Tuesday, February 27, 2007

An Inconvenient Hypocrisy

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research has released an item that claims the Oscar-winning Al Gore, does not practice what he preaches.

Here is the release.

The problem here is the same problem I always have with politicians (or anyone else, for that matter) that get on their soapboxes and advocate a certain thing, yet do not demonstrate the example. If a person like Al Gore were to truly believe in what he is doing, why is it so hard to live in the same manner?

Liberals and socialists are good at telling a middle class family of four, they should cut back on this or that, should willingly and happily surrender more of their hard earned money to ease poverty, and generally bow to the will of those seeking the vote of those that have little, so that those that are without can be on a government program that is is rife with corruption and inefficiency. In stark contrast to their words, many of them are not willing to give more of what they earn, nor do they sacrifice much (if any) of their lifestyle, to attain these goals.

I'll bet Al Gore and John Kerry, both, take every last tax exemption their accountants can find, just to avoid paying more taxes. Many are no different than the countless CEOs, billionaires, and multi-millionaires that do the exact same thing. If a politician, Hollywood elitist, or some other advocate of wealth re-distribution and environmental protection were to really believe in these philosophies, why do try to beat Uncle Sam out of money and why do they consume more?

Better yet, if Al Gore is so convinced that this calamity called global warming can be corrected, why isn't he leading the charge? Why do others like Ted Kennedy fly in private jets, drive huge SUVs, and fight efforts to have wind mills placed on their islands?

Anyone have answers? I'd love to hear them.


An Interesting Addendum To This Story: ABC has picked up the story.
Here is an excerpt:


If this were any other person with $30,000-a-year in utility bills, I wouldn't care," says the Center's 27-year-old president, Drew Johnson. "But he tells other people how to live and he's not following his own rules."

Scoffed a former Gore adviser in response: "I think what you're seeing here is the last gasp of the global warming skeptics. They've completely lost the debate on the issue so now they're just attacking their most effective opponent."

Kalee Kreider, a spokesperson for the Gores, did not dispute the Center's figures, taken as they were from public records. But she pointed out that both Al and Tipper Gore work out of their home and she argued that "the bottom line is that every family has a different carbon footprint. And what Vice President Gore has asked is for families to calculate that footprint and take steps to reduce and offset it."

They are busted, and they know it.

One person tries to deflect the issue and another tap dances his way through it with some BS carbon foot print. That's real convincing.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Human beings and human culture are too complex to be demanded this kind of straight-forwardness.

How would Gore be seen if he closed his mansion down, moved to a, say, condo? Would that be noticed? How many people would respect that? What else could he do before he was dismissed as a freaking tree hugger?

I would still wonder what's going on in his mansion to justify such levels of energy usage.

Anonymous said...

Who was the governor of California who lived in a studio during his term? Jerry Brown? That's a liberal I can respect - someone who practices their creed.

anonim: I would still wonder what's going on in his mansion to justify such levels of energy usage.

With a 10,000 square foot mansion, I imagine the bills mount pretty quickly. Can you imagine how much it costs to light and heat/cool such a large area? Actually, it's about $30,000/year. For comparison, I live in an 1,100 square foot house - probably the size of Al's master bedroom.

To me, Al is just like those Republican members of Congress who decried Clinton's "immorality" while they themselves womanized and fathered children out of wedlock.

I hate to break it to Al, but for him to be the environmental hero many want him to be, it's going to take more than buying a Prius and parking it between the Mercedes and the SUV. Instead of buying obscenely expensive solar panels to "lower his carbon footprint," how about just living more modestly?

Leslie Bates said...

Pardon me for my sarcasm, but where do these bozoids think all that carbon came from?

Do these bozoids realize that natural carbon depletion is an ongoing process and that someday there will not be enough carbon dioxide in the Terrestrial atmosphere for our plant life to live on?

Do these bozoids realize that every time someone drives an SUV he or she is extending the useful functional lifetime of the Terrestrial biosphere?

Of course not.

