In one day, Al Gore sells Out All 10,000 Seats at Boise State University.

[trumad]

(New West Politics) - Jill Kuraitis and I made a bet against our significant others last weekend on whether or not Al Gore would sell out the Taco Bell Arena. The men said it wasn’t likely. We should have placed a larger wager because the former vice president did, in fact, sell out the 10,000-seat stadium.

Yes, 10,000 people are going to see Gore speak in Boise – no one expected such a turnout in this red state, not even the Boise State University officials who originally scheduled the speech for student union ballroom which seats 1,200. Tickets for that original venue were free, and gone in less than 10 minutes.

With that much demand, the university came to their senses and opened up the on-campus arena for the Veep’s speech.
http://www.algore.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=443&Itemid=78

[Mabus]

1. It only took ten minutes

not the whole day. ;)

[Emit]

24. FWIW: "The arena tickets went on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. They were gone by 3 p.m. "

The first round of free tickets to students were gone in 10 minutes.

[Mabus]

31. I stand corrected

In fact, I need people to tell me when I am wrong or misrepresenting something. Thank you. :hi:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

2. I love it! He's a Rock Star!!!!! eom

[KingFlorez]

3. Not bad

And in Idaho of all places

[librarycard]

4. A very conservative state, I might add

Boise, though, has a university, which speaks for itself.

[Tom Joad]

5. The Clinton-Gore administration is responsible for

continuing sanctions against Iraq.
Sanctions killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, including many children.

Lesley Stahl on U.S. sanctions against Iraq: We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that's more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: I think this is a very hard choice, but the price--we think the price is worth it.

--60 Minutes (5/12/96)

This is an american hero, an alternative to Bush/Cheney/McCain/Lieberman?

[rman]

8. "Gore" isn't the same thing as "The Clinton-Gore admin"

And while formally a presidency is responsible for whatever policies are enacted during that presidency, it remains to be seen to what extent the policies are of the doing of the president and the vice-president. After all in government there are other forces at work besides the president and the vice-president.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

9. I don't think that's a fair assessment of Gore or the sanctions issue.

Interesting article from The Nation written a year into the * administration.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011203/cortright

Albright's comments were shocking, as were the numbers, but doubts were soon raised about their validity. A January 1996 letter to The Lancet found inconsistencies in the mortality figures. A follow-up study in 1996, using the same methodology, found much lower rates of child mortality. In October 1997 the authors of the initial letter wrote again to The Lancet, this time reporting that mortality rates in the follow-up study were "several-fold lower than the estimate for 1995--for unknown reasons." While the initial report of more than 567,000 deaths attracted major news coverage, the subsequent disavowal of those numbers passed unnoticed in the press.

<snip>

The differential between child mortality rates in northern Iraq, where the UN manages the relief program, and in the south-center, where Saddam Hussein is in charge, says a great deal about relative responsibility for the continued crisis. As noted, child mortality rates have declined in the north but have more than doubled in the south-center. The difference is especially significant given the historical pattern prior to the Gulf War. In the 1970s child mortality rates in the northern Kurdish region were more than double those in the rest of the country. Today the situation is reversed, with child mortality rates in the south-center nearly double those in the north.

[Tom Joad]

11. Maybe it was only 100,000 kids. wow, then i am so sorry. Not.

Clinton's bombing and sanctions on Iraq made it a much easier sell to go to the inevitable conclusion, as Bush did. Didn't see Gore leading any antiwar marches when Bush started bombing (or before). Dutifully kept his mouth shut. Had to wait for the polls to show up first.

As for the idea that Gore would have chartered a different course than his fellow DLC'er, Mr. Clinton, in Iraq, please remind me of Gore's speeches where he stated he had any qualms about the sanctions? He did run for President, so his positions should be clear.

When he "debated" Bush on foreign policy, his favorite phrase was "I agree with you" (and his running mate, his most important choice in his run for President, Joe Lieberman, said the same to Cheney). Between that and his little lockbox, its no wonder that his margin of victory was so narrow against a retarded moron.

The only issue Gore where publicly disavowed Clinton is that he would not engage in oral sex in the White House young interns. Sanctions that kill kids? Never heard a problem with that.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

12. So educate us. What Iraq option would have made more sense?

[trumad]

14. Don't engage this guy...

He's making shit up about Gore and he has no clue as to what he's talking about.

[Tom Joad]

15. Ending the sanctions that killed thousands. Working toward a nuclear-free

Middle East, applied equally among all nations in the Middle East. In other words, not supporting a massive arsenal of nuclear weapons in Israel(that everyone knows about, but not acknowledged, except recently, perhaps by accident) while telling other governments that we opposed nuclear weapons in the Middle East.

