December 28, 2007
What Gore, Clinton and Democrats Can Learn from Benazir Bhutto (Brent Budowsky)
Benazir Bhutto was no angel, but she was a believer in democracy who gave her life for her country, retuning to Pakistan knowing she would probably give her life for her country.
By contrast, Democrats in Washington have a life crisis, consult an army of pollsters, and have trouble taking clear leadership stands on war and peace because members of a Congress with record unpopularity might lose another point or two in the polls.
Our discredited politics in America has become a sad Kabuki dance of insiders congratulating and protecting each other, of pollsters and pundits uttering sweet nothings into the ears of politicians too fearful and self-indulgent to take even minimal risks for the higher values of our country.
Benazir Bhutto gives her life. Democrats in Washington cannot risk a point in the polls. Republicans in Washington cannot summon the courage to speak out against a president and war that many of them privately, silently, believe is a disaster for our country.
Meanwhile young heroes give their lives in this unwise war our insiders sent them to fight from the safety of their focus groups and polls and their smugness while they dispense their wisdom caked in makeup from the safety of their television studios.
Give Al Gore credit for elevating the debate about climate change, but at a moment that our country, under George Bush, sabotaged the Bali summit, why isn't Al Gore running for president?
Never have the man and the moment come together so perfectly as Al Gore for President in 2008. Never has any potential candidate been so clearly the heir to Roosevelt and Kennedy, never has any potential candidate so clearly embodied change when change is needed, and experience when experience is needed, as Al Gore for President in 2008.
Having supported Gore through campaigns and governance over a generation, words cannot express my disappointment, my sadness and to some degree my outrage that Al Gore had better things to do than be leader of the free world.
Movies and books can be important, and even great; making money through venture capital for worthy businesses is fine; awards, honors, prizes and standing ovations are wonderful — but they are marginal compared to the leadership of the free world, by America, in our times.
Does Al Gore, or anyone, seriously believe that any presidential candidate, in either party, is even remotely as committed to the battle to save the Earth from the planetary emergency as Gore? If the world is truly in danger of extinction unless major changes are made within the term of the next president, isn't there some higher obligation to hold the one office that can lead the nation and the world toward those changes?
My hope is that Gore at least makes a major endorsement for change in the coming hours, but the real shame is that our strongest leader does not lead where it matters the most, and the voice of both experience and change is silenced on the most important debate about the future of our nation and the world.
Benazir Bhutto gave her life for her country; Democrats so often lack the courage of their convictions to risk even a few points in the polls; and Al Gore racks up the prizes and awards, no doubt deserved, but sadly silenced when the man who should have been leader of the free world had higher priorities.
Benazir Bhutto's murder is a moment of outrage and sadness, of crisis and shock, but it is also a reminder of the power of hope, of the higher purpose of patriotism and of the higher truth that one woman can make a difference, if she gives enough of a damn to try and puts everything on the line for the cause she believes in and the country she loves.
Good-bye, Benazir. You may be gone, but you will be remembered and honored. Perhaps some day in the land that gave us Washington and Lincoln, some heroic leader will emerge once again, inspired by your courage and your example, and rise above the mediocrity and timidity of our times, as you did in yours.
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What we need to do to set this country back on the right path is for every one in the country to vote for the challenger every election for 10 yrs. running.The mega parties would then,no longer be able to take the american electorate for granted & the suckers they are.
Comment by Frank Elkins — December 28, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
Al Gore can't run for President because he can't defend his premise of global warming. He'd have to debate it and he'd look like a fool.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 28, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Muslims Against Sharia condemn the murderers responsible for the assassination of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her supporters.
Our prayers are with the victims of this atrocity. We send our condolences to their loved ones.
May the homicide bomber rote in hell for eternity. May his accomplices join him soon!
http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2007/12/prime-minister-benazir-bhutto-murdered.html
Comment by Muslims Against Sharia — December 28, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
There goes Rosie again. Post after post, time after time, he's been corrected with scientific fact, but he just keeps spewing the fiction. He is upset that there is climate change and global warming, and the mystery is…why? what is the battle he continues to fight, and why does he look facts right in the eye and still deny them?