All_I_Can_Stands said...

Gore simply has one self-embarrassment after another.

LA Sunset said...

Anonim,

//I would still wonder what's going on in his mansion to justify such levels of energy usage.//

Like Greg said, 10,000 sq ft is a lot of area. But I would bet that it, being a mansion, also has very high histrionic ceilings. That means there's a lot cubic feet to heat, cool, and light.

Leslie Bates said...

Well, as I have pointed out, Al is doing his part to extend the useful life of the Terrestrial biosphere.

LA Sunset said...

Greg,

//Who was the governor of California who lived in a studio during his term? Jerry Brown? That's a liberal I can respect - someone who practices their creed.//

Despite disagreeing with him a lot of the time, I have always respected Jerry Brown, since he occupied that small apartment while being governor. Don't get me wrong, he's a politician. But he has a lot of integrity in his ideology. When he says he wants to help the poor, it's because he truly believes in doing so. He doesn't do it to buy votes.

A lot of people do not know this, but it was he that first starting plugging the flat tax, long before Steve Forbes picked up on it. I liked the flat tax idea, until I heard the fair tax proposal. Fair tax has it beat, hands down.

LA Sunset said...

Les,

//Do these bozoids realize that natural carbon depletion is an ongoing process and that someday there will not be enough carbon dioxide in the Terrestrial atmosphere for our plant life to live on?//

I am sure they have an answer for this. But the fact remains, you might be onto something. No plants, no oxygen. First we'll kill the plants, then we'll all die for lack of O2. Who needs a nuclear holocaust when we can all die of hypoxia?

LA Sunset said...

AICS,

//Gore simply has one self-embarrassment after another.//

What would you bet that he's having trouble sleeping tonight, thinking about how embarrassing this story is. Gore has always struck me as a person that cares what people think about him. So, I wonder if he's resting well tonight. We'll never know, though.

Leslie Bates said...

If we were to apply the Leftist methodology for finding solutions to various problems to the practice of driving an automobile we would have to drive on the wrong side (left, of course) of the road, deny the existance of oncoming traffic, and stomp on the gas pedal at the same time.

Anonymous said...

Is anyone else tired of this GOP game which says that only G-d is righteous enough to make a public statement? Is Gore right in what he has been preaching about the environment and what has become of us as a result of our industrial and non-recyclable society? I think he is. Is Al Gore a $25,000 a year, go to work, eat dinner and watch TV guy? No he's not; he's an organization boss running a huge team and probably sees 50 people a day and has a big staff. You don't think the style of life he lives or the size of his house or the needs of his staff should amount to something? Does anyone really expect that he was like one of those idiots during the California droughts years ago who used to stand out there over watering his lawn? I don't think so. And hey, I am talking from Belarus here: ALL of you Americans use more resources per capita than we do by 2, 3 or four households.

He should have won over Bush and only his flipping over guns and losing his home state prevented that. Florida would never have happened if Tennessee would have voted for the man and I think these last seven years would have been much, much better for the whole world if he had been burning light bulbs and running his air conditioner in the White House.

LA Sunset said...

BH,

//Is Gore right in what he has been preaching about the environment and what has become of us as a result of our industrial and non-recyclable society?//

I have yet to see any true credible evidence that warming is caused by humans. I know a large consensus of scientists have said it is, but they fail to take many things into consideration.

I have no trouble or problem with taking care of the environment, for the environment's sake. But to create this mass hysteria about warming and to ostracize (to the point of threatening ex-communication from the scientific community) those that dare to disagree, is not the way to go about it.

Anonymous said...

beinghad: the problem for Al is that he's been telling us that global warming is being caused by humans, and if we don't change our ways, we'll all die. Seeing that Al doesn't himself change his ways makes me wonder if he really believes what he is saying....

Mary Ellen said...

LA

Lets look at those pesky facts you seem to like to ignore in your posts.

First of all, The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is hardly a non-partisan think tank. It is run by Jason Drew Johnson, who also runs the American Enterprise Institute which gets its money from big oil. He's a true Bush lover and a huge cheerleader of the Iraq War.