Iraq was not a threat to the US. Why Sanctions? It is not the nation in the Middle East that occupies another people's land.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[trumad]

18. I did listen to the debates....

you obviously are making this shit up.

Gore received a half million more votes than Bush... and you say it's a small margin.

Knock it off...you're embarrassing yourself.

[Tom Joad]

19. It was a small margin. It was less than one percent. Who is making things up?

Over 102,000,000 voted. There are many voters in America. Big country. Understand?

Man, no wonder the rest of the world is beating the US in math/technology. I hope the next president puts more emphasis in education.

[trumad]

37. You do know that Gore was 10 to 15 points down

at the beginning of the 2000 presidential campaign? He overcame that deficit and garnered 500,000 more votes than Bush.

You don't read Somerby do you? You are in the camp that he ran a horrible campaign arntcha?

By the way... who's your favorite candidate going into 2008?

[Tom Joad]

23. Transcript.

http://www.debates.org/pages/trans2000b.html

[trumad]

33. LOL--- so this is where you got the Gore "I agree with that" statement?

Why wouldn't Gore agree with this statement? Hell, I agree with it.

BUSH: Well, I think they ought to look at us as a country that understands freedom where it doesn't matter who you are or how you're raised or where you're from, that you can succeed. I don't think they'll look at us with envy. It really depends upon how our nation conducts itself in foreign policy. If we're an arrogant nation, they'll resent us. If we're a humble nation, but strong, they'll welcome us. And it's -- our nation stands alone right now in the world in terms of power, and that's why we have to be humble. And yet project strength in a way that promotes freedom. So I don't think they ought to look at us in any way other than what we are. We're a freedom-loving nation and if we're an arrogant nation they'll view us that way, but if we're a humble nation they'll respect us.

MODERATOR: A humble nation.

GORE: I agree with that. I agree with that. I think that one of the problems that we have faced in the world is that we are so much more powerful than any single nation has been in relationship to the rest of the world than at any time in history, that I know about, anyway. That there is some resentment of U.S. power. So I think that the idea of humility is an important one. But I think that we also have to have a sense of mission in the world. We have to protect our capacity to push forward what America's all about. That means not only military strength and our values, it also means keeping our economy strong. You know, in the last, or two decades ago it was routine for leaders of foreign countries to come over here and say you guys have got to do something about these horrendous deficits because it's causing tremendous problems for the rest of the world, and we were lectured to all the time. The fact that we have the strongest economy in history today is not good enough. We need to do more. But the fact that it is so strong enables us to project the power for good that America can represent.

[Tom Joad]

28. From that debate, in Mr. Gore's words.

Comments in ()

GORE: Well, when I got to be a part of the current administration, it was right after -- I was one of the few members of my political party to support former President Bush(talking about the first Iraq war, under Bush the elder) in the Persian Gulf War resolution, and at the end of that war, for whatever reason, it was not finished in a way that removed Saddam Hussein from power. I know there are all kinds of circumstances and explanations.(Gore sounds awful disappointed and critical of the elder's bush not finishing the job) But the fact is that that's the situation that was left when I got there. And we have maintained the sanctions. Now I want to go further. I want to give robust support to the groups that are trying to overthrow Saddam Hussein, and I know there are allegations that they're too weak to do it, but that's what they said about the forces that were opposing Milosevic in Serbia, and you know, the policy of enforcing sanctions against Serbia has just resulted in a spectacular victory for democracy just in the past week, and it seems to me that having taken so long to see the sanctions work there, building upon the policy of containment that was successful over a much longer period of time against the former Soviet Union in the communist block, seems a little early to declare that we should give up on the sanctions. I know the governor's not necessarily saying that but, you know, all of these flights that have come in, all of them have been in accordance with the sanctions regime, I'm told, except for three where they notified, and they're trying to break out of the box, there's no question about it. I don't think they should be allowed to.

http://www.debates.org/pages/trans2000b.html

Sanctions were successful in killing thousands of young Iraqis. Saddam was not a threat to the United States.

[trumad]

38. the first Iraq war?

What..Saddam wasn't a threat even after he attacked Kuwait?

[Tom Joad]

30. Gore on US intervention.

MODERATOR: Well, let's stay on the subject for a moment. New question related to this. I figured this out; in the last 20 years there have been eight major actions that involved the introduction of U.S. ground, air or naval forces. Let me name them. Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, Kosovo. If you had been president for any of those interventions, would any of those interventions not have happened?

GORE: Can you run through the list again?

MODERATOR: Sure. Lebanon.

GORE: I thought that was a mistake.

MODERATOR: Grenada. (invasion initiated by President Reagan)

GORE: I supported that.

MODERATOR: Panama. (Invasion initiated by President Bush the elder)

GORE: I supported that.

