Gore taking the easy way out?

[sjdnb]

Wow ... I never thought I'd live to see the day when Al Gore threw 300 million Americans aside so easily. But, alas, it appears his priorities may have changed and saving our country and the world is not one of them.

In the grand scheme of things, I believe his decision not to run for President in the '08 election, is tantamount to throwing our country, if not the world, under a bus.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. LOL!

:rofl:

Directly the sublime! MKJ

:rofl:

[incapsulated]

2. I do hope this is sarcastic

Because otherwise it's just absurd.

I guess trying to save the planet is a waste of time.

[sjdnb]

8. Politics 101

America (aka big multinational corporations that run our country) dictate every policy our country makes right now -- with regard to foreign policy, the environment (global warming), etc.

Without a leader who cares more for what is 'right' than what is 'right for big business/political ambitions' we are doomed.

That is why Gore NEEDS to run -- to lead us out of the corrupt, greed driven, quagmire that Bush & Co. and the 'establishment' Dems have led us into.

[incapsulated]

12. And if he doesn't win...

And I could make a pretty convincing argument that he would not, it sets him and everything he has worked for back. He is riding high now and is in a better position than ever to do the work that he can do best.

Politics at this level takes years to plan and millions to run and only if there is a clear opening can someone jump in with next to no money and no organization and have a chance. There is no such opening except for a very ardent minority who think Gore is the answer. Unfortunately, there is no such cry for a savior from the rest of the party and they chose the nominee, not DU, not Kos, not me or you.

I'm all for idealism, the practical kind. I think Gore is doing exactly what he does best and therefore it will be for the best of everyone that he continue doing it.

[sjdnb]

14. Yeah, well we all put ourselves ut on a limb

when we work for a candidate that 'might not win' -- but, when you are a person of integrity, possessing the knowledge and experience that can save a country, but choose not to run because you 'might not win' that's lame ... ok, maybe not lame, perhaps, chickenhawkish.

[incapsulated]

15. When did Gore ever say he was going to run...

And then give reasons for why he would not?

That was my take.

But the man never did a thing to contribute to this "Draft Gore" movement.

The only thing I ever heard was a second hand story that he was considering jumping in if Hillary tanked, and when she clearly was doing well, he chose not to. And who even knows about that.

It's just very unfair to blame him for backing out of something he NEVER got into in the first place.

[babylonsister]

3. You're a whackadoo! He's done so much, and for you to even suggest

he hasn't is outrageous!

And who in their right mind would want to run, especially if they've been there/done that before?
He's a gem who I hope he does whatever he wants to do. I will never criticize him.

[sjdnb]

13. Oh, sorry, I've only worked every freakin

campaign since '72 - in the streets, door to door, on buses, in arenas, etc. ... forgive me for suggesting a candidate might work as hard as the rest of us who support them in an effort to save our country and the planet.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Just out of curiosity

if on December 13th the VEEP asked you to take to the streets would you?

We didn't

And I will leave it at that

(Granted, we were in shock)

But his choices after the USSC ruled were extra legal

And today... why should he run?

He has something much larger than just a single nation to try to save

[zabet]

17. 'xactly! nt

[sjdnb]

21. OK, doesn't anyone realize what a US gone wild can do to the planet?

Hasn't the Bush years taught you anything?

[nadinbrzezinski]

58. Oh I fully realize what this country can do

but he ain't taking the way out

QUite brutally honest, if he choses not to run, I respect him

If he chooses to run... he'll have a worker bee in my local precinct

[rwheeler31]

5. What time of the day do you think?

[Bjornsdotter]

6. You win

....the award for "Missing the Big Picture"

[sjdnb]

11. I 'get' Global Warming

I also 'get' the fact that for better or worse the US pretty much dictates what the rest of the world does -- either through bribery, coercion, or threats --- but, fact is, most of the world does what we say they should do. And, with an honorable President, like Al Gore, versus a DISHONORABLE President, like GW Bush, we just might save the planet and ourselves.

