Note: Crossposted at DailyKos "Blogtography w/Al Gore" :)

Slideshow:

I. I'm officially pseudo-credentialled as "Press"

As a scientist, Al Gore and Wes Clark are certainly the 2 politicians that I admire the most who possess the clear potential to become great presidents - each for their staunch leadership in defending science against nefarious theocons, and mostly for defending and honoring the principles of American democracy.

Last Tuesday I attended Al Gore's - "The Assault on Reason" Book Tour at the Lisner Theator, GWU- DC. The moment I recieved notice from Gore's listserve that he would make an appearance, I literally raced to the Politics and Prose Bookstore to pick up a pair. I tried to pick up another pair for friends later that evening. Too late. Tickets sold out REAL fast. But I never seen nor heard Gore speak live, and here was my opportunity.

Of course, ... I took pics! ;) Unlike the management at the 92nd StreetY at NYC a few months ago, whereby the PR Manager formally put me on its "Watch List" and confiscated my camera when I mentioned that I blogged online for CCN; the staff at GWU in contrast did not -- after a little ... diplomacy. :)

Initially, I had already started taking pics inside the theator, when a Gore staffer approached me and was escorted to the media table. They asked for my press credentials , but I said I freelanced for several blogs.

You need only had seen their blank stares to know that they were stumped a bit .

I just looked at them matter of factly and said, "Excuse, ..Will this take long? <at this pt, I reached into my camera bag exposing a huge Nikon Digital SLR camera with attached 105mm F2.0 Nikkor lens, as well as other goodies.>

The Gore staffers looked at me and replied,

"Ok sir...but no flash allowed! Please wait at the side entrance. We'll need to find you a seat in the media section". As I turned and proceeded to the entrance, someone shouted, "Wait!, <what now?, I thought with heart palpitations>.... please sign your name on the list here, and your organization.""Oh,.. sorry, sure!", I said. Under Name, I wrote, "XXxx X. XxxxXxx," and under Organisation, I wrote SecuringAmerica.com - Clark Community Network and DailyKos.

There it is,... I've been officially recognized as .. ahem, ...a "freelance blogtographer" (Could you even imagine the face that GW would make after hearing that?)

"How long will this take?", I asked again.

"Oh,. it shouldn't take more than a few minutes", he responded. ;)

BTW: As I was escorted inside, a staffer asked me to pull out my Press badge. :/

I pulled out my Federal ID Badge w/deluxe plastic ID holder then flipped my WesPAC CCN Biz card that faced the other side), then asked, "Hmmm, ...will this due?

Rolling his eyes, he replied, "Well, at least show something." :p

Waah-lah! Blogtographers Rejoice! Here's my vantage point.

It's a historic time,... Blogtographers are Official Press! (psst, ...but don't forget your worker ID badge! ;)

II. Overall Impressions of Gore's speech

There was already a well written FHA of the event posted on DKos later that evening. Apparently, the Kossack doesn't like a brew after a night out of town. However, his account seemed more intent towards Dee-jaying a Draft GORE Lovefest Blogger Rally, imo. Again, I do have the highest regards and respect for Gore; but when the author described that "They ALL LOVED him" and words to that effect, as a man of logic and objectivity, this was an assault on reason. clearly, everyone there had a high level of respect,... but I love my dog more than I love Al Gore.

... which btw reminds me that I must continue this later, and take 4StarClover to PawCamp.

IIa. K9 doody

BBL (12:30pm): She's giving me hints:

For now, check out my first posting as a freelance Clarkblogtographer at webshots :p

===================

IIb. continued ..

Subsequent to an introduction from the Director of Politics and Prose, Gore thanked us for being there, and assured us that he would talk for just 15-20 minutes to allow the audience members time for longer Q&A portion. Now, we should all know that "time" is percieved A LOT differently between us and them --> US Senators (ie. Kerry, Biden and well,... now Gore :/). Gore actually spoke for about 40 minutes. No doubt, it's a curse. His message was important, however; and I understood how serious and systematic the crisis that's now facing, and Gore had the legitimacy to articulate it against the neocons, the GOP-led Congress and the policies of the Bush Administration, who've especially targeted him throughout much of his career.

So as for the speech in my view, it was not as much a stump speech that Kossacks tended to interpret ONLY, rather than an important acknowledgement and accounting of all that've we, as a nation, have recognized for some time -- the use of "reason and logic", as a basis of our democracy has been undermined. With heartfelt concern, however, Gore noted that he was "shocked that our nation fell for it so easily", alarmed by how much of our democracy is actually more fragile than he would ever had believed.
Generally, Gore cited case after case of issues that we've faced, alarmed at how easily the abuses were committed by this Administration and those who've "assaulted" the core values and principles of our Constitution - such as warrantless eavesdropping, manipulation/alteration of scientific findings (on global climate), twisting intelligence (NIE) to mislead Americans to war, outing a CIA agent, censoring the internet -- amidst all the credible warnings and concerns from our country's best experts. He further warned that "freedom of the press, freedom of speech, etc were all at risk. Yet, he not only blamed the Bush administration, but Congress (DEMs and GOPs) and MSM, as well as the our citizens, to whom he later advised had <i>"to become more personally involved"</i>. Simply casting our vote or sending LTE's were not enough in his view.

By the time we reached the Q&A, much time had lapse, in fact, I believe he was only able to address 2 questions selected by the hostess from Politics and Prose, earlier submitted by oh,... ~ several hundred audience members. The first question concerned the differences between rich and poor, which received a very positive responses, when he sarcastically answered it by weighing both hands: the left hand weighing the almost 40,000,000 Americans who needed to earn better wages and health care versus the left hand that weighed whether to make tax cuts for the wealthiest 1/10th of 1% of Americans permanent.
Unfortunately, Gore's response endured for another 15 minutes, and I recalled the Senator's curse. In fact, he only had time for one other question <excluding disruption by a few hecklers who shouted from the back rows> . Even a friend who is both a professional communications and writing consultant, as well as former Gore2000 staffer, admitted that Gore unfortunately still talks "too long".

After his speech, the stage was set up with a desk to allow for book signing. There were LOTS of people, but this was handled amazingly well. Each row, starting with the first would proceed to have their copy of "The Assault on Reason" signed by Al Gore. :) Now, although I sat in the blogtographers section (abeit a 1-seat section, under a huge videocamera and thick cables. ;) I immediately proceeded to the front stage area where a friend had already saved me a seat, earlier. (I'm so sneaky! :P ) In fact, I think that my next username will be, "I'msoSneakyforClark08"! ;)

Now, at this point, I wasn't surprised that others in line were genuinely asking Gore to run for POTUS. I didn't! :I Partly or foremost from a warning from "Bluemoon." However, when I approached Gore with my copy of his book, I thanked him for "being a strong advocate for science!" :) We stared at each other for what seemed like several seconds, then he replied loudly,..<i>"Well, Thank You!"</i>

"Thank you, sir!", I replied. :)

Eh, ..do you think he was expecting something else from me? ;)

Overall, a great evening with an important, highly respected, national figure. But when it comes to articulating what's wrong this country, as well how we as a nation can overcome this our serious problems -- together --, then there's still no one more articulate, more
capable, more credible and more legitimate than Wesley Clark!

My attendence only affirmed to me why Wesley Clark must be our next nominee and POTUS!