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kpete

(71,900 posts)
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 10:37 AM Sep 2013

AL GORE: “We as US citizens need to pay careful attention to the fact-our democracy has been hacked"

Former Vice President Al Gore says democracy has been overtaken by corporate special interests, and it’s up to web-based activists to take it back.

“We as U.S. citizens need to pay careful attention to the fact that our democracy has been hacked,” Gore told Motherboard. “Big money has perverted our democracy, hacked it, taken it over and twisted it to serve the purposes of special interests.”

Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush as the result of a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling, said Americans must recognize that new reality and then accept the challenge of fixing it.


“We need an ‘Occupy Democracy,’ if you will,” Gore said.



http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/30/al-gore-our-democracy-has-been-hacked-and-survival-of-civilization-at-risk/

43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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AL GORE: “We as US citizens need to pay careful attention to the fact-our democracy has been hacked" (Original Post) kpete Sep 2013 OP
I would love to hear Al Gore use the term "Bush Junta" to put a point to the hijacking of the Exec Coyotl Sep 2013 #1
what he said is more useful and accurate, less dismiss-able, more actionable reddread Sep 2013 #5
Gore SPEARHEADED the outsourcing of our government. elehhhhna Sep 2013 #26
let's shoot the messenger... stillcool Sep 2013 #28
elehhhhna is right cprise Oct 2013 #31
It seems I view the stillcool Oct 2013 #43
It's good to see him talking about something other than climate change... Blanks Sep 2013 #2
Gore always had good things to say dem in texas Sep 2013 #16
Apparently he made a speech in the late '90's... Blanks Sep 2013 #21
He had voiced several opinions over the years when issues come up. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #40
I hope he chooses this issue... Blanks Oct 2013 #42
GOP = "corporate special interests"... small rural city over represented in house and senate 1 perso uponit7771 Sep 2013 #3
Not just GOP. Corporate Dems are complicit. woo me with science Sep 2013 #11
I think that we're not supposed to notice. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #18
Gore is discovering this mighty late. Orsino Sep 2013 #4
Yes. He seems a bit slow to catch on. Enthusiast Sep 2013 #8
Gore had the courage of his convictions, he debated NAFTA on national television with Perot. Uncle Joe Sep 2013 #20
I have loads of respect for Al Gore malaise Sep 2013 #6
I lost respect for him for selling Current TV bigdarryl Sep 2013 #10
Would have been helpful to hear about hijacking democracy back in 2000... truebluegreen Sep 2013 #7
Most of it heated up after 9/11 Samantha Sep 2013 #9
I don't know. Remember the footage of Preznit Bush's motorcade truebluegreen Sep 2013 #15
The version I was even worse cprise Oct 2013 #33
Yes. And no stroll down Pennsylvania ? Ave. Secret Service had to run truebluegreen Oct 2013 #38
It was hacked when he was VP, it would have been nice to hear it then from a sitting VP. Dustlawyer Sep 2013 #12
Yes, I am grateful too that he seems to have learnt his lesson cprise Oct 2013 #34
+1. pacalo Oct 2013 #37
history 90-percent Sep 2013 #13
Our neighbors in Latin America have given us a successful Blue Print for change. bvar22 Sep 2013 #14
well, that required not accepting only the choices they were presented with MisterP Sep 2013 #17
Its not just the choices, but also the voting districts: cprise Oct 2013 #41
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Sep 2013 #19
Thank You Uncle Joe kpete Sep 2013 #22
This much is all but known. Uncle Joe Sep 2013 #30
Oh Big Al colsohlibgal Sep 2013 #23
No kidding gopiscrap Sep 2013 #24
Gore is a politician, a voice with a message that I welcome. Alkene Sep 2013 #25
A coup, beginning in 1952, by the shadowy religious group that runs the Prayer Breakfasts and owns blkmusclmachine Sep 2013 #27
Typical dog and pony show. Shemp Howard Sep 2013 #29
VIDEO: Al Gore: The Survival of Civilization is at Risk freshwest Oct 2013 #32
Someone should ask him to explain his turnaround, if he hasn't already done so. cprise Oct 2013 #36
Um, Gore, your help would have been nice ecstatic Oct 2013 #35
I wish I could vote for him again. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #39
 

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
1. I would love to hear Al Gore use the term "Bush Junta" to put a point to the hijacking of the Exec
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 10:41 AM
Sep 2013
 

reddread

(6,896 posts)
5. what he said is more useful and accurate, less dismiss-able, more actionable
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 11:36 AM
Sep 2013

the Bush familia did not act alone.

