My Letter To The Honorable Al Gore

[RestoreGore]

Dear Mr. Gore,

I have defended and supported your efforts for many years and will continue to do so because I not only see you as a man who cares about our planet, but also a man who cares for its inhabitants. Which is why I am writing this to you openly and honestly because I do not believe that running for President in this current system in this cycle is your destiny. I think it would take you away from the important work you are doing now on this climate crisis which is far greater and more important to many as you are now a true peoples' advocate not tied to the toxic status quo of Washington DC that truly does not appreciate men of your intelligence and vision and only works to stifle it.

I believe you are a man destined for world recognition on a grander scale, and it is and will be recognition well deserved for all of your work on the topic of climate change and the real changes your work is already bringing about in our world. But it will also encompass more than that. For you see, in this world of sound bites, polls, quick fixes, and people obsessed with the rhetoric of political campaigns, just "winning" for winning's sake, and seeing you only as a symbol instead of a man, you rise above it. You have far surpassed the pedantic rhetoric of some in having to look a certain way, think a certain way, say something a certain way, and be a certain person in order to please everyone else who has preconceived notions. For I truly do believe that 2000 was the event in your life that shook your soul and let your glory out, and frankly, this is what I personally have been waiting to see happen.

I first heard of you in 1988 when you made a run for President. I didn't know much about you then but made a point of finding out because I knew then that the environment was an issue close to your heart as it was and is to mine, and I had been waiting for a candidate like you for a long time. However, I also knew the make up of this political process and how it is bought and sold. I knew the environment would also never truly be an issue front and center with any party and that frustrated me and still does today. You felt you could so something then and that the political world would share your outrage and urgency regarding the climate crisis which you were prescient about even then... but they didn't. Then you were selected by Bill Clinton as his running mate in 1992 after Earth In The Balance was released, and I was ecstatic because I thought that Congress surely would back you up then...but they didn't. You are the reason I voted for Clinton twice btw, because I was voting for you because back then I too thought the political system cared and would listen regarding this. And in your eight years as Vice President you made good strides regarding the environment, but nothing near what could have been accomplished if once again this topic was really taken seriously by the political machine.

Then you ran in 2000 and even though the environment was mentioned, I don't believe you were allowed to talk about it as you really wished to. And I know that you also know how this system really stifles the freedom to campaign on what you think is important or what should really be getting the attention because of having to play the game. And it is that game that has now led us onto this road to ruin. And neither has that system changed, nor will it ever change without another American Revolution or our Democracy being so thoroughly massacred that our options will be limited for survival as a Republic. I truly believe that now especially after the last seven years and the loss of our Democracy enabled by a people who have grown apathetic and ignorant of this process and their role in changing it. And since I do not see that change happening anytime soon, I ask you to stay out here as a vocal advocate for our planet and the people. I ask you to continue being the force for good you are in this world, because the influence and inspiration you have now is so greatly needed out here. In simple terms Mr. Gore, we need you on our side because you are making progress, but there is still so much work to do.

The beltway as you know can also be a very indifferent place to be and as you stated in An Inconvenient Truth only does what is on the tongues of their constituents (and actually moreso their benefactors.) It is out of touch with the people and as we have seen, and a place where conscience and principle are rare. And that is a shame considering that our Founders saw it as the epitome of all that is good about America. I don’t believe that now as I once did as well, but in the 19 years since I first heard of you I have studied your service to this country, your life, and your dedication to what is morally right. I believe even if you had never run for political office you would have been a great man and a great leader, and are now. Surely in the world envisioned by our Founders, watching you take that oath would be the fulfillment of a dream I as well as many Americans have had. However, we don't live in that world and I am realistic in knowing that in order to turn this country around it will have to be done from out here by mobilizing the people first and that will take time, and time is of the essence now. That is why your next book, "The Assault On Reason" is so important to the Democratic dialogue that must spark that change in people rather than them only expecting others to do it for them.

You are one of my mentors as Thomas Jefferson is and someone I have grown to respect deeply... and that respect has grown so much more since 2000 because you have shown that you are a man whose caring goes beyond words and beyond using your deeds for political gain. You are a man of conscience doing what he does because he sees this Earth at a critical crossroads and truly wishes for it to be saved and believes that it can be saved. That is why we need you out here on our side to mobilize us, Mr. Gore.

You don't need anymore polls, anymore political rhetoric, anymore political expectations and being put under the microscope. You don't need anymore of being used as a symbol just to prop others up. You don't need anymore bickering over trivial matters like shirt colors and weight gain. What we need however, is you speaking truth to power and inspiring others to join you in this greatest fight of all. That is the mark of a true leader and a legacy worth leaving.

In many ways besides Thomas Jefferson you remind me of Johnny Cash, another man I love and respect very much. I grew up loving his music because there was something that drew me in… the authenticity that shone through it...the pain… the love… the originality… the human aspect he gave to the realities and hardships of life. His music inspired me, and he was also a great man who will always be remembered for making the world a better place for all of his faults without having been President. As a matter of fact, it was the pain and heartache he went through in his life that made him the man he was… a legend. I see that same originality in you, and I then ask you once again as I asked you after 2000 to follow your heart. Over all of these years sir, I have come to think of you as a member of my own family and I can tell you honestly in this letter that I love you and your family, and frankly, I believe you are truly a great man without having to go back.