[Bjornsdotter]

18. Wrong

...most of the world does not do what we say they should do.

While I want Gore to run, I am not arrogant enough to insist he doesn't care and that his priorities have changed.

[asjr]

7. I am going to pretend you did not

write that.

[sjdnb]

9. Good for you

simple thoughts are probably the best (or only you are capable of) right now. Sheez, I thought DUers were brighter than this. Obviously, I was mistaken.

[asjr]

10. We are smart--we also have

X-ray vision and can see right through you.

[Der Blaue Engel]

22. Are you talking to yourself?

Because that's exactly what I was thinking when I read your OP. Maybe not in such rude, condescending terms, but pretty much the gist.

[Rhythm and Blue]

23. When you disagree with everyone in the room,

there is a small chance that you are a genius and everyone else is inferior. There is a far greater chance that everyone else is normal, and that you are stupid.

[silverweb]

16. Your arrogance deserves nothing but contempt.

When you personally have done 1/1000 of the work Al Gore has done for the people of this country and the world, then maybe you'll have something worth saying.

[sjdnb]

20. When I have 1/1000 the resources and/or cash

Gore or any other 'silver spoon' born son/daughter has, perhaps, I'll be able to live up to your expectations. But, until the 'little people' have the same power/platform/voice as the Bushes, Gores, and others to the manor born, like them, we just have to do the best we can with what we have. Sorry if it's not enough for the elite lovers amongst us.

[silverweb]

33. I see now where you're coming from.

You have resentment for the "elitists" born with "silver spoons" who have "cushy" jobs and aren't fulfilling your expectations. Well, isn't that special.

Al Gore is someone who has earned and deserves my deepest respect. I trust his judgement to do whatever he thinks is right as far as his future course is concerned.

Your ignorance is even more profound than I initially thought, to say nothing of your unfounded arrogance, so I won't waste any more of my time reading or responding to your whining absurdities.

[sjdnb]

36. Aww, I'm crushed

you hurt my feelings...I've not learned to defend anyone for any reason at any time, like you have.

Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to receive the same 'indoctrination' that you have.

[Rhythm and Blue]

19. "How dare you continue your Nobel-prizewinning work,

and not compromise your principles to run for elected office! The shame!"

[sjdnb]

24. Really, don't we all wish for as cushy a job?

Or maybe you already have a cushier job? The fact is that Gore's powerpoint presentationmentary would never have gotten any farther than Holiday Inn conference room 2B if it weren't for who he was and the money he had behind him.

Well, guess what -- the majority of Americans do not have those kind of resources. And, further, they are scared to death their future is destined to be bleak because those who could make a difference prefer to sit on the sidelines collecting emmys or nobels instead of fighting for the lives of regular people.

[Rhythm and Blue]

25. Um...what?

Gore is an extremely, extremely busy person. He's constantly giving presentations, in meetings, networking, and lobbying on behalf of global warming, in addition to his work writing, managing his media rights, managing his eco-friendly sustainable investment fund, and serving on the boards of Apple and Google.

Yeah, he was born wealthy and into a family with power. Unlike many in that position, he marshaled his resources and has made the absolute most of what he was given. He has done quite a bit of good in his life, and he is continuing to do quite a bit of good. For God's sakes, he was just awarded the motherfucking Nobel Peace Prize for doing so much good for humanity in the last year, and you're bitching that he isn't running for office and bitching that he had the resources to accomplish great things.

He isn't sitting on the sidelines. He's actually effecting changes in the world by influencing world opinion leaders, in a truly unprecedented fashion.

[sjdnb]

26. Sorry, you're still describing an elitist who

is so focused on a single issue that, as an American, of substantial means and power, is not willing to fight for sick children needing health care, fair wages/fair treatment for working Americans, ending corporate welfare and going after corrupt government contractors/war profiteers, supporting public education, defending the Constitutions, etc. If Al Gore only cares about Global Warming, God Bless...but, then he and his supporters should not be inferring he has a broader agenda or concerns.

