Al Gore will ultimately win because he is the Hero of a Thousand Faces

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

He is the embodiment of the Joseph Campbell theory of myth and the universal subtext. He was cast out reluctantly and set upon a multi-stage journey of self-discovery while overcoming external ordeals. He has obtained the goal of the quest and is in the final stages of the journey - the return home where the hero shares with the rest of us the knowledge gained in his outside odyssey.

See? He will win because he is supposed to, or else the story ends badly. Ok, I feel better now.

[jgraz]

1. And his house is smaller than Edwards'

[Forrest Greene]

5. That's Another Good Reason!

[fooj]

2. it's time he takes his rightful place at the table...

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. yep. He's Arthur in the Sword in the Stone. nt.

[immoderate]

30. He's Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins

--IMM

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

35. He also needs to be Superman flying the earth backwards on its axis to undo the bad

that has already occurred.

Hey, even heros can only do so much! Still, Al's the best bet.

[RestoreGore]

37. And what are you going to do?

Besides romanticize all of this. Just curious.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

40. What would you have me do?

I started this thread as a commentary on a the rather unique history and narrative that I think Gore possesses and one that does tie into a literary theory that I have always enjoyed and been interested in. I think our modern era is sadly devoid of "heroes"and that possibly Gore might be one.

One tends to look for heroes only when they are desperately needed.

[RestoreGore]

52. if you have to ask that question

Then you either don't know what to do or don't want to do it. Go to Mr. Gore's climate crisis.net site (http://www.climatecrisis.net) and you can learn there what I was talking about. And Al Gore is more than just a "mythical" hero, he is a real man doing real good in this world because he has come full circle, but it won't mean anything in the end unless we help him. Waxing poetic is nice and I even do it myself occassionally, but the reality of this world now does not leave us much time for it...that is unless of course we expect others to always do the work for us.

[rosesaylavee]

55. Who are you to say

that this OP is not doing his/her part simply because of the topic?

[RestoreGore]

57. Then she should answer the question n/t

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

64. Ok - here you go

I will continue laying about and waxing poetic and leave the heavy lifting to you and Al.
Just kidding!;)
But seriously, when I can afford my own personal climate change coach I will give you a call.

[rosesaylavee]

69. Great response.

Myself, I like to sit and look out the window thru the pain hoping that others will do the work for me. :sarcasm:

[RestoreGore]

77. Look I'm not here to go tit for tat withyou

I asked you what YOU are going to do to help undo the damage done to this planet. A perfectly logical and valid question. If you aren't doing anything but living in a dreamworld about it and thinking Al Gore is going to be your knight in shining armor, just admit it... because by the tone of this last response, it sure makes your original post look like BS. And this is my FINAL response to you.

[WillyT]

63. Don't You Just LOVE The Self-Righteous ???

I grow weary of these broadsides against candidate supporters by other supporters of the same candidate asking for proof of bona-fides.

I'm sure the candidate, if he\she were aware, would be irked as well.

EVERYONE supports his or her candidate based upon their capacity to do so.

Comparing the "size" of your support, is just as stupid and immature now, as it was in high-school!

:wtf:

[rosesaylavee]

70. Yes. (*sigh*) n/t

[RestoreGore]

78. Al Gore isn't a "candidate"

And I wasn't COMPARING anything. I asked a simple question. But I got my answer, so I will move on.

[Wiley50]

87. He's Ratso Rizzo In "Midnight Cowboy" n/t

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

88. He's the nimble tread on the feet of Fred Astaire

He's an O'Neill Drama
He's Whistler's Mama
He's Camenbert!

He's the top!

[vote 4 democracy]

3. Nothing would make me happier . . .

and if he runs it will happen . . . but the last 6 years have been a good reminder that things don't always go as they should . . . what makes sense isn't always what happens but I'll hold my breath again :-)

[crispini]

6. This is EXACTLY what I have been saying all over the boards.

It's a flippin' archetype! And Americans -- for that matter, most people -- CANNOT resist an archetype. If he runs, it will be irresistible.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

8. He's an archetype AND an antidote!

You're right. It also settles a craving for justice. Will the Hero resist his own myth? I hope not.

