Al Gore: "Opposition to Gay Marriage = Tyranny"

[AtomicKitten]

Al Gore: "Love is transcendent and fulfilling and powerful and any force on earth that endeavors to make you feel that you should be ashamed for feeling genuine, deep love for another of your choosing is a form of oppression."


From http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/35384/:

Before any critique, praise, or talk of strategy, just read it again. Note the breath of fresh air it represents both in message and, perhaps more importantly, in tone.

This isn't some namby-pamby politico-dance around an issue that divides much of America. This is an assertion of values that even those who disagree may at least respect.

Noting that Gore supported Clinton's Defense of Marriage Act, Pam asks whether the former VP is setting himself up for another run, and whether he's "willing to reframe the message for a party that continually runs screaming from the issue." She writes: "Remember, Gore... has stated that he favored separate-and-unequal civil unions, so it’s a far cry from Russ Feingold’s open support for marriage equality. That said, Gore was a strong supporter of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA)."

Again from his speech before the Human Rights Commission: "Love is transcendent and fulfilling and powerful and any force on earth that endeavors to make you feel that you should be ashamed for feeling genuine, deep love for another of your choosing is a form of oppression."

Whistling dixie or serious reframing?

[William769]

1. This is just one of the many reasons I want Gore over that other fellow

Oh whats his name? Now I remember the flip flopper Kerry.

[karynnj]

10. Kerry's position today on this is identical to the one he had

throughout all of 2004. Like Gore, he supports civil union with all the rights of marriage. Kerry had similar comments on respect for the individuals.

Kerry in 1985 was talking about gay rights - his record on this is far far better than Gore's. Although I hate the flip flop smear - as in this case it represents growth - AL GORE, NOT KERRY IS THE FLIP FLOPPER ON GAY RIGHTS

[blm]

12. Who do you think WROTE the first Senate bill friendly to gays?

Who do you think ADVOCATED publically for gays to serve openly in the military? And who was against it?

You attack Kerry as a flip-flopper when Gore opposed Kerry on gay-friendly bills when he had the power to support or oppose. And now that he's out of office Gore supports more progressive policy - I think that's great and I believe he means it now, but you attack Kerry as the flip-flopper?

Try reading the congressional record. Maybe YOU were moved by dirty song lyric hearings, but I was angry that they took the headlines from serious Reagan and Bush crimes.

[Vektor]

25. Oh, I thought this OP was about Al Gore.

It seems more appropriate to comment on Gore's stance on the issue than to parlay what could be a productive thread on an important topic into a baseless attack on someone else. Parroting RW talking points against another Democrat who is unrelated to this thread, but interestingly, has the exact same stance on the issue as Gore is claiming today, seems a little contentious.

:shrug:

Whatever the case, glad to hear Gore is speaking out on this. It's commendable when ANY Democrat defends our progressive ideals.

[fujiyama]

28. Ummm...

Kerry voted AGAINST DoMA...

But he's never been against civil unions. I don't see how his stance is very different from Gore's. If anything, it seems like Gore has moved to the left on this issue, making him a "flip flopper" though personally I view this more as a change of heart. It shows courage on Gore's part, so good for him for speaking out.

But it doesn't change his past record on this subject and I would find it difficult to argue that Kerry has a weaker vote record on this matter.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. I don't think it's either.

I think it's a reflection of the idea that we need to take incremental steps on this issue.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. So has Gore changed his views on equal marriage?

When Clinton signed the "Defense" of Marriage Act, it was Gore who served as the administration's apologist. Has he really changed his views, or is he just whoring after the gay people who have become severely disillusioned by the Dems' repeatedly voting against gay rights?

[William769]

5. supporting his boss, I think is understandable.

Now that he is his own man, we will see the stuff great people are made of.

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. Theoretically, he was his own man when he served in Congress

During his tenure in both the House and Senate, he had a poor record with regards to equal rights. He actively opposed equal marriage in the Senate and during the 2000 presidential election. I can supply quotes from his own press releases, press conferences and website, if you would like.

[NYCGirl]

9. When he served in the House and Senate, he was perhaps representing his

Tennessee constituency.

[karynnj]

11. Not in 2000 though

If you really respected Al Gore you would see him, his record and his past for what it is, not what you want it to be.

Here, what is true is that he has likely grown and changed as society has. Coming from the era and place he grew up in, the tolerance of gays has changed enormously. Gore's change is not bad - people should change - not changing means you never grow and you never correct mistakes.

[NYCGirl]

13. I do respect him, and I also respect him changing. But I believe we are

seeing the real Al Gore now.

