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Tag(s): American Foreign Policy; Bush Admin; Bush Enemy Of Democracy; Climate Change; Democracy; Election Theft; Elections_Campaigns; Freedoms; Global Warming; Gore Al; (more...) Gore Al Real President; Leadership- Leaders; Media Distortion; Morality Morals; Vision Visionary Visionaries (less...)
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November 17, 2007 at 16:44:23

The Last Founder Standing

by Sheila Samples Page 1 of 2 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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"If you want to go quickly, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
We need to go far -- quickly." ~~ Al Gore

No entity in this once-proud nation is more corrupt than its shallow, hubris-infested media. Any pricks of conscience the media may have felt for covering up the treasonous seizure of the 2000 election were swept away in the swirl of terror following the attack on 9-11. The "big story" to confront George Bush when he returned from his month-long vacation in September 2001, his approval numbers tanking, was that Al Gore got more votes than any Democrat in US history -- nearly a half-million more than Bush. It was that five conservative Supreme Court judges stopped the vote count that would prove Gore won because, in their unsigned decision, they wrote such a democratic win would cause "public acceptance," which would "cast a cloud over Bush's legitimacy" and thus harm "democratic stability."

Into the Abyss

The election coup was a shot across the bow of democracy, a power seizure orchestrated by the ever-present, hands-on man who leaves no fingerprints, James Baker III, and carried out by mob leader John Bolton. Luckily for Bush, he blundered into 9-11 and managed to hit the trifecta before the papers managed to hit the newsstands. And, thanks to the media and its burgeoning power to manipulate citizen opinion and form legislative attitudes, Bush demanded -- and was given -- a license to kill.

The beast was loosed.

The last seven years have been a hell of a ride for Bush, Dick Cheney and their toady media -- continuous, absurd politicking for the next election, blood-gushing adventure abroad and a Constitution-shredding free-for-all at home. Power is a heady thing, and they grow more powerful and immoral with each lie they tell, each freedom they destroy, each crime they cover up.

For the rest of us, those years have just been hell. Like our fellow Americans in New Orleans caught up in the despair of waiting for help that will never come, we remain mired in a Samuel Beckett wasteland, waiting for our own "Godot" to return and claim what is rightfully his. Rightfully ours. Our rights, our freedoms, our civil liberties -- our government.

Gore tested the water in 2004, and the media met him head-on, fangs bared, in a concerted effort to ridicule and destroy him and to keep their corporate benefactors and war profiteers in office. From the New York Times to the Washington Times to the Los Angeles Times the message to Gore was the same -- get lost.

Over at CNN, Paula Zahn and Judy Woodruff each did an "exclusive" interview with Gore. Each pointed out how popular and wonderful Bush is; each asked Gore virtually the same question -- "Do you really think YOU can win?" Each looked at Gore in stunned amazement, and Woodruff even added in her intensely oh-so-blonde bewildered way (eyes wide, hands spread) -- "People are saying that nobody out there likes you, even the leaders of your own party. Given that (you're such a ridiculously low lying slimeball) -- what makes you think you can win...?"

People are saying. Should anyone doubt who those "people" are, during the same period, CNN's Suzanne Malvoux opined to then morning anchor Soledad O'Brien, "There's a connection between Bush 43 and the public -- it's a comfort level...Bush has a glow about him." O'Brien announced a bit later, as if noticing it herself, "Bush seems to have a glow about him." Later, Woodruff credited Malvoux with reporting earlier that "Bush is so relaxed, he has a glow about him." Later in the day, Wolf Blitzer commented, "Some people are saying that Bush has a glow about him..."

Gore was determined that the election be more than some "media" people saying he is boring, he is fat, he is a liar. He knew that Bush, if forced to address the issues facing this country, if forced to explain the disconnect between his words and actions, explain to Americans why their civil rights were being desecrated in the name of freedom, explain how a "man of God" could morph so effortlessly into an "Angel of Death," he could not -- and should not -- survive. So Gore withdrew, hoping to set the stage if not for Bush's defeat, at least for him having to answer some critical questions about this nation's economy, its domestic chaos, and the pathological lies that took this nation into a bloody, senseless war.