[glitch]

16. Bush is an archetype too. It is THE epic struggle - this time for the survival of our species.

Not just which direction our civilization takes, this time our existence hangs in the balance.

[Richard Steele]

67. He's a Tenth-level Vice-President!

[John Q. Citizen]

75. If he runs, he needs to take extra care not to end up with

a tragic ending. I remember the fates of our last mythical heros, and they all died early at the hands of mythical lone gunmen.

This time, I want to see our hero return to reclaim which is rightfully ours, to save our people and our planet, to serve and then to grow old and exceedingly wise.

[Swamp Rat]

7. And Bushler will be impeached because he is the Hero of a Thousand Feces

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

9. Blecch! I just stepped in your picture.

I was in happy Al Gore world and then this.

[AikidoSoul]

25. Swamp Rat... where do you get this stuff? Outstanding and

scary

[Swamp Rat]

41. I make it

I vandalise photographs. :D

[AikidoSoul]

45. You are brilliant! Do you do this for a living... or just for fame and

laughs

[Swamp Rat]

46. just for laughs

fun for free! :D

[rosesaylavee]

56. GOOD one!

One of your best!

[mitchum]

10. Yes! I have been telling everyone that Gore has the best narrative

Glad to see that Campbell would agree

[Uncle Joe]

11. The power of myth and Al Gore (A reprise)

Thanks for the thread Phoebe, I posted this a year or so ago and I was thinking the same as you.

Bill Moyers had a series of excellent interviews with the late Joseph Campbell regarding his book "The Power Of Myth". In it Joseph speaks of the commonality of all the world's religions and mythologies, even when they are separated by time and distance. He goes on to state that there are many lessons and much wisdom to be learned from myth. Here in Nashville (The Athens of the South), the home of the only full scale replica of The Parthenon of the Acropolis, mythology is never too far away.

What does this have to do with Al Gore? The lesson of what happened to Al Gore has repeated it self throughout history and myth. A hero or leader comes to the aid of the people and the ones in power trash him for it.

When I think of Al Gore, I think of Prometheus. Prometheus, the son of the Titan Iapetus who took pity on the misery of mankind, huddling in the cold and dark, so Prometheus stole fire from heaven for their benefit. Zeus (Jupiter), enraged at this loss of power caused Prometheus to be chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus, where a vulture each day devoured his liver, which was made whole again each night, this was supposed to go on for all eternity.

Al Gore, the son of Tennessee Titan Al Gore Sr. took pity on the American People as they were fed scraps of information on the vital issues of the day. Al, while he was in congress thought that the people should have equal access to the same information as the rich and the powerful. Al Gore recognized ahead of the curve (as he usually does) that for democracy to flourish, the people should have control over the flow of information that will ultimately control their lives. Information is power, so Al decided to become the primary champion of the relatively new technology (now known as the internet) controlled by the defense dept. and some universities and to open it up for everyone.

CNN recently held a poll as to the most revolutionary creation of the 20th century and the internet won hands down. So one might expect praise for such vision, service and dedication to the people, however that would be forgetting the lessons of Prometheus.

The mass corporate media were enraged at this loss of power, how dare he! They wanted to remain the sole gatekeepers to the truth so that they could regale us with great stories of runaway brides, missing pretty white women, shark attacks and various other lurid tales, etc. they could continue do this for all perpetuity. The mass corporate media wanted to create a fictitious bubble or Matrix for the American People to live in and Al Gore had endangered their project.

Why would "American Journalism" want to do this to the American People? Because if you are ignorant, you are more easily controlled, and this is all about power and money. So Al had to be punished for empowering the American People. The mass corporate media not having a taste for liver with the possible exception of pate de fois gras (goose liver), decided to slander, trash, ignore and demean him in every way possible. It still goes on to this day to some degree.

