Any time I feel my education was lacking in any way, I just remember that Ted Cruz was a product of the Ivy League. 🙄

[@janistransbian]

these senators that call slavery a "necessary evil" should prove it to us by BECOMING SLAVES THEMSELVES!

[@mtn1793]

Or even by serving the people…. Actually the senators are slaves already. Slaves to the corporations and to their parties.

[@PeaceCommando]

That's a funny point! In the late 1990s, the KKK had a movement when they tried to "Adopt a Highway" to normalize their image among the citizenry. I thought it would be a good SNL skit (or at least an editorial cartoon) if they adopted a cotton field.

[@michelebenedosso3899]

They wouldn’t last 1 hour…

[@kirstenhobolt346]

Hi Al I really think the US senate needs you - you know for a change

[@pollykent2100]

I haven't even listened to the interview yet, but I had to comment. Oh, Al, how I wish you could have given that speech at Justice Jackson Brown's hearing! I hope you will please consider running for the Senate again one day.

[@penguinnh]

Just go directly to running for President.

[@reggiebald2830]

Thanks Al. I must say , your last 2 shows have been a real treat; you know, for a change. Thanks again!

[@patriciamartinez-lx8dy]

Feel better soon Al. Really enjoyed listening to your guest Michael Lewis, and his perspective on Covid. In reality, it's a tragedy society can't put their differences aside to fight this disease together. This is unfortunate because many more people will suffer the consequences.

[@TheLolapuff]

Fantastic show. Especially the introduction and your exposition of slavery and the slamming of the evil liar Raphael Cruz. Get well soon Al we need your voice & humor desperately

[@GrandmaBev64]

One, actually said: " I told my daughters if they get raped, sit back and enjoy the ride!' Sick Bastards

[@ailblentyn]

I bet that even clowns who pretend to think that Trump did a great job with COVID are secretly grateful that Trump wasn’t in charge when Ebola was threatening.

[@dbockman52]

Your introduction to this podcast is outstanding!

[@jayhalley2642]

He’s an outstanding kinda guy dbock

[@noyopacific]

I came to this video to hear to Michael Lewis. I'd have preferred not to have to listen to 16:30 minutes of Franken's monolog before Lewis spoke his first word. (Anyone who prefers not to listen to Frankin's introduction can skip ahead.)

[@garyjoye6905]

When I hear or read Lewis, I’m awestruck. And the interaction with Al is like Ruth and Lou, the core of a Murderers’ Row for the ages.

[@ld4974]

Trump was probably the worst president we could have had during the initial Covid outbreak.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

I thought it was simple; we had a simple minded president in charge.

[@kevindown1592]

I have read most of Michael’s books starting with Liars Poker. I really enjoying his writing style & his choices of subjects. I thought “The Fifth Risk” was as terrifying as any Steven King’s novel.

[@dleet86]

As long as the targeted dead are entitlement moochers the GOP will let them die or even help them cull themselves as tucker and rupert did.

[@janiebuck6748]

There are so many things wrong with our government, it's nearly overwhelming! I am 60 years old and have not seen it this bad until now. We need to vote like it's our last time. It's possible that it could be over this year.. I 🙏 there is a way out.

[@nanszoo3092]

same age here ... last time I DID vote like it would be my last time. As far as I was concerned it well could have been.

[@dleet86]

I'm a 67 yo expat and left in '96 because I'd seen the mess America was becoming since reagan infected the country with a toxic species from Australia.

[@ecstanton]

@@dleet86 yes...the wiley murdoch serpent is a most vile, invasive species. Its venom has infected countless Americans.

[@penguinnh]

I am 71, and I will *never* give up my right to vote, and at my age (and three heart attacks) every vote may be my last. The real question is whether it will be other people's last vote?

[@lastjob2011]

I'm 57. America has been in Decline since Mr Reagan. 1980. Donald Trump is just the final nail in her coffin! She is on life support now; but still does a great fake of putting on lipstick and dancing around acting as if everything is fine! And it took someone as diabolical and pure evil as Donald Trump to bring about the final death blow!

[@jayhalley2642]

Al you are outstanding . A damn shame for America that you were pushed out of our Senate.

[@mtn1793]

The part where the senator says congressional appointment gives more authority to a agency director is chilling. Congress is supposed to lend authority to our government based on its quality, not on their petty egos.