Going Quickly, Alone

That didn't happen. So Gore set out to continue his lifelong quest of awakening the world's population to the reality of global warming. In spite of the media's vicious efforts to discredit him, Gore soared to new heights of credibility with his book, "An Inconvenient Truth," published concurrently in May 2006 with the documentary film of the same title. The film, by far the most popular at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, was mocked at home but received well-deserved acclaim in foreign media and captured not one, but two Academy Awards. It went on to become the fourth-highest-grossing documentary in US history.

The New York Times' Michiko Kakutani did review Gore's book, pointing out that it was "largely free of the New Age psychobabble and A-student grandiosity that rumbled through" his 1992 book, "Earth in the Balance." Kakutani reminded readers that Poppy Bush had earlier dismissed Gore as "Ozone Man," but conceded that Gore's "passionate warnings about climate change seem increasingly prescient," and that his "wonky fascination with policy minutiae has been tamed in these pages..." Finally, while noting that Gore wrote the Introduction for (1994 reprint) Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," Kakutani wrapped it up by sneering that Gore "isn't a scientist like Carson and doesn't possess her literary gifts," and accused Gore of writing "as a popularizer of other people's research and ideas."

Perhaps if Kakutani had known that, just 18 months later, Gore and the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about manmade climate change, and to lay the foundations ... to counteract such change," she might have mentioned that the premise of Gore's book was clearly that global warming is not just about science nor is it just a political issue. It is a moral issue and we -- all of us -- have a responsibility to do something about it. Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" is, as Kafka wrote, "the axe for the frozen sea inside us."

Al Gore is a "larger than party" guy, and stands head and shoulders above the hypocritical Bush clones in both parties who are flip-flopping all over the campaign trail. Since 2000, he has wielded that axe again and again via op-eds, speeches and face-to-face interaction with the people -- a wake-up call to resist the imposition of tyranny by the powerful. As early as 2003 Gore was ahead of the pack, warning Americans about the loss of civil liberties, unwarranted searches and seizures, and illegal surveillance.

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Sheila Samples is an Oklahoma writer and a former civilian US Army Public Information Officer. She is a regular contributor for a variety of Internet sites.

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10 comments

Sandy Sand began her writing career while raising three children and doing public relations work for Women's American ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training). That led to a job as a reporter for the San Fernando Valley Chronicle, a weekly publication in Canoga Park, California. In conjunction with the Chronicle, she broadcast a tri-weekly, 10-minute newscast for KGOE AM. Following the closure of the Chronicle, Sand became the editor of the Tolucan Times and Canyon Crier newspapers...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Sandy SandSandy Sand began her writing career while raising three children and doing public relations work for Women's American ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training). That led to a job as a reporter for the San Fernando Valley Chronicle, a weekly publication in Canoga Park, California. In conjunction with the Chronicle, she broadcast a tri-weekly, 10-minute newscast for KGOE AM. Following the closure of the Chronicle, Sand became the editor of the Tolucan Times and Canyon Crier newspapers...

to see more of bio, click on member name

That "glow" ain't no halo

Unfortunately that glow seen by the stary-eyed, kiss up, keep their press passes in tact reporters was not the glow of an angelic halo, but the radio active glow of a religious zealot who, acting in the most unChristian way, has nearly destroyed the United States of America.

I honestly don't know if I want Gore to jump in the ring hat and all. I do know if he does, he must leave the ill-advisors in the trash heap where they belong. If he does run, he must be himself, middle-age stread and all. I don't see anyone getting on Fred Thompson's case for being overweight.

After getting rid of the advisors, he must think premptively, hit the Republicans before they hit him and when they hit him, don't be a John Kerry and let the media make the story for days, but hit back stronger and harder.

I do know I don't want Hillary nominated; she's Bush-lite. She's a corporatist and just like Bill and his biggest mistake -- she's an open border, free trading, NAFTA supporter. Bill's NAFTA deal did far more harm to this country than his roll under a desk and impeachment.

by Sandy Sand (143 articles, 0 quicklinks, 195 diaries, 1376 comments) on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 8:06:43 PM

Sheila Samples is an Oklahoma writer and a former civilian US Army Public Information Officer. She is a regular contributor for a variety of Internet sites.
Sheila SamplesSheila Samples is an Oklahoma writer and a former civilian US Army Public Information Officer. She is a regular contributor for a variety of Internet sites.