 

elehhhhna

(32,076 posts)
26. Gore SPEARHEADED the outsourcing of our government.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 07:19 PM
Sep 2013

Did y'all forget that? The initiative to "streamline" government. Ended up with Carlyle group OWNING half the MIC and Snowden's employer.

I like Al but he's another side of the same coin.

It's ALL theatre.

stillcool

(32,626 posts)
28. let's shoot the messenger...
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 07:58 PM
Sep 2013

We are all 'both sides of the coin', in one way or another. I guess the degree to which one is vilified depends on which pond you happen to swim in.

cprise

(8,445 posts)
31. elehhhhna is right
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 12:15 AM
Oct 2013

Gore made privatization a bi-partisan value. He co-founded the DLC for crisesakes.

He had the temerity to think that a corporate sector that controlled the economy down to the dollar would gladly accept and work within environmental regulations (his "Natural Capitalism&quot . Instead they used their newly-centralized news media (thanks Reagan+Clinton) in the 90s to create a circus and bring the government to its knees. Its no small irony that they tarred and feathered Gore in 2000 before stealing the Florida vote.

He is a fool and we're paying dearly for accepting his foolishness.

stillcool

(32,626 posts)
43. It seems I view the
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 09:49 AM
Oct 2013

human species different than you. Or perhaps I am too stupid to know the 'truth' of what decisions Al Gore made, and why he made them. Would I have done things differently? My life is not so black and white, and I appreciate a good article. Please excuse my ignorance.

Blanks

(4,835 posts)
2. It's good to see him talking about something other than climate change...
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 10:53 AM
Sep 2013

Not that climate change isn't important, but the man almost (and should have) became president. He's very intelligent and I think focussing exclusively on climate change makes him look like a one issue politician.

I hope we hear more from him.

dem in texas

(2,672 posts)
16. Gore always had good things to say
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 02:24 PM
Sep 2013

I agree, I would like to hear more from him about other subjects. Before we went into Iraq, he had a lot to say about what a big mistake it was and everything he said turned out to be true.

Blanks

(4,835 posts)
21. Apparently he made a speech in the late '90's...
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 03:52 PM
Sep 2013

Where he described a system that basically became what is google earth today.

I remember the campaign trail in 1992 when he kept talking about the 'information super-highway'. Before the word 'Internet' had been coined.

He knew where we should be heading then, I'd like to see him guide us a little more. Especially if he has a plan for retaking our democracy - I'm all ears.

Jamastiene

(38,187 posts)
40. He had voiced several opinions over the years when issues come up.
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 06:34 AM
Oct 2013

He was one of the first in that wave of Democrats who changed their positions on gay marriage a few years ago. He had plenty to say when the Iraq war was getting ready to start.

I think we just don't get to hear as much of what he has to say as we would like. He does speak out on other issues, but we don't always get to hear about it, unfortunately.

Blanks

(4,835 posts)
42. I hope he chooses this issue...
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 08:56 AM
Oct 2013

To occupy his time for a while. We know its a problem, We just can't all agree on the solution. If we had some leadership - more people might start working together toward a solution.

uponit7771

(90,225 posts)
3. GOP = "corporate special interests"... small rural city over represented in house and senate 1 perso
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 11:05 AM
Sep 2013

...can stop progress ad nausea (> 300 filibusters).

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
11. Not just GOP. Corporate Dems are complicit.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 12:54 PM
Sep 2013

The GOP has been trying to do this for a long time. The reason they are succeeding now is that the opposition party that used to stop them is now complicit in the looting.

Orsino

(37,428 posts)
4. Gore is discovering this mighty late.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 11:18 AM
Sep 2013

Or has he forgotten the fundraising members of Congress have to do?

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
8. Yes. He seems a bit slow to catch on.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 12:30 PM
Sep 2013

The damage is done. Hell, he probably supports the TPP. He loved NAFTA.

Uncle Joe

(58,112 posts)
20. Gore had the courage of his convictions, he debated NAFTA on national television with Perot.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 03:25 PM
Sep 2013

The American People viewed or had the opportunity view that debate, I don't believe the same can be said for the TPP.

