Even though this is a local blog site with an audience that seems to be largely conservative, there are limits, I hope, to the extreme views of a few of our neighbors – for instance, the Patch reader who recently called Al Gore “an idiot.” You needn’t have a college degree, or even be an avid Tea Party member, to find that characterization over the top, inaccurate, and unintelligent.
The briefest of fact checking will dispel any notion of Gore’s “idiocy.” He went to Harvard, majoring in English and Government. After his military service – in the Army, in Vietnam – Gore attended Vanderbilt University Divinity School and then Vanderbilt’s law school. He was a member of Congress for 17 years. He was elected Vice President of the United States. He then won the popular vote for President by 500,000, losing the electoral vote and the presidency – with the help of the Supreme Court. Al Gore then worked to educate people about environmental issues, especially about the effects of global warming, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He also won an Academy Award, and has authored several highly successful books. The recent sale of his TV network to Al Jazeera has caused a stir – but I would hesitate finding fault with the wisdom of that transaction until you know more about it. Al Gore’s accomplishments and intelligence are remarkable. Anyone who calls Al Gore an idiot succeeds, as if anyone cared, to show his own lack of intelligence.
On a purely self-centered note of my own regarding the ex-VP, he and I spent a few moments together during the introduction of our books at Book Expo 2002. I was stunned, but extremely proud to be on the same stage, briefly, with Al Gore.
Al Gores’ new book is titled, The Future: Six Drivers of Social Change. My book, and recently revised E-book, of essays is titled, What I Learned On The Way Down. Both books are available now on Amazon.com
9 minutes ago "The Democrat party gave America slavery, secession, segregation, and socialism. Jim Crow laws, poll tax, literacy tests" . . The Democratic party also gave us Social Security, Medicare, the Civil Rights Amendment and the War on Poverty, fought Nazism and kicked the Russian nuclear missiles out of Cuba. As the Democratic party evolved and got rid of the Dixiecrats, where did the Segregationists like Jessie Helmes go? The Republican party. Would Lincoln or even Reagan survive in the Republican party of today? Political parties have high points and low points and evolve over time. Should we define the Republican party by the Great Depression? Opposition to the Civil Rights Act? Watergate? A mishandling of either war in Iraq?
9 minutes ago "providing women checks for having children out of wedlock are further examples of Democrat policies." . . Your solution is to let those children go hungry?
9 minutes ago "President Reagan broke the chains of economic bondage." . . And had a lot of deficit spending. And raised taxes.
9 minutes ago "The writer thinks the GOP is in disarray, but it's thanks to liberal progressive policies emanating from the Obama administration that America is in disarray. " . . Wouldn't America be in better shape if it had a functioning two party system instead of having one party that cannot do anything but "Just Say No."
9 minutes ago "but it's thanks to liberal progressive policies emanating from the Obama administration that America is in disarray." . . Might be an argument if it was not for the fact that in the end Obama is a moderate President who has in a lot of ways turned his back on the Progressive wing of the party.
9 minutes ago "I would much rather be a member of a political party that rewards my individual industrialism, than one which promotes my individual subjugation." . . Which party is that? Both parties are beholden to corporations that depend on our individual subjugation.
Let those children go hungry? REPLY: Reward baby machines? Which party is that? Both parties are beholden to corporations that depend on our individual subjugation. REPLY: one party is anti-business and proTAX.
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be traced to a variety of problems within the engine. Start by checking to see if there is any debris in the fuel line; if it's clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold, and also check all of the grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump, itself, is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors. At this point, you might want to take your car to a mechanic. I hope this helps. Mr. Advice
I guess I shouldn't feed the troll. :)
Do you not understand, Obama is the commander in chief? He has to understand the strategic plan because he gives the final ok to go ahead and kill. That takes time and planning, with our military. Do you think he just comes through the door and says go ahead. (you may be right lol) :):) Off to Hawaii one day after the Benghazi terrorist attacks, another example of the impatient King.
If three people tell you you're drunk, FALL DOWN!
USE A PUN, GO TO PRISON
10:24 am on Monday, February 11, 2013 "He is referring to the food stamp generation. Not SSI." . . 47% of Americans are on food stamps?
11:50 am on Monday, February 11, 2013 "Selling his TV network to Al Jazira, who funded the 911 terrorists is beyond the pale." . . Look at the bright side, since they paid all that money to Al Gore, they'll have less to give to terrorists? Exactly which ones are they funding. The IRA?
9:55 am on Monday, February 11, 2013 Arthur Spooner 9 minutes ago "but it's thanks to liberal progressive policies emanating from the Obama administration that America is in disarray." . . Might be an argument if it was not for the fact that in the end Obama is a moderate President who has in a lot of ways turned his back on the Progressive wing of the party. If that were true, then why did the liberal dunces vote for him?
9:30 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 "Carl are you naive to not think that we are being overtaxed??" . . Unless you make more than $450K, Obama has not increased your taxes.
9:30 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 "If that were true, then why did the liberal dunces vote for him?" . . A moderate is better than a Conservative.
I suppose this diversionary rationale, is an attempt to extend 'your' blog. I did not note lack of respect for profit derived, though I find huge disdain for his customer and partner base. Among the false premises offered in 'your' blog, such as linking the appearance and demeanor of Al Gore as an idiot... he grossly underrated the reaction to his choice of a buyer. Choosing a customer such as Al Jazeera, is at least idiotic in a extended line of gaffes. Of course, I would have desired say... GE immediately severing and refusal to do business with Iran as example, because of Iran's state sponsored terrorist activities. This unfortunately had to be weighed with respect for contract law internationally. This is but one aspect of President Obama's wish to upend respect for contracts and compacts. Admittedly, Al Jazeerra is a legal customer but a idiotic choice for any business move or politician to engage. Defending the indefensible, is also idiotic 'Jac'.
5 hours ago 'Jac', "he grossly underrated the reaction to his choice of a buyer. " . . Why would he care? He's not going to run for office. All he cared about was the check not bouncing.