"If you asked me to name the three scariest threats facing the human race, I would give the same answer that most people would: nuclear war, global warming and Windows." -- Dave Barry
In a very telling indication of what exactly is wrong with George Bush and with the "stick-your-head-in-the-sand" Republicans, President Bush replied to a question on whether he would watch Al Gore's documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, and said, "Doubt it." This is how Bush responds to any kind of truth that he doesn't want to face. Ignore something is happening and it will go away. Al Gore, who was already one of my heroes, is on his game right now and as comfortable in his own skin as I've ever seen him. And he replied to Bush's lack of vision brilliantly:
WASHINGTON - Is President Bush likely to see Al Gore's documentary about global warming? "Doubt it," Bush said coolly Monday. But Bush should watch it, Gore shot back. In fact, the former Democratic vice president offered to come to the White House any time, any day to show Bush either his documentary or a slide show on global warming that he's shown more than 1,000 times around the world.
"The entire global scientific community has a consensus on the question that human beings are responsible for global warming and he has today again expressed personal doubt that that is true," Gore said in an Associated Press interview from France where he attended the Cannes Film Festival ...
Gore's documentary chronicles his efforts to bring greater attention to the dangers of climate change.
"New technologies will change how we live and how we drive our cars, which all will have the beneficial effect of improving the environment," Bush said. "And in my judgment we need to set aside whether or not greenhouse gases have been caused by mankind or because of natural effects and focus on the technologies that will enable us to live better lives and at the same time protect the environment ..."
"... Why should we set aside the global scientific consensus," Gore said, his voice rising with emotion. "Is it because Exxon Mobil wants us to set it aside? Why should we set aside the conclusion of scientists in the United States, including the National Academy of Sciences, and around the world including the 11 most important national academies of science on the globe and substitute for their view the view of Exxon Mobil. Why?"
"I'm a grandfather and he's a father and this should not be a political issue," Gore said. "And he should ask the National Academy of Sciences ... whether or not human beings are contributing to global warming ..."
Who sounds more presidential now? On one side you have an intelligent, compassionate person who leads with ideas. On the other side, a petulant simpleton who's afraid to admit a fault. Thank you for that, Supreme Court.
"There is nothing to fear except the persistent refusal to find out the truth, the persistent refusal to analyze the causes of happenings." -- Dorothy Thompson
6 comments:
Bush is awful.
Did you see my post about this?
http://jajc.blogspot.com/2006/05/al-gore-in-08.html
That was a great post JA. Couldn't have said it better myself.
That's the thing about Bush though - he's not ignoring facts in his mind. In his mind, there is only one absolute truth and that truth is that the Rapture is coming and there is no point in "saving" the earth since only GOD can do that... and God will destroy the earth anyway. His particular brand of "christianity" is scary because his beliefs carry into his policy - and affect us all.
"The entire global scientific community has a consensus on the question that human beings are responsible for global warming and he has today again expressed personal doubt that that is true," Gore said in an Associated Press interview from France where he attended the Cannes Film Festival ...
Umm, yeah...the entire global scientific community having a consensus on the origin of species has done nothing to erase his personal doubts about evolution, why would this be any different?
Besides, global warming should be considered an excellent opportunity for the further growth of the energy industry. After all, you can sell a lot of electricity for air conditioning if the temperatures go up. And think of the money to be made in the areas that get colder and have to pay more for heating.
Personally, I'm thinking about investing in property a half mile inland from the coasts. I could have awesome ocean views in a just a few short years.
Shawn said, "Personally, I'm thinking about investing in property a half mile inland from the coasts. I could have awesome ocean views in a just a few short years." -- He-he. In the immortal words of Maynerd Keenan of Tool in the song Aenima: "Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay."
Great post as usual! Laura hit the nail on the head! The Evangelical crowd believe that the sooner the end comes the better, and they might as well take advantage of the perks of polution until it comes along.
I read somewhere a couple of months ago that if you really wnat to do someething for your grand children, buy them some property near Lake Michigan. According to the article, in forty years, Michigan will be the new Florida, thousands of miles of beaches, and warm year 'round. Plus, no sharks, barracudas, or jellyfish to worry about!
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