As I listened to Al Gore last night as he was interviewed by Harry Shearer, it came to me -- let's cut to the chase and put Gore's likeness on Mount Rushmore now.
He has already done more to preserve and protect America and democracy than have many occupants of the Oval Office -- including the one now sitting in Gore's chair. His latest book, The Assault on Reason, is a brilliant analysis of the way in which we have taken a tragic detour from the reasoned discourse essential to self-government. More importantly, it is also a roadmap for the way out.
Gore isn't going to make any new friends in the MSM. He lays much of the blame squarely at the feet of those in the press who were led around by the ring in their nose -- too afraid to speak truth to power. Afraid they would lose ratings or be branded unpatriotic. He levels these criticisms not about the MSM coverage of the 2000 election -- but certainly, if he were not such a gentleman, he would have plenty to criticize there -- he talks instead about the appalling ease with which the Bush administration was able to lull us all (well, 70% of us anyway) into believing such falsehoods as the supposed connection between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein and that Iraq had, or soon would have, nuclear capability. Gore calls the decision to invade Iraq the worst strategic mistake in American history. And then he goes on to make this point -- and this is vitally important -- all the information we needed to make an intelligent and correct decision about whether or not to invade Iraq was available before the decision was made. Before the decision was made. Gore doesn't make this statement to indict those in Congress who voted for the war. Though he doesn't let them off the hook either. He does it to shine a bright light on the complete collapse of reasoned thought and discussion which form the foundation of democracy.
In addition to the analysis of the decision to invade Iraq, Gore makes many other thought provoking assessments including this: God (or a deity) has a place in the American version of self-governance. He proves this by walking the listener through an erudite but understandable history of the Enlightenment -- of the evolution from the a Monarch who ruled by divine right to a government which derives it authority from the consent of the governed who themselves have been endowed by their creator with inalienable rights. That, asserts Gore, is the source of power in American -- the power of the people to question their leaders. Far from being unpatriotic, it is our job. The founding Fathers and our Creator would expect no less.
Gore has hit his stride. His delivery is crisp. His thoughts are complex but understandable and he was much funnier than the comedian who interviewed him. He is comfortable in his own skin. This is Al. The one most people have never gotten to see. He has a command and understanding of the history of the United States unsurpassed by any living politician. He understands what made America a great nation. He understands how we get back to being a great nation.
Will he run for president again? Who knows. It is worth noting that Gore doesn't believe that constant campaigns are in the best interest of the American people. He doesn't feel compelled to play that game. Let's not worry too much about that just yet. Let's instead listen to what he has to say. And think about it. And act on it.
Then let's break out the chisels.