[Rhythm and Blue]

28. Hm, who to believe re:Gore's effectiveness in fighting for humanity.

Nobel committee? Or angry crank on internet?

Tough choice.

[sjdnb]

31. Call me names all you want, I'm just a normal sot

wanting someone with the intelligence, common sense, and experience to actually lead our country out of the mess GW Bush and Co. got us into. And, as far as I can tell, Al Gore is the only person capable of doing that. I'm just disappointed/fearful that he doesn't see it important enough to pursue.

[Rhythm and Blue]

32. Rather, he saw the fate of the entire Earth to be

slightly more important than which Democrat wins the White House. The Nobel committee agrees.

[sjdnb]

35. Last I knew

the Nobel committee was unlikely to invade IRAN... or, convince other countries (with promised $$$s) to support such an invasion. How long has the genocide in Darfur been set aside because everyone is too concerned with Iraq? How many have died as a result? How many more will die if someone less knowledgeable and experiences winds up in the White House? You think that doesn't matter -- well, ask the millions of displaced Iraqis what they think...or, the families of the innocent Iraqi civilians killed or severely wounded. Or, ask the families of our troops killed due to lack of armor or the families of those going into their third rotation of duty or coming home wounded to massive cuts in their benefits...or, ask the hundred of million Americans who have paid for this misadventure with their sons/daughters and/or their futures. Yes, their futures and ours is at stake, because our country has lost all credibility, respect, and moral standing while sinking hundreds of bllions of dollars into a corruption and/or warprofiteer 'black hole'.

[Rhythm and Blue]

37. And so, we gently pass from self-entitled whining

to schizoid rambling.

[nadinbrzezinski]

60. We don't elect leaders in this nation

perhaps they didn't tell you this in civics 101

We elect representatives

Guess who is the governmet? YOU AND ME

SHEESHHH!!!!!!!

[Apollo11]

76. "the motherf***ing Nobel Peace Prize " ???

You don't see that combination of words very often!

;-)

[TheDoorbellRang]

34. This is about as obnoxious a post as I've seen re Gore

He's got a cushy job? He's sitting on the sidelines? He wouldn't have gotten where he is without money? What a load of whiny crap. Al Gore doesn't owe you or anyone else a DAMN thing. IF he chooses to run, he will have a Herculean task in front of him that I and other Gore supporters believe only he can even begin to address. IF he chooses to run, we will be the lucky ones. If he chooses to run, we will all have our work cut out for us, first in helping to get him elected and then in helping him clean up the mess that we're all in. I don't think anyone, least of all Al Gore, will be sitting around on their sorry asses.

Good grief.

[sjdnb]

38. Good Grief

How many questions can you ask without providing an intelligent response?

Hey, I think Al's great -- I just also think he's taken the easy way out.

Or, don't you 'liberal' thinking DUers allow for alternative opinions/ideas.

[Lucinda]

27. He's a little busy right now

And we have plenty of candidates that can clean up juniors mess.

[sjdnb]

29. Unless Biden wins the nomination...and, he won't

good luck with that lot of flip-flopping misfits.

[Rhythm and Blue]

30. Enjoy your time here. nt

[sjdnb]

39. So much for 'free thinking" eh?

Guess you 'liberals' are ready to attack anyone who doesn't 'toe the line' just as much as the Rightwingers are.

Sadly, I'm not all that surprised.

[Rhythm and Blue]

42. Ah, another person who doesn't understand that the right to hold an opinion

does not entail a right to have that opinion approved of.

Your opinion as regards Mr. Gore is juvenile, self-centered, ill-thought-out, and embarrassingly shallow. I am mildly surprised that anyone could possibly write and present for public viewing anything so demonstrative of a weak grasp on world affairs.

"Free thinking" does not mean that stupid opinions must be treated as if they have value. Rather, the very notion of free thinking is entirely contingent on bad opinions being shot down; otherwise, the marketplace of ideas is choked with chaff. Voicing stupid opinions results in your opinions being called stupid. That's the same everywhere, liberal or conservative. Sorry.

