Why Gore's speech is important ?

First of all, it is doubtful that what you are about to read will be in the mainstream media. They have been programmed to ignore and ridicule whatever Al Gore might say. It is all part of their justification for helping to put Bush into office - much the same way they are now feeling guilty for cheerleading the present war in Iraq - as witnessed by the NYTimes mea culpa of a couple of days ago and Maureen Dowd's editorial today. They cannot report on the significance of Gore's speech because they are not presently programmed for such truth.

But Gore's speech is significant, for America and the world, for that matter. It is important for America, Democrats and Republicans alike, to know that the George W Bush's America that was on display in Iraq prisons is not the America that any of us want or desire. It was vitally important that a well-known public figure make the speech that Gore made. It could have been made by a prominent Republican or another prominent Democrat, but it wasn't. It was a patriot's job and Al Gore was chosen by history or fate to deliver the message. It needed to be said for the benefit of us all. We are a better nation than the one on display in Abu Graib.

It was also important for the world to know that America is not the pariah that the Bush regime has presented to the world. Other peoples need to know that America still has patriots and citizens that are not abusers and war-mongerers and that we have citizens that believe in peace and making a better world for us all. That is another reason that Gore's speech was significant and important. It helped to restore our credibility in the eyes of the rest of the world.

It is unfortunate that we have those partisans that call it "hate speech". It is the exact opposite. It is because Al Gore and other Americans love this country and it is not easy to get such an opposing opinion before the public. In fact, it is very difficult to put forth such an opposing opinion today. Because the right-wing has such control over the media, they have been able to actually control the thoughts of major editorialists to be guarded and not say anything good about Al Gore or his "message" for fear of exposing the contradictions of everything they write. Such is the human element in reporting the news.

news, and all over the cable news stations (I don't watch Faux so don't know what their coverage was)

Even Tweety gave him a mention

they don't know why. Because it is worth much more than one mention on the evening report. It is about what we are and what we want to be as a nation.

It needed to be said and the media will mock him. The fact that he knows that and spoke anyway is what makes him a Patriot. To bad there are not more like him.
I watched Clinton's excellent speech to the College in Kansas the other day. He is a brilliant man and he speaks very well. But I disagreed with some of what he said and I have to say, I have always prefered Gore.

because it signals that the Democrats have decided to take it to BushCo and tell the truth . . . Kerry may not join the fray just yet ("When your opponent is self-destructing, stay out of his way."), but he will eventually start saying the same things Gore said yesterday . . . as will other Democratic candidates . . . which is great news, and long overdue, imo . . .

..it is only part of a political "campaign"...But is is much more than that.

for JK to answer Cheney's crap until JK could get the ticket together. Al is a patriot and I'm sure he couldn't stand by and let the lies and distortions go by unanswered.

but they didn't .

can say.... Works for me :)

Gore won more Democratic votes than anyone ever has. He stands tall in the eyes of the Democrats. He also has nothing to lose so is not afraid to tell it like it is. Democrats are running very scared. They must be very careful. The huge Republican propaganda machine is not nice to Democrats who speak out. People in America have no critical thinking skills. They only know what they are told by FOX News or CNN. We all know how that goes.

MoveOn.org had not put it on the Net ? Since they knew it was going to be out there on the Internet, they did not wish to ignore it. They do not wish to be seen as blatantly censoring anyone because they like to maintain the charade of credibility.

Perhaps C-SPAN would have carried it anyway and perhaps they wouldn't have? When they did, the corporate media had to say something about it, either that it was "over the top" or put it some political context of the present race for the White House. They cannot see the forest for the trees.

A large % of the American public knows that he was telling the truth. The national media does not speak that language. So they have difficulty reporting what he said. But there is a growing number of politicians who are responding to the pressure of the grass roots, to tell the truth, no matter how nasty a response from the national news media. Gore's speech was the first time since 1968 that a politician of his stature has spoken openly about what is true.

I found it amazing that Gore would hit Bushco so hard.
Sadly what very well may be lost from his speach was his stab at Prison Inc. Tho it was a blurb in the jist of the speach he actually spoke of abuses prevalent in the American prison systems. It is way past time that these nasty slave labor rape camps are exposed.
I wonder is it an official crime against humanity to arbitraily to lock up citizens in such appalling conditions.