 

bigdarryl

(13,190 posts)
10. I lost respect for him for selling Current TV
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 12:50 PM
Sep 2013

There were some good liberal shows on there. And now with this BULLSHIT replacement there all off the air.

 

truebluegreen

(9,033 posts)
7. Would have been helpful to hear about hijacking democracy back in 2000...
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 12:01 PM
Sep 2013

but that would have been disruptive, and dangerous to the functioning of our democratic republic.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
9. Most of it heated up after 9/11
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 12:31 PM
Sep 2013

so it is easy to understand why this wasn't a huge issue during the 2000 election.

Sam

 

truebluegreen

(9,033 posts)
15. I don't know. Remember the footage of Preznit Bush's motorcade
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 02:13 PM
Sep 2013

being cheered on inauguration day? Neither do I.

cprise

(8,445 posts)
33. The version I was even worse
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 12:51 AM
Oct 2013

People were throwing eggs at the motorcade, which had to lunge past the gates once they were opened.

 

truebluegreen

(9,033 posts)
38. Yes. And no stroll down Pennsylvania ? Ave. Secret Service had to run
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 06:24 AM
Oct 2013

and the bullet-proof glass windows were all the way up.

Dustlawyer

(10,493 posts)
12. It was hacked when he was VP, it would have been nice to hear it then from a sitting VP.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 01:24 PM
Sep 2013

As it stands, he is at least trying to do something about it, and for that I am grateful!

cprise

(8,445 posts)
34. Yes, I am grateful too that he seems to have learnt his lesson
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 12:53 AM
Oct 2013

It would, however, help his legacy if he were more explicit in recanting his old pro-corporate world view.

90-percent

(6,828 posts)
13. history
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 01:34 PM
Sep 2013

Al's words of today would be just as valid back in Nov 2000, when the Supreme Court overruled Democracy itself.

"Hacked" is too genteel. "Forcibly raped" is a better figure of speech, and I do understand how horrible that crime is.

-90% Jimmy

bvar22

(39,909 posts)
14. Our neighbors in Latin America have given us a successful Blue Print for change.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 01:45 PM
Sep 2013

Many Latin American countries have taken their governments back from the 1% through near bloodless Ballot Box Revolutions.

When the Working Class & the Poor realize WE have more in common with each other
than we have in common with the !% Ruling Elite and their Mouth Pieces in Washington,
then WE can have change too!


VIVA Democracy!
I pray we get some here soon!

MisterP

(23,730 posts)
17. well, that required not accepting only the choices they were presented with
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 02:29 PM
Sep 2013

recall that elections are the best exclusion mechanism: if it's not an option, it's not "democratic" (remember Duarte "vs." D'Aubuisson?)

Uncle Joe

(58,112 posts)
30. This much is all but known.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 11:02 PM
Sep 2013

1. A President Gore would never have condoned the U.S. committing torture.

2. President Gore would never have waged a war against Iraq based on a pack of lies.

3. We would be much farther along in the development and use of sustainable energy sources while weaning ourselves away from fossil fuels to combat the unfolding global warming climate change catastrophe.

4. The federal response to Hurricane Katrina would've been much more vigorous and compassionate.

5. Any attack against the Internet ie: eliminating Net Neutrality would be dead in the water.

6. The overall economy would be in much better shape.

7. The national debt would be far less than it is now.

8. The Bush tax cuts primarily benefiting the most affluent at the expense of the people would not have occurred.

9. There would be a space satellite stationed between the Earth and Sun with a continuous view of the Blue Marble as it spun, that anyone could view, a sort full length mirror for the planet.

10. Roberts and Alito; no matter how much his wife cried, would be on the Supreme Court and thus no "Citizens United," etc. etc.

11. Sandra Day O'Connor would never had to publicly rebuke her decision ala Bush vs Gore.

These things are a strong probability.

1. 9/11 would only be a date in the calender, as a President Gore would have seen Al Qaeda as a serious threat from day 1 instead of viewing a Presidential Daily Briefing warning him of an imminent threat to be a nuisance.

2. There would be no Patriot Act.

3. There would be no Department of Homeland Security.

4. There would be no illegal wiretapping of the America People and mass collection of meta-data; phone, e-mail or the Internet.

5. A President Gore would have found through some form or fashion, policies; to alleviate those areas of the nation most negatively affected by NAFTA, instead of just taking his hands off the wheel.

