Trish Deitch writes:
The Senate was originally envisioned as a chamber of notables. Its members were supposed to be persons of accomplishment, capable of independent thought, often bringing with them national reputations and national—or, at least, not hopelessly parochial—outlooks. Al Franken, unlike the overwhelming majority of his new colleagues, is such a person. I don’t doubt that he will assiduously look after the interests of Minnesota, but he has spent many years thinking and writing about weightier questions than the need for lake subsidies and cheese price supports. His books, despite their diverting titles (“Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot” and the like), are substantial works of research and analysis. The fact that they, like he, are also funny should be counted in their, and his, favor. American popular culture is stronger, not weaker, because Stuart Smalley is part of it.
link: News Desk: Online Only: The New Yorker
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