I agree Kentuck. This was an important speech.

With eloquence -- but in simple, readly understandable language -- Gore put the whole BushCo Gang situation into reasoned perspective.

He also gave the basic moral context of what is happening -- not some faux fundamentalist imagination of what constitutes morality, but true morality: do unto others as you would have them do to you.

BushCo is lacking in honor. Gore made that point effectively, at a time when many Americans have been unclear about just what that might mean. He reminded us all.

I feel the speech will be remembered and regarded as very important in the overall historical context. But in the meantime -- before history reders any judgement -- the citizens of the USA have their work cut out for them to restore the honor that Bush and his gang have trashed.

extreme change of heart in the country, Gore may have given up any chance of being president in the future with that speech. But that speech needed to be made and it needed to be made by a person of high stature like Al Gore. If Kerry had made it - I don't like to think about it.

I hope the speech goes down in history as one of the most significant speeches ever - it felt that way to me. We are, probably for the first time, learning that our Democratic leadership is fully aware of what Bush has done and is continuing to do to the country and the world. It is comforting that they have finally "gotten it." Let's hope at least some of the Republicans "get it" too.

most are so intimidated by their Party apparatus that they will never feel that they have the freedom to speak out unless they leave the Party, a la David Brock.

others to come forward and speak out about the damage BushCo has done to our government. The spineless need to speak out now, unite so we will have some credibility again in this nation. I fear if Kerry wins, the neocons will woodpecker every move he makes, we need to take back the media and stop the ongoing hate spewed daily by Rush and the like.

a Relative in the Netherlands. Here's what I got back:

"Why the hell is anybody sane onsidering even one
single moment to re-elect this incompetent? Who
endangers us in Europe who have no voice in electing
him but live among many muslims that are being
prepared for Al Quaida by his actions.
We who in the end also pay through our economy for
the huge costs of the Iraq expedition of the USA.
The only good this whole mess will result in is the
elimination of this creep. At the cost of a lifelong
mess in the relations among mankind. Thanks, America!
(Sorry, ik werd even boos! Je mag het doorsturen.)
Groetjes, XXXX"

I have not found one person this morning who heard the speach, not a single person. They just don't care. Of those who haven't heard it how many do you think will keep monitoring C-Span to see a replay? I can tell you how many, none of them, that's how many. This is not a nation of sheep, at least sheep have some level of curiosity. This is a nation of toad stools, happy to live quietly in a pile of shit with no disturbances, thank you.

I needed to hear someone say what Al Gore said. It was important. It is good to know there is someone willing to speak the truth about the damage done to our nation and to us personally.

Many of us did see Gore's speech and seem to be in agreement as to the importance of the message. It came from the heart and was delivered with power. Gore reminded us what being an American is supposed to be about. He spoke about big ideas and put this current conflict into perspective. Getting back on track will be difficult. Hence, the multiple quotes from Lincoln.

Now it is up to us to continue this dialogue and spread the message. Especially to those who think differently. I know I will not be able to deliver Gore's points with such passion but I will try.

Incompetent! Incompetent! Incompetent!

The rest was just a way of wrapping this simple message. The Bush Administration is incompetent. It is as obvious as sunshine, but you need to repeat it.

of the World it isn't doesn't serve as proof "that America is not the pariah that the Bush regime has presented to the world."

For us the jury is still out on that one and the veridict will come the 2nd
November 2004.

Because if Bush wins, like it or not, America will have turned into a
nation of abusers and warmongers, although we will be well aware
that there is still a minority of american "patriots and citizens that
believe in peace and making a better world for us all."

And maybe that hope will move us to action and victory in November? I understand that the rest of the world is watching us to see if we will survive this terrible burden that has been placed on our shoulders. Keep the faith!

we are rooting for you all!

Because we are all in this boat together....and what we do will affect your lives also. God is such an overwhelming responsibilty.... :)

The consequences of a loss in November are too terrible to imagine. We all know what an administration can do if it knows it does not have to worry about reelection.

Gore told it like it is.

The implications are, a vote for Bush and those who have been upholding his agenda, is a vote FOR the attrocities committed in our name and the shame brought upon us.

In that context, who we vote for in November becomes a statement about who we are.