Comment by Chris Calbi — December 29, 2007 @ 12:52 am
Chris Calbi: Give us one scientific fact, not theory, which proves global warming or you'll look like a fool. Just one.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 29, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Budowski most eloquently makes some good points about the inadequacies of our political leadership and in the current Election contest especialy, the most common opinion of the PEOPLE being that these folks are a bunch of Turkeys that did not make it to the Table on Thanksgiving, not a one of them willing to step up to the plate and REALLY talk about the issues that MATTER.
Except for John Edwards who has now come forward to be the HERO that Budowski would have Gore be. Edwards as you all know has now declared WAR on the CORPORATE STATE which are the REAL Enemies of Democracy and the World.
I informed the Clinton people that I would NOT give them a DIME because Hillary has YET to tell us HOW she would TAME the Corporate Beast that Bush unleashed a thousand fold by deep sixing the Regulations the Liberals and responsible statespeople put into place going back to FDR to curb these Corporate ABUSES.
The BANKS in this country have become a Legally Sanctioned MAFIA that seems to believe they can engage in the most blatant USURY these days with NO fear of penalty thanks to the efforts of THEIR George.
THEY created the Subprime Scam and when their GREED turned around to Bite THEM, they put out this SPIN and even had Wee Georgie say it too, that it was the Victims fault don't you know, when in fact as ALL of US who have had dealings with the Banks for Mortgages know, they are AGGRESSIVE as they can be to COERCE us into these ARMS and other schemes.
And NOW they are tightening up the Credit that the PEOPLE all DEPEND UPON to keep businesses and professions going, to go on with their LIVES.
And as the Economic experts all warn, we are on the Eve of a serious Recession. And the BANKS being primary culprits in this national Tragedy.
SO to put it all on Gore for NOT wanting to Risk his Life itself in this CIRCUS that the political life of our nation has degenerated to, is most unfair to say the least..
WE are ALL TO BLAME and that includes Budowski also, for LETTING THIS HAPPEN to our once Great Country. Time to stop playing the BLAME game and WAKE UP and see the MONKEYS in the MIRROR! Bush did NOT win, WE GAVE HIM the White House to turn into his Corporate TOILET!!!!
Comment by Shelly Rusten — December 29, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Give it up, Brent. Fat Al is not going to give up his plush life in environmental politics for the good of the country (as you see it).
In fact, Al Gore is a poster boy for your discredited politics. He sabotaged the Kyoto Conference ten years ago and promoted the Iraq War five years ago. He ought to stick to documentary film-making, he's good at it. I particularly liked that elevator scene.
http://www.atheistsagainstal.com.html
Comment by Don Bacon — December 29, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
I do not understand why Gore is not running. This time it isn't Kathryn Harris or the Supreme Court that is denying him the office– it is Gore himself. I hold him responsible for keeping America from having our president-in-exile restored to his rightful office.
If Gore truly believes what he wrote in 'The Assault On Reason' that our country is in danger of losing its democracy itself, why isn't he running?
Given that, in Gore's own estimation, none of the candidates are offering even the minimum steps we need to take to combat global warming, why isn't he running?
Comment by Benjamin Iglar-Mobley — December 29, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
My sentiments exactly, Brent. I, too, am bitterly disappointed that Al Gore has not stepped up, regardless of his reluctance to enter the fray where he was so battered last time around. My viewpoint is that if someone has something that his country needs - that no one else can give - it is his duty to give it if he regards himself as a patriot. His personal distaste for it should not enter into it.
Benazir Bhutto, whatever one may make of her, stood up and gave the ultimate sacrifice. She was aware that it was not only a possibility but a probability, and she did not allow that to deter her.
Comment by Alicia Morgan — December 29, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
Gore won't run because he knows he can't handle it. He pussied out in 2000 and is as much to blame as the Bush Crime Family for our current condition. If he'd only stood up, back there in the beginning when something could have been done and defended the Constitution, we'd have a different Country and World now. But we don't and the few Patriots we do have are now easily marginalized. At least Gore is doing something. Kerry should rot in hell for his cowardess against Bush.
Comment by Kevin — December 29, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
To Rosencrans:
One piece of hard data? That's easy, since the amount of hard data is huge and growing as we speed up past the "tipping point".
http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/IMAGES/current.anom.jpg
http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/IMAGES/current.area.jpg
In just two decades, Artic summer ice minima are now 60% of what they once were, in the geologic blink of an eye.
