Demeaning Al Gore's Conviction

[RestoreGore]

I have read many articles and opinions written of late (especially since the Oscar win of An Inconvenient Truth) wherein the writers of those articles are intimating that Al Gore wrote his book An Inconvenient Truth and made this most important movie for our times as just a springboard to run for president again. I say, how dare you.

How dare you try to demean the sincere efforts of a man who had the environment in his heart long before he ever entered the political world, especially when his movie is based on facts that have been corroborated by a scientific community which has literally been gagged for all of these years regarding this issue.

Mr. Gore is the missive for a community of good people who have been trying to bring this inconvenient truth to the people while having enormous pressure brought to bear against them by corporate special interests and their political backers. And it needs to be brought forward to the people now because it is real and it is happening now primarily because of us.

I sincerely am beginning to think that those who incessantly talk only about his running for president even though they know this system is toxic as Mr. Gore himself has stated many times are simply doing so either because they cannot face their own complicity in this crisis or simply want to avert attention from this issue to focus on something they can use against Mr. Gore by skewing his intentions.

Anyone who has seen An Inconvenient Truth can tell you that there was no political pretense whatsoever involved in it. It was Al Gore's way of relaying to those of us who were part of a system that let our loved ones down before that we cannot allow that to happen again regarding this crisis because it is for keeps. It is actually because of the treatment this issue and he got in that political world in the past that this message even has to be brought out to the people now. Had those in the political world done their job the last thirty years and put the fate of this planet and best interests of the people of this country first, that inconvenient truth could have been avoided.

So my message to those who have nothing better to do now than speculate, cheerlead only out of a selfish political motive, intimate, and basically attempt to take the focus off this issue and the work we all need to do to mitigate this crisis now is that you are also accomplices to helping that ten year window close.

I am an environmentalist who has been vocal about this for years. I have walked miles to hand out flyers for An Inconvenient Truth and to also tell people how to reduce their carbon footprint and have been talking to people about this issue since I was eleven years old because it matters greatly to me. I live my life according to those ten steps and have passed this on to my child. I have supported Al Gore's endeavors on this without any political motivation because I believe it must be done now. I have written about and promoted this movie incessantly because I sincerely believe in this message and see the urgency and truth in it that we must see in order to now take action ourselves, and I am not the only one.

And I have met the man in person and seen in his eyes a commitment to this issue that prompted me to seek a new position in the UN that would facilitate him being able to continue to devote his time to this issue alone globally because I see his dedication to it and believe he could accomplish great things for the world, and I will continue to advocate for that position this year whether or not he would fill it.

I also cried last Sunday night when I saw him walk up to that stage and was given a chance to hold the Oscar for a movie that is the culmination of his life's true passion because it is also mine and because I am so secure in the knowledge now that we finally have an environmental statesman on our side out here who can really get things done on this issue. To now be made to think that I and millions all over this world are only unwitting pawns in a grand scheme for him to really run for president in a system that is "toxic" by using this issue as a front is totally unfair to the character of the man himself, the issue at hand, and to all of those people like myself who are working with him now on this issue because we care.

I support him and I support working on this because time is running out and I will continue to do so. However, I don't support having the trust of people betrayed by political operatives with selfish motives who think the ends justify the means. And in closing I say if you claim to support this man and can't see that conviction in his eyes and his words and haven't been moved to actions beyond just the usual political cheerleading yet, you don't really support him, you support a Party agenda over all else and that doesn't help this cause in the end because this is not a partisan political issue.

The fate of our planet and our continued sustainability is the most important issue we have to face now, and it is going to take a greater presence than any president of any one nation to take it on and we have that in Al Gore. So sad that instead of embracing that so many wish to waste time on petty political speculation and playing into the hands of a corporate media that continues to keep people in the dark about this, when the science proves daily that we are responsible for altering the relationship we have with this planet. The message is clear: If we don't take evasive action in business and in our own lives now we will forever alter the ecosystems that sustain us. That is not a political soundbite just to be used for a political campaign, that is a moral reality and I sincerely think some need a big dose of that right about now.

