This is the transcription of an amazing speech given by Al Gore yesterday in Washington, D.C. While a long read, it encapsulates my sentiments on what I feel are startling abuses of power in our executive branch. I don't know where this fiery, spirited Al Gore was during the prior two elections (he's widely viewed as boring) but I find him much more inspirational than what I've seen before. I hope we see much more of this version of Mr. Gore... He's defintiely readying himself for another presidential run in 2008.

I long for a day when the American public debates these issues openly and broadly. As it is, I think it's telling that I had to go Alternet or Al Gore's own website to get this. Why is this not available at the New York Times (even online)?

My favorite quote is one Al Gore used from George Orwell:

Quoted: "We are all capable of believing things which we know to be untrue, and then, when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts so as to show that we were right. Intellectually, it is possible to carry on this process for an indefinite time: the only check on it is that sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on a battlefield."