MODERATOR: Persian Gulf. (1991 version)

GORE: Yes, I voted for it, supported it.

[trumad]

39. I supported that war to? So fucking what.

I guess you were OK with Saddam invading Kuwait?

[Tom Joad]

43. That war also killed thousands of people.

Your attitude toward war is expressed succinctly in your post. Thanks for sharing.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

42. So who's your guy, Tom?

[Tom Joad]

44. I oppose war.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

47. I admire that. But you seem also to generally oppose sanctions.

What other sorts of deterrents are OK?

[Tom Joad]

56. Starving kids in a nation that is not a threat to us is not a good policy.

I would support ending military support for the likes of dictators like saddam, or apartheid regimes like Israel.

[Warren DeMontague]

70. So are there any specific candidates you have in mind? Ones that will cut off aid to Israel

and insist they get rid of their nukes?

Got any names?

[IndyOp]

51. TJ - I appreciate your posts and I am very interested to hear what Gore has to say

about U.S. interventionism. He spoke out loudly before the 2003 invasion of Iraq and took a lot of heat because of that opposition.

A core transformation in the U.S. relationship to the world would require Kucinich and I don't think we can get him elected.

I think that Gore's devotion to finding international solutions to the climate crisis could be a turning point in our nation's relationship to the rest of the world -- working as equals to solve the crisis could transform us for the good. I think Gore is capable of this.

Also - the next U.S. President, whoever that is, will be dealing with a bankrupt nation unable to fund any more military and CIA interventions of the sort that represented by the 250 we've accomplished since WWII.

And I want to hear what Gore has to say about the possibility of future interventions.

[Tom Joad]

59. Thanks for your respectful post.

I found troubling Gore's support for past intervention (he didn't seem to be the kind of guy to say "no" to just about any of them). I am willing to hear what he says about the future. I am glad he is pushing an aggressive response to Global Warming. I am also glad that Edwards has had a change of heart, and more willing to take action than most of the others.

"the next U.S. President, whoever that is, will be dealing with a bankrupt nation unable to fund any more military and CIA interventions of the sort that represented by the 250 we've accomplished since WWII." We both wish that were true. Unfortunately, it has never seemed to stop them. Only massive political pressure does. That is my main focus. We must speak out. We should never depend simply on "leaders", that's not real democracy. In fact, even the best leaders must have the support of the grassroots, constantly challenging the status quo.

I would like to hear what Gore is saying about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, and if he supports nuclear disarmament in general, or only in specific cases (applying different standards to different nations). Nuclear proliferation also poses a grave threat to humankind.

[Warren DeMontague]

69. So, really, the only candidate you're gonna vote for is one that insists Israel get rid of its nukes

I mean, lets call a spade a spade, not dress it up in fancy language.

I think if that's really your litmus test for a Democratic nominee, you're going to be waiting a long time.

[RandomKoolzip]

16. Jimmy Carter didn't cure cancer either. What's your point?

[sandnsea]

57. You've been corrected on the Albright remark

Over and over and over and over. Only a person with an agenda would keep harping on something after the person has apologized for a remark profusely, and Madeleine Albright has.

[LSK]

62. you know whats amazing about people???

They can change their mind about things.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/09/se.01.html

"Now, one other thing: I've spent a long time thinking about national security and national defense, and I've heard a lot of folks, who in my opinion made a judgment about the Iraq war that was just plain wrong, saying that Howard Dean's decision to oppose the Iraq war calls his judgment on foreign policy into question.

Well, excuse me. He was the only major candidate who made the correct judgment about the Iraq war. "

[blm]

67. I think Gore would be a very different leader now than when he was Clinton's VP.

I think being with the people for 6 years has done him a world of good and he is giving back TO THE PEOPLE in ways that had been hardly possible under the restraints of the Clinton WH.

I think he has a different worldview now that is much less rigid than it was back then.

[Warren DeMontague]

68. So, are you still subscribing to that 2000 Nader bullshit about how there's "no difference"?

Gee, whiz. I think it would have made a TREMENDOUS difference to have had that man in the White House for the past 7 years.

[Poiuyt]

6. Hell of a football team too

[WI_DEM]

7. The Taco Bell Arena? disgusting, but very impressive that

Gore sold out 10,000 seats in Idaho!

[Left Is Write]

21. Why is the Taco Bell arena "disgusting"?

[trumad]

32. All stadiums in America today have corporate sponsors for names

Taco Bell paid a hefty price for their name on the stadium and the University gets it all.

[WI_DEM]

40. basically because I hate corporate names on all of these sports

stadiums these days.