[sjdnb]

43. Basically, the only thing I said was...

I thought it was selfish for him to not run. AwwwWaaaH, poor baby. Needs a bunch of DUers to attack me in his defense? It's pathetic. If we'd acted like you all, in our campaigning days, Jimmy Carter would never have been President -- nor Bill Clinton. Good luck with your whining and attacking. It's served you well the last two Presidential elections...not!

[Rhythm and Blue]

44. Again, when you open your mouth and everyone in the room calls you stupid,

there's a small chance you're a genius and they don't get it. The odds are better that they're right.

[sjdnb]

45. And, unlike you, I am confident enough not to give a

rat's rear end what the 'room' thinks. Unlike rightwingers, I rarely follow the 'herd' - no matter how loud or large. But, perhaps, you do? Might I suggest your in the wrong place.

[Rhythm and Blue]

46. The problem, of course, with such self-assurance

is that when you develop poorly-formed beliefs, you lack any sort of control mechanism. The habit of covering one's ears and shouting over dissent, much as a two-year-old does, is not in any way admirable, nor does it suggest a free thinker. Rather, it suggests a thinker who is completely bound by their own inability to admit their failings. True mental strength is displayed not in the ability to render one's skull as impenetrable as steel, but rather in the ability to both consider criticism of one's thoughts and to objectively view arguments they were involved in.

You react to extremely harsh criticism of your beliefs with what amounts to, "they're my beliefs, so there." You think your beliefs are sacred because they are yours. Rather than defend a point by saying "I believe this," you are saying "I believe this." That is not admirable. That is intellectual self-entitlement. It is a sadly common phenomenon in modern political discourse.

[sjdnb]

49. And, of course, you are the all knowing one

that shoudl determine whose opinions/beliefs are "poorly-formed" and whose are not...without as much as a logic argument directed to the original statement.

But, perhaps, some 'force' (aka "May My God Be With You") is guiding you ...

[Rhythm and Blue]

50. It's not worth it to explain to the guy on the street corner mumbling at cars

exactly why he shouldn't believe Sony is trying to rutabaga his sno-cones.

'night.

[sjdnb]

51. Maybe you should not engage in debates

I don't think you're up to it. And, it is probably is detrimental to your health given your last rambling, mumbling, response.

[incapsulated]

52. I dunno why I bother but...

Do you really think public officials should be serving at gunpoint?

If the man has no interest in the job, how good of a job do you think he would do?

And why don't you sell all your belongings and leave your cushy life in the US and spend the rest of your life serving in a humanitarian organization? I'm sure that would do more to save the world as well. A lot more than ranting on a internet forum about what a POS Gore is because he won't do what you want.

[sjdnb]

53. Since you're asking...

Actually, I spend between 10 and 14 hours a day working pro bono for school systems who don't have the money to pay for someone like me. And, what is it you do?

[incapsulated]

54. What I do is beside the point

Since I'm not telling anyone else what to do with their life.

[sjdnb]

56. Except for telliing me to leave the country, I guess you;re right

But, since the school systems where I am seem to appreciate the work I do -- for free, I guess I'll stay just where I am -- until someone takes office who appreciates the hard work I, and other public servants (teachers, etc.) do rather than throw bags of cash at private contractors who rip us all off.

[incapsulated]

59. Clearly, you missed my point

Depending on where you stand, anyone can call someone else's life cushy and they aren't doing enough. I would never say that to you, and I sincerely believe it is unfair to hurl that at Gore. He could be spending his days golfing, you know.

[sjdnb]

62. But he presents himself to be better than that

and, that is the problem. Do you think anyone wants to go through the crap/scrutiny that a candidate has to? NO -- I know Bill Clinton didn't want to and the political crap drove Jimmy Carter crazy.

But, they ran and put up with all the crap .... and, why? Because they believed it was more important that they did the best they could for Americans (their country) and the World (as the leader of a major, if not THE major, Superpower) And, that is all I am saying about Al Gore. He is our best hope. The most intelligent, experience, knowledgeable, and respected American that is in a position to run.