This is a strong possibility.

1. Howard Dean or someone along his mold would have been Gore's running mate for a second term, Clinton's actions left Gore with little choice but to choose Lieberman as his VP running mate for a first term.


Peace to you, kpete.


colsohlibgal

(5,275 posts)
23. Oh Big Al
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 06:41 PM
Sep 2013

If you hadn't been so eager to give up in a very, very close 2000 election - thus placing yourself, from the start, as the usurper - well we might be in a better place now as long as you would have stayed alive and Droopy Dog didn't take over.

Plus he was Bubba's Vice President when Glass Steagall was repealed and the "giant sucking sound" seed was planted with NAFTA. etc.

But better late than never I suppose.

Alkene

(752 posts)
25. Gore is a politician, a voice with a message that I welcome.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 07:15 PM
Sep 2013

And I'm very glad he's saying this; it indicates that the "occupy" meme works for him, and that's a good thing. Bear in mind that this is an indication of the popularity of the movement. It's a "parade" that Gore wants to lead

To quote Thom Hartmann, regarding a different issue- public financing of elections while interviewing for the movie, "Priceless"- but relevant to any issue:


"It has never gone from the top down; it always goes from bottom up. What happens is, if enough people get out there and get in the streets, literally or metaphorically — and today it’s happening more metaphorically in the blogosphere and on talk radio and whatnot — but if enough people get out there in the streets and form a parade and start marching down the streets and loudly enough and with enough vigor and enthusiasm and energy, some politician is going to say, “Look at that parade!” And they’re going to grab a flag, run out in front of that parade and hoist that flag and say, “This is my parade!”
And all of the sudden you’ll have a politician who is a leader, right, who is talking about an issue.

http://www.pricelessmovie.org/interview-transcripts/advocates/thom-hartmann/

 

blkmusclmachine

(16,149 posts)
27. A coup, beginning in 1952, by the shadowy religious group that runs the Prayer Breakfasts and owns
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 07:36 PM
Sep 2013
Frathouse for Jesus

Shemp Howard

(889 posts)
29. Typical dog and pony show.
Mon Sep 30, 2013, 07:58 PM
Sep 2013

I was just having a discussion about this sort of thing on another thread. My argument there was that progressives will never be able to launch a viable third way because members of the Democratic establishment (millionaires all) will occasionally throw out statements like this one of Gore's. Those fiery statements keep the rank and file on the reservation.

Folks get all excited, and heap all sorts of praise on statements like this one. But stop and ask yourself something.

When Gore was a Senator, what did he really do to stop the influence of Big Money? I'll tell you. Nothing. When Gore was Vice President, what did he really do to stop the influence of Big Money? I'll tell you. Again nothing.

Oh, he talked the talk. But he had enormous power and influence. And he did nothing.

You can make excuses for Gore and his establishment millionaire buddies. You can say that the GOP thwarted his every move. Or you can say that the past is past, and he's finally waking up.

And you might be right. But I see this as just throwing some occasional red meat to us dogs.

On the other hand, if Bernie Sanders or (for all his faults) Dennis Kucinich has something to say, I'll listen.


freshwest

(53,661 posts)
32. VIDEO: Al Gore: The Survival of Civilization is at Risk
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 12:27 AM
Oct 2013


IMO:

He really states this clearly. As our democracy has been hacked by monied interests, we do not have collective resources (in terms of a democratic government) to confront climate change and save lives. I hope some will listen.

cprise

(8,445 posts)
36. Someone should ask him to explain his turnaround, if he hasn't already done so.
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 01:09 AM
Oct 2013

Gore was a champion of the private sector when he co-founded the DLC. Our media became mega-corporate entities (actually, absorbed into them) during his watch in the 90s, along with other changes that ushered in a new Gilded Age.



ecstatic

(32,567 posts)
35. Um, Gore, your help would have been nice
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 12:57 AM
Oct 2013

Last I heard, you sold your cable channel and you're not directing your millions to help our cause.

Jamastiene

(38,187 posts)
39. I wish I could vote for him again.
Tue Oct 1, 2013, 06:31 AM
Oct 2013

I wish Gore had gotten to serve his presidency instead of whiny boy Bush running to daddy to make his buddies on SCOTUS give him the presidency instead, even though Gore was winning.

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