The trashing of Al started in earnest in 1998, although I believe that the witch hunt against Clinton was in truth a back door way for them to hurt Al's chances of coming to power. The War Against Gore began in 1998 with a Wolf Blitzer interview; in it Blitzer asks Al what separates him from Bill Bradley? Blitzer asking Al of and Al is talking about his record in congress. As anyone would do in a job interview, Al speaks of his achievements, primarily in helping to bring about the creation of the internet as we know it today, which in fact is the truth; nothing is said by Blitzer at the time because he knows this is the truth.

One or two days later Dick Armey begins spouting his Republican Talking Points slamming Al for his hubris, and the mass corporate media begin goose stepping in unison and take up where Dick left off. The MCM says "Al Gore claims to have invented the internet" which of course is a lie, and it does not end there. "Al Gore claims to have discovered Love Canal" another lie, although he held hearings on toxic waste in Toone, Tennessee which expanded to include Love Canal. The MCM said Al Gore was wearing earth tones, so he must be a fake, besides being stiff and boring, etc. etc.

Al Gore has led a remarkable life and sometimes it reads like fiction such as being an inspiration (along with Tommy Lee Jones; his college roommate) for the book "Love Story" but it is the truth. The MCM even did a 180 after the 2000 debates overruling their own focus groups and changing their reporting as to who won those debates overnight, someone had apparently heard him sigh (I did not). As long as Bush did not drool on his podium, he was given a standing O. The only time terrorism was ever brought up during those debates was when Al mentioned it. With the MCM, the vital issue of the day (and keep in mind this was after Osama had declared war against us) was who would you rather have in your home for a beer? The nation has been drunk ever since.

The result of all this slander, demeaning and trashing of our best and brightest is the Pottersville, we are currently living in today. But think how much more difficult it would have been for us to get the truth out regarding the Iraq War, the Downing Street Memos, Gannon/Guckert, supporting Cindy Sheehan, Bush's corruption and incompetence etc. without the internet. Think how much more difficult it would be for you to put your opinions out for the masses or praise your favorite leader’s virtues if we did not have the internet. Even the freepers and Bush owe Al; they are just too clueless to know it. It is for these reasons and many more that I will never abandon Al Gore for President.

P.S. For a historical refresher, click on link below and google “War against Gore” or 2000 debates.

http://dailyhowler.com /

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

18. That is a great post

I think the journey may have made Al Gore a Hero - he may not have started out that way. Lately I have been sensing that we are actually in the presence of an uncommon greatness. Al gets booted out of the political mainstream by a carping, controlled, envious press and the Republican machine. Does it crush him? No, it makes him stronger.

He goes out into the world to teach and to write and to film about something that had already been an overriding concern of his - the environment- an issue that everyone else has stuffed onto a back shelf in the closet. From this vantage point he becomes his own man and comes out of the shadow cast by the Clintons.

Free from the shackles of the political world, he is also free to express his views and opinions without having to finetune them to serve the needs of political opportunism. Hence, he is one of the few to have the nerve and ability to ignore the knee jerk we-have-to-go-along with-the-IWR-or-people-will-think-I'm weak-crowd. He also speaks out strongly against the loss of civil liberties. In his spare time he goes to NOLA to help after Katrina. He helps create a (possibly) Oscar winning documentary about climate change.
He writes another book "The Abandonment of Reason".

Now, I can only hope that the cirle will be unbroken and that he will come back to reclaim his rightful title as President of the United States. I don't think we'll all live happily ever after, but I believe we would have a leader with the strength, intellect and courage to face the issues that will be before us.

[Uncle Joe]

19. I like your post as well

Sounds like Jason and the Argonauts, I have to leave for the evening, but once again thanks for the thread, and peace to everyone here.

:hi:

[Uncle Joe]

61. Correction to my mistake,

I was in a rush yesterday and I was actually thinking of Homer's Odysseus as opposed to Jason and the Argonauts as my example of a hero changed by a transformational journey, just goes to show I should never post in haste.

[Blue Belle]

43. Fantastic Post...

Thanks for all the information.

[dalaigh lllama]

60. Great thread, and thanks for this addition

Gore's the one we need.

