Say what you will about Gore, criticize the notion of true democracy torn asunder between the Donkey and the Elephant behemoths, dismiss the efficacy of the people to govern themselves.
But read the following Al Gore speech - posted at Smirkingchimp.com - and reflect on what he has to say.
Excerpts:
I thought maybe it was an aberration when three-quarters of Americans said they believed that Saddam Hussein was responsible for attacking us on September 11, 2001. But more than four years later, between a third and a half still believe Saddam was personally responsible for planning and supporting the attack.
Are we still routinely torturing helpless prisoners, and if so, does it feel right that we as American citizens are not outraged by the practice? And does it feel right to have no ongoing discussion of whether or not this abhorrent, medieval behavior is being carried out in the name of the American people? If the gap between rich and poor is widening steadily and economic stress is mounting for low-income families, why do we seem increasingly apathetic and lethargic in our role as citizens?
But some extremely important elements of American Democracy have been pushed to the sidelines . And the most prominent casualty has been the "marketplace of ideas" that was so beloved and so carefully protected by our Founders. It effectively no longer exists.
In fact, our first self-expression as a nation - "We the People" - made it clear where the ultimate source of authority lay. It was universally understood that the ultimate check and balance for American government was its accountability to the people. And the public forum was the place where the people held the government accountable. That is why it was so important that the marketplace of ideas operated independent from and beyond the authority of government.
How many times do people like Gore have to stand up and point to the facts before it sinks in how fascist the great democracy has become?
Shame .. O fie for shame.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer should become mandatory reading for all US high school and college students. Maybe then, they could compare what is going on around them with the silent approval that to this day curses the German people.
That's if they can manage to read it to begin with.
Education, people. There ain't no other magic key behind door number one and Bob Barker ain't gonna give you a kiss.
It's times like this I am reminded of the words of one of my teachers.
"Pursue knowledge even if it is to be found in Sind (China)" - The Prophet Mohammed
I'm going to go out on a limb and say democracy in the hands of the ignorant and arrogant becomes demoncracy. And perhaps, they are not yet mature as a society to accept the great responsibility and accountability that are the pillars of democracy.
Gore even hints at the lack of education in the US when he points to the founding fathers:
The liberating force of this new American reality was thrilling to all humankind. Thomas Jefferson declared, "I have sworn upon the alter of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
America, yes, you with the Playstation joystick, you dumbified by hip hop, you the brainless weed spreading through the US military; you the my-country-right-or-wrong flag-waving-white-hood-wearing warrior. You the conservative radio host, you the so-called patriot.
You, the American Idol wannabe, you the Harry Potter-reading imbecile, you the lynch mob, you the television producer, you the prozac-gobbling guinea pig driving giddy in your SUV.
You all stand charged with betraying the ideals for which your ancestors fought and died. You all stand charged with betraying the noblest cornerstones of freedom.
You all stand charged for making a mockery of the words freedom and liberty and rendering them benign gift-wrapping.
You can wrap dung in the greatest of semantic virtues, at the end, much to your chagrin, it is still dung.
Postscript: I promised myself I wouldn't blog today. Returning readers here will notice I blog on average 1-2 times a day, more than any other Iraqi blogger.
This accursed blog has become an extension of me .... and it will flutter in the wind by my side when the noose is around my neck.
