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This Speakout has not been edited.

By Kevin Burgess

What a difference seven years makes.

Return for a moment to Washington, D.C., to that somber mid-December evening in 2000. Despite having won the popular vote by more than a half-million ballots, a remarkably composed Vice President Albert Gore graciously, eloquently (some would add prematurely) conceded defeat to rival George W. Bush in the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election, and the bitterly contentious Florida recount which followed.

That same evening, an exultant president-elect Bush, his family and entourage, cheered Gore’s concession, celebrating through the night. Never outwardly concerned that an unexpectedly (some would add inappropriately) interventionist, right-leaning Supreme Court might fail to rule in their favor, Team Bush had prevailed.

Yet ironically, now almost two Bush presidential terms later, these men, linked forever by destiny and hanging chads, tread precisely opposite paths, their roles dramatically reversed. Consider: On October 12, 2007, the Nobel committee awarded Vice President-turned-citizen-environmentalist Gore — along with the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — its prestigious Peace Prize for his leadership role in bringing to the world’s attention the growing threat of global warming. That same day, lame-duck President Bush’s approval rating hovered near thirty percent, down from a post-September 11 high of ninety-two percent.

Concurrently, Gore continued politely to deflect a rising chorus of calls from supporters, including former U.S. President and global humanitarian Jimmy Carter, to seek the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Conversely, President Bush had become the man to avoid among Republican aspirants for the GOP nod, so dismal were his poll numbers, so reviled were his policies.

In May 2007, Gore released yet another cogent, thought-provoking book, The Assault on Reason, dissecting the questionable, often diabolical machinations under which the democratic process grinds on, frequently to its detriment. That same month, in a Memorial Day speech delivered at Arlington National Cemetery, the president referred to this nation’s deteriorating situation in Iraq as part of “our destiny…our calling.” Eloquently if not convincingly, Mr. Bush again presented his case for a war which, by then, nearly two-thirds of Americans felt had not been justified and was no longer worth the bottomless sacrifice of our troops and treasure.

In February, Gore received an Academy Award, Hollywood’s highest honor, for his controversial, smashingly successful documentary on climate change, An Inconvenient Truth. President Bush, meanwhile, was studiously avoiding discussion of Lewis “Scooter” Libby, soon to be found guilty of lying to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. Libby, Vice President Cheney’s disgraced former chief of staff, was one of several administration surrogates responsible for the retributive outing of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame.

The pattern is clear.

Of these two individuals, one reached out to the world, yes, in urgency, but also in goodwill, with compassion and faith, to alert humankind to an escalating worldwide crisis, eliciting its support and ideas to meet daunting challenges. Both in word and deed, the other demonstrated disdain bordering on contempt for the rest of humanity, cynically categorizing both his fellow citizens and those of other nations as “either for us or against us.”

The Tennessean sought to unite the world in innovative, proactive opposition to the creeping insidiousness of global warming, as well as a host of attending environmental ills. The Texan, in purely partisan fashion, declared himself “the decider,” further cementing an image of an insular, profoundly divisive figure at home and abroad.

One of these men chose to follow his heart, his intuition, his passion, his divine purpose. The other apparently opted for the deeply flawed external guidance of Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, William Kristol and Donald Rumsfeld.

The results of their disparate paths are apparent. The greatest tragedy lies in the precious time, resources and lives our nation has squandered since 2001. Regrettably, none of us can change what has been, but each can affect what is yet to be. Such is the redemptive majesty of human existence. Such is the glory of America.

Kevin Burgess is a resident of Littleton.

READER COMMENTS

I wasn't referring to 9/11 at all. I wish 9/11 never happened and it woudn't have matter who was president. Terriost are just plain evil. I was only referrring to the price we are paying and will continue to pay as a result of having Bush in office for 8 hellish years. He has been screwing the American people royally thanks to his foreign and domestic policies.

Angie says "we got exactly what we deserved" regarding 9/11.

Presuming "we" includes Angie and the justice "deserved" in 2001 applies as much today, will Angie be as exacting in her convictions if she dies from a terrorist attack while just showing up for work?

What a wack job these loons are.

I'd bet that their supposed, principled-commentary will go bye bye when their work day ends by having to choose whether to jump to their death or be incinerated by fire.

9/11 would have never happened with a competent President in the White House. Looney Tunes Bush and his pack of idiots were too busy planning on attacking Iraq than to pay attention to protecting this country.

We got exactly what we deserved. Eventually, people will stop looking to the left or to the right....and look ahead to help build a better America.

In a per curiam opinion, by a vote of 7-2, the Court held that the Florida Supreme Court's scheme for recounting ballots was unconstitutional, and by a vote of 5-4, the Court held that no alternative scheme could be established within the time limits established by Florida Legislature.
Obviously the 7-2 vote is by far not a "partisan" vote (Florida's supreme court was 5 dems 2 reps). The 5-4 decision by U.S. Supremes were along party lines if you go by who appointed them (Reagon) but O'connor and Kennedy were often considered "swing voters" because they often voted liberal as well as conservative.

"Albert Gore graciously, eloquently (some would add prematurely) conceded defeat to rival George W. Bush"
" an exultant president-elect Bush, his family and entourage, cheered Gore’s concession, celebrating through the night. Never outwardly concerned that an unexpectedly (some would add inappropriately) interventionist, right-leaning Supreme Court might fail to rule in their favor, Team Bush had prevailed". No bias here?!
Of course the Nobel peace? prize is not political and we all know the Academy Awards have no bias either. In my opinion this article lacks credibility due to its partisan crap.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

The moonbat libs still haven't gotten over Gore's failed presidential hijacking some 7 years ago. Their chads are still dangling!

HA HA HA nails it too. What a farce of an administration. Unfortunately it's not a laughing matter and it took 6 years for alot of those who voted (twice) for the dumbest President ever, to finally regret their votes.

JOHN COLEMAN, FOUNDER OF THE WEATHER CHANNEL, ON THE GLOBAL WARMING HOAX AND SCAM:

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/comments_about_global_warming/

Global warming has become a religion, with the self-appointed Pope being the same guy who peddles its indulgences, carbon credits --Al Gore. This modern day, snake-oil peddling, Elmer Gantry, lives off fear, guilt and ignorance. America ducked a bullet in 2000. Gore is an escapee from Nurse Ratchet's Cukoo's Nest.

The Al gore Cool Aid had taken a heavy toll on the Kevins of the world who just made his feeble theatrical attempt to become an Al Gore disciple and zealot. It was truly funny and the HAHAHAS above are perhaps a better capsulization than mine.

I think Kevin is as wacky as Gore.

The righties will spew venom all over this by sighting right wing catch phrases and Fox News talking points. However, the writer pretty much nails it.

In the end America got what she deserved. I shudder to think how much better off both our country and the world would be today if it weren't for that perfect storm of deception that allowed such a tyrant to achieve if not out right steal power.

History will continue to unravel the Bush Presidency and shed more and more light into the perverse and dark path he took us down.

It won't be possible in the lifetime of anyone alive today for the world to recover from the disaster that is George W. Bush. Unfortunately for everyone he will be president for fourteen more months.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a farce. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!

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