Let's make sure that our ballots are counted as cast- not as interpreted by some machine for us. Who we are as a nation is on the line and that should not be hijacked by the ones who put us in this postion- not again, not ever again.

I've met enough to know..it's all about profits.

It wakes people up. "THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. HOW DARE THEY?"

There is nothing so bracing as the unabashed truth. It gives people courage and just to hear it, and awakens what sensibilities have been numbed or were asleep. Hopefully, it will give our Dem Congresscritters a little more backbone. Hopefully it will give John Kerry a little more backbone -- and some talking points, perhaps. All Americans need to have heard what Gore had to say.

We are in dire straits -- that's what Gore said, tho he couched it mostly in terms of Abu Ghraib. This can't go on. SOMEONE had to say that. Gore is in one of the best positions to do so -- basically your senior statesman: a former VP in a successful 2-term dministration, former presidential candidate (who actually WON the damn election).

In most of us, it lies somewhere in our subconscious, but we recognize it when it is awakened. In some, the truth is given in a conscious state to do with what they will. It is that truth that has the power to give us courage and strength. The truth is potent.

They send a signal to those who pay little attention, as well as to those easily duped, that many people are profoundly angry and totally unwilling to assent to a continuation of the current government.

Under such circumstances it is clear to everybody that there can be no real solidarity in the nation unless a leader is selected who is less polarizing and specifically not guilty of the failings which have produced the outrage.

That is the subtle message we send to average Americans when we express our fury over this "group of incompetents," as Al Gore called them. It is important we make no bones about the fact that we will not accept another four years of this devious and vile bunch of idealogues."

but rather Rome dead because the Romans forgot who they were.

Our country and it's citizens have been asleep for 20+ years, just living day by day, paycheck to paycheck. By and large with little thought about what our government and leaders have been doing in our name. Even more, not even caring what our leaders do in the world.

What Al Gore has done is pointed out who we are and what we have become. His speech will be historical as a turning point. Knowing what is right and doing right is most important. It is actually all that really matters.

It is a leaders job to inspire to be better, to do better. Al Gore has proved by what he said to be a leader.

He has indicted this administration on being immoral in what they have done. Their rush to this obscene war proves who they are. This will not be lost on America. If we as a people have any decency left, Bush and his cabal will not even make it to the election. Bush was only able to rush into this war because the people allowed him to do this.

It is easy to blame Bush for all thats happened to America, but in the end, the people get who they deserve. Maybe, just maybe, the people will wake-up.

WHY!?
We were marching in the streets when the jerks were threatening to take us on the horrible path to military involvement. Where is everybody? Not just DU. Not just the forums on the internet. Why am I looking out my widown at people driving all over the place, like everything is just fine. I guess if you have a job, and kids, life is different. I guess that's why I hate breeders. Everything isn't just fine. But why did it take so long for a prominent figure, aside from Gore's cousin, to BLAST at this madness.

I'm so upset today. A little thing like NO media coverage, has me livid.

Anyways, thanks kentuck. It helps to know that others do care. However few they may be.

Life is horrible, when one is vigilant.

in political thought as with life in general. Some truths lie still in deep waters and it takes a long time to retrieve them. They are camoflaged by the shadows on the shoreline and the clouds overhead. Then, at a magic moment in time, the winds stand still, the sky is clear, and the truth is seen clearly in the still waters.

However the water is very deep, there are shadows all around and the clouds are thick. We are approaching that paradigm shift but it will take work to make it happen as most great change does. I have no doubt that everything will fall into place in the long-term but it sure would be nice to make this transition a smooth one.

This nation has been asleep for a long time as Jellybean pointed out, and there are many who would rather not wake up. For those of us who are awake it is time to wake up the rest. Now. Spread the love. Shout if from the rooftops and whisper it in the streets.

I swear, as I read your posts, it felt just like my knowledgable dad telling me that good always triumphs. And that in the end we will see a good day.


I'm still laughing my best ever misspelling- how'd I get widown out of window? Haha.

Ok. I'll continue working on revealing the truth, and waking the dead around me. I really haven't even begun.

Now that Gore has laid it all on the table, Kerry will nbot appear so radical as he steps up criticism of Bush. This is only my hope. I have no idea if Kerry will take advantage of this great opportunity to kicks Bush's ass.