Reading Al Gore's Soul

[RestoreGore]

The first time I read Mr. Gore's book, I spent more time looking at the graphs and learning the information contained on them. This time I am reading it word for word, and I can tell you that this man is far too good of a man to ever run for office in the type of political system we have today. I want to type a quote from his great book just so you get a feel for the real spirit of this man and how he puts Democracy and this planet first:

"Since I left the White House in 2001, I have also learned that there are many forms of public service other than running for office and serving as an elected official. I've always known this, of course, but I've come to personally appreciate the satisfaction that can be found as a private citizen in trying to make our democracy work better."

This is such a telling statement, because it reveals a man who places the issue and the work that must be done ahead of the hype and accolades of simply having the word "president " in front of his name knowing that it really does not do much to further the cause in such a system, because the cause is primary. You would think that would endear more supporters to him. However, to me it actually seems as if so many are disappointed in his thinking on this, and I simply think that is sad.

Some of the greatest men and women of our history never even ran for public office, but they were leaders who inspired this nation and brought about great social change... Rachel Carson, Alice Paul, Martin Luther King Jr. just to name several. There are certainly more of them than there are presidential candidates. There's a reason for that.

I have stated many times that it is not the title that makes the man. A man is who he is because of his heart and soul, and a heart a soul dedicated sincerely to a cause is a formidable force regardless of any title bestowed upon them. Al Gore is such a man, and after my reading this book a second time and truly digesting it page by page I am more convinced than ever that his calling is this. He will be known as a man who achieved great things in the continued fight for our planet's sustainability and for bringing about changes that will make this world a better place for our childlren by empowering us and them to action. Isn't that what it's all about? Isn't that what should be primary? Well, it is for moral dedicated citizens who see the bigger picture.

I can most surely understand the feeling of satisfaction Mr. Gore had when he first ran in Tennessee all those years ago. How fulfilled he felt to actually be doing something to further the cause of Democracy and to finally believe he had a pulpit to spread the truth of this impending crisis. I can then also understand his frustration, disappointment, and sadness at seeing that the system he once believed was one that celebrated that Democracy and openess to truth, was really one that placed personal satisfaction and aggrandizement over the best interests of the whole.

So much has happened since those days in the seventies when he first ran for Congress in Tennessee as a young man with such faith in a system that subsequently let us all down... but one thing hasn't changed, and that is the heart, soul, and conviction he has for working for a sustainable future for our planet. And he is now sharing that fulfillment with all of us and telling us through his work as a private citizen that we all have that power within us to make changes, and indeed that for all of us to use that power would certainly move mountains. This is the lesson to be learned from reading his book again, and I thank him so much for it. I can't wait for the next one. ;-).

BTW, Earth In The Balance was reissued by Rodale Publishers and released yesterday with new information added by Mr. Gore. I hope it makes as much of an impact on those who didn't read it when it came out the first time as it did on me.

[RestoreGore]

1. Anyone here read An Inconvenient Truth?

What did you think of it? How has it changed you?