This column takes the line that what Gore REALLY said doesn't really matter, which is a shallow view beneath washpost standards. Never forget that most newspapers including this one in 2000 went with the repeated Bush lie that Gore claimed to have invented the Internet. Gore hadn't said that, or anything like it. The success of the largely uncontested Bush lie was reflected in presidential voting figures that year.

"The essence of historic tragedy is that although we can see it coming we know that nothing can possibly be done to avert it. It is the result of a whole chain of events, and the chain can be extremely loose; it could be broken anywhere-by sheer accident, by the action of someone possessing just a little foresight, by any one of a dozen things which could so easily happen but somehow do not." (Reading, Writing, and History by Bruce Catton - American Heritage February 1955 Volume VI, Number 2)
Are you a citizen of the United States of America? I am. I'm happy to live in the U.S. of A. As a young man I enlisted in the military and I "did my duty". I support my country and I still vote even though the choice oftentimes comes down to picking the lesser of two evils rather than someone I particularly believe in. I can fully understand the position of those who don't vote. The disaffected who, often struggling, have little interest in politics and wish only to be left alone in order that they might do what they need to do to survive, raise a family, pay their bills, and (maybe) their taxes.
The politicians, all of them, love the disaffected. It makes it so much easier to promote their particular agenda. I don't care to be loved by the politicians. I do, however, care about my country. I would like it, and the principles for which it stands, to survive. I want my grandchildren to not only understand and benefit from the legacy of those who stood up to tyranny and oppression in order to form a great nation but; to carry on that legacy and thrive, happily, within its embrace.
This country, like many of the great nations that preceded it, stands upon the verge of an historic tragedy. It has allowed itself to be divided. As anyone familiar with historic precedent can attest; division is the precursor to conquest. Conquest can take many forms. In the end the form does not matter. In simple terms; what once was is no longer.
Democrat, Republican, Green, Independent, Disaffected, Christian, Atheist, Muslim, and sundry other labels are used to define us and, as the politicians, and media, would have it, control us and direct us to satisfy their particular agenda. I do not wish to be labeled, controlled, or act as an unwitting supporter of those who would, whether through ignorance or malice, destroy this great country.
That is happening, right now, and division of the American populace is its root cause. Division promoted by both of the major parties seeking to gain an advantage using you, and me, with little, if any, care regarding the overall consequences of their actions. I care. I seek a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. That is the basis of this great nation as outlined by our Constitution, our laws, and the balancing of power between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government.
Currently; the Executive branch has taken it upon itself to usurp powers not granted to it by the Constitution. The Legislative branch; empowered to impeach by the Constitution when such usurpation of powers is attempted, has become complicit in the actions of the Executive branch and is, effectively, powerless. By the time that this is printed (if it ever is) the Judicial branch will likely have a new, deciding, member at its helm who has explicitly indicated his belief that the Executive branch holds the ultimate power of governance.
You; my fellow American citizens, like myself, are facing a choice. You can do nothing; content in your decision to allow matters to take their due course and, falsely, hopeful that, somehow, it will not affect you. Or; you can raise your voice, speak out, contact your elected representatives (whether you voted or not) and inform them that, as a citizen and a patriot, you will stand up for America.
Your, and my, elected Representative's should delay the confirmation of Judge Alito pending possible impeachment proceedings against President Bush, and his associates, for blatant and repeated violation of the Constitution and the laws of this great nation. The alternative is nothing less than standing idly by as a witness to historic tragedy.

Gore is right!

I appreciate Alice's comments on historic tragedy. Gore, however, has made the case that had to be made if we are to remain a democratic nation, not just in form, but in function. By articulating the big picture and its implications, it shows that Gore is up to the task of being president in '08. Truthdr's facile comment about Gore wagging his finger, is a staple approach of this current administration (and its supporters), as pointed out in a recent Slate article, of twirling a bright object to divert viewers from the main issues. I really don't care if truthdr is not really a big fan of Bush Administration, too often he acts as their tool. Alice has some inspiring insights, and Kunwas points out how important issues are trivialized in the media. As for Gore being up to snuff. Let me point out that he's improved. Even as a "loser" he got more than 500,000 votes too much. I think the opposition doth LMAO too much about Gore and takes Hillary, oh so seriously, for a reason.

Sorry, Alica.

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