Doug Van Pelt

Al Franken: God Spoke

I have to admit: I have some friends that are Republicans... But none of them were present with me at this world premiere. It was a packed room, and it was like my experience long ago on the campus at the University of Texas, where I attended a meeting of the Evolution Club (can't remember what they were called), where I sat in a small room with people mocking Creation Science, Christianity, and all their adherents. It was uncomfortable but fun being an outsider peeking in on a very insider's party. I once participated in an Operation Rescue event in this same week of March many year's ago (Spring Break), where about six of us posed as clients at a local abortion clinic. Armed with a positive urine sample, I came with an older woman, posing as my mother, as we got my fictitious girlfriend's sample tested. I used this experience to write a song that my band later recorded -- "Operation Rescue." Anyway, I digress in a big way. This sort of polarization and demonizing happens with about any group; where the opposing party gets lampooned and mocked at every chance. Politics is as polarizing as religion in this world, so it can be uncomfortable fun to wander into the other camp from time to time. I think this does wonders for the cause of Christ -- seeing how non-believers view the church, etc. Seeing this movie has given me perspective on how my liberal friends will probably always remain liberal (even if we agree on the topic of abortion), as this side of the political spectrum can have a ton of fun, as this movie is evidence. This possible future Minnesota Senator is shown at his comedic best, as well as viewpoints into his real-life tension and relaxed sides. The movie starts with a plane's window view at the clouds below and the "voice of God" telling Al to torment the right and write a book -- Lies And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them, which God had "instructed" him to title: Bearing False Witness and the Bearers of False Witness. Many laughs were had in the movie, although 95% of them were at the Right's expense. It was nice to see small snippets of the politically active participants, whether politicians or media, being friendly, polite and civil to one another -- much like athletes shaking hands and laugh/talking to each other after a game.