Al Gore Wins the Nobel Peace Prize, Will He Run in ‘08?
Gore Shares Peace Prize for Climate Change Work
Gore says prize must spur action
I was ecstatic when I heard the news that Al Gore had won a share of the Nobel Peace Prize. I can think of few who have done more to bring attention to the issue of global climate change, and Gore’s passion and commitment has been truly impressive. His movie, “An Inconvenient Truth”, has focused attention on this issue…and it’s also attracted it’s share of controversy. There are those out there with a vested interest in denying the reality of global warming, and perhaps even with a vested interest if denigrating and belittling Al Gore. I can’t help but wonder why the deniers, who are certainly free to hold their opinions, have turn this debate into a personal attack upon Gore and those of us who happen to believe that we are seriously, perhaps irreparably damaging our environment.
At least Al Gore has turned to science to determine what he believes to be the truth of the matters. It seems all the deniers are able to do is to muster a collection of petty personal attacks that belittle Gore but do little to address the issue of global climate change.
[William] KRISTOL: Friday, I felt a warm glow thinking that this man got the Nobel Peace Prize for bloviating about global warming. I mean, it’s a prize given by bloviators to a bloviator for nothing. What did he ‚Äö√Ñ√Æ he was Vice President of the United States for eight years. I missed the Clinton administration’s bold initiatives on global warming and carbon caps. Did they enforce the Kyoto Treaty? I don’t think so. You know, so he gets the Nobel Peace Prize for talking.
Whether or not you happen to agree with the premise behind global climate change, which is that we are largely responsible for the consequences through our actions and our choices, what harm can be done by working to live a more carbon-neutral lifestyle? Of course, if you’re absolutely convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that Al Gore and the rest of us who believe that we’re contributing to global climate change, then I suppose you feel absolutely justified in belittling us. It would be nice if you could put together something resembling an argument to buttress your position, but why bother when you can resort to personal insults and cheap ridicule?
Winston Churchill one said that you can’t have a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. The problem is that those who deny the reality of global warming and global climate change ARE unarmed. They have no argument, and yet they have no problem with smugly resorting to cheap, petty insults and declaring victory. The problem with this is that there may not be a noticeable, demonstrable difference made in our lifetimes, but what about the world we leave to our children and grandchildren?
Of course, those who deny the reality of global warming and global climate change are no doubt quite happy to let the future take care of itself…but by then it may well be too late. So why not take a few simple steps now in order to make even a small difference? Because when you’re a Conservative, Right-wing Republican, no one can tell you a damn thing- you already know it all.
