Loganotron

I’ve been sending my parents books over the last couple of years. It’s part of my secret plan to keep their minds engaged as they get older. I like giving them something other to do than just watch TV at night. My mom generally enjoys fiction, and my dad really digs political stuff. (Hrm, I wonder where my bifurcated taste in literature stems from!!)

The other night my mom told me that my dad is considering voting for McCain. This is a huge turnabout. Just a month or so ago, my dad said he’d never vote for McCain because of McCain’s support of the Iraq war, and his desire to give huge tax breaks to corporations. So, I was moved to action. I bought my dad three books to read and sent them to him today. (The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, The Assault on Reason by Al Gore, and One Party Country by Tom Hamburger and Peter Wallsten.) Here’s the note I attached:

Dad,

I hear you’re considering voting for McCain because Obama may not be “ready to lead.” While I personally think that’s just the Republican/Fox News talking point of the week/month, I think each person deserves to decide that for themselves. And when I say that, I don’t mean each person should listen to Rush, Bill O’Reilly, Olbermann, Blitzer, etc., and then make up his mind. I’ve decided to read Obama’s book to find out for myself just how much he knows about politics and what he would be capable of as President of the USA. I hope you’ll do the same. So far, I find his positions and approach to politics and policies refreshing and promising, even if he’s not as liberal as I would like.

I know the Right hates Al Gore because he’s making global warming an uncomfortable issue in the nation. But, the book I’m including is not about the environment (well, one chapter is). This book gave me hope that there are still politicians out there who care about our underlying democratic structure and process. I encourage you to give it a try, even if your personal feelings toward Gore aren’t incredibly positive. He’s a wise man and this book contains really important information that we all need to know and care about.

I have not yet read the third book, but it’s next on my list. From what I understand it’s an expose of one of the most undemocratic men in politics (Karl Rove) and what he’s done to undermine the ability of every person to have a say in the way they want their government to work for the people. I look forward to discussing it with you when we’ve both read it.

Enjoy the books!

LOL. OMFG. I love the Onion!

EARTH—Former vice president Al Gore—who for the past three decades has unsuccessfully attempted to warn humanity of the coming destruction of our planet, only to be mocked and derided by the very people he has tried to save—launched his infant son into space Monday in the faint hope that his only child would reach the safety of another world.

“I tried to warn them, but the Elders of this planet would not listen,” said Gore, who in 2000 was nearly banished to a featureless realm of nonexistence for promoting his unpopular message….

This is a great read. Al Gore calls for a complete overhaul of our energy infrastructure in the next 10 years. Ambitious and visionary. I love this man.

Al Gore recorded this 1.5 minute piece for Current.com. In this clip, Gore talks about why we shouldn’t cut education spending. Go here for more.