[pecwae]

12. 'Scuse me while I Rec. this post.

What a great analogy! I'd never thought of him in quite that way, but you're absolutely right. Pres. Gore fits Joseph's archetype admirably.

[bleever]

13. Excellent reference, and so apt.

:thumbsup:

K&R.

[lildreamer316]

14. VERY perceptive!! Thanks to both of you (Joe too...) n/t

[glitch]

15. "or else the story ends badly" this is my big fear. I hope you are right! K & R nt

[RestoreGore]

17. His "home" isn't Washington DC

It is the world. And his journey in my view has led him to a destination that is far more substantial. As far as winning, I don't understand what you think he will "win." In my view he has already won much more than many will ever understand.

[RiverStone]

20. The power of Bliss

As JC would say...

Lets hope your wish will be written in history.


GORE 08!!!!!!!

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

21. A toast! To Joseph Campbell (wherever you are), Bill Moyers, Al Gore, and everyone else

in this poor old screwed up world - BLISS!

:toast:

[burythehatchet]

22. .

:toast:

[RestoreGore]

23. Mr. Gore Has Had A Spiritual Journey

http://progressivesforgore.blogspot.com/2007/01/al-gore-man-i-love-and-respect.html

And I believe it has led him to a place in his life where he now knows what is most important in it: Being true to yourself, to your heart, to those you love, and to your convictions. He is doing all of that now and so much more, and he did not come through this fire to go back to the beginning because as he has stated many times, this is not about him.

And he proves that at every slideshow presentation when he tries to awaken US to now take the tools and information he is now giving us to do what needs to be done to save our planet. Anyone who is really keeping up with the affects of this crisis worldwide can absolutely see where he is coming from, and it is absolutely not from a political angle or any need to go back to the place that ignored these warnings to begin with, no matter how much it is romanticized with literary references.

Al Gore's work is not as much political as it is spiritual. He is appealing personally to our spirits as human beings. He is appealing to us to see beyond the petty and frivolous distractions of our lives that are destroying our only home (and our Democracy) to see life's true meaning. Only through caring for and appreciating this world can we save it, and we can't do that if we are too distracted to notice this world and its wonders and hope beyond the distractions which allow those in power to take it from us... Those distractions making us accomplices in killing this planet by our inactions and in continuing those actions that we know hurt our world. And that has to be a heavy message for those who don't want to look in that direction, because it exposes their own flaws and their own hand in the condition we find our world in today.

What does it mean to you to "disenthrall" yourself? What does it mean to truly see the reasons why we are here, and work to make this world an example of those reasons? Is that something to only see in a political context? Is it something that actually can be seen in a political context?

My answers:

What does it mean to "disenthrall" yourself?

It doesn't mean locking yourself up in a cabin in the woods and becoming a hermit. It doesn't mean giving up Earthly pleasures, or sacrificing beyond your means either. It means gaining a perspective on life as it is today, and asking yourself, is this what it was meant to be? Is conspicuous consumption, reality tv, corporate conglomerate media, and dirty politics that support all of those things for its own benefit truly what America is all about now? When you would rather go to a mall than a national park, has it all gone too far? When you continue to fill up that SUV no matter how high gas prices go, are you not in denial?

What does it mean to you that your world is on the brink of a catastrophe of your making? How does that effect your spirit? Your conscience? Your spirituality? Does it move you to make changes, or do you find yourself believing that the consequences of not acting aren't important enough for you to change how you live? Even if you have children.

If you can answer yes to that last question, you have no hope of disenthralling yourself and you say that this world you live in , this world that is our only home, isn't worth your time. Shame on you for that, especially when something so minor as slowing down in your driving to save gas can make a difference. When simply changing a light bulb can make a difference. When planting a tree can make a difference. When actually turning off your TV and talking to people can make a difference. When writing a letter can make a difference. Realizing this all begins with you and then taking those steps to include yourself in the solution is disenthralling yourself. And it sure does feel good. And right now, it is a must for the survival of our planet.

