You Can Call Him Al

This week's Al Franken podcast is a treat because the guest is for Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.  As readers of these pages will recall, I've written about him at length because of my long-time friendship with his uncle John Kander II, who I met back in summer camp at Camp Nebagamon (where I also knew Jason's father Steve, though not very well.  And where his great-uncle John Kander also went -- before going to Broadway to write the musicals Cabaret and Chicago).  So, now you have a chance to him from him directly and not just read me yammering about the guy.  It's a very enjoyable, interesting conversation mainly dealing with veterans conditions, but in a surprisingly entertaining and often funny way.  Also in the conversation is the Bryan Meyer, Chief Executive Officer from the Veterans Community Project.  This is the link here that they give for donating.

Here's what Al has to say about the podcast --

"Sometimes I like to say that The Al Franken Podcast is just like The Daily, only without the resources of The New York Times. This episode I have the jump on The Times – because of my friendship with Jason Kander, former MO Sec. of State. Kander is an Afghanistan War vet who nearly pulled off a miracle in the 2016 race for MO Senate, losing by just 3 pts. (Thanks Comey!) In a state where Hillary lost by 18%, Jason ran an inspired, almost perfect race. (Jason’s the guy who did the pro-gun-control ad, assembling an AR-15 assault weapon BLINDFOLDED)"

[Side Note:  I posted the video when it was initially released, but here it is for perspective, and for those who may have missed it.)

A Rising Democratic Star, Kander was widely considered a potential 2020 Democratic nominee for President. Instead he chose to run for mayor of his hometown, Kansas City. Raising a shitload (technical term) of campaign cash and lapping his opponents in the polls, he was considered a shoe-in. Then Jason shocked the political world by dropping out of the mayoral race to address the PTSD that had been dominating his life for twelve years.
Jason and I discuss this signature wound of the Iraq and Afghanistan (and Vietnam and all) Wars and his efforts to heal himself and help other vets whose needs include housing and other services. An inspiring episode that The Daily just couldn’t handle.