You can of course, choose the polls, the rigged electronic voting machines, the people telling you what to do, the media circus, and the rhetoric, but I do not believe it would be a reflection of the man you are now and the man you were meant to be. And right now, I do believe this world is in dire need of so many more people who are willing to throw off the pretentions of political status quo stagnation in order to say and do what must be said and done, and I think the people appreciate that more than you know and more than media propagated polls for political purposes show. What you are now doing will go much farther and have a much longer lasting effect than one election ever could.

Of course, whatever road you ultimately travel should be of your choosing and I will as always respect that, but at this juncture in the road I hope you decide to stay on the less traveled path you are on. You have given so much already, and personally, I think it’s time we all started doing more as well to give back. It is then time to make our own path now to bring back what we allowed to be lost, and I have and will stand by you in that fight regardless of your address.

Thank you for all that you do.

[RestoreGore]

1. My meeting with Al Gore

What I am posting below was written July 17, 2006. I am posting it today because it still has an effect on me. Seeing him in person and hearing the conviction and urgency he has for the issue of saving our planet in his voice was really all I needed to know that he is now on the right path, and a path I am happy to travel with him. I do believe in my heart like Jimmy Carter, that his best years may yet be to come outside of politics. Of course, that does not mean he can never influence political events ever again (because I believe he is doing that now) and of course, there is always the temptation to go back regardless of your feelings for the system.

However, I believe there comes a time in a person's life after they have gone through a metamorphosis after a life changing event that they see the big picture. Wherever the future brings Mr. Gore in seeing that picture, I plan to be standing next to him regardless of the opinions of some who seem to think that because you support his endeavors now you are not a worthy supporter. It is hard to explain sometimes the way I feel because it goes deeper than just the "run Al Run" for the sake of winning mentality. There is more to running any campaign besides winning. To me it goes to the core of who we are as human beings, tempting fate, living our conscience, being able to keep a free soul, and making a legacy for yourself that you can look back on with humility and peace of mind. I can't tell you how honored I was to then shake this man's hand after waiting so long and to see my son shake his hand as well. He will forever be a great man and a visionary statesman to me.

July 17, 2006:

The moment I had been waiting for for 18 years came for me tonight... I finally got to shake the hand of the man I have respected for so long. Al Gore appeared at Bookends, a book store in Ridgewood NJ @ 8PM tonight to sign An Inconvenient Truth. I read about it last week and decided that this was my opportunity to finally meet him. I already have a copy of the book and have read it, but I didn't mind buying another one at all knowing he would autograph it for me.

We got to the store around 3:00 PM, and the temperature was at least 107 degrees. How fitting. I bought my book, got my ticket, and was told numbers would be called by 6:30. In that time period I met many good people who I discussed my PAC with and also this government, Bush, and the climate crisis. When I also told them what we tried to do for Mr. Gore in 2004 to restore him, the response was very positive. How I then wish we had the means to get it out on a wider scale then to stand up to the status quo, but that is water under the bridge now, and we look to the future.

Mr. Gore arrived at the store at 8:30 PM dressed all in black (LOVE that Johnny Cash look, and I was dressed in black as well ) and I managed to get into the store to stand in the front to watch him come by saying hello to everyone. We then had to wait until about 8:45 to have our books signed. He looks very attractive in public and his pictures do not do him justice. He was kind, serene, affable, and just an all around nice man. He is very comfortable in his skin now, and I believe he truly enjoys what he is doing now.

Well, as I made my way down the stairs with my son and husband I could feel my heart racing. After 18 years of supporting, defending, and respecting this man, there he was in front of me... larger than life. The line was moving fast as there were hundreds of people squashed into this hot small store to have him sign their books. They even ran out of books a few minutes before he arrived. So I finally made it to the point where my book was ready to be signed and I handed my manilla envelope with my letters, a PFG button, and a copy of our UN Global Environmental Ambassador petition for him to the staff person. As the book was passed on, I was announced as the "Lady in black." .

And then I got to look into his eyes, and shake his hand. I told him, "I'm ______, from Patriots for Al Gore... and you inspire me." He brightened up right away, looked at me, took my hand, and said softly, "Oh, thank you!." he signed my book and I told him I support his endeavors and he told me to keep up the good work. But it was really my husband who got him to sit up when he asked him if he was going to the Bon Jovi concert at the Meadowlands that weekend. He perked right up and asked where and when. We told him but he said he couldn't make it. Then he shook my son and husband's hands, said stay well to us, and I waved goodbye. And as I was making my way out the emotions from all the years then overtook me and I started to cry. The people I had met and talked with for the five hours before were still waiting to go in and one of them hugged me, and we told them all how nice it was to have met them.

This will be a day that will live in my memory for the rest of my life. And I hope it won't be the last time I get to see this man in person. I'm applying to be one of the thousand people to go to Nashville to learn his slideshow. I am determined to be a part of this mission to get this message out. To see the dedication with which he is getting this message out and to see him working so hard signing these thousands of books, I cannot simply sit by and do nothing.

Thank you for being the wonderful man you are, Mr. Gore, and thank you for inspiring me and my family. You made all the hardships I too have faced regarding our endeavors here worthwhile. I got his thanks for all we have done and do, and that is all the validation I need. Now it's time to get to work for our planet.