What does it truly mean to see the reasons why we are here and work to make this world an example of those reasons?

For me, there is only one thing I need do to know the reasons why we are here: look at my child. I have always viewed parenthood as a very spiritual charge. To have the huge responsibility of molding another human being's character is not something to take lightly. Whatever your beliefs, the world we live in has life all around it and through it. I see this world as a living organism with an intense spirit that helps us thrive and stay in balance the more we work to keep it in balance. The more we work against that balance by polluting it, waging war, and seeking out power for selfish and destructive means, the more spirit we drain from this world thus causing imbalance not only to our planet but to us.

As parents we have an obligation to teach our children about their part in maintaining that positive balance in our world through teaching our children to be decent, forthright, honest, loving beings who cherish and respect the world around them. Of course, it isn't always as easy as that, as outside forces will seek to undo our hard work. However, if what we believe in comes from our hearts and souls and is pure, our children will see that and want to emulate it. And regarding this climate crisis we face, teaching them those values is imperative to making a better world for all of our futures. They are the reason we are here, and we cannot let them down. If you want a better world for your children, you will disenthrall yourself.

Is that something to only see in a political context?

Well, you would think so from the media pundits and political junkies who are even turning this important movie of Mr. Gore's into some ulterior political scheme. He stated it best when he said that this is not a political issue, but a moral one. It is something I have known all of my life, and I so appreciate him saying it so more people would hear it. Just by saying it that way also tells me he doesn't really believe that politics in its purest form is moral, and he's correct. There isn't much more for me to say on this question then, because politics has failed regarding truly caring for the wellbeing of this planet, and I don't see any sea change coming anytime soon unless WE make it happen from out here, which is why he is out here, and I hope he remains so.

This system is not good enough presently for men and women of his vision, and would only stifle it as it did his before. It enables the waging of war, the conspicuous consumption and greed that leads to the destruction of all that is good, and places more emphasis on soundbite than substance. I think it is then obvious that Mr. Gore is appealing to the only group on this planet as one of us to appeal to us to make those changes by beginning with us. It is a concept lost on political pundits however, and sadly it would appear on many who claim that this is important to them, but only as far as "campaigning" politically. Which brings me to the last question:

Is it something that actually can be seen in a political context?

My answer surprisingly to some I am sure, is yes. It can be seen in a political context in regards to legislation that truly works to benefit the Earth and its people in a system not bought and sold by the very architects of this catastrophe, but again, that requires pressure being brought to bear by the people on ALL political levels across party lines. It did happen regarding the ozone layer as Al Gore also pointed out, but again, it is not absolute, and the lure of profit over principle is too great a temptation.

The advantages of green technology and the people demanding such will have to be the first stepping stone in bringing this crisis to the political... and as we have seen, the political process moves at a snail's pace, and we frankly don't have that kind of time regarding this issue. Which again is why Al Gore is our missive appealing to OUR sense of urgency, and our sense of the spiritual to find that bond we share with the Earth so that we can better understand the danger that lies ahead of us if we ignore this call, and to tell us that this is one call we cannot amd must not ignore.

So I leave you with a question to ask yourself:

What legacy will you leave your children?

Disenthrall yourself, and I promise you that it will be a legacy that you can be proud of. For what else are we here for? In essence it is as simple as that.

Once again, thank you, Mr. Gore. You inspire me and you have won.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

26. I believe Gore has come to a position where he knows the truth of his heart and convictions

he's been through a political scalding and an upending of justice that few have known. It's a tribute to him that he grew from it instead of becoming smaller and embittered as I believe many would. This is what gives him his strength - he has the often talked about but seldom achieved "F!@k you" factor. He doesn't need the rest of us to define him.

I don't think Political success would be his REWARD per se, in fact, it would be a sacrifice, in personal terms to him.

History has selected Al Gore for a major role should he choose to accept the part.

[RestoreGore]

27. He already has accepted the part

A shame so many have yet to see it and truly appreciate the impact of it... And now it is time for us to step up and do OUR part, which has been the point of his message regarding the environment for the last thirty years, and now this crisis which is OUR doing.