Shame on me.

[sellitman]

84. Congrats!

In only 174 posts you have made it to my Ignore list.

What for?

For your tone and your message.

Both of which are obnoxious.

Cya

[incapsulated]

48. ,,,,,

[rosesaylavee]

91. Very nice response.

Well spoken.

[Milo_Bloom]

40. He hasn't ruled out running yet... so don't despair.

I know the current crop of candidates are depressing, but don't fret too much, the fat lady hasn't sung yet.

[calteacherguy]

41. I hope you forgot the sarcasm tag...because if you didn't I'm worried about ya. nt

[incapsulated]

47. .....

[Kurovski]

55. Kick. (previously recommended.)

Clearly an extremely unpopular view. Not the kind of thing you say in "decent circles" kind of thing.

Nonetheless, Heartfelt and extremely compelling. Makes me wish the deal on a house I almost got in Wisconsin didn't fall through. I miss the midwest. :-)

I like your courage. Thank you for presenting a different angle that some--who may feel the same--are likely to remain silent upon. Maybe.

[incapsulated]

57. No...

The courageous view would be that he should NOT run.

This is just a childish temper tantrum because he isn't.

:P

[Kurovski]

61. I disagree.

You big booger-head! :P

I read sadness, not a tantrum.

But start me up woman, and I'll show you a tantrum! (right after I get that 45 out of your mitts!) :D

I've still got scars from that Thanksgiving. ;-)

[incapsulated]

63. I think there is only room for one angry tantrum in this thread

:P

But I tell you what, I will be honest with you.

This is what disturbed me about the whole Gore hysteria to begin with. I was never part of it but it bothered me.

Because one man cannot save the world. Only the world can save itself.

Occasionally, extraordinary men and women come forward at a time when they are needed and lead a movement.

However, they are never begged to do it and rarely do people see them coming.

When you put someone on such a high pedestal when they never asked for it, and then freak out when they don't live up to your projected ideals and blame them for it, it's neither fair or rational.

[sjdnb]

64. Except, who is "the world" today

No one shows up at protests - antiwar, antipoverty, etc. It is like pulling teeth to get anyone to volunteer for political (call centers, door knocking, etc.) or any other volunteer activities (senior centers, schools, etc). Primarily, I'd argue because 'the world' is too busy trying to survive or get filthy rich, and, therefore, doesn't care to do anything to better our world.

So, who then do we look to to lead us out of this uninspired darkness?

It's obvious, we look to people like Al Gore to lift the country up out of the quagmire it is in and re-establish our place, both morally and symbolically, in our country and the world.

[incapsulated]

66. But why do you look to Al Gore?

Honestly, I never got this. Gore was busy working on environmental issues, teaching, writing and giving an occasional speech. Yes, they were good fiery speeches, but he was hardly the only one who was calling for an end to the war. He wasn't trying to start a reform movement, he wasn't leading the charge against the government or railing against the party.

I don't know if this has something to do with a mixture of having the election stolen and then endorsing Dean. But Dean was RUNNING. Gore left politics and didn't seem interested in getting back in.

I don't know when he turned into this symbol of everything everyone wants.

[sjdnb]

68. I studied his actions/politics from 1996-1999 b4 working for him for the 2000 elections

He is capable, intelligent, and knowledgeable...he has the credentials and the heart to do what is right for the country.

I do not feel that way about the other candidates and I've studied them as extensively as I did Gore

[incapsulated]

69. So do a lot of people, honestly

Who aren't the greatest candidates or simply don't want to get into politics.

What I have seen is Gore find his passion after 2000. The environment was always his passion and after getting over 2000 he was able to throw himself into it without worrying about all the bullshit of being a politician, which severely limits what you can safely say or do.

Honestly, if he were President tomorrow, he would have so much shit to deal with from the war to the economy, the environment would be down on the list of priorities.

