Al Gore's Defeat or His Finest Hour?
In December of 2000, Al Gore conceded the election for President of the United States to George W. Bush.
I won't go into all that led up to that event or all that followed. That's not what I want to talk about. However, as bad as the results must have seemed to Al Gore at the time, if ever one man's loss might have become a world's gain, that might have been the moment.
Al Gore, of course, went on from that defeat to produce (and star in, I guess you could say) a telling, and Oscar winning, movie documentary about the perils of global warming, or climate change, depending on what camp you're in. It was a subject that he has fervently followed, studied, and whose importance he has believed in for years.
I guess with all that time on his hands, he needed something to do.
It's interesting to note that until he "lost" that election, Al Gore was on a track to success but was it his chosen track? After all, he followed his father into the family business of politics, eventually becoming Bill Clinton's Vice President, and from there it seemed natural that he would occupy the Oval Office. I wonder, had he really chosen these pathways, or simply followed the signs that had been blazed for him by his father and events of circumstance, history, and birth? Would he, like many of us, have chosen another path if given the opportunity to go back to earlier interests and enthusiasms?
Yes, it seemed that the life of Al Gore was pretty neatly laid out.
That was B.C. - Before Chad.
After the debacle in Florida (my home state, sadly), he was then forced to endure what must have been one of the greatest disappointments imaginable.
What was of interest to me was his refusal to carry the fight further lest it divide the nation more. This willingness to step aside for what seemed the good of the rest of us, despite a possibly good claim to the presidency gave me my first insight into the reality of the man.
Perhaps this was the opportunity for the emergence of the real Al Gore.
In college, a professor, I believe, had introduced him to information about events that could be damaging the environment, perhaps permanently. His interest in this, while it never wavered, had to take a back seat to the requirements of the career pathway he was on...politics. However, he did attempt to use his position to focus attention on the problem and to combat what he considered environmentally destructive actions and legislation. So, after the events of November and December of 2000, he must have looked around for something to occupy his time, efforts, and talents. I don't think he started out to be a movie star, he simply decided that the planet was still in danger and his next project would be to save it.
I think that's great!
However, I feel good about something else as well.
Remember the Al Gore who was kidded, mocked, teased, and mimicked by comedians, reporters, and the public? He was accused of being wooden...of being stiff...of being impersonal, cold, and standoffish.
If you had seen him in the movie (definitely NOT leading man material there) or at the Academy Awards, where his little movie, "An Inconvenient Truth" won an Oscar, and a song from the movie also won an Oscar, you would have seen an animated, engaged, interesting man who seemed full of life and vitality and passionate about his subject. Well, as passionate as Al Gore gets....but still!
Not bad for an out-of-work ex-"next President of the United States" as he introduced himself in the movie.
I am happy to see this sort of transformation in anyone. I am glad for the planet that Al Gore had the opportunity to turn from the path of politics . While he is not a Messiah, I think the world will be a better place and Al Gore a better, or at least happier man for having found a new path to walk...one chosen by himself.
Many experts in psychology, motivation, and self improvement have proposed that the way to be truly happy is to find something you love doing and make that your life's work. Seems that something like that may have happened here.
I don't know what kind of president Al Gore would make, or would have made, but I think that he could possibly accomplish more good for mankind and create more happiness for himself by doing that little hobby he's picked up...saving the world just because he wants to and believes it's the right thing to do.
Related Tags: global warming, oscar, al gore, climate change, academy awards, an inconvenient truth
Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer. He is a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. He offers a selection of do-it-yourself legal forms and software at http://legal-forms-supermarket.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Third Term - The Obasanjo Syndrome ... Ambition and the Place of God
I recently read a post in a blog (multibrand.blogspot.com) concerning President SBY of Indonesia amb - Black Veterans Still Not Receiving Their Due
With a Black President, many discussions have been re-kindled regarding the treatment of Blacks in v - Are Green Party Candidates Converting Voters?
Have you noticed that the Green Party Convention is hosting a few training sessions which include th - The National Debt: Young Americans Are Inheriting a Sinking Ship
The greatest fundamental weakness of the United States of America is its national debt. Debt weighs - America Must Return to Its Free Market Roots
The United States is the most prosperous country in the world. Its economy has been a constant engin - Policies Of President Obama And Democratic Congress Severely Undermine Job Opportunities For Young Americans
For Young Americans, this is the worst job market in decades. Despite politicians claiming we are on - The Virtues Of A Limited Federal Government And Why America Must Return To The Limited Federal Republic Laid Out In The Constitution
I consider the foundation of the Constitution . . . that 'all powers not delegated to the United Sta - Young Americans Have Largest Stake In Maintaining A Strong Military And Effective Homeland Security Policies
Americans are truly blessed to live in a country protected by the most powerful and effective milita - Why Hitler Wanted To Ban Guns
Whenever the name Adolf Hitler is mentioned one automatically makes a connection to the Holocaust, N - What Happened To The Mohave County Downwinders?
I always get a bit frustrated when I hear that the reason Mohave County was excluded from the Radiat
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Designer Shoes Come First In Global Poll Of Most Wanted Accessories
For both men and women, shoes have long been an essential fashion item. In fact, many women in popul - New US Ambassador for Indonesia Named
The US government has appointed Cameron R. Hume as the next ambassador to Indonesia, reliable source - 1984 By George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell In the book "1984" Orwell criticizes totalitarianism of all types and brings - Chaos Theory: Bush's delusions & Iraq's destiny (Part 2)
The classic counter-insurgency strategy of the US consists of the "ink-blotch" approach. This involv - Will Israel Attack Iran (Part 2)
In November of last year, I wrote an article speculating about whether or not the Israelis would tak - Rodrigues Island 'autonomy'
Rodrigues Island: 'Autonomy' The first few pages were qui - Obama Is Coming, Clear The Way!
"Obama biro, yawne yo!" (Obama is coming, clear the way)—Tens of thousands of cheering Luo "Tr - African Tribes
African Tribes In this article the economies and lifestyles of such African tribes as the Lele and - This Is Not Your Dad's Republican Party Anymore
Stock markets are strange because they reflect the sum total of all our hopes, fears and prejudices - How to Drastically Reduce our Foreign Oil Dependency While Saving you Money at the Pump
If you watch or listen to the news, discussions come up all the time about the price of a barrel of