[@ecstanton]

I was disappointed to hear that also, especially from Angus King. The author was right when he said lifetime appointments to such agencies based on qualifications is a must to build public confidence. Then I think about what the right did to Fauci regardless of his incredible background dealing with infectious disease, and it makes me ill.

[@garyjoye6905]

I do wish Al would run for President. The dems’ bench is so slim, and it’s in his wheelhouse. “Run Al, run.”

[@jamesmorrow1646]

The entire American political class failed to deal with the pandemic. With a special mention to Trump and Cuomo.

[@lastjob2011]

I thought Cuomo screwed up because he was listening to the false info put out by Trump. Like Covid was no big deal, was not passed via the air, breathing, and was totally contained?

[@tubehound8]

Thank you Sen. Franken. I liked what Mike Lewis said about how our leaders might end us up in the ditch, the grunts on the front lines are doing good things, Stay safe

[@cruznen3839]

The 3 timers club is like the 5 timers club on SNL: “You’re great…You’re great”

[@13699111]

Thank you for posting this podcast Al Franken . I feel that the last fifty years of America leadership has been a race to the bottom of living standards that affect the world .

[@Xaxtarr_Neonraven]

Very Important discussion. Even though this is mostly about common sense, with racism and logic outlined, it is also about how illogical politically-motivated populism is undermining the underlying rationality of US governance, reason, science, and humanism.

[@abbush2921]

We have a Premier in Ontario who lies all the time in fact my doctor told me to social distance and wear a mask till 1st of July , I must have gave him a funny look , cause he said to me who you going to believe me or a lying ex drug dealing , high school drop out . LOL !

[@LMM7880]

I look forward to your Sunday morning podcasts. It's the only one I listen to.

[@aleatharhea]

This was great from start to finish. I'm gonna buy the book, and I hope you feel better real soon, Al. I miss you in the Senate.

[@yellolab09]

Excellent Every American should hear this broadcast.

[@lololine]

This is a great video!!!

[@corinnewinterrousset]

Keep putting it out there! Please run for Senator again.

[@dkcoats]

Al, we in the land of 10000 lakes miss you desperately. You are one of the last, best, and, yes, funniest embodiments of Reason on this batshit planet. If you ever decide to run again, for anything - Senator, student council representative, dogcatcher, POTUS - you would, as long as I remain above ground (you might want to hurry it up a little), have my vote.

[@blatant-One]

No other President besides Trump made me uneasy, fearful , and angry every day for over four years.

[@hansolo3003]

great show, for once!

[@catwhisperer968]

I enjoy listening to the both of y’all. Great information

[@Starclimber]

Thanks Al and Michael, very fun listen!

[@geoffreytudor5674]

Great 'cast, Senators. Very cogent insights into the institutional incompetence behind the politics. I know the damage to our overwatch institutions has been done for political reasons, but it's most useful to know the current state of affairs re: the effectiveness of the agencies RIGHT NOW. Rebuilding the many strands of our safety net will be frustrating and hard, and that's IF we can elect enough right-minded, determined legislators in the face of a probable Republican resurgence this year. And Senator Lewis, I've gotta ask: How did you avoid party censure by your ovine fellow Republicans, a la Liz Cheney? You have a most refreshing sense of duty and right vs. wrong; I'm old enough to remember Republicans I could respect and even vote for, but they're thin on the ground these days. A pleasure "meeting" you.

[@ryansullivan5575]

Thank you Senator!

[@greggoreo6738]

I yield my time to Senator Franken.

[@bethmoseley1244]

Fantastic interview. Will be sharing with my colleagues at UCSF. Thanks to Michael Lewis and Al Franken!!!

[@bettymoonlight6203]

Run again, please. We need you.

[@BollingWillse]

Premonition is an excellent read... you meet some outstanding folks!

[@stevenwilgus5422]

Thia account is precisely what I watched occur in real time. America can not return to that level of ineptitude. Trump was a catastrophe.

[@herbertbates4655]

Halfway through Lewis's book, and it is a gripper! If you're here, I would urge you to get "Premonition" and read it. You won't be disappointed, and will gain, among others, a variety of insights into the workings of government writ large and small. Thanks, Al, and Michael! Also, too - pass the book along/recommend it to your friends. (Disclaimer: I am not a shill for anyone's particular interests here. Other than all of us, that is....)

