<p>Vox speaks the truth, in his own special way. Here is Gore’s actual quote:</p>
<pre><code>“During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet. I took the initiative in moving forward a whole range of initiatives that have proven to be important to our country’s economic growth and environmental protection, improvements in our educational system.”
</code></pre>
<p>Here’s the Snopes commentary. I especially like the reference to Eisenhower and the Interstate Highway System:</p>
<p>"Clearly, although Gore’s phrasing was clumsy (and perhaps self-serving), he was not claiming that he “invented” the Internet (in the sense of having designed or implemented it), but that he was responsible, in an economic and legislative sense, for fostering the development of the technology that we now know as the Internet. To claim that Gore was seriously trying to take credit for the “invention” of the Internet is, frankly, just silly political posturing that arose out of a close presidential campaign. Gore never used the word “invent,” and the words “create” and “invent” have distinctly different meanings — the former is used in the sense of “to bring about” or “to bring into existence” while the latter is generally used to signify the first instance of someone’s thinking up or implementing an idea. (To those who say the words “create” and “invent” mean exactly the same thing, we have to ask why, then, the media overwhelmingly and consistently cited Gore as having claimed he “invented” the Internet, even though he never used that word, and transcripts of what he actually said were readily available.) </p>
<p>“If President Eisenhower had said in the mid-1960s that he, while President, “created” the Interstate Highway System, we would not have seen dozens and dozens of editorials lampooning him for claiming he “invented” the concept of highways or implying that he personally went out and dug ditches across the country to help build the roadway.”</p>
<p>This is all a bit over my head, but what I do know is that the former veep was really in his element thursday night–birds of a feather hooping it up. Passing out awards and champagne glasses filled and splashing>>Wonder what chichi parties he was gettin’ all up on in the midnight hour. </p>
<p>…way better than the face time he got at the Democratic convention…and that awful kiss. ickk!</p>
<p>Thank you, doo, for recognizing that I was correct. I love when that happens and I applaud you for acknowledging it. </p>
<p>No matter where one stands as it relates to Mr. Gore, one has to admit that his Internet comment was great grist for the humor mill. Come on, we’re not all that earnest here that we can’t admit to that.</p>
<p>^ I offered the internet comment initially in order to add some levity to the discussion. I was told not to quit my day job, because I found humor in it. :o</p>
<p>I also think that Al Gore’s new robust look is starting to resemble Ted Kennedy. But that’s just me. ;)</p>
<p>Snopes is written by Barbara (name withheld) who I have known for 10 years. She’s a pretty solid Democrat. This doesn’t mean that her article is wrong, just that she does, in fact, have an agenda that leaks into her writing from time to time. Having said that, I’ve been impressed for years that she took a hobby we both shared with a few dozen other people in the early- to mid-90s and figured out a way to make into a lucrative business. Good for her. I also find that her write-ups on ULs are generally accurate, and are definitely well-written.</p>
<p>Edited to add: This is a case where I think Barbara got it wrong. Whether or not he claimed to have invented the technology, Gore was trying to take political credit. The money for the growth of the Internet in the 1990s came from greedy capitalists trying to make a buck – not from the saints in the US Senate. The Interstate Highway System was created through really large infusions of federal money – not so the Internet during its growth days. In its earlier incarnation as a research and military network, the feds were a lot more important. I don’t think Barbara used an apt analogy.</p>
<p>Yes, Dorothy, m’dear. Gore is, indeed, a flawed man. He often comes across as pompous, arrogant, and uncomfortable in public appearances. And that kiss–you’re right. Nobody needed to see that. On the other hand, he is one of the few major political figures who can openly laugh at himself. His appearance on Saturday Night Live a few years ago was classic, and he even reprised/made fun of that horrific kiss with Tipper. (John McCain was also a great SNL guest, proving that he, too, has a sense of humor.) … As for the chichi parties Gore undoubtedly attended after the Oscars, ah, give him a break. Probably was more fun than going home and watching c-span or reading Nietzsche.</p>
<p>Vox–Once again, you’re right. Dang! Gore unwittingly set himself up for ridicule by expressing himself the way he did. …
WashDad–Very interesting about the woman behind Snopes. I’m a big fan of the site but have rarely used it for political info or I might have picked up on a leftish bent. In the case of the Gore/Internet story, however, I think she was right on the money. The very same media that some people call “left wing,” took obscene delight in mocking Gore and spreading a misconstrued story about him. … I’m a firm believer that the “mainstream” media is neither liberal nor conservative (for the most part), but an equal opportunity defamer when it smells even the slightest hint of blood.</p>
<p>“Armed with Gore’s utility bills for the last two years, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research charged Monday that the gas and electric bills for the former vice president’s 20-room home and pool house devoured nearly 221,000 kilowatt-hours in 2006, more than 20 times the national average of 10,656 kilowatt-hours.”</p>
<p>Well, a 20 room home isn’t the ‘national average’. I’m not sure we want to get into the discussion of who it is who decides where and how someone should live. Expecting a former vice-President to live in an ‘average’ home isn’t realistic, is it.</p>
<p>I’ve liked and admired Gore for years, but I agree with sokkermom: you really should practice what you preach. At least a little bit. You’d expect less from right-wing, gas-guzzling, anti-environmentalists, but from Gore … maybe a little better.</p>
<p>The average compared a 4000 sq ft home with Gore’s 10,000 sq ft. You guys just look dumb here. stop it. FAKE outrage is just silly. </p>
<p>Fine you don’t like Gore, you probably have enough valid reasons not to, don’t you? </p>
<p>Latching onto a silly arsed hit piece that doesn’t take into account square footage is just fun with numbers. I at least hope you guys are joking, really because if you read the entire article Gore comes out pretty good.</p>
<h2>“The average compared a 4000 sq ft home with Gore’s 10,000 sq ft. You guys just look dumb here. stop it. FAKE outrage is just silly.”</h2>
<p>Well isn’t living in a smaller house to save resources the same as driving a smaller car to save resources? My husband and I burst out laughing at ‘the Oscars have gone green’ comment btw. Did they all ride their bicycles to the ceremony…or at least share their personal jets?</p>
<p>As I said before, I don’t think we should be denigrating the efforts of ANYone on this issue. What size house someone lives in is a personal decision, and I’m guessing you would agree that no one wants someone else telling them what sized house is appropriate.</p>
<p>Actually I would not agree with that. If true conservation is what is desired by Al Gore and Hollywood, then perhaps they should examine their own tendencies to over-consume.</p>
<p>Btw…I already know about the green cars. I’d be more impressed if they all flew commercial (and you know they didn’t) or at least filled all the seats in their private jets. But hey, this is good…</p>
<p>“The greening of the Oscars included using recycled paper, doing an energy audit for the Kodak Theater and serving organic food at the Governors Ball, said the Natural Resources Defense Council, the advocacy group that worked with organizers.”</p>