If this is how you describe "Independent" I understand why you call yourself Independent while doing nothing but cheerleading for the right wingers in the Bush camp and doing your part to swiftboat Democrats at every chance.

Lets look at some of the facts about Gore's electricity bill. For one thing, he is supplying electricity for a 20 room hous which INCLUDES office space for him and Tipper, special security measures.

He buys his electricity through the GPC in order to use renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. Because he does this, he CHOOSES to pay $4 more per kilowatt hour. This INCREASES his electric bill by over 50% in order to eliminate carbon pollution. Gee, isn't that AWFUL???? In fact, his home uses LESS than the average home in that area.

If Al Gore decided to downsize his home, he would be renting or owning office space somewhere else. That office may not have the ability to buy renewable energy sources.

So, again, those pesky facts get in your way.

I'm not sure why this is such a big story to you guys....you, "Independents". If I were you, I would be more upset over Dick Cheney and the fact that taxpayers are paying Dick Cheney's electric bill at the Vice President's mansion? You know, the one that had an $186,000 electric bill in 2001? Nah, that probably doesn't bother you guys in the least, does it?

Now, you all think that Al Gore is such a bad guy? If it wasn't for him and his work on the "Inconvenient Truth", do you think that anyone in the US would know ANYTHING about carbon footprints? Do you think the average person could look up on the computer what their carbon footprint is?

Really, LA, if you were a true Independent as you say, you wouldn't be in such a hurry to spread the swiftboat garbage that comes from the Drudge Report and start looking and telling BOTH sides of the story.

Mary Ellen said...

Greg

//beinghad: the problem for Al is that he's been telling us that global warming is being caused by humans, and if we don't change our ways, we'll all die. Seeing that Al doesn't himself change his ways makes me wonder if he really believes what he is saying....//

Al has changed his ways, that is why he has put in solar panels and uses renewable resources for energy. Again, you are too blind to look at the facts and instead choose to bash the guy for no reason, other than your partisan views.

LA Sunset said...

ME,

Just because I don't side with Al Gore on this issue and his blatant hypocrisy does not mean I cannot claim independent status. That's a fact.

I think for you to say that every time I do not agree with your point of view on a given topic, I am not an independent, is a bit of a stretch. Independents may fall an either side of a specific issue, they do not toe party lines, and as for my stance on this issue it can be best summed with one famous line:

The emperor has no clothes.

Like Greg said, Jerry Brown lived in a small apartment, when he was governor of California in the 70s. He not only preached his ideology, he lived it.

As for the carbon footprint thing, to me, it's just another way of justifying one's hypocrisy.

Mary Ellen said...

If that is true, LA, why do you jump at every chance to swiftboat a Democrat rather than check other sources to find out both sides of the story?

You did the same thing with Murtha a while back. It's not that I think you have to agree with everything a Democrat says, I don't either, but at least I check my facts ON BOTH sides before making a judgement....and I'm not even an "Independent".

Mary Ellen said...

LA

Everyone chooses their own lifestyles.

Why should Gore downsize to a tiny apartment, which would probably not have the capability of using solar energy, in order to appease a few right wingers who are jealous of Gore's success?

Like I said, you may not agree that global warming exists. That's your right, but to outright spread swiftboat garbage in order to smear a guy, to leave out facts about how he gets his energy from GPS, isn't being "Independent". It cow-towing to the right wingers.

LA Sunset said...

//If that is true, LA, why do you jump at every chance to swiftboat a Democrat rather than check other sources to find out both sides of the story?//

Posting that I disagree with a person means I am swiftboating them? I thought this was America and I was allowed to disagree with people.

Bottom line is, the Gore people have had 24 hours to come up with some talking points in response to this embarassing story. They are going to spin it and spin it, but I am not going tom buy into it, unless they have something that will be credible enough to dissuade me from my beliefs. From what I have read, they haven't.