And yes, I know this opinion is in the minority here, but as Mr. Gore stated at Stamford last year: "Right is right even when no one else is doing it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it." And I thank him for doing this the right way.

[cgrindley]

1. Good writing

I don't know anyone who doubts Gore's conviction. Personally, I find all the talk of a potential run at the office of president to be fairly off putting. Gore's doing fine work now.

No one, for example, ever begrudged Carter his second career. I think Gore is headed to a really great dignified elder statesman role. Three cheers for him.

I know I wasn't kind to the film, but my critical opinion of that doesn't affect my admiration for the man or for his message. Although I am of the opinion that anthrogenic climate change is irreversible. Still, Gore at least makes people feel better. He's a good man.

[RestoreGore]

4. Thanks for your response

I certainly do agree about the statesman role. He is my Thomas Jefferson. As for your opinion about anthropogenic climate change, even the IPCC report was touted by some scientists to be too optimistic, so who knows... however, we still need to reign in our use of CO2 and other GHGs in order to at least slow this process down. I believe it is simply a moral issue to be good stewards of this planet whatever you believe, and I am so grateful that he has brought that to the consciousness of so many people now because he had the ability to do so unrestrained by what previously held him back. Thanks again, and he is surely is a good man.

[cgrindley]

12. Traditional politics held him back

He's a way more impressive speaker now than when he was running for pres, and a million times better than when he was VP. He's really found his calling.

[RestoreGore]

21. I think so too

And I know how freeing that must be for him and I'm happy for him and for us, because we still get to have him as a vocal and involved advocate for us and this planet for years to come.

[whathappened]

2. fox last nite

fliping channels and came across fox with handjob and his comb talking about him being 2 faced when it came to saving emmission from his home , his lite bill was to high , that kind of bs , would like to pick hannaty up by neck and knock some since into him , but it can't happen in these times , these mouth peices hide behind there mother so they won't get hurt

[RestoreGore]

6. FOX News is the epitome of a snake pit

And in order to maintain decorum I will stop there. ;-).

[lvx35]

3. On Gore's running.

"
I sincerely am beginning to think that those who incessantly talk only about his running for president even though they know this system is toxic as Mr. Gore himself has stated many times are simply doing so either because they cannot face their own complicity in this crisis or simply want to avert attention from this issue to focus on something they can use against Mr. Gore by skewing his intentions."

I respectfully disagree here. I think people have been impressed by him standing behind this issue, and that sense of conviction is exactly what we would like to see in a political candidate.

[SharonRB]

7. Exactly!

None of us who want him to run have ever said that we think he's using his work on the environment as a springboard. I think it's just happening, but not because he has intentionally wanted that to happen.

[RestoreGore]

11. Then I ask, if so many are impressed with his conviction on this issue:

Where is the groundswell to help? I don't see threads even here on that, all I see is speculation that gets the majority of attention so what else are people to believe? And actually, I am talking here about those in the media, pundits, and political operatives who have not given me that impression at all, and I find it disrespectful to him.

[lvx35]

24. Its here.

Al Gore has touched my life greatly. I only cycle and bus (got rid of car) use less energy, and have pressed friends and family to do the same, much to their annoyance. Gore excites me as a candidate because he has identified the greatest issue of our time, years before the fact..

But on the other hand, I hear what you are saying. I don't spew energy efficiency tips on DU because I don't want to politicize such a massively important issue. We can't afford to make global warming a partisan issue, and yes, Gore knows this. So he won't run. But I would like him to run because I respect him so much.

[RestoreGore]

27. Well sure , under the right circumstances I would love to see that too...

But the cons outweigh the pros now and he actually is having greater success in a shorter period of time working from out here with citizens, businesses, and governments globally, and that is really what we need to do now, because time is of the essence.