But that is HIS priority. Let him work on it. Any President in 2008 is going to have their hands full with a multitude of other things. People still need to be educated and have their minds opened to the importance of this, sadly, it's not something they are going to embrace 100% just because he is president. And President isn't King, despite what Bush thinks, he can't just make everyone do what he wants.

[Kurovski]

67. Now that's something to consider.

As I've said before, the man can't even keep his hands off the cruellers.

Emotions aren't rational. And they pass. For healthy people, they do. It's been beyond a tough seven years.

In 2002, I was hoping Gore would run. It was December and I took in the paper from the driveway, glanced at the headline, "Gore Says No to '04 Run" and I thought "Oh, that's that, then." I was on my way to my father's funeral and never even bothered to read that paper. I always felt I would crumple if Gore didn't run. But I just tossed the news aside.

I'm still not convinced he isn't going to run. I hope he will. I think he is that leader who is called at a time when needed. Will he do it as the president? Maybe he'll just do it as Mr. Gore. I trust he'll decide what will work best.

I've followed his speeches and he's the person who speaks closest to the truth as I've experienced it over the past almost seven years.

Leaders can be good things. Focus can be good. He has many thousands, millions at the ready, many who are already changing.

And of course, it takes more than one person to put on a super-crazy monster blow-out rock concert extravaganza!

People will be sad or happy with what will or won't be, but most will move on and continue to change as conditions demand. I can honestly say I have no idea how I'll feel, but I hope I laugh.

Edit: by the way, George Washington was dragged into the presidency. twice.

"The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea."

[incapsulated]

70. I appreciate how you feel, I really do

I just hope you and others are willing to accept his choice, if it isn't what you hoped.

:hug:

[Kurovski]

71. I edited the post above to add a part of Washington's farewell speech.

It's in response to this statement you made:


"Occasionally, extraordinary men and women come forward at a time when they are needed and lead a movement.

However, they are never begged to do it and rarely do people see them coming."

He was essentially "begged" against his actual desires. (Unless of course George was really a jewish mama in drag, doin' the guilt thing.)

[incapsulated]

73. But you know what, he has been called

I honestly think he could be the MLK of the environment.

And isn't that needed?

Who is president won't mean squat if the planet expires.

[JTFrog]

75. I think Ike did a great job

of rising to the occasion when he was drafted. But that's just me. Your "never" part of your comment is not true.

[Semper_FiFi]

65. Here we go...

:popcorn:

[Kurovski]

72. And as Ronald Reagan said...

"There you go again..."

Nighty-night! :hi:

[Semper_FiFi]

74. Nighty-noodles...

I should hit the sack here as well.:hi:

[sufrommich]

77. When did he claim to be "in" ?

[Apollo11]

78. This has to be one of the nuttiest posts I have ever seen here on DU

The OP is asking us to hold two apparently contradictory beliefs:

First, that Al Gore is not only the best person for the job - but in fact he is the only person who can save America and therefore he has a moral obligation to run for the Presidency (presumably he has to be a candidate every cycle until he fulfils his destiny). In other words - Al Gore is a savior!

Second, Al is a lazy, selfish and privileged person. A member of the wealthy elite who doesn't know what kind of harships are faced by ordinary Americans. He is someone who is so afraid of facing up to his responsibilities that he prefers to spend his time making presentations about global warming rather than making decisions about the future of our country. In other words - Al Gore is a scumbag!

But if Al Gore is such a scumbag - why would you want him to be our President??? :eyes:

[eShirl]

80. now you're just talking sense

[SIMPLYB1980]

79. Pshaw!

[Labors of Hercules]

81. You are a bit premature in your angst my friend...

Wait a few months and then, if you still feel this way, go ahead and post.
Perhaps if Gore has not made his intentions clear by that time, your post will not become high-octane flame-bait. :shrug:

[Highway61]

82. Holy cow!

Everyone just take a deep breath. Stop fighting... or there will be no dessert after supper tonight!!

