Former Vice President Albert Gore gave a speech at Constitution Hall in D.C. today. Only about 5% of it had any relevance to the Late Great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. except in the context that like today, government has often abused the constitution to abuse great men like Dr. King; That dark periods have appeared throughout our nation's history, and always at the hands of republicans. About a fifth of the way into his shouting, wild-eyed rant he made the following statement:

"The President and I agree on one thing. The threat from terrorism is all too real. There is simply no question that we continue to face new challenges in the wake of the attack on September 11th and that we must be ever-vigilant in protecting our citizens from harm."

As welcome as this admission of simple fact was, it was nothing more than a spring board for another dip into the vitriolic soup bowl of Liberal derangement.

I thought this was a day to honor Dr. King? Dr. King is, after all, the only person we honor with his own personal holiday-- aside from that Jesus fellow on Christmas --so it stands to reason that Americans should use this day to reflect on how far we've come, and far we've yet to go. Instead Mr. Gore used the pulpit to decry everything Bush. And the crowds cheered.

I could go on and on, but what's the point? Besides, the only point I really wanted to make was this:

There is only one line in Mr. Gore's entire speech that is even marginally uplifting. With the second to last paragraph we get the following...

"...along with cause for concern, there is reason for hope. As I stand here today, I am filled with optimism that America is on the eve of a golden age in which the vitality of our democracy will be re-established and will flourish more vibrantly that ever. Indeed I can feel it in this hall."

Translation: Bush and the Republicans are destroying America, but fear not! Democrats will save the day.

Quoting Dr. King in the very next breath-- It is MLK Day, after all, not a pulpit to bash Bush...

"Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us. If it is, let us trace its movements and pray that our own inner being may be sensitive to its guidance, for we are deeply in need of a new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us."

[Emphasis Added]

In need of a new way? The truest words spoken in all of Albert Gore's speech. Democrats are definitely in need of a new something, because from what they've shown us thus far, I can't help but wonder if the darkness they perceive about them is in reality the darkness in their own hearts.