If it wasn't so newsworthy why did the MSM pick it up? If it was just a political hack job, why did the MSM pick it up? It's news, that's why. I linked to the ABC story that carried the Gore team response, it was well-represented. Now it is up to you and me to decide whether we believe it or not.

It's apparent that you do, but I don't. That's all.

LA Sunset said...

ME,

//Everyone chooses their own lifestyles. //

Yes, they do. And they have that right. Gore has that right. But when he is telling me how I am such a bad person because I do not believe as he does and he does that which he openly condemns, that is hypocritical.

LA Sunset said...

BTW ME, while we are at it. Did you read my piece on Hillary this morning? Would you say I swiftboated her?

Mary Ellen said...

LA

When did Gore call ANYONE a "bad" person? Just because he is putting out information on global warming and he is using scientific evidence that shows the changes in our climate, doesn't mean he is calling anyone bad. He's INFORMING them! If you choose NOT to believe it, that's up to you. If you want to ignore it, go ahead.

The only thing Gore has said was if everyone would pay attention and CUT BACK on their "carbon footprints", we would have a cleaner earth. Oh my! How TERRIBLE is that. He NEVER asked anyone to make drastic changes in their lifestyles! The right wing swift boat groups are just using their idiotic misinterpretation of Gore's words to make him sound like a hypocrite, when in fact, he is not. It's called smearing and lying. It's what they do best.

If you want to put yourself above that fray, then I would humbly suggest you check your facts before helping them spread this misinformation.

I will look at your new post about Hillary as soon as I can.

Anonymous said...

LA, you've gotta be right about the high-ceiling/high-volume factor.

BH brought up good points, too (an organization being run from home, with staff-vistors an all).

Actually, I did a Google search about the story yesterday after your post. All I found was right-wingers having at it. There was but one environmentalist blogger saying something different (like the story had been prepared in advance of the Oscars, and released just after the Award; and, other inconvenient factoids about Gore's carbon footprint). I didn't want to bring that up here on your blog. I was sure, ME would chime in with her own words. And she did.

Anonymous said...

Ok, we have two problems here.
Firstly, we feel here we have to take Al Gore to task and next we are ignoring what he is saying because of it.

You know, I sort of agree that Al Gore needs to be taken to task for not being a perfect man, for wanting to be a good politician but maybe not having that perfect, Zen-like clarity we want for our leaders. Is he ego driven and is he prone to lying? There is probably evidence that supports this. I mentioned in my last comment that I feel it was his changing his stance on gun control was cost him the presidential elections.

Of course I could say "who amongst you should cast the first stone?", but I won't; the guy's not perfect.

But my friends: auto-emissions and toxic wastes are destroying our planet. And yes, we are over exploiting our resources and overtaxing the earth's capacity to offer us life. Even just think of this: Whereas for the duration of human existence there has been less than a billion people, in two hundred short years we have no close to seven and according to estimates, we add three every second.

People, the message was that we need to conserve and we need to live a cleaner life. If you are too selfish to hear the word just because it comes from Al "the most terrible human being in the world" Gore, well, to me this does not mean it is a bad message, it is just that you don't want hear it.

I say the truth is the truth whether it comes from a bum on the street or a bum in a mansion. And frankly, I say the man is right.

LA Sunset said...

ME,

Fact: The Gore household uses ten-times the average Nashville household uses, while lambasting those that do the same thing.

Fact: Many politicians, to include Democrats that preach the reduction of carbon emissions, use private jets instead of airline flights.

Fact: Many politicians, to include Democrats that preach the reduction of carbon emissions, continue to drive SUVs and use gas-guzzling limos instead of smaller and more energy efficient models.

Fact: Martha's Vineyard, where Ted Kennedy has a home continually fights the introduction of wind energy, because residents do not want to look at windmills.

That's hypocrisy.

LA Sunset said...