[zulchzulu]

83. I think Gore's energy into Climate Change is more productive than being President

It's a global issue of paramount importance. If he was President, he gets bogged down in the DC Beltway squabbles, which I don't think he was great at. Sure, he did some great things, but he knew when it was time to turn the page.

He's much better where he is now. We need him doing what he does.

[Deep13]

85. Yep. Can't blame him either.

He doesn't owe us another run. Anyway, he gave us a chance seven years ago.

[LanternWaste]

86. Maybe he feels he can help and assist...

Maybe he feels he can help and assist not only his country, but also his world through the processes he currently employs, which seem rather effective to me.

Seems to me, winning the Presidency is neither the most effective, nor the most efficient way in which to help lead the planet out of its problems.

[CK_John]

87. Gore has always been a "fact finder" not a "decision maker", he knows it and I thank him for that.

[riona]

88. Good grief folks, the poster doesn't deserve

such heavy criticism for expressing this type of opinion. Personally I would be interested to hear if the world's environmental experts would agree or not. Our current President's policies have resulted in an unstable world. The weaponry today has the potential to create an environmental nightmare. I hope our next President is the most fully qualified person we could possibly have. He/she is going to have a huge amount of influence in world and vast resources to make things happen. Let's hope it's a positive influence for a change.

[percussivemadness]

89. Gore took the easy way out in 2000

The fact that Gore has been deified by everyone on DU because of his work to save the planet (because we can reduce our carbon emissions to zero, if we all stop breathing obviously), you will find yourself slammed if you dare go against the majority view. There is no logic to any of these arguments, they tend to go along the lines of "al gore is saving the planet singlehandedly, he`s just fab and groovy".

Making salient points such as, the war in Iraq is damaging the environment through the use of Depleted Uranium for hundreds and thousands of years doesn`t wash here i`m afraid, because most DUERS want to believe that Al Gore is different, and god knows, they need something to believe in, I notice the very same people slamming the initial poster were also the same people slamming anyone who had the audacity only a month ago to question Pelosi.

The reality is, I agree with you. I think Gore has a moral responsibility to the world to run for president, to end this war in Iraq, the put America back at the forefront of world opinion as a beacon for freedom and democracy.

Do I expect him to, no, and that saddens me, because in my heart I really want to believe Al Gore is a good man, I really want to believe Al Gore is a sincere man, I really want to believe that Al Gore is a moral man. Then I watch Fahrenheit 911, I watch him stand there as the Black Caucus pleads and begs for someone to stand with them, and I watch him do nothing.

Nowadays on DU, sentiments like the above result in name calling and accusations of being a troll. Republicans are accused of not caring, of being shallow, of being cruel. I agree with this. If however, you are walking down the street and you see a man dying, and you are in a position to help, and you just walk by, that makes you a callous, cold hearted, inhumane person. The reality is, America is dying, I believe Al Gore probably is the only person who has the stature, intelligence and obvious dedication to a cause that his work on Global Warming has demonstrated, to save this great nation, and in doing so probably save the world. I do not want to see him walk by, but I fear that he will.

What was it Kennedy said in 1961, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country", perhaps its time for Al Gore to ask that.

Peace

[tomreedtoon]

90. We deserve to be thrown under a bus.

Look at what we did to Clinton. To Gore. (I won't even qualify what Kerry was.) Look at the way our newly-elected Democrats willingly bent over a dumpster at (and for) the pleasure of the President.

If I were Al Gore, I probably would have been more honest and said, "You betrayed your principles, Democrats. To hell with you," and walked off into the sunset. But I think he's being cruel, and letting people dangle in their nooses before he pulls the chairs out from under the Party.

And I'm sure you agree, sjdnb.

[rosesaylavee]

92. ...

[cooolandrew]

93. To be fair I wouldn't want to inherit Bush's phenomenol mess. In 2000 Gore had a presidency worth...

... fighting for...

[Skittles]

94. I'm extremely disappointed but I respect his decision

I'll forever think of Al as the real president who should have been, and be grateful for all he does for America and the world.