An Accurate Depiction?

The former VPOTUS Al Gore made a speech today.
Since we aren't allowed to be more exciting than the speaker, that's the end of the post. Just kidding.

Two points: First a quote...

"At present, we still have much to learn about the NSA's domestic surveillance. What we do know about this pervasive wiretapping virtually compels the conclusion that the President of the United States has been breaking the law repeatedly and insistently. A president who breaks the law is a threat to the very structure of our government." Al Gore (1/16/2006).

Notice he qualified his remarks with the first sentence. Next, he states a compelling conculsion which is quite different from the one reached in Is It Domestic Spying? & A Word on Domestic '007'. He then accused the President of breaking the law "repeatedly and insistently." He lambasted the President while conceding ignorance of the situation. He implies Mr. Bush is "a threat to the very structure of our government." First liberals alleged Bush was stupid; now they claim he's carrying out constitutional coup d'état?

Second, Mr. Gore mentioned the Tonkin Gulf Resolution as an example of a coercive measure employed without full disclosure. Why mention that particular example? How about one of these examples used in the history of American warfare:

1. Impressment (1812)
2. The Alamo (1836)
3. The Maine (1898)
4. The Lusitania (1915)

Those are a few early examples. Each depicted as a grave injustice not to be tolerated (same as Tonkin Gulf). They spurred Congress to action though accurate depictions were wanting. However, Mr. Gore is trying to construct a specific sentiment, thus making the Tonkin Gulf model necessary.