Anonim,

//There was but one environmentalist blogger saying something different (like the story had been prepared in advance of the Oscars, and released just after the Award; and, other inconvenient factoids about Gore's carbon footprint).//

Maybe it was, I wouldn't necessarily dispute that possibility. Politics is all about timing. Dems do the same thing. It's a chess match. But right or wrong, it's not uncommon.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and nice job with those way, way cool facts Mary Ellen.

LA Sunset said...

BH,

//But my friends: auto-emissions and toxic wastes are destroying our planet. And yes, we are over exploiting our resources and overtaxing the earth's capacity to offer us life.//

Does that mean China and India should get passes because they are "developing" countries?

Mary Ellen said...

LA

FACT: Gore's house is much bigger than the average house, which is why he uses more electricity. Again,you are ignoring the FACTS that he also has his and Tippers offices within his home, instead of using separate office space which may not give them the opportunity to use renewable fuel resources.

QUIT IGNORING THE FACTS ON THIS, LA!!!!

Fact: Name all those Democrats that use private jets...tell me which car they drive including what year and model they drive. Tell me the circumstances of having to use a private jet. Get all the facts before you start making statements about hypocrisy, LA.

Fact: Again, I tell you that Gore did not tell everyone to drastically change their lifestyles in order to save our earth. He asked to cut back. You tell me whether you know of those Democrats who you say are hypocrits are NOT cutting back, or will not cut back in the future after learning more and more about the information that comes from the scientific evidence that Gore is supporting.

You guys are real good at calling people hypocrites when you don't know all the FACTS, LA.

I also seem to remember that Gov. Bush from Florida would not allow the windmills to be used, AND he wouldn't allow the offshore drilling off the coast of Florida...but it was ok to do it in Alaska. Hypocrite? Ya think?

I also seem to remember recently that you guys...you Republicans who call yourselves "Independents" ran with the Pelosi story about what plane she was going to be using. Of course, all the while ignoring the FACT that she was told to take that plane, she didn't pick it. It was assigned to her. But, again, we won't let the hypocrites get bogged down by those PESKY FACTS!

LA Sunset said...

ME,

//I also seem to remember recently that you guys...you Republicans who call yourselves "Independents" ran with the Pelosi story about what plane she was going to be using.//

Find that post on PYY, please. I want to see it, because that means someone has hacked into my blog. I never posted such a thing.

Here are my posts on Pelosi.

Mary Ellen said...

I didn't say that you posted that...I said that it was posted by other Independents. Of course, I do, vaguely remember a post that you made regarding Murtha. I pointed out to you that your post was wrong and you used a quote that was incorrect...a lie. I even showed you proof that it was a right wing smear job, and you said you would print a retraction if that was true....I'm not sure if you ever did. If so...I imagine it was on page 12 in small print at the bottom of the page, so to speak. It's easy to throw out dirt, but it takes a big man to admit when he is wrong.

In this case, regarding Gore, I pointed out to you many FACTS that you still choose to ignore. The fact that he never said that everyone has to eliminate their carbon use, but to do what you can to cut back. You say he is a hypocrite because of his usage,but refuse to face that he isn't because he is doing EXACTLY what he is asking everyone else to do. In fact, he's willing to pay double the electricity bill in order to do it and use renewable sources. You also refuse to admit that his use of his home as home and office, and the necessity for security devices not used on the average home in his area is a contributor to his electrical use.

Again, you throw out the name hypocrite at Gore and yet refuse to look at your own hypocrisy of calling yourself and Independent while readily using right wing talking points to put in your Independent blog. Drudge is hardly what I would call a non partisan news source...nor are most of those sites on your blogroll.

LA Sunset said...

ME,

//Of course, I do, vaguely remember a post that you made regarding Murtha. I pointed out to you that your post was wrong and you used a quote that was incorrect...a lie. I even showed you proof that it was a right wing smear job, and you said you would print a retraction if that was true....I'm not sure if you ever did. If so...I imagine it was on page 12 in small print at the bottom of the page, so to speak.//

Here
is the post.

Here is the correction.

Now, tell me what a big man I am. ;)

Anonymous said...

