Someone started a thread the other night calling for us to write to Al Gore to thank him. Another former Congressional staffer noted that letters that are handwritten get top priority. So here's my letter, which I've written out in my best penmanship:

Honorable Al Gore
2100 West End Ave.
Suite 620
Nashville, TN 37203

Dear Sir,

Your speech on MLK day brought tears to my eyes and, oddly enough since your message was so dire, a renewed sense of hope. What a relief to have someone articulate so eloquently the danger this administration poses to our country. There are so many of us who feel trapped in this national nightmare; we have been astounded and dismayed, again and again, by the outrages committed by Bush & Co. which are merely shrugged at by the media, if they are mentioned at all. Our only solace is interchange with like-minded individuals on the internet. One fellow DUer (on democraticunderground.com) reminded us all of that sophomoric meme from the last election: "Bush was the man folks would like to have a beer with." He wryly noted that the nation has been drunk ever since, and the hangover's going to be a doozy.

Thank you, sir, for speaking truth to power.

There was a history of Lincoln on TV the same day you spoke, and I noted with interest that Lincoln re-entered the political arena after a long absence because he was appalled that slavery would spread to the western states. He feared for our nation's soul. Sir, we are a nation in trouble. We are in dire need of a leader of your integrity, intelligence, and vision. I add my plea to that of millions of others: please run for president in 2008. We would like to re-elect you.