Now I must brace myself for a good dose of Bushie Squid Ink to try to confuse the situation. Blither. Blither. Blather. Personal attack. Look over HERE! Michael Savage told you it's all a Lib'rul Lie, and everything he says is God's Truth.
Don't you have witches to burn or something?
Comment by tom_paine — December 29, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Brent, did you hear the news? Al Gore said time and time again he ain't running for President. No matter how much you cry, beg and stomp your feet he ain't running. Get over it, move on.
Comment by John Simmons — December 30, 2007 @ 8:25 am
tom-pain: I'm sure you meant to post something relevant about alleged global warming but your post further proves the desperation global warming advocates will go to in an attempt to discredit the non-believers. Those items you posted don't prove anything, even remotely. Still waiting for one indisputable fact. There aren't any. Another point. Your post, Tom Paine, is an example of modern day witch burning.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 30, 2007 @ 11:11 am
Robert Rosencrans, you look like a fool for implying that Global Warming is not real.
The only debate about Global Warming there is revolves around what exactly makes the deniers so incredibly stupid.
Comment by Kevin Schmidt, Ojai CA — December 30, 2007 @ 11:39 am
Of course, the real lesson Democrats, Republicans as well as WE THE PEOPLE can learn is how to serve and protect the Constitution.
Most Democrats have committed treason along with every Republican in Congress as well as in the White House and on the Supreme Court.
Every time they pass and sign another unconstitutional law, they commit treason. The same goes for every single judge who makes unconstitutional judgments or decisions.
They immediately need to be kicked out of office by WE THE PEOPLE. We cannot afford to wait until the next election, these traitors who are stealing our Constitution are just too dangerous to be running around free, let alone running our federal government.
We have the right to peaceably assemble for as long as we want in Washington, D.C. and demand our employees address our grievences. We have the right to completely surround the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court and the Pentagon and stay there peaceably for as long as we want.
We have the right to fire any of our employees any time we want.
We have the right to rescind any unconstitutional law and any unconstitutional court decision.
WE THE PEOPLE do not need their permission to do anything. They need our permission to do everything.
Now is the time for WE THE PEOPLE to take back our government from malfeasant traitors.
Comment by Kevin Schmidt, Ojai CA — December 30, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
In the old days before the Networks took over electioneering there was a thing called a draft. In it the public, the parties, the press would say "Mr. Gore, you're not running but the country wants and needs you so you really are running for Presdent! Now, get out there and campaign. You served in Nam, now serve here!"
Al Gore is NEEDED if we have any hope of regaining our lost liberties.
Comment by The Old Hippy — December 30, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
To Kevin Schmidt: I notice you didn't post any facts to support your contention about alleged global warming either. Doesn't that make you a fool?
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 31, 2007 @ 7:32 am
I think the reason Al Gore isn't running this time is because he feels totally betrayed by the leadership of the Democratic party and Senate democrats who couldn't abndon him fast enough and then hide in their cushy, ivory ashington towers while Bush the thief committed his coup d'etat in Florida. Many of these spineless Senate democrats are now running their own sham don't fight back campaigns just like Kerry did in 2004. I also don't think Al Gore wants any part of cleaning up the disaster that never should've happened if the Democratic party leadership had had a spine and helped him defend the people's right to vote in Florida. Florida law clearly required that all of the uncounted votes be counted. Al Gore did all he could to save democracy in America in 2000 short of starting a civil war and he did it alone. The pro Bush media also did all it could in 2000 to help install Bush with the war full of flat out lies and misquotes it waged against Al Gore and no doubt would continue it's lying ways in 2008. I do think our country is finished if Al Gore doesn't run in 2008 but I understand why he isn't. The way he was betrayed by the leadership of the Democratic party, Senate democrats nd the pro Bush media in 2000 should go down as the betrayal that ended democracy in America. The blame must be placed where it really belongs which is with the Bush election stealers and their enablers, the Democratic party leadership, Senate democrats and the pro Bush media.
Comment by Gore 2008 — December 31, 2007 @ 9:10 am
Bret: The sad thing is if a democrat is elected Gore will end up running the EPA. He would do more harm there than many realize. He would single handedly cripple our economy. The good news is the American people will see how bankrupt the democratic candidate will be (pick any one of them) and will vote for the republican. Thank God! It will be an interesting New Year!