Mary-ellen: no one says Al should move into a tiny apartment. We're just suggesting perhaps he's being a hypocrite for living in such a huge house and using so much electricity. I agree it's relevant that two offices are also run out of the building. The problem for Al is, others who don't believe global warming is (a) a problem or (b) caused by humans can now point to Al and say, "See, even he doesn't believe it." Or others might interpret his behavior to mean that there's no point in adjusting our lifestyles, since we cannot reverse global warming. In short, I think he's hurting the anti-global warming movemement, which is a movement I think he genuinely believes in.

Other than that, I don't know why you insist on calling registered independents republicans. So I think Al isn't practicising what he's preaching. So what? I don't like republican hypocrites either, as my first post on the thread indicated.

Mary Ellen said...

Great LA!

Now be a big man and restate in your post the facts that Al Gore is NOT a hypocrite because he is doing everything that he is asking others to do...he is cutting back on his carbon footprint.

You don't want to be a hypocrite by ignoring the facts, do you?

You may not agree with Gore's position, but you cannot agree that he is not doing what he is asking others...therefore it is not "An Inconvenient Hypocrisy" as your title suggest. C'mon LA, be a man!

Mary Ellen said...

Greg

no one says Al should move into a tiny apartment. We're just suggesting perhaps he's being a hypocrite for living in such a huge house and using so much electricity.

That makes absolutely no sense, Greg. Your not saying he should move to a small apartment but he shouldn't live in his house?

So, he should move to a small house, keep his offices in a different neighborhood or part of town and use gas and emissions to drive to said offices. He should also take away all security that he is afforded as a former Vice President....anything else, Greg?

Did Gore ask you to move to a smaller house, or anyone? Did he ask anyone to do anything other than what he is doing himself?

Again....partisan swiping because you can't face the fact that Gore is being recognized for his work in getting the message out about or environment...a cause that he has always been close to.

Anonymous said...

M-E: said simply, if Al wants me to drive a fuel efficient car, he should drive one too. If he wants me to reduce my carbon footprint, perhaps he should find more modest accomodations than a 10,000 square foot mansion. He reminds me of the people who hop in their Excursion to drive to the Esplanade in Boston on Earth Day, litter the ground with a couple tons of trash, and go home feeling good about the $50 donation they made to the Earth Fund.

I don't know. Is this another of my "extreme" political positions? It's not partisan swiping. As I've said many times, I call out the republican hypocrites on the many occasions they give me the opportunity.

But, in fairness, Al Gore does not tell me to move into a smaller house (mine's pretty small anyway, but...).

I went to his website to find out what he wants us to do. It doesn't say anything except send a letter to your congressman. So I went to his charity's website and found this

http://tinyurl.com/27fgez

They do want us to drive a small car. And to develop a plan to reduce energy consumption in our home. And to work to "change local zoning laws" on energy use. So, they expect us to take personal responsibility. I think it's fair to question whether Al Gore is doing that.

And what kind of care does Al drive when he's not being chauffered by a stretch limo? I'm curious now...

Mary Ellen said...

I just saw something about the kind of car Al Gore drives...it's a hybrid SUV, I think. I'm not sure which one it is.

I read the site you linked to, I didn't see anything that would be considered a drastic change and is very do-able for the average person.

They do want us to drive a small car. And to develop a plan to reduce energy consumption in our home. And to work to "change local zoning laws" on energy use. So, they expect us to take personal responsibility. I think it's fair to question whether Al Gore is doing that.

Actually, he is doing exactly that. He did put up solar panels, he did change to a hybrid car, he does campaign for clean air laws and is actively doing more than any politician I know in making the US and the rest of the world aware of how we can change things by using renewable energy. How in the world can you or anyone else say that he's not "doing enough"? My gosh, he's given over most of his time promoting this! If NOT for his promotions, would you be seeing this talked about on a majority of the blogs, news stations, radio stations, etc.?

Anyone who is saying he isn't doing enough has to take their partisan blinders off.