Mr. Gore is now the main cog in this wheel of vision that will get this revolution to save our planet rolling. That is a position so much more important now than any president of any country as he seeks to finally bring the people to the place our Constitution has been leading them to all of these years.

Mr. Gore now has the chance to be the moral inspiration for an unprecedented grassroots movement in this country that not only shapes the future of our environment, but our very future as a Democracy. This is OUR chance to start that revolution we so desperately need to save not only our planet but our Democracy. And it is a peaceful revolution that seeks change through the very principles that guided the making of our nation.

Mr. Gore is now our missive and our muse in this cause. He is now the central figure in what could well become the most groundbreaking movement this country has ever seen if only people would stop being distracted by media hype and speculation and start really rolling up their sleeves to become a part of it. People ask him to lead? Well, they obviously aren't paying attention, because he is leading. Just because he is not leading the way they want for their own reasons doesn't change that fact.

[dalaigh lllama]

62. Most of us are more practical

I'm an avid Gore supporter. Somehow I don't see most Americans voluntarily turning green because they're inspired by the new Al Gore. I see them turning green because legislation is enacted that encourages or coerces them to do so. And the best position for Gore to make that happen is as the President of the United States. And unless you're Tipper with access to Al's innermost thoughts (which I very much doubt), your commentary on every Gore thread I've ever seen -- that Gore is now too "noble" to demean himself by becoming our president -- is just unreal.

Why the heck do you call yourself RestoreGore?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

66. Thank you - More like Store Gore in a dark closet!

Like this response in the thread that RestoreGore started where he/she posits Al running as an Independent

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3078991&mesg_id=3078991

RestoreGore (1000+ posts) Sat Jan-27-07 09:12 PM
Response to Reply #135
137. Then I hope he doesn't run...
Because pundits claim that more money will be spent than has ever been spent on a campaign for 2008, and I think that is a travesty and a huge waste of money. Which is why I will not support any draft or give any money to such a movement when the money could be used to support organizations helping to solve this crisis now. That window on the tipping point closes the longer we spin our wheels on this crisis and only use it as an excuse for our own political agendas. It is obvious however, that that message of urgency is lost to many.

And imagine how many hungry children we could feed with the millions of dollars these people are raising just to look good on TV. Everyone in New Orleans could have a new home with that money! I honestly do not believe that Mr. Gore would allow millions to be pissed away on petty BS thirty second ads when this world is in crisis. When he could put that money to better use to save this planet now. That is why he started the Alliance for Climate Protection that no one here talks about. That is why he donated all of the proceeds from his book and movie to that organization. I do not see him pissing away millions of dollars on a popularity contest just to be "elected" by the military industrial complex as their spokesperson. I do not believe he is one of them and it would be disappointing to think he was, which was why I suggested this hypothetical. However, since it is apparent that he would not do this, then I hope he continues to be the environmental advocate, leader, and statesman this world needs to inspire the grassroots to the seachange we will need to see to save this planet.
Supporting Al Gore Every Year

[RestoreGore]

82. Thanks for the plug

Nice to know my comments are read here.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

83. Sadly, I am perversely starting to enjoy your rambling and inchoate posts.

According to you, the greatest spokesman for the environment, Al Gore, SHOULDN'T run for President, the position that has the most power in the world to propel forward meaningful change, because our political system is too flawed for him to participate or he needs to reform the political system first, before he tackles the planet. Meanwhile, you exhort us that we are running out of time.

Sure. Makes perfect sense.