[@sydgriffin7591]

Dear God, how I wish you had been at the Judge Jackson confirmation hearings to rebut senator cruz's sniveling remarks. What a glory to behold that would have been, and a tonic for our nation. I personally feel that is why you were targeted and run out of that body on specious reasoning, because your intelligence and wit are too volatile for the more lumbering intellects inhabiting that chamber to challenge. You are sorely missed, Senator Franken. Regardless, Thank You for all you have done and continue to do, to entertain and enlighten those of us with the good sense to keep an ear cocked in your direction. It is much appreciated.

[@rmholt1]

THE BEST COVID BOOK.

[@RayKosby]

At 39:08 Michael Lewis relates a story where he thought a pandemic that affected rich and poor would cause people to rally together but he later realized he was wrong. I think one main reason this didn't happen in America is because it mainly affected adults. Americans do not care about adults (especially the elderly). If it had impacted children, I think the reaction to it would have been closer to what Michael had originally speculated.

[@dleet86]

As long as the targeted dead are entitlement moochers the GOP will let them die or even help them cull themselves as tucker and rupert did.

[@michael.schuler]

Media in sports and elsewhere have transformed modern public life into the Albert Brooks film, "Defending you Life."

[@patty4349]

I saw a serious interview with a guy on a normal show (not Fox) who claimed that we could never test loads of people because existing manufacturing capability could NOT make enough of the reagents needed for millions of tests. It was never going to happen. Yet here we are with more easy to get home tests than we can use.

[@dalaidolly5017]

We WERE outraged, bur what difference does our outrage make??? I rode a bus for 40 something hours to attend the WOMEN's MARCH on the day after inauguration. What difference does that make? I have worked since 2012 on get out the vote with an organization in FL with post cards, phone calls, canvassing and registering voters. What difference has THAT mde?Ive called my 2 reprehensible FL Senators and written them. Crickets. ...or worse. I've attended FL townhalls that Rubio didn't show up for. How many times do you stand on a corner with a homemade sign and chant? when you're either ignored or accused of being paid agitators?

[@patrickgilmore4602]

Thanks

[@tammyburke9453]

Defi itely saved this one! So much insight. TY

[@dianeknowles8855]

Wish you were still in the Senate. Democratic party is to silent today

[@Shari466]

As Cruz professes to be an evanglical Christian, he should be aware that you reap what you sow and also , the Bible says what ye have done to the least of these, my children, you have just as much done unto me. So Cruz will be dealt with by his own God. Still miss you in the Senate Al. 💙💙

[@RawJewel]

The scary aspect of the medical community is that they are more motivated by the pharmaceutical industry and more rewarded by pleasingthem then to do what is best for patients!

[@tammyburke9453]

Ah, the Justice Jackson clapback to Ted Cruz...EPIC. AL should have done a "Broadcast News" scene with some senator during those hearings, it was so spot on, the world needs this perspective.

[@chrismcdevitt7814]

I love when Al makes Senator Cruz look like a fool.

[@messybench]

Am I missing links to Michael Lewis' book!

[@JoeSireno]

Al, this was great and Mike Lewis is absolutely brilliant, but you sir, are a genius and I am begging you - again - and again and again until I can’t anymore, please return to the Senate. It isn’t possible to put into words how much you are needed or how deep is the crisis in which we find ourselves i’m 70 Al and resigned to the fact that I will not live to see the return of the American experiment. But if people like you do not return to the senate, where you belong, neither will my children or my grandchildren.

[@SamSung-nf6tr]

When will the movie or series come out?

[@DianeKovacs]

WE did object to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau being dismantled. No one cared in the Trump admin. Get Well SOonest Senator Franken!

[@mikelewis762]

I approve this message

[@Sikofu]

Get well Al.

[@karenjones1897]

sorry you got the covid bug. thankfully you are not super sick. i'm 16 months out from covid and still have no sense of smell or taste. take good care of yourself and your family!

[@windmedic]

The opening comments are worth listening alone, then adding Mr Lewis…400 likes? Really? You need a bigger platform Mr. Franken. More people need this information…especially ‘MERCUNS…

[@fenwayify]

Two great "Als" of the past quarter century: Lewis and Franken...

[@Noreenlee1]

I'm nearly finished with The Premonition. It's so fascinating, I want my grown kids to read it, but they are much more likely to listen to it. UNFORTUNATELY, the reviews of the Audible narrator are DISMAL! They are nearly all one star! If you have any pull with Michael Lewis, please alert him to this problem. His fabulous book needs to be re-recorded, hopefully with a male narrator who does not go UP at the end of every sentence.