But I'll tell you what: Should this toxic system be swept clean of the corruption and corporate media/ military industrial complex/ good ole boys/secret society/ special interest stench with Americans enmasse becoming enlightened and informed enough to care about this Democracy again and to do the right things for our country (which includes impeaching Bush and his lot of thugs,) with paper ballots being instituted in every state in this country by the next election with Mr. Gore wanting it wholeheartedly and freely to have the kind of government he and we deserve by the next go round, I'll back it 10000%. Matter of fact, God willing we are all still here, I will quit my job and walk to Nashville if I have to in order to work for him 24/7. But right now, that isn't going to happen, so we have to do what we can from here with the time we have left now to mitigate this crisis which also will hopefully seek to revive this Democracy.

[ourbluenation]

5. you lost me right about here....

I sincerely am beginning to think that those who incessantly talk only about his running for president even though they know this system is toxic as Mr. Gore himself has stated many times are simply doing so either because they cannot face their own complicity in this crisis or simply want to avert attention from this issue to focus on something they can use against Mr. Gore by skewing his intentions.

[Subdivisions]

8. Don't tell me in which capacity to cheer on Gore! I'm an environ-

mentalist too and Gore's work is phenomenal and honorable.

But I also want him as my PRESIDENT! And, as hard as you implore people on this board to forget about running Al for President the harder I'll campaign for exactly that!

[RestoreGore]

14. I'm not telling you anything

I'm writing my opinion and observations which you have every right to ignore if you don't agree with them.

[blonndee]

9. I love and admire him so much

and I'm so excited about seeing him tomorrow I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. I bought the book version of "An Inconvenient Truth" today and I'll be reading it tonight to prepare for tomorrow's presentation. :bounce:

[Subdivisions]

15. Wow! You're so lucky! I'm green with envy! Be sure to tell us all about it!

[blonndee]

22. I definitely will! Too bad we can't bring cameras,

but oh well! I really hope he will be able to stay and do a meet and greet. I understand if time wouldn't allow such a thing, though. I'm just so happy he's coming!

[RestoreGore]

23. So what do you think of our chances of mitigating this crisis? n/t

[RestoreGore]

18. He has added much to it since he started it...

Unfortunately because there is more to report about it. Lucky you that you get to see this in person. I met him at a book signing last year and am still hoping to get to see thepresentation should he come to my area.

[w4rma]

10. Your understanding of his supporters is very confused from reality. (nt)

[RestoreGore]

Thanks for your contribution n/t

[RestoreGore]

16. Thanks for your contribution n/t

[leftstreet]

13. Uh...what exactly is it you want to "restore" Gore to?

:shrug:

[RestoreGore]

20. I'm not the subject of this post n/t

[annabanana]

17. "just a springboard"??

I haven't read one. There are many saying that his good work puts him in a good position were he to decide to run. . I haven't seen a single one that says he only got involved with environmental concerns in order to position himself for a potential run...

nice straw man you got there

[RestoreGore]

19. Rush Limbaugh says it all the time

Are you defending the rw here?

[ms liberty]

25. Rush isn't here though...

as far as we know, anyway. But you don't specify in your post that you're writing about the RW'ers, you're saying the same things in posts all over DU - everywhere Al Gore's name is mentioned. You're directing those comments at DU'ers who want Mr. Gore to run for President. Anyone who disagrees with you about this is subjected to insults and venom; and then when they don't acknowledge your self-identified superiority and participate in your 'calls to action' or put themselves under your supervision you berate and belittle them. You seem to have alienated a rather hefty percentage of the DU population this way.

[RestoreGore]

26. I don't recall the forum rules explicity telling us how to post

And I doubt I have alienated anyone, only ruffled the feathers a bit of the few "groupies" who simply can't see the reality about where Mr. Gore stands regarding this crisis, and believe me I'm not losing any sleep over it becaue actually, my opinions here are in sync with Mr. Gore's, so I really don't understand your point. I support his efforts now and think he can do more out here because we now have proof of it. If that alientates anyone that isn't my problem.