Draft Gore

Apologies for my long absence. Last week was spring break, and I've found that during holidays when my routine is disrupted, I rarely get online, much less post. And this week has been quite hectic.

I don't go into politics all that often here, but I've had a growing certainty over the past six months or so that of all the potential presidential candidates out there, the only one I'm comfortable with in office right now is Al Gore. I voted for him in 2000, and sorely want to do so again in 2008. Only he isn't running, so I've joined the thousands who've signed the "Draft Gore" petition online. I found this in my inbox today, and thought I'd share it with you.

Dear Friends,

Today Al Gore testified before Congress on the issue of global warming,
and the New York Times carried this as their lead story. This is a
crucial time for us to make a bold statement about the need for Gore
candidacy. When Gore makes news, we get ten times more visitors than
normal -- including media. Let's impress them with the biggest petition
possible and take some bold actions. Today. Together. Please join us.

There are four things we'd like to ask of you. Please take a few minutes
to read this. It's never been more important than now.

1. Forward the petition link to at least one friend (hopefully more)
2. Make a contribution -- we can't do it without you!
3. Ask DFA to include Al Gore in their presidential poll. Their
endorsement hangs on this.
4. Write Al Gore -- his birthday is 3/31.

1. PETITION (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/algore2008/)

We currently have more than 61,000 signatures on the petition. For a
petition of its kind it's enormous. (Most similar petitions get stuck at
3,000 or less.) But for us to demonstrate the strength of our movement,
we need to double this number now, and then aim for far more in the
months ahead.

And it's easy if you all forward the link
(http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/algore2008/) to as many people as
you can -- friends, neighbors, coworkers. Or tell them to visit
draftgore.com and sign the petition. It can make a huge difference. We
rely on you.

2. CONTRIBUTIONS: HELP US BUY ADS

For each one of us there are millions of Americans who would love to
join this movement but don't know we're here. They will never find us
unless we advertise. Ads are the biggest expense of a campaign. Right
now we cannot afford to reach large audiences beyond internet activists.
With YOUR help we will take out big ads that will tell the world Draft
Gore has arrived.

http://www.draftgore.com/contribute.htm

Anything you can afford will make a big difference. Your dollars COUNT.
And for each contribution you'll receive a beautiful color
bumpersticker. You can pay either by check or securely and quickly
online through either ActBlue (the Democratic fundraiser) or by PayPal.

3. DFA POLL

Democracy for America is running a poll right now asking people to pick
a candidate for 2008. Based on this poll they could make an endorsement.
To our disappointment, Al Gore is NOT included in the poll. The DFA
membership is extremely Gore friendly. If Gore were included, he'd win
in an instant. Please write to DFA and ask them to include Gore in their
presidential poll. You can do it by taking the poll and selecting
"other" for the candidate, or by writing them directly. Here are the
links:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/contact
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/pulsepoll


4. BIRTHDAY LETTER

Al Gore's birthday is coming up on March 31. This is the perfect time to
write him a letter to send him your wishes and tell him why you think
it's so important that he run for president. Here's his address (sorry,
no email ... same thing, with a stamp ;-)

The Office of the Honorable Al Gore
2100 West End Avenue
Suite 620
Nashville, TN 37203

Thank you very much for your continued support,

Draft Gore

One last thing--Lisa and I, through the magic of NetFlix, watched An Inconvenient Truth the other night. A fantastic, engrossing film. Despite what Republicans such as Joe Barton and James Inhofe would have the world believe, there isn't any scientific doubt over the human role in, and carbon dioxide impact on climate change. I know researchers at Texas State that are studying glacier retreat who are downright exasperated at politicians' dismissal of their overwhelming evidence. So while Gore's documentary is slick and stylish while playing up the drama (how often do you hear those words used in conjunction with "Gore" and "documentary") the facts, science and conclusions in the film are real and solid. Gore makes a few references to the cigarette industry, which got me to thinking that An Inconvenient Truth and the hilariously evil Thank You for Smoking would make a great double-bill. Check them out if you're able--excellent films.

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