[@BlueBaron3339]

Senate speech daydreams, alas. Nothing quite as painful as regret - so much so that everyone insists they have nary a one, much the way everyone *insists* they were not sleeping when caught napping.

[@mt3260]

Al I really wish you had never left the senate 😕

[@n8hsu255]

Good critique of the COVID response. Similar critiques of the U.S. space effort are made by Angry Astronaut channel. His latest is "UPDATE!! SLS may NEVER fly, because of a NASA project that's even more flawed than the rocket!!" Maybe, you would like to talk to him.

[@normlang1994]

Michael...this is the equation, Personal > Party > Country > Voters = Legislation

[@kangzau1006]

Hear ye hear ye I motion for Mr Franklin to consider a run for the Senate again.

[@n8hsu255]

P.S. Get well. I wished you could have come to Ohio to run for retiring Senator Portman's seat. Another thought, SNL should invite President Zalinski to host when he can after the conflict subsides.

[@buyvibe]

What's up Al?

[@GetMikeNyce]

@alfranken such a shame that you are not in the Senate anymore. Your voice of understanding and practicality is sorely missed. I’ll never understand how the party forced you out, very shallow decision from the party bosses.

[@shaunmcisaac782]

The NBA had refs betting on games that they were officiating. Of course people thought the fix was in... because in at least some well known cases it was. In contrast, in the NFL it's rather incredible how accurate the officials are from game to game. Go look at Julian Edelman's "carom catch" in the New England Vs Atlanta Super Bowl. To me, the most amazing thing about that catch is that both officials correctly signaled a completed catch watching it live. The ball was a half an inch from being incomplete and the players were flying around. They saw it at full speed not in slow mo.

[@Lulu-ue2lj]

Can you post your response to senate separately? Thank you

[@oskiroskir8830]

Hi Senator Franken, what is with the Cong Prog PAC failing to endorse Nina Turner [in Ohio] & Cristina Garcia [in CA-42]? Why aren't Reps Pocan, Jayapal & Raskin (& the rest of the Prog Dem Rep's) endorsing the best Prog Candidates in Ohio & CA?

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

Regarding undermining authority of refs......same thing happening in education/to teachers. Parents and students want to challenge every action or statement, such that teaching/learning comes to a halt for the sake of those who want to dwell in conspiracy rather than be educated.

[@thepiper5522]

This one was a really good one, for a change. But no, really. 😄👍

[@ShannonJacobs0]

Why do complaints about the increase in annoying KZbin ads get more reactions than substantive comments? Theory 1: Paid trolls? But why? Theory 2: Commissions for AdBlockers? Naw, too weird, but also unethical and ineffective. Theory 3: KZbin wants profits! ROFLMAO. No theory: KZbin is more and more annoying. Please tell me about a better video website.

[@blatant-One]

Amazing how some uber scholarly individuals can be so ignorant.

[@Short-Cipher]

Oh Al, would to God you hadn't been railroaded by your own Party and were still in the Senate today, particularly on the Judiciary Committee. It was so f###ing exasperating watching the racist Republicans grilling Judge Jackson with next to *ZERO* pushback from the Democrats. _Mother of God_ 🤯. Had you been there, no doubt you would have offered up something quite similar to your offering here. It was embarrassing enough witnessing the blatant racism on display, but _humiliating_ witnessing the Democrats roll over to it. Despite that, hope to God the Democrats defy the pundits and keep control of both Houses of Congress this November. If they do, it will be less thanks to them and more thanks to the electorate turning out in enough force because they recognize how dangerous the alternative is, i.e. goodbye democracy hello autocracy. But I fear I may be giving too much credit to the wherewithal of the American people.

[@rationalpear1816]

What if the pandemic is proof that the govt response really doesn’t matter? it has everything to do with general health, the strength of institutions, and the cohesion/trust in society. Govt matters very little in a successful response as measured by deaths versus a crap response as measured by deaths.

[@alistairmackintosh9412]

Then explain why the death rate globally tracks the degree that governments are right wing?

[@whazzat8015]

? nod to Roy Wood's shopping story about having a bag and receipt?

[@chrisose]

I can answer the title with one word: Republicans.

[@jimmaughan1898]

Great book by Lewis. And WTF is it with that Orstein guy?

[@aidanmargarson8910]

also somewhat think that ted cruz is more likely to have been a slave, then not?

[@hazellove2144]

🤗

[@davidwitzany5852]

16:25