Comment by Rich — December 31, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Would cripple our economy? The tactics of tax breaks for the wealthy and big oil/corps doesn't seem to be working that well for the people… or the national debt.
Comment by effie — December 31, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Robert Rosencrans typed "Chris Calbi: Give us one scientific fact, not theory, which proves global warming or you’ll look like a fool. Just one."
A ridiculous comment if ever there was one IMO, since facts are always debatable. If Rosencrans does not buy into 'theories' being on sound ground I would suggest that he walk off a 10 story building because gravity is just a 'theory'.
Comment by maxx — December 31, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
Seems like the Cons are running hard trying to make themselves relevant. You Cons, YEAH YOU AND YOUR 'KING ILK! and the criminals you enable ARE DESTROYING THIS COUNTRY. Wake up my fellow patriots, they have us in a death hold. We need solidarity and action to save our country from these DAMN RAYALISTS.
Comment by Emilio — December 31, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
maxx: Like most global warming enthusiasts, you have to stretch facts and go on the offense to try and make a point. Gravity isn't a theory. It's a scientific fact. Perhaps you were dropped on your head as a child as a result of gravity.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 31, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Sorry Maxx, gravity isn't a theory, it's a scientific fact. Next time you want to show how smart you are you may want to try a little harder.
Comment by John Simmons — January 1, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Ah, we have a new Liberal to the group who also doesn't know how to spell. Welcome to the group Emilio — can you tell us all what Rayalists are?
Comment by John Simmons — January 1, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Old Hippy — What you describe is involuntary servitude and it violates your precious constitution.
Comment by John Simmons — January 1, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
I personally didn't want Gore to run for the Democratic party's nomination since they are quickly becoming the progressive wing of the neocons. Who in their right mind wants to fight in that political toilet. I also don't see any of the front runners reversing that parasitic Patriot Act. Now if Gore really had some balls and wanted to make things really interesting, he would switch party affiliations over to the Green Party. I'm about to do the same.
Comment by Skip — January 1, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
Alas, if one looks at the solutions provided by civilization to mankind's problems one cannot see one instance where government solved anything. All solutions come from the people. Al Gore must have recognized this and so put his energies elsewhere. Once, a solution is proposed then hopefully government can encourage the solution along and not work against it. Having a president who knows how to run government will be the agenda of the Party. I hope we choose wisely. I hope the candidate does not betray the people with petty folly.
Comment by Smedley Valet — January 2, 2008 @ 11:03 am
I wish each one of you that criticize Gore for not running or how he walked away after the Supreme court ruled Bush the winner - would have to experience just a TAD of what he had to have gone thru.
Just imagine the feeling of winning the biggest position in the U.S. only to have it pulled out from under you. Imagine fighting the vote while being called a cry baby.
The man did his best, got more votes then any other human being - he went thru HE– to get there.
Maybe just maybe he doesn't want to experience that kind of name calling and failure again.
Comment by Connie Manes — January 2, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
Lets not forget the YEARS Gore went thru in politics to even GET where he got before running the last time. Also count the 2 years of preparing and campaigning for the job.
Try it - before calling him names - please.
Comment by Connie Manes — January 2, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
I agree with Rosencrat and John Simmons;
science is the devils playground. There is no global warming anymore than there is a Santa Clause. Scientists try and tell us about evolution and all that crap, yet the earth is only about 7000 years old. Why can't all you liberlas just admit it?
Good job Rosencran and Simmons.
Comment by Craving Canservative — January 2, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
Look at comment #19 (Rich) and you'll get an idea why I will no longer aligne myself with these kooks (a.k.a. "Republicans) What a nutcase Rich is, poor soul.
Comment by Lester — January 2, 2008 @ 10:26 pm
CC;
Since you have a PHd in science, please show us your peer review thesis that Global Warming is not real and happening. I would love to read it - not.
Comment by Mike Coleman — January 3, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
[...] Brent Budowsky reminds us just how low the bar for political "courage" is set in this country: Benazir Bhutto was no angel, but she was a believer in democracy who gave her life for her country, retuning to Pakistan knowing she would probably give her life for her country. [...]
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