Al Gore receives his Nobel Prize: Challenges the U.S. and China
Today, in Oslo, Al Gore received his Nobel Prize. CNN covered the speech live. Gore spoke of moral authority — and he has moral authority. That could never, ever be said of George Bush.
Like a lot of folks, I watched Al Gore’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech from Oslo, Norway. Every time I listen to him, I’m filled with increasing admiration- for his commitment, his passion, and his astonishing equanimity. How many of us would have picked up the pieces as Gore has? Here’s a man who by all rights could have become very bitter and vindictive after watching George W. Bush and his fellow Republithugs steal the 2000 Presidential election. After all, when you win the popular vote, one should reasonably be able to expect that they’ll be taking the oath of office before long, no?
Gore could have understandably become quite bitter. While he understandably took some time to deal with the crushing disappointment, he seems to have found an impressive niche. No one over the past few years has addressed the issue of global climate change more convincingly, and with more passion and purpose, than Al Gore. In a very real sense, Gore has become the embodiment of the dictum, “living well is the best revenge.” He’s become the poster boy for making lemonade out of lemons, and he’s staked his reputation and his legacy on his campaign to bring the issue of global climate change to the forefront of the public consciousness. Though I would dearly love to listen to Gore rip Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader © a new one, he’s chosen to rise above pettiness and vindictiveness, which is not something I’m sure I’d be able to do in similar circumstances.
Watching Gore’s speech left me thinking that perhaps there is hope. Perhaps we can make a difference, if only we can convince decision-makers to remove their blinders, lose the denial, and do what needs to be done. Reversing, or at least stopping, global climate change is certainly not an easy or simple thing, but it is within the realm of possibility given the proper commitment and resolve. With the courage to act and the willingness to do the right thing, we don’t necessarily have to be condemned to the bleak future that likely awaits us and our children if our leaders persist in their inaction.
I understand that there’s a lot of debate over the reality of global warming, and that’s a good thing. At least people are talking. My question, though, is simple: If we know, or even suspect, that certain things may possibly aggravate the degradation of the ozone layer, why not take some positive action? Why not try to do something that might make even a small difference? Surely, no sane, rational person can think that doing nothing is the prescription for success and longevity.
Al Gore has proven himself far worthier of the highest office in the land than George W. Bush ever could. Though it remains fashionable for those on the Right to laugh at Gore, this dismissiveness only exposes the ignorance and self-satisfied foolishness of those who would engage in this sort of silliness. I believe that continued inaction can only reasonably be considered a recipe for disaster. We have the power to determine what sort of world our children and grandchildren inherit from us. We should all be thanking Al Gore for his work on behalf of generations to come.
Laugh if you must, but what if he’s right? What then?
