Al Gore in The Los Angeles Times
On Civil Rights:
Mass violations of civil liberties in the war on terror
In a blistering critique, Al Gore accused President Bush of eroding personal freedoms and weakening the nation’s security through “mass violations of civil liberties” in the war on terrorism. “Where civil liberties are concerned, they have taken us much
farther down the road to an intrusive, Big Brother-style government-toward the dangers prophesized by George Orwell in his book 1984-than anyone ever thought would have been possible in the US,” Gore said.Gore charged that many of the domestic
security policies the administration has pursued since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have actually weakened the nation’s security by distracting attention from the most urgent threats. Gore said Bush was frustrating the public’s right to information
about its government by resisting investigations into the Sept. 11 attacks; by instructing federal agencies to resist requests for documents under FOIA; and by refusing to disclose details about individuals of Arab descent detained after the attacks.
Source: Ronald Brownstein, Los Angeles Times
Nov 10, 2003
On Civil Rights:
Repeal the USA Patriot Act
Gore called for the repeal of the USA Patriot Act. “These constant violations of civil liberties promote the false impression that those violations are necessary in order for them to take every precaution against another terrorist attack,” Gore said.
“But the simple truth is that the vast majority of these violations have not benefited our security at all; in fact, they have hurt the effort to improve our security.”“I believe that the Patriot Act has turned out to be, on balance, a terrible
mistake, and that it became a kind of Tonkin Gulf Resolution conferring Congress’ blessing for this president’s assault on civil liberties,“ Gore charged.
In a series of speeches this year, Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft defended the administration’s
actions as being respectful of civil liberties and effective in disrupting potential terrorist attacks. ”The Patriot Act,“ Ashcroft said this summer, ”gives us the technological tools to anticipate, adapt and outthink our terrorist enemy.“
Source: Ronald Brownstein, Los Angeles Times
Nov 10, 2003
On Gun Control:
Agrees with Bush on banning weapons; but wants registration
Where They Agree: Regarding guns, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore would, if elected president:- Support the current ban on assault weapons.
- Prohibit juveniles from possessing assault weapons.
- Ban imports
of high-capacity ammunition clips.
- Raise the minimum age for possessing a handgun from 18 to 21.
- Require that trigger locks be sold with handguns.
Where They Differ- Bush also would:
- Provide more money
for enforcement of gun laws.
- Support automatic detention for young people who commit crimes with guns.
- Oppose government-mandated registration of guns owned by people who don’t break laws.
- Gore also would:
- Require photo
licensing for handgun purchases.
- Limit gun purchases to one per month and require a three-day waiting period.
- Require manufacturers and federally licensed sellers to report sales to a state authority.
Source: Associated Press in Los Angeles Times
Apr 21, 2000
On Health Care:
All children should have health care by 2004
Gore said that he would ensure that all children receive medical insurance coverage by the end of his first term: “At this moment of fantastic prosperity, we must make a historic national commitment to make sure that no child goes without the care they
need,” Gore added. Gore lambasted Bush for failing to improve health care coverage, saying that Texas leads the nation in the number of people without insurance and ranks second in both the number and the percentage of uninsured women and children.
Source: Edwin Chen, L.A. Times
Apr 28, 2000
On Principles & Values:
VP search quiet and respectful; VP will fight for people
With the GOP ticket taking shape, Gore said he has narrowed his own search for a running mate and would probably announce his choice several days before the Democratic National Convention. “I’ve handled my process differently than the Bush
campaign has handled theirs. I’ve kept it private, and I hope dignified, out of respect for the individuals, the men and women who are under consideration, and I am going to continue to approach it that way. I’ve been through it on the other end twice,
and I know a little bit of what it’s like to go through the process and to be turned down. And I know what it’s like to go through the process and being asked to join the ticket. I’m going to pick the person who I believe can become president on a
moment’s notice if necessary, who also has a good working relationship with me, or the prospect of one, and who shares my values, someone who’s willing to fight for people and not the powerful,“ Gore said.
Source: Michael Finnegan, LA Times
Jul 25, 2000
On Principles & Values:
Agrees to further debates if Bush agrees to 3 main debates
Gore’s condition for attending any [non-network or third-party] debates is that Bush first agree to attend the three commission debates. Gore said, “What’s needed is to respect the right of the American people to see these debates on all networks in
prime time, the way it’s been done since 1988. It’s not fair to the American people to try to sharply reduce the number of people who can see the debates and reduce the amount of time for the debates.”
Source: Michael Finnegan, Ronald Brownstein, LA Times
Sep 4, 2000
On Technology:
Loss of Mars orbiters in part from “reinvention” reductions
Seven years after Al Gore smashed an ashtray on TV and vowed to fix an inept government, there are fewer bureaucratic rules, fewer workers to invoke them and a bit more common sense, [but] there’s criticism that the vice president is taking too much
credit for a “reinvention” that even he admits isn’t finished. While most everyone can find some good in Gore’s reinventing government program, nicknamed REGO, in some instances government waste and inefficiency have grown worse, an Associated Press
review of audits and investigations shows. NASA blames the loss of two Mars probes and other failures on the departure of too many experienced engineers during downsizing. Critics say REGO has focused on image instead of tackling the most troubling,
entrenched problems. Gore says REGO saved $137 billion. But the auditors who scrutinized $30 billion of those savings said most couldn’t be substantiated, and the program took credit for reductions that would have occurred anyway.
Source: Connie Cass/Karen Gullo AP in LA Times
Jun 17, 2000
On War & Peace:
Israel: support full UN participation
Gore reminded some 2,000 AIPAC delegates that he has spoken to the UN Security Council, and he said he privately advocated for Israel’s full UN participation with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Source: Sandra Sobieraj, Associated Press, in L.A. Times
May 23, 2000
On War & Peace:
Iraq: support Saddam’s opposition, until he’s gone
Gore said he had met--and will meet again next month--with Iraqi opposition forces in order to “see Saddam Hussein gone.” In the next meeting, Gore said, “I will encourage them to further unite in their
efforts against Saddam.” He said, “We have made it clear that it is our policy to see Saddam Hussein gone.”
Source: Sandra Sobieraj, Associated Press, in L.A. Times
May 23, 2000
On War & Peace:
Renounce policy of holding US citizens as enemy combatants
Gore said Bush should renounce his policy, which has been used twice, of indefinitely detaining American citizens that the president designates “enemy combatants.” Gore said the suspected Al Qaeda members held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should be allowed
to petition for status as prisoners of war, and he argued that Congress should authorize any military tribunals used against suspected terrorists. Bush has asserted the right to try suspected terrorists before such tribunals but has not yet done so.
Source: Ronald Brownstein, Los Angeles Times
Nov 10, 2003
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