[Left Is Write]

45. I thought you were singling out the Taco Bell arena for some reason.

[IDemo]

36. It's also known as the "Taco Ballerina"

:)

[sandnsea]

58. I know, I HATE THAT

Busch Stadium in St Louis is one thing because they're actual people and an integral part of St. Louis history. But the rest of these corporate stadiums just make me sick. We have no personal identity anymore, it's all logos and jingles. :puke:

[Warren DeMontague]

71. Much better to be sitting in the chopped iceberg lettuce seats

the stale tortilla seats, or even the orange shredded "cheese food" seats--- than in the powdered, reconstituted meat substance seats.

[RestoreGore]

10. Did it sell out because of the political speculation?

or because people really care about what he is going to talk about? I would hope it would be the latter, because otherwise I see it as unfair to the man. This isn't about him to him, this is about spreading the word of this crisis and engaging people to take action once they leave the arena. That is why 500 free tickets have also been given to high school students to attend this appearance.

[earth mom]

20. Ah, the power of the TRUTH.

Like my signature says, you just can't hide the truth.

All those students-in red state Idaho, no less-know that Global Warming is REAL and they aren't going to let anything get in their way of learning more about it. Maybe this is just the tip of the iceberg-no pun intended-that means just about the entire country is aware and wants to do something about it. Which in turn means they could very easily vote for Gore for president because they know he WILL do something about it.

Gore better watch his back because he is very dangerous to the powers that be. :scared:

[Rex]

22. Clinton and Gore have rockstar status! The people love them!

Gore made a movie that told it like it is! Our last legit Presidents. Before our entry into the formal Empire era.

[stevedeshazer]

25. Boise is underrated. So is Salt Lake City.

These are Western cities, full of progressive-minded people.

The future of the Democratic Party is in the West.

Cheyenne, Missoula, Spokane, Bend, Reno, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Eugene, Medford, Fresno, Albuquerque, Flagstaff.

These are the towns that will change the political landscape of America.

[fishwax]

34. I agree with much of that

With the democratic rumbles in the mountain west during this last election cycle, strong progressive voices at various levels of government, and demographics that continue to shift, the 2008 convention in Denver could really signal a changing tide.

I'm not so sure about Cheyenne, though (;) but then, it's been a while since I've spent a lot of time there)

[BuelahWitch]

49. Yeah, Salt Lake has Rocky Anderson!

I'd like to see a Gore/Anderson ticket!!!

[IDemo]

26. interesting side note on this

Al Gore is apparently coming to Boise because of a phone call he received from Idaho's Democratic godmother - Bethine Church, widow of former Idaho senator Frank Church. She remembered seeing her son Forrest and Al Gore sit together behind their fathers in the senate. The event is The Frank Church Conference on Global Warming.

[Octafish]

27. A great school.

They play some good football there, too.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

54. Good football?

Great football! Exciting football!

[milkyway]

29. Gore/Obama 08 would kick repug ass and bring 16 years of Dem Prez.

I'm even happier now that Boise State won that football game.

[fishwax]

35. that's impressive

:wow:

[David Zephyr]

41. That's significant. Very significant.

Things have changed.

[Left Is Write]

46. You wouldn't know it by the elections here two months ago.

[BuelahWitch]

48. Maybe Gore can change some minds then

Or perhaps the people going to see him didn't vote at all, but will after seeing Al's presentation.

[Left Is Write]

50. I hope he will do something positive for the minds of some here people here....

but I don't have much hope of Idaho turning even remotely blue in the near future. (That does not mean we won't keep trying!)

Downtown Boise is a pretty liberal bastion in a sea of bright red, as is Moscow. Interestingly, both Boise and Moscow are home to universities.

[H2O Man]

52. Calling him a sell out?

Why do you hate the Irish?

[trumad]

61. Sinead O'Connor?

[H2O Man]

63. The Pope

ripping her picture apart and all. Another sell-out. Just watch the debates.

[trumad]

64. LOL

Actually I love Sinead except I wasn't into the bald look.

[H2O Man]

65. In a pair of phrase

from that classic flick "Blame it on Rio," if you don't like the bald look, you should try to imagine her wearing a hat.

[trumad]

66. Ah a young Demi walking topless on the beach...

As Borat would say---"NICE!"


Different movie---same result.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

53. Boise is a very progressive and liberal city

Out of 14 (or maybe 12) Idaho legislators from Boise, only 2 are Republican, and those are moderate R's.

This is NOT unexpected or surprising. Unfortunately, if Larry Grant had gotten more national support, Bill Sali wouldn't be in Congress right now making a jackass out of himself by attempting to outlaw gravity.

What is surprising is how many conservatives I know who are going because they care about global warming and want to hear what the man has to say on the subject.

[mdmc]

55. who opened for him?

Was there a second set.:)

[mzmolly]

60. And, a local Lutheran Church is showing an Inconvenient Truth in Januray.

:toast:

Go AL!

[goforit]

72. Love this guy!!!