[TechBear_Seattle]

14. And I am saying: Once burned, twice shy

Or, in Gore's case, repeatedly burned.

In other words, I will believe that there is a genuine change of heart (as opposed to a desperate attempt to regain the confidence of America's gay community) when I see genuine change, and not before.

[blm]

17. I agree with you. I believe Gore has evolved, much the way Kucinich has.

He would get my full trust if he would give any indication that he would open the books on BushInc.that should've been opened in 93.

[faithnotgreed]

18. i have been called an idealist before but i do think gore has

(at least very plausibly) changed once he really got outside the chokehold of thought called washington dc

after the devastation he (and all of us) endured from selection 2000 i think he has gone through some degree of transformation
because he was forced outside of the way things are done and to find out what he actually believes

we shall of course see just how much but i want so much to believe that he has gone through real change
if what we have heard of late is really and truly him - the beliefs and people he will fight for - then for that i think many of us will be mighty grateful
and work tirelessly to get him elected

[AtomicKitten]

19. Gore is a truly, genuinely decent man.

[Samantha]

22. Al Gore did vote his constituency for many years

putting aside his personal beliefs on issues. He discussed this at one point, how for many years he opposed abortion because he felt obligated to take the position many voters in Tennessee held.

He matured to a point in his later political life where he did vote his own conscience and tried to explain his vote. He said at one time he had always felt the decision whether to have an abortion or not had always been that of the woman, not the state.

Al Gore has evolved in many ways, and in all of those ways to a higher plane -- as much to our benefit as to his. He does speak his mind now and it has been wonderful watching him find his way and his voice over this 25-year (perhaps it's 30 years now) political voyage.

[kitticup]

27. This is my problem with Gore

Edit: When I logged in to post I lost my place in the thread. This should be under the part of the thread where a poter was calling Kerry a flip flopper, when in fact it is Gore who has evolved and changed his position.

It is easy for him to change his views he has nothing to lose, but it takes moral courage and leadership to speak out when you have something to lose.

When it counted Gore voted against reproductive rights 27 times. When Kerry position has always been the same. Although he personally feels that abortion is wrong, he didn't believe that his belief should be legislated. He said that even though the district he was running for was anti-choice.

When it counted he supported Clinton's Defense of Marriage Act. Kerry although locked in a tough re-election with Weld, refused to support that piece of discrimination.

When it counted, Gore was the only veteran in the Senate who did not sign up for Vietnam POW investigation that Kerry headed up (even though Kerry was advised that the issue was a loser).

This is way I will support Kerry over Gore, because Kerry has fought the good fight even if the odds were against him, his party and the public was against him.

Do I think Gore is a bad man? No. I think he is decent human being, but I don't see someone who has shown moral courage when it counted. Like I said in another post, I am going to look at a canidates whole record of votes and acts (speaches count very little). Kerry walks the talk.

[Zenlitened]

4. I think it's a very positive start on reframing the issue.

A small step, sure.

But ANYTHING that shows Democrats speaking of this issue not in terms of "the bible," but in terms of American values, our ideals of fairness -- THAT'S a major development, in my view.

There are quite a few people in the Democratic party who have been crying out for just this sort of leadership.

Let's hope the momentum continues.

[xchrom]

6. pardon me while i woo-hoo!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

8. I agree it shows real guts... until November though I'll continue...

to run screaming from the issue... the issue serves as a unifying cry to fundies and other religious freaks... We have more important issues and bigger fish to fry, which should unify ALL americans. For example, as if taking away the 4th Amendment wasn't enough, the Republicans are now attacking the 1st.

[Maven]

23. Keep running.

They'll trot out the bogeyman anyway. Our only silver bullet is to take a clear stand and stick by it.

Good one, Al.

[AtomicKitten]

15. I think Al Gore has evolved (as have I).

I'd rather leave the term "flip-flopper" to the Republicans.

I think the evolution of one's point of view is something to be celebrated, particularly when it's in the direction of inclusiveness and compassion.

[Totally Committed]

16. Absolutely recommended...

I couldn't agree more!

Thank you, Al!

TC

[JerseygirlCT]

20. I too imagine some evolving has happened -- good!

But that quote, regardless, is absolutely beautiful.

[katinmn]

21. What a beautiful statement. Al is growing wiser by the years.

[fooj]

24. Re-elect Al Gore.

Peace.

[ms liberty]

26. K&R for my once and future President - reelect Gore 08! n/t

[saltpoint]

29. The impression I get is that Al is pretty secure in his own sexuality

and simply doesn't feel like shoveling a lot of crap from the fundies.

He's got bigger fish to fry with the renewable energy/conservation issues, anyway.