:crazy:

[RestoreGore]

80. I never stated that

I stated that I believe he is too good for this TOXIC military industrial complex media propaganda system that rates people not on IDEAS but how much money they spend and what they weigh that those who continually push him to go back to must support. He has also stated this process is toxic and that he has fallen out of love with it. Do you find his comments unreal as well? Again, twisting the words to suit your own agenda. As I also stated in a post yesterday, for him to run free of the ENTIRE status quo system on ALL sides in a truly Jeffersonian fashion would excite me, even though I know that isn't going to happen. It is also not that I believe he is not qualified to be a president(especially since I supported him in 2004 to get delegates for him before I also found out what a total FARCE this system is as it not about serving people) it is because in my view unless you intend to change the system so that a good man like him can run without having to be a millionaire tainted by it's shit, it isn't worth it in the longrun if he can make better progress on his passion and a crucial issue we must all face from out here, because it is about the issue. And that isn't only "practical" that is realistic. And the name I have kept for sentimental reasons, so shoot me. But in a way he has been restored after leaving the beltway to the man he always wanted to be in public, but which politics wouldn't allow him to be and I'm happy for him.

[dalaigh lllama]

84. The fact that I question your stance on Gore

does not in any way, shape, or form imply that I question Gore's stance on the issues. So when you replied "Do you find his comments unreal as well? Again, twisting the words to suit your own agenda." I would suggest you examine your own twistiness.

I'm sure you mean well, but I certainly hope he doesn't disappoint you with his worldliness if he does decide to reenter the political arena.

[nam78_two]

24. I would love a Gore-Kucinich/Gore-Feingold ticket

I even had a Gore-Kucinich icon, but no one could tell who they were because I could only find one picture of them together and it didn't scale down too well...

Someone asked me who the "two chicks" in my icon were :yoiks:.

[Harper_is_Bush]

28. I'm sorry, but that is absolute nonsense.

Al Gore is not needing another Presidential campaign to engage in "self-discovery", nor does he need one to share the "knowledge gained in his outside odyssey".

And most of all, the story does not "end badly" if he does not run.

[RestoreGore]

29. The story of our planet only ends badly

If we don't get up and start moving ourselves.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

33. No one said he needed another Presidential campaign to engage in self-discovery

quite the opposite. "Ending badly' is just a reference to not completing the mythic cycle as described by Joseph Campbell. And, not all myths end happily.

You need to take the post in the spirit I wrote it - "figuratively" not "literally" for God's sake. Look up "metaphor".

[Harper_is_Bush]

36. Oh, you're writing figuratively, instead of literally, about something that's not even a reality...

gotcha.

[Warren DeMontague]

49. Sure, if you're one of the only people on DU adamantly against the idea of him running.

I would imagine it sounds dreadful.

[Harper_is_Bush]

81. Actually, that has nothing to do with it.

Rather, it's the departure from reality it takes.

[Warren DeMontague]

86. Old Joe Campbell was on to something deep in the human psyche.

These stories of redemption speak to something fundamental in all of us, IMHO.

[AikidoSoul]

31. Bush, Cheney, et al are Trickster archetypes, Gore is the Hero archetype

Carl Jung was a great man. If only all of us had Jung trained guides to show us how to examine our own psyches via Jung's archetype model -- we would be more able to realize that components of all archetypes reside in all of us-- some more dominant than others. If we deny any one of the components, we are destined to live in reaction to that blind spot for all our lives. We end up pathologically projecting the deficits and evils of our own blind spots onto others for all of our lives.

Bush operates from his unconscious and brags that he thinks with his "gut". Because he is not an introspective man he doens't take the time to examine his actions, their consequences on others, nor does he recognize his own capacity for evil.

We all have the capacity for evil, but if we don't see it in ourselves, we will forever project it onto others.

But Gore is the subject of our discussion, and I'm happy to observe that Gore seems not only introspective, but a man who knows who he is.

His journey and story shows him as a person with hero qualities at this point in time.

Let's hope he is allowed to play out a hero's destiny that will inspire us all, and give our children hope for their futures.

[Kazak]

32. We wouldn't want the story to end badly...

:scared:

(NBG!!!)

[motocicleta]

34. Thank gawd somebody else decides what they think will happen

based on the narrative of the thing. I swear, that technique hardly ever lets me down, I kid you not. I know it sounds hokey, and I'm kinda just joking, but at the same time history has shown me to be right an awful lot more than my peers. Is it my life as narrative technique or just dumb luck? Tune in next week ...