Hi, Sandy...

Hmmmm...I thought that "glow" about Stinky W. was just a reflection of the fires of hell, which is where he's headed...

I personally feel that Gore is our last chance to restore that republic our Founders envisioned, and that Ben Franklin said was ours "IF we could keep it." Don't be fooled by all that "adviser" crap the media puts out. Naomi Klein said she did NOT tell him what to wear, and he denied it too. However, the media refused to print anything but what "they" were saying about Gore.

The media hated him, and most of them didn't know why, and still don't. Margaret Carlson giggled that she trashed Gore "because it was so much fu-u-u-n." And the hateful smart-ass, Joe Klein, said the entire media liked to "ridicule" Gore. Klein said, "He opens his mouth and is immediately assumed cynical, tactical, self-serving, self-pitying, awkward, embarrassing, unintentionally hilarious -- or all of the above..."

Strange, isn't it, that the vicious little killer the media still protect is all of the above -- not Gore.

Gore is Truth and Morality -- and that's like ramming a cross and a clove of garlic in the media's face...

by Sheila Samples (51 articles, 3831 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 400 comments) on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 9:11:51 PM

Two Gores

Not going by what the media said, I see or saw three different Als; the one who when he was the veep was relaxed and himself.

The one who ran for pres who was nervous, stiff and uptight.

The Al who far more graciously than Smirky Face would ever be, conceeded the election. Again the relaxed, being himself Al, which is the one we see today.

Then there's the third Al. The one full of fire and brimstone, who like Harry, gives 'em hell with both barrels. I love that Al.

as far as the 'lock box' thing goes. I don't know why that got started. Maybe it was the accent. Maybe it was Karl Rove. So he called it a lock box. I would have called it an insurance policy or trust fund or savings account. Someone in his campaign probably thought lockbox was a good catch phrase and it backfired on them, which was too bad for all of us.

I saw the debate where I think he first use the expressing, and it was a run away train of derision after that. I never got why they chose to jump on that.

Easier than chasing down where W. was those last few months of his Nat'l. Guard service. I'd love to know where he was; he seemed to have dropped off the face of the Earth, only and unfortunately to reappear.

I've always wondered if he were in an assylum somewhere having a melt down.

by Sandy Sand (143 articles, 0 quicklinks, 195 diaries, 1376 comments) on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 11:26:35 PM

age: 52
sex: male
race: caucasion
family: married, 3 children, two in braces
political affillation: Independant
state of mind: ready for the rev(love)olution!
rp4meage: 52
sex: male
race: caucasion
family: married, 3 children, two in braces
political affillation: Independant
state of mind: ready for the rev(love)olution!

The REAL Last Founder Standing

Sheila,

Enjoyed your article. Agreed with much of it from a historical and moral standpoint. Yes, I am an unabashed Ron Paul supporter. Go figure. I wish I could say something so completely accurate and comprehensive that anyone who reads this comment, would immediately pause for deep reflection of their patriotic values and become a Ron Paul supporter. This will not happen for several reasons, the least of which is that I am a just an average American (quite possibly an emerging Patriot), looking for the TRUTH, and regrettably we are not getting it from those we elect to the highest offices in the land; the congress, the senate, and the presidency.

We didn't get the truth from the Republicans and we didn't get the truth from the Democrats.

With all due respect, Mr. Gore is not the Last Founder. Dr. Ron Paul is. He is the spokesman of a new wave of Americans like me, who are finally waking up to all of the political schenanigans (sic) taking place in Washington. Ron Paul is but one man...but one man with a mission of spreading the message of real freedom and real liberty for all Americans, regardless of political party affilliation, can change the course of history.

by rp4me (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments) on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 8:18:21 PM

To rp4me

Thank you so much for your kind words. I agree with you that hypocrisy is rampant throughout our government, on both sides of the aisle. You're right -- there is a remarkable movement in support of Ron Paul, which underscores the discontent of the people in this nation.

