For some reason or another the world of politics likes to throw the unexpected in our faces and then were all left scratching our heads wondering how such a mad thing could have happened. A good example is the phenomenon that is Al Gore. Whenever i read about him, see him on telly or even when someone mentions his name I cant help but wonder to myself 'how' or 'why'? Non politically speaking he is the kind of neighbour that you would love to have, just look at his face! Weeding his back garden, taking his dog for a walk, what a nice chap. So then politically speaking why didnt he get in all those years ago. Its Almost 7 years ago when Gore was in the height of his presidency campaign, and now theres speculation that he will run again next year. The reason i have him in mind is that i read his article in the guardian today. It would be easy for anyone to attack the bush administration, but Gore is somewhat 'over' this sillyness and instead hopes to enlighten others with what he see as Americas last chance saloon to end its arrogant view of world power.
Its also easy to criticise Gore in that he never asserted himself as much as he could have. Nonetheless maybe it took 'that' defeat to take him where he is today. Outside of politics he has blossomed with 'Inconvenient Truth' documentary and tour, as well as the advocating the seriousness of global warming and climate change. Once again I think that its all too easy to criticize or under estimate the good that he has done for America (and the rest of the west) outside of politics. Although many see Inconvenient Truth is a too simple account of the facts, it still delivers a huge and important message to what he calls the last chance generation. We all love to be cynics but I really have faith in him, whether he runs for President or continues his quest to enlighten the world.
1 comment:
I really think Al Gore has about as much chance of becoming the next president as I have. However I was thinking about this today, and i think it's positive.
Were Gore to run he's get constant coverage and all his political skeletons (of which there are many, many of them very dangerous) would be magnified, talked about every day. For example that story about the electricity use at his house would not have been just a day and done, that would go on for weeks, the Republicans would not let that rest.
Were this to happen the Environmental movement loses it's biggest spokesman, and the movement as a whole becomes discredited. Having Gore to do that is more important than what he could do as a President fighting a right wing congress. Now he has the power of waiting for which candidate will have the most environmentally friendly policies so that they can get the 'Gore pledge', and the corresponding boost at the ballot box, which Gore himself would lose within 24 hours of running.
Sorry that's so long, but it had just crossed my mind and i wanted to share.
Matt
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