Personally, I don't really get Al's narrative, but I want him in the WH, so I'm on board your reading.;-)

[Taverner]

38. He is winning

Why does he have to run for president to win?

Looks like he's winning right now...and will continue to win.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

39. It's his choice and "winning" is whatever it means to him.

If he chose to run for President I believe he could win the election as a man uniquely qualified to answer the challenges of his era. I think the rest of us would "win" by having him inhabiting a position of leadership and saving us from the pretenders and predators that otherwise might occupy the position.

If he chooses a more private role, that's fine with me too.

[RestoreGore]

53. Well, according to your post

Winning to you means he can't unless he runs for president. And that is indeed untrue, especially if you really are looking at this from a mythical standpoint.

[Warren DeMontague]

50. I agree. But if he runs for President

We ALL win.

[librechik]

42. I like the way you think --(mythically and in depth)

yup. he is the Hero--and also, consequently is The One to climb the tree and be sacrificed.

So let's hear no more about it. I like my heroes human, alive and working for good.

[Pastiche423]

44. Thank you for your great thread, Phoebe Loosinhouse

And thank (almost) everone for their wonderful responses.

Last night as I watched An Inconvenient Truth, I said out loud (no worries, I live alone), I believe you, Al! Now would you please run for president. He would have so much more power to affect the changes we must do NOW if he were president.

[Return of The Walrus]

47. imagine

The "old gore" won the popular vote before bush and the fascists flushed everything down the toilet. How do you think the supposed "new Gore" would do. The guys most americans may conclude, should have been president all along?

This is such a no brainer. I can't imagine how he would not run and could not win.

[newyawker99]

59. Hi Return of The Walrus!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Warren DeMontague]

48. Everybody LOVES a good comeback story.

I'm tellin' you. It's pure rock and roll- he waits until the whole audience has their lighters up in the air, some of the doubters are heading for the exits; then he swoops down onto the stage for the political encore of the Century.

[liberalla]

51. I'm for Gore, and I feel better now too! Thank you!

This whole thread is great! (with one or two minor exceptions)

[rosesaylavee]

54. Yes.

Thanks for reminding me of Campbell. You are so right.

[pberq]

58. Al is the one Dem I can support besides Kucinich

(of those who are considered in the running, declared or not)

[John Q. Citizen]

76. Yes, I could support either without reservation or self doubt. Gore would

have an immense advantage as far as a campaign goes though.

[undeterred]

65. And he has a good wife and 4 lovely daughters.

:bounce: Being surrounded by all that female energy has to be good. :bounce:

[Prophet 451]

68. Interesting point

It also brings into play Terry Pratchett's theory of narrative casualty (which comes in two forms. Either: history repeats and humans evolve stories and myths to explain that OR humans subconsciously "act out" the roles they feel have been assigned to them). The theory you allude to is also referred to as "the hero's journey", it's a common archetype in fiction.

I'm assuming this wasn't meant as a negative comment about Gore personally but purely as an observation. You might have something here but if I remember rightly, the hero has to finally do battle with the villain of the piece or his surrogate (i.e. Darth Vader). In this case presumably, that would take teh form of the ballot box and Bush's successor, whomever that may be.

[rosesaylavee]

72. Personally

I'd like to see him going mano-a-mano with Georgie boy. It would be very gratifying seeing him land one on Georgie in the chops... a few times. :)

[Prophet 451]

73. And then perhaps a boot...

Sorry, just fantasising...

[rosesaylavee]

74. But if that's what it takes to

fulfill the myth's cycle, who are we to stop the story halfway? :)

[porphyrian]

71. He's not even running yet, is he?

I'd be much happier voting for him now than in 2000, and I voted for him in 2000. But he's not even running, is he?

[Malikshah]

79. Many historians focus on the phenomenon of "being in the wildnerness"

Gore's been there-- did the whole Grizzly Adams bit (replete w/ beard) and has returned, purified, cleansed and ready to set the world aright.

[Mick Knox]

85. You cant win if you dont run

And hes not running.