Americans are looking for a hero -- someone they can trust to do the right thing. However, I think we should step back and study the voting record of any man or woman before they get our vote. For example, Chuck Hagel is racking up points with Democrats because of his courageous words and his opposition to the Iraq war. Yet, except for the war, he has always voted -- and still does -- straight Republican. He dashed out of a meeting several months ago to cast his vote against raising the minimum wage, and then returned to voice his angst against the war.

Ron Paul is a registered Republican, but is a Libertarian, and his votes against the social apparatus put in place for those most vulnerable among us frightens me. Also, he would "do away" with things like the Income Tax, Social Security, the NEA, etc., until we would all be standing there holding bootstraps -- with equal opportunity to pull ourselves up.

That is the real freedom of the Libertarian. And, although I admire Paul, I could not, in good conscience, vote for him.

by Sheila Samples (51 articles, 3831 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 400 comments) on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 9:32:25 PM

52 year old female, married 35 years to childhood sweetheart. Love America and family. I grew up during Vietnam war and my grandchildren are growing up during Iraq war. I want my grandchildren to see what it takes to right a wrong. America needs to hold people accountable. We are a country ruled by the Rule of Law, people need to be held accountable from the top down. America has been going away from accountability. I want to see America once again as a leader in the world, through truth ...

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Conniepae52 year old female, married 35 years to childhood sweetheart. Love America and family. I grew up during Vietnam war and my grandchildren are growing up during Iraq war. I want my grandchildren to see what it takes to right a wrong. America needs to hold people accountable. We are a country ruled by the Rule of Law, people need to be held accountable from the top down. America has been going away from accountability. I want to see America once again as a leader in the world, through truth ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

If we don't stop the bomb Iran talk, nothing will matter

Bombing Iran and War is the end all of this election. The media started the campaign so early for a reason. People started discussing what the candidates were or weren't doing as a distraction from what the President and Vice President are doing. They should have been covering what is real! We have a real President and Vice President who are beating the War Drums again! Another war of aggression! While we debate who will be better a year from now. Distraction! Russia and China have done war games with Iran. They have both warned agaisnt an attack, yet this administration and mainstream media continue the spin, campaign '08. It has been reported that over 50% of Americans believe we should bomb Iran. How did that number get that high? Media spin! We need to return to a society that values the Rule of Law and accountability. We don't have accountability in mainstream media, we have spin. We don't have accountability in government, we have distraction and spin. It's an 'Assault on Reason'. No one has been held accountable for leading us to war with a country that had not killed one American prior to our invasion, using fixed facts. Unfortunately, there are so few places where fact trumps spin. Jon Stewart and Keith Olberman come to mind as hero's for truth. Al Gore could have been a voice of reason. I long for a 'Voice of Reason', the spinning is making Americans dizzy.

by Conniepae (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 9 comments) on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 10:22:00 AM

Way left of right but not too left of center-a moderate progressive.
Joe EichlerWay left of right but not too left of center-a moderate progressive.

A beautifully written article

You have made some very strong points in your article and I thank you for bringing this information forward. While I agree that Al Gore won the election and George Bush stole the Presidency I do disagree with your assesment:

"Al Gore is a Tom Paine, a Paul Revere, who tells us it is time to stand again for freedom. Gore is for the people, he is of the people who long to rekindle the true spirit of America -- and he will be re-elected by the people--because he is the last Founder standing."

While it is important to point out the corruption in the political machine it is also necessary to consider who or what is directing its' outcome. Al Gore may have been all that you express but I fear that he is now a victim of those who control our destiny. Please check it out and draw your own conclusions: Alex Jones has produced a documentary film that ties alot of the conspiracy ideas together. It is available for free on YouTube. Search for "EndGame" by Alex Jones. I believe there are 13 videos that make up the documentary. I watched 3 of the YouTube videos and then bought the DVD. This is a subject that we all should watch.

by Joe Eichler (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 11 comments) on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 11:14:52 AM

I'm a 29 year old male.
TyI'm a 29 year old male.

