Guardian:Internet may solve democratic crisis, says Gore

[cal04]

· Former US vice-president hails power of net culture
· American politicians still in spell of 'hypnotic TV'

(snip)
Mr Gore, who is chairman of the American user-generated network Current TV and on the board of Apple Computer, told an audience of broadcasting executives that the high cost of television production had shut ordinary members of the public out of the political debate.

Speaking at the MediaGuardian international television festival in Edinburgh, he linked his current twin passions of the media and climate change. "To solve the climate crisis we have to pay attention to the democratic crisis," he said.



(snip)
In the US, the dominance of television and the relaxation of impartiality rules by the Reagan administration in the 1980s had diminished the level of political knowledge and debate, said Mr Gore. He pointed to figures showing that at the time of the Iraq war, 77% of Americans thought Saddam Hussein was responsible for the attack on the Twin Towers.


"Saddam Hussein was not responsible for that attack, so how could that be? Why was the (Congress) chamber silent? Where were the representatives?" he asked. "They were at cocktail parties, raising money. Why? The only thing that matters is that you have enough money to put 30-second TV commercials on the air to persuade voters to elect you."



http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1859679,00.html

[FogerRox]

1. Right on Brother Gore

[gumby]

2. Excuse me Owen Gibson, but it is NOT that Gore

"narrowly lost the presidency to George Bush in 2000".

Gore WON the 2000 election. ANY writer saying otherwise is full of journalistic bullshit. For that matter, anyone saying the same is either willfully ignorant or willfully hating democracy.

The Supreme Court coup d'etat travesty in 2000 should NEVER be forgotten by anyone who considers themselves a citizen or a patriot.

I vote Gore!!!!

[Jamastiene]

3. Well said and so true.

That day lives on in infamy to me because it was such a slap in the face of democracy. They still haven't counted those votes and some of us still haven't forgotten that debacle.