Josh Marshall on Al Gore

[samhsarah]

(January 17, 2006 -- 10:42 AM EDT)

I was finally able to give a close read to the Al Gore's speech from yesterday. And I wanted to add my voice to all of those around the web who've been praising what the former vice president said. When I think about the Gore now, in the period since he left elected office, what stands out most about him is the way that he has become a standing rebuke to the shame and moral indolence of today's custodians of received opinion. You can see it in the sneering and bemused responses his speeches receive from the usual cast of characters.

These really aren't normal political times we're living in. And I think Gore is right to say that we're in the midst of a constitutional crisis, even though too few people are taking notice of it. Our constitution becomes the proverbial falling tree.

The point Gore makes in his speech that I think is most key is the connection between authoritarianism, official secrecy and incompetence.

The president's critics are always accusing him of law-breaking or unconstitutional acts and then also berating the incompetence of his governance. And it's often treated as, well ... he's power-hungry and incompetent to boot! Imagine that! The point though is that they are directly connected. Authoritarianism and secrecy breed incompetence; the two feed on each other. It's a vicious cycle. Governments with authoritarian tendencies point to what is in fact their own incompetence as the rationale for giving them yet more power. Katrina was a good example of this.

more at: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/007455.php

[Dr.Phool]

1. I got in a few minutes of c-span this morning

I only heard a few callers, but even Republicans were talking about how good Gore was!

[orwell]

5. When you speak the truth...

...without regard to party or consequence, at the very least, people with principles will respect you.

I am surprised that so many politicians do not understand that in a country filled with deceit, the truth is like cold spring water to someone in the desert.

[samhsarah]

7. well said

:kick:

[ginnyinWI]

6. I was able to hear all of that segment

And you're right--people were overwhelmingly favorable on all three lines. I only remember one who hesitantly criticized Gore, but his point wasn't well thought out and made no sense. It was really unusual to get those positive calls from Republicans. I sensed that they are fed up and impatient for a change.

[Captain Hilts]

2. This is not a liberal/conservative issue. It's about rights.

Even conservatives believe in those.

[Christa]

3. So well said

"Authoritarianism and secrecy breed incompetence; the two feed on each other. It's a vicious cycle."

[Uncle Joe]

4. This is excellent to the point of being profound.

"The point Gore makes in his speech that I think is most key is the connection between authoritarianism, official secrecy and incompetence."

Kicked and nominated.




:kick:

[ginnyinWI]

8. another very effective device

was to keep going back to the Founding Fathers. Because who is going to argue against one of them? Not many. We all have respect for them.

[faithnotgreed]

14. and eisenhower didnt hurt either

no wonder people outside the media are supporting this speech
though i am surprised if the usual rnc lackeys didnt flood the cspan lines with accusations of gores "hypocrisy" and other rw talking points

[Surya Gayatri]

9. Thanks for posting, samhsarah

Well thought out and well expressed. Needs to be circulated more widely.

K & R

[Village Idiot]

10. I absolutely adore the fact that Gore periodically stands up...

and shows the people of the USA what a President is supposed to be. It certainly doesn't hurt that every time he does so it is a subtle reminder that Bush LOST the 2000 election!!!


I sincerely hope he decides to campaign in 2008.

[samhsarah]

11. it is bittersweet though,

kinda like i'm sitting there with a smile realizing how things SHOULD be and someone just comes over (probably a freeper) and punches me in the gut.:-(

[Village Idiot]

15. I think that is why many were in tears during the speech.

It was a too beautiful/painful moment, you know?

[samhsarah]

16. yeah I do know,

I was one of those many.:cry:

[AuntiBush]

12. That's What Makes it a "Constitutional Crisis."

"Authoritarianism, official secrecy and incompetence" way, way too much of it and the blatent abuse of such.

[Cooley Hurd]

13. K&R for TPM's JMM!

:bounce:

[Pierre Trudeau]

17. add my voice, too

I was worried that nobody would ever make speeches like that in America again. Mr. Gore is lucid, eloquent, persuasive, and manages to connect the dots with relentless and all-embracing logic. I don't recall hearing a speech of this calibre from an American political figure since Bobby Kennedy (a big favourite of us Canadians).

If the best they can muster as a response is "nyah nyah what about Clinton" then perhaps the moral weight and clarity of Gore's stand will actually penetrate the national consciousness to some degree. But of course, I've been disappointed before. :(

Still, a hearty cheers to the former Vice President for providing the rest of the world with a positive example of political leadership from the USA, however brief it may be. And if you guys do end up electing him president (finally), the world might breathe a sigh a relief.

[samhsarah]

19. Hello Pierre...

Nice to hear from our wonderful neighbor up north. How are things going up there? Please save me some room at your place in case we need to flee from this place.:+

[jazzjunkysue]

18. The best: Neither party should have unchecked power. I saw it live.

Catch it if you can. You won't regret it. I promiss you. I sobbed all the way through. He said everything I've screamed at my TV for 5 years.

[The White Tree]

20. Possibly the most important point Al Gore made in his speech

At least from my perspective after watching the speech was this:

9/11 did not change everything!

For the past 5 years the administration has continued to use 9/11 to justify any and every abuse of power that they have engaged in. They have wielded it like a bull-whip to cower the American people into believing that only if we accept totalitarian Republican rule would we be safe.

And they have done so by uttering one simple phrase - 9/11 changed everything.

Well Vice President Gore called them on it publically and brutally. He beat the bullies with their own bull-whip by demonstrating that time and time in America's history, our democracy and our freedom has been threatened, and time and time Americans have responded by overcoming the obstacles and by returning to the principles of our democracy. Principles which run counter to the beliefs of the current administration.

9/11 changed nothing in who we are and in what we believe as Americans and conservatives should no longer be allowed to use this language to justify any abuse of power. Al Gore has shown all our leaders the way and we all should carry this language on our lips.

9/11 changed nothing about who Americans are as a people, therefore, it should not be allowed to change the principles of our government.

[Wordie]

21. K&R