LA Sunset said...

ME,

//Now be a big man and restate in your post the facts that Al Gore is NOT a hypocrite because he is doing everything that he is asking others to do...he is cutting back on his carbon footprint.//

Not on your life. Besides, it keeps you riled. If you are riled, then you make comments. Lots of them. Good for stats, you know? ;)

Seriously, I have to say that I agree with Greg, in that, regardless of the mitigating circumstances that may fit this case, Al creates the perception that he is hypocritical. In politics, perception is everything (almost).

Look, I really do not care how much energy he uses. If he can afford it, so be it. I am not convinced that global warming is caused by man, but that doesn't give us the right to pollute as much as we want.

I have willingly cut back on things because it's more economical. About the only thing I refuse to cut back on is my pickup truck. I have driven small cars most of my life and with all of the things my kids need hauled, I have to have it.

I just moved my daughter into a new apartment with it. That's why I bought it, for those kinds of instances.

LA Sunset said...

Oh and BTW, ME, you wanted to know who uses private jets? Here's one.

And you cannot say that the LA Times is a right wing publication. ;)

Mary Ellen said...

LA

Al creates the perception that he is hypocritical. In politics, perception is everything (almost).

No, Al does not create the perception that he is hypocritical, the right wing smear campaign does. Anyone, even you, who has an ounce of common sense can see that he is not a hypocrite because he NEVER asked anyone to make any type of drastic change in their lifestyles, but asked that they do what they can to cut back. I'm sorry,LA, but he could not be clearer on that.

Look at what Greg said, "M-E: said simply, if Al wants me to drive a fuel efficient car, he should drive one too." Well, I pointed out that Al does, indeed, drive a hybrid car. So, how does that make him a hypocrite?

It doesn't matter what Al Gore does, he could never please any of you because you have already decided, even though it is based on baseless information, that he is a hypocrite. I think that word is thrown around too much, IMO. When it is used, as you have used it here, knowing that the facts don't back up your claim that he is a hypocrite, it waters down your argument. In fact, it destroys all your credibility to say that you are an "Independent", as you claim on your blog.

Regarding the kind of car you drive, everyone needs to have something that fits their lifestyle. In my case, and I've taken a world criticism from Greg, I drive an SUV. I wish I didn't need it, but it is the only car that I can find that can easily fit a wheelchair in the back. If I could afford it, I'd get a hybrid SUV, but that's not in the cards right now. So, by all means, drive your truck without guilt....but check the list that Gore put up on his website and change the type of light bulbs you use, or follow some of the things on the list that is do-able.

Reading the article about the use of jets by Arnold and Feinstien, it said that they are using carbon offsets. I'm not sure what that is, but apparently has something to do with cleaner, more efficient fuel use. How does that make them hypocrites? It also mentioned that they did fly commercially when possible. It doesn't sound like they are just going for joy rides. I can imagine that it is difficult when you are in politics to meet schedules. However, isn't the fact that they are using carbon offsets proof that they are changing their travel modes in order to cut back...which is exactly what they are telling others to do? How is that hypocritical????

The article also mentioned that Nancy Pelosi flew commercially on many of her flights in the past.

BEING HAD said...

I agree with Mary Ellen about all of this negativity towards Al Gore being a part of GOP slander. And in fact this is exactly what they are doing to Belarus as well, in my opinion. And no, LA S, I am not condoning anyone's misuse of our planet. We all should know better. However, there are many countries out there who need to think money first. Both Iran and Belarus are intending to go nuclear. Maybe they have the technology to do this, maybe they don't. But in either case, a better idea would be to fix the problems rather than continuing this great game of Island Survivor played for the amusment and greed of a loose afiliation of milionairs and billionairs and baby… These are the days of miracles and wonder, why can't we simply drop the imperialism and bravado and social Darwinism and other such BS and simply talk it out like adults for a change? And for the love of G-d, what in hell is so wrong about listening to Al Gore? The man has got a point. Listen to him.