Why do we hate Al Gore?
posted by: Dave R. 16 days ago
Al Gore has a new book out (which I have not yet read) and already the attack dogs are on the loose. You'd think a Nobel prize and Oscar winning ex-Senator/Vice President could get a little respect. I mean, if his resume ('CV' for you euro-readers) doesn't get you street cred, what does?
Mostly, the attacks focus on what is kindly referred to as a perceived "conflict of interest" in climate change, or less kindly as his "personal get rich quick hoax".
As the Guardian reported:
"The accusation that Gore is trapped in a conflict of interest has been raised periodically over the past few years. It is a barb popular among climate change skeptics and rightwing bloggers, as well as Republican politicians."
Gore's response is that every penny he makes from his investments will be put back into his non-profit foundation to spread knowledge about the climate challenge. As the Guardian also reported, Gore has said:
It is also puzzling that it's often the most vigorous "defenders of free markets" who go after Gore for his investments in what he believes in. Well which is it... is capitalism good or bad? Perhaps the idea that Gore will be making money and then redistributing it for public good through his foundation represent the worst of both worlds to Gore-haters.
He was interviewed by Katie Couric about the book this week. I loved his comparison of climate skepticism to denying that we put a man on the moon, his emphasis on our self-destructive dependence on foreign oil, his feeling that we are treating the air we breathe as an "open sewer", and his optimistic message that there is still time.
The book tackles population, consumerism, short term thinking, and the psychology of denial. I'm looking forward to reading it!
(Disclosure: The author has not received any financial investment or support from Mr. Gore or entities he controls, although he would certainly like some.)
Mostly, the attacks focus on what is kindly referred to as a perceived "conflict of interest" in climate change, or less kindly as his "personal get rich quick hoax".
As the Guardian reported:
"The accusation that Gore is trapped in a conflict of interest has been raised periodically over the past few years. It is a barb popular among climate change skeptics and rightwing bloggers, as well as Republican politicians."
Gore's response is that every penny he makes from his investments will be put back into his non-profit foundation to spread knowledge about the climate challenge. As the Guardian also reported, Gore has said:
"If you believe that the reason I have been working on this issue for 30 years is because of greed, you don't know me. Do you think there's something wrong with being active in business in this country? I am proud of it."
It certainly doesn't help that the first book review post on Amazon was written by John Doerr, Gore's ultra-powerful venture capital partner. Nor does it help that, as The New York Times reported, one of his portfolio companies just received over $500 million in government contracts. He should definitely be a bit more sensitive to the appearance that he is not a disinterested economic player.
But I'm puzzled about why this argument of 'economic interest' is only reserved for Mr. Gore. Evangelism has always been a key role of investors, and our politicians routinely move in and and of the private sector. The younger Bush was an oil man who did little to lessen our dependence on the stuff, and his VP evangelized the need for a war in Iraq, which greatly enriched his former employer Halliburton. And of course the TARP bailouts were developed and shoved down our collective throats by former Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson. At least Gore is acting as a private citizen.It is also puzzling that it's often the most vigorous "defenders of free markets" who go after Gore for his investments in what he believes in. Well which is it... is capitalism good or bad? Perhaps the idea that Gore will be making money and then redistributing it for public good through his foundation represent the worst of both worlds to Gore-haters.
He was interviewed by Katie Couric about the book this week. I loved his comparison of climate skepticism to denying that we put a man on the moon, his emphasis on our self-destructive dependence on foreign oil, his feeling that we are treating the air we breathe as an "open sewer", and his optimistic message that there is still time.
The book tackles population, consumerism, short term thinking, and the psychology of denial. I'm looking forward to reading it!
(Disclosure: The author has not received any financial investment or support from Mr. Gore or entities he controls, although he would certainly like some.)
Read more: global warming
comments
And by the way everyone, Rene P. sent me the first PM to my account and I merely returned my responses and she continues to attack me. Excuse me! I will have a voice as she will!
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As I see it you can not have a heathy debte. I do want green technologies to. Please dont misunderstand me.
These boards are a way for us to debate and stimulate critical thinking.
Just don't attack anyone and we'll be ok. Learn to reason!
-Peace
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Chris T...I asked you to stop and you just had to have the last word.I am asking you again to stop sending me your blah,blah,blah.
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Chris T.....please put a sock in it.You overstepped and do not send me anymore of your blabberish.
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Chris,Daniel and other naysayers,deniers skeptics re:climate change and Al Gore....sad, very sad
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Al Gore's average electric bill for his mansion is over 1200 dollars a month, Al Gore's movie has been proven to be false information for over 75% of the movie, so in other words it's a proven lie, Al Gore makes a minimum of 35 thousand per seminar he gives. Are you people so stupid to believe this guy is legit? If so then I feel sorry for you.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e-VtxFOAQ0
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I met the real Al Gore while working on the '85 Farm Bill (to put conservation provisions back into the legislation). He was very smart, very concerned with the environment, and willing to do what was needed to make things right. I don't think he has changed a bit. He is NOT a greedy capitalist out for himself and never was. He is just trying hard to save us from OUR greedy, polluting selves. We can all improve by using better energy sources and voting for the development of more choices. What's wrong with that? Hooray for Al.
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i dislike Gore, but for people to claim climate change is not occurring because they dislike Gore makes as much sense as pretending Climate is the same as Temperature.
The earth is changing. we cant pollute like he have been. This is fact, and can not be spun any other way. The oceans are poisoned, the rivers too, the salmon depleted, the topsoil gone, the air polluted. to deny so is to be in a deep, delusional denial.
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It's hilarious to me when people claim that it is bad that Al Gore is investing in the industries he is promoting as an alternative. Wouldnt it be hypocritical if he WASN'T investing in the alternatives he's promoting?
Face it. The Big energy folks that run Petroleum, Coal, and hydroelectricity have no interest in seeing their monopolies collapse, regardless of whatever obvious, documented environmental impact there may be. Until we have functional alternatives, there is little point in constantly pointing out that Coal and Gas need to be replaced.
Criticizing Gore for investing in what he promotes is one of the most ludicrous angles I can think of . i would think one could criticize his corrupt participation in the perpetuating the fraud of the 2000 election, and his henious environmental footprint as being far more realistic criticism of him than claiming he shouldnt invest his money in companies he believes in.
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