Gore

Stop wasting your time with Gore. He doesn't want to run. He's not the progressive you think he is. Gore supports neoliberal economics. Gore supports globalization. Don't waste your time with that con man Ron Paul either. Support Dennis Kucinich the only one truly defending America and the US Constitution.

by Ty (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 821 comments) on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 10:14:25 PM

JUST A CONCERN CITIZEN AND LOVE MY COUNTRY GREW UP IN A SMALL FISHING TOWN IN NJ,BUT THE DAY I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE,SPENT MOST OF MY TIME EXPANSING MY MINE. LEARNED A LOT THE HARD WAY,BUT MOSTLY STREET SMART. AT 65 HAVE PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHO THE SNAKES ARE.
RICHARD SHADEJUST A CONCERN CITIZEN AND LOVE MY COUNTRY GREW UP IN A SMALL FISHING TOWN IN NJ,BUT THE DAY I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE,SPENT MOST OF MY TIME EXPANSING MY MINE. LEARNED A LOT THE HARD WAY,BUT MOSTLY STREET SMART. AT 65 HAVE PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHO THE SNAKES ARE.

THE LAST GLOBALIST NOT YET EXPOSED

IF AL GORE WHERE TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, HE WILL FOLLOW THE GLOBALIST AGENDA. HE IS A MEMBER OF CFR AND THESE ARE GLOBALIST. THE GLOBALIST HAVE A PLAN, AND ITS CALLED ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT. THE GLOBALIST CONTROL THE WORLDS MONEY, THEY CONTROL OUR GOVERMENT AND WE DON'T ANYMORE AND MOST LIKLY NEVER DID, THEY CONTROL THE MEDIA, THEY CONTROL THE ELECTIONS, THEY CONTROL THE WORLDS FOOD SUPPLY, THEY CONTROL THE WORLDS HEALTH, THEY CONTROL THE WARS OF THE WORLD, THEY CONTROL OUR CONGRESS AND SENATE, WHY ARE WE STILL IN IRAQ?,AND NEXT THE WORLDS OIL SUPPLY, AND ALL HUMANITY, AND POPULATION CONTROL AS THEY SEE FIT, AND AT THEIR PLEASURE, THIS PLAN HAS TAKEN THESE GLOBALIST 30 40 60 YEARS TO GET THIS FAR, AND NOTHING AND NOBODY IS GOING TO GET IN THEIR WAY, JFK TRYED AND LOOK WHAT HAPPEN.REGAN THOUGH HE COULD, BUT SOMETHING CHANGED HIS MIND, SO IF ANYBODY THINKS THAT AND AMERICAN HERO IS GOING TO RIDE UP ON A BIG WHITE HORSE AND SAVE THIS COUNTRY, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. GRIM BUT TRUE, BY BY MIS AMERICAN PIE. THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH, IN THE END THESE GLOBALIST WILL BE JUDGED BY THEIR CREATOR GOD ALMIGHT, AND WHERE THEY ARE GOING ALL THAT BLOOD MONEY THEY HAVE AMASSED WILL BE FUEL FOR THE FIRE. ALL ANYBODY HAS TO DO IS GOOGLE AL GORE AND CFR , AND THIS SHOULD GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND.

by RICHARD SHADE (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 460 comments) on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 3:34:07 AM

Margaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

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Margaret BassettMargaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

to see more of bio, click on member name

It's not just who but how No. 44 comes to office

If the honest Democrat would become president it would be Kucinich. He got the I-word out in last week's Iowa debate. That doesn't mean I am advocating him as the winner, but I will say that between now and Jan 3 we need to pressure all Democratic candidates about HR333, at the least. Biden, to his credit, said he would advocate impeachment if Bush tried to start a war in Iran. Maybe that's a start.

All of us who have the conviction that impeachment is necessary need to be more coordinated. Not another webpage or advocacy group--that's not what I'm talking about. Can you all think of a way to coordinate us johnny-come-laters to back up Dave Lindorf and David Swanson and others who have toiled for such a long time? Kathy Smith recently posted a good article about taking Cheney down first. How can we find how many active participants would like to do such a task. I say this because I truly believe that the real grassroots are more atuned to the crisis than is the netroots. Any thoughts

by Margaret Bassett (25 articles, 1659 quicklinks, 29 diaries, 998 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 1:47:38 PM