From: Chris Russo (extropy@russo.org)
Date: Wed Dec 20 2000 - 10:14:22 MST
At 07:09 -0800 12/20/00, Brian D Williams wrote:
>So since we're the only ones discussing this, and neither of us is
>going to listen to the other, I'm dropping this, confidant a future
>web search by anybody interested will point them to vital evidence.
Due to a family medical emergency, I had to drop out of the
discussion, but I've been following the thread. I read with
appreciation the information, provided by both you and Harvey, on Al
Gore's role in the popularization of the Internet. I've been on the
Internet since the late 80's, but I wasn't very concerned with the
politics of it, since I was too busy playing the early MUDs and
stuff. :)
Despite my dislike of Al Gore, I think it's fair to say that Al Gore
was ahead of the curve in the congress regarding the Internet. I
think that he at least raised the consciousness of normally
technophobic senators on this issue, and he should get credit for
that.
My problem, however, is with what he actually said: "During my
service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in
creating the Internet."
He could have said lots of things:
- I took the initiative to ease restrictions on access to what would
eventually become the Internet.
- In the Senate, I championed bringing the technology of the Internet
to the general public.
- I pushed legislation through congress that helped change the
Internet from something that was a little-known tool for scientists
and academics into the publicly accessible technological achievement
of our generation.
... but he didn't. Instead, Al Gore - a professional politician who
has spent his whole career expressing himself to the public - chose
to take almost complete credit for the creation of the Internet.
Yes, I know that Republicans exaggerate what he said by misquoting,
"I invented the Internet." Yes, I know that Democrats are right in
saying that there was some truth in what he said.
Some truth, however, doesn't really cut it. There was also "some
truth" in statements from him and his mentor:
"I did not have sex with that woman"
"I drank lots of tea and was in the bathroom a lot"
"We just want to make sure that every vote is counted"
The parts of those statements, and what they imply, that aren't truth
are what concern me.
Regards,
Chris Russo
--
"If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought
or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet
hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance
which does harm."
-- Marcus Aurelius, MEDITATIONS, VI, 21
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