Last night Fox had to say something nice about Al Gore. Why? Because the Emmys were on Fox and he won for his work to merge internet and TV called Current TV. Gore was also nominated for and won the Spanish Nobel Prize, sometimes viewed as the precursor to the Nobel Prize. Another busy week for someone who is not campaigning for President.

Oh yes. He has stated many times (in response to thousands of questions) that he has no current intention to run. He has also said the candidates are not emphasizing the importance of a real campaign to adapt/adjust/slow down the effects of global warming, and he may have to 'reconsider'. Al Gore has certainly done more than anyone else to throw a spotlight on the scientific facts. It's important to stick to the science and the facts when passing judgment and setting policy. Yes, there's some heavy lifting required in that link but that's why it's important to follow the science. Will Al Gore run? I don't know but using his own reasoning, he should. The President of the United States can make a huge difference in addressing the future. That's what's at stake.

What else happened at the Emmy's. Nothing except censorship. Apparently Sally Field said something like (paraphrase)

"If mothers ran the world, there'd be no damn wars!"

It underscores a real and present danger. Media in this country routinely censors itself in any number of ways. Withholding stories (including the supposed liberal NY Times and WaPo) misquoting sources, using anonymous sources to support administration positions and more. It's why more and more people turn to blogs to find information.

Want to know the future? Take the pulse of a business leader who gathers more information on marketing than any of us. His advice? Own a word. One word that has value and meaning and that leads to world wide recognition. What's one of the top three? Al Gore. In fact, it's one of the top words world wide. Gee, I wonder which country could use some respect around the world. I saw a bumper sticker the other day: "Al Gore 2000. Sounds pretty good now doesn't it?" I could think of a few things we would and wouldn't be doing.

How has Gore distinguished himself in the past six years? Why does his name have value and the Bush name much less so. By the way, if you think the Bush name has value you're probably a good person who listens to Rush, Faux News, Bill O'Lielly and read lil green footballs. You're also seriously deluded. Please remember, blogs are about facts and opinions. You're entitled, we all are. Back to Gore.

There are three things that stand out. His environmental work has been stellar. The movie is not my favorite but it is quite factual and has raised awareness for many. After a period of relative isolation and distance following the 2000 election he was an early opponent of the war and a passionate defender of the Constitution. He could win the Democratic nomination even if he enters 'late' (is October 2007 late??) and would likely win the general. So why isn't he running? You'll have to ask Al. What do you think? Should he? Will he? He's got the brand, does he have the will?

Fred Thompson is the great white hope for the Republicans. If you look at him in just the right light he might remind someone (not me) of Ronald Reagan. However, his fundraising is half of what his supporters were hoping for and he's been through three campaign staffs before not announcing yet again. The more one gets to know Thompson, the less there is to like. Have you heard him give a speech or speak off the cuff? Not good.

Michael Bloomberg. He said he would launch a third party candidacy only if he's pretty sure he can win. Anyone could say that, what's the risk in that? A national run requires 'infrastructure' like 2-300 staffers and the ability to collect signatures and get on the ballot. No movement in that area means Chuck Hagel is likely out as well. Looks like he will announce he's out of D.C. and will not run for re-election to the Senate. Giving up a sure thing means he's either reading a run for prez as an independent or he's just had it. I'll vote for the latter. His replacement? Bob Kerrey has all but announced so that's a likely pick-up for the Dems.

That leaves us Al Gore who, if he is teasing, is doing a masterful job. It's either the best 'non-campaign' ever or he really doesn't want to run. Unless. Unless he sees the current Democratic front-runners as not able to win. Certainly all three have handicaps. If I were on the other side I could run effective (negative) campaigns against the current leading Dems and I think Gore knows that. He may not want in but he knows full well that with a Republican in the White House, the stalemate and partisanship, not to mention the endless war will be the order of the day. Climate change won't be on the agenda. Bottom line, I won't be shocked if Gore gets in this fall and I'll put $10 on the table to back it up.

Last week, I caught a re-run of Oprah featuring former Vice President Al Gore. The man behind "An Inconvenient Truth" discussed the documentary, and global warming in general.

"Never in our past have we had anything like this," Gore said. "This is new. There are some large polluters who have tried to confuse the issue."

Oprah showed scenes from the movie, noting that it was the third highest-grossing documentary of all time, and let Gore explain the issue of global warming.

"The atmosphere around the earth is very thin," Gore said. "Very, very thin. Just a few miles up to the top of the sky ... We are putting global warming pollution, CO2 mainly, into the earth's atmosphere. It makes the atmosphere thicken."

Despite the disturbing predictions and images – melting ice at the North and South Poles, potentially-flooded urban areas – Gore included encouragement in his message.

"I think fear is paralyzing," he said. "You have to fight through that ... We have to face down the fear and see it as a huge opportunity today."

Would Gore 2008 supporters say the same thing to the former (and, perhaps, future) presidential candidate?

So the other day I was in the kitchen when I heard Al Gore's voice on our living-room TV. Curious, I went in to watch. Turns out it was a rerun of a 2006 "12 Days of Giveaways" episode of the Ellen DeGeneres show. Her guests: Kellie Pickler and a certain former vice president.

Were there any revealing signs from that interview that can be applied today? Gore sounded very definite about not running. "I don't think I'll ever do that again," he told Ellen. "I've kind of fallen out of love with politics."

As for Bill and Hillary Clinton, the power duo of the Democratic Party, Al Gore praised his former boss and didn't really address the then-prospect of a Hillary candidacy. "Do you think Hillary will run?" Ellen asked. "Uh, I don't know," Gore said. "I don't know." Ellen quickly made the mood more lighthearted, asking, "What about Tipper? I love her. I played Ping-Pong somewhere with your wife" and the Gores' daughter, Kristin.

Was there any bit of hope for anyone who wants Gore to run in 2008? The brains behind An Inconvenient Truth (the film would later receive an Oscar, at an awards show presided over by Ellen) said his goal is "to try to change people's minds about the climate crisis. Whoever is our next president, we need to make a shift or we're in trouble." So, if Gore finds the current crop of candidates to lack sufficient concern for the environment, perhaps he'll run?

"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/Like a Colossus..." ~Shakespeare

Al Gore might not be the next Julius Caesar, but his influence over the Democratic Party at this point certainly parallels that of J.C. over the Roman Republic.

If Gore decides to run in 2008, Democratic voters have a counterbalance to their party's most visible current candidates: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. More than any other candidate, Gore would remind the Democrats that they have "unfinished business" ... a reckoning with the Republicans after the Supreme Court decision Bush v. Gore gave the presidency to George W. Bush in 2000.

The Democratic debaters on Monday night realized this. Only Sen. Joe Biden responded to a two-person question sent from Murfreesboro in Gore's state of Tennessee.

People are skeptical of the entire global warming issue. They made it clear yesterday with three quarters tuning out:

The Live Earth concert promoted by former Vice President Al Gore received plenty of media coverage and hype, but most Americans tuned out. Just 22% said they followed news stories about the concert Somewhat or Very Closely. Seventy-five percent (75%) did not follow coverage of the event.

Considering that 80% were following the immigration debate, that's pretty sorry numbers for Al Gore's dream.

Let's put this global warming issue into perspective, shall we? The planet is getting hotter as many scientists have pointed out, but it has been warming and cooling for millenia. This latest warming trend is a natural occurrence that is not even a blip in the history of our planet. Greenland was once a rain forest for crying out loud. Of course, the scientists who figured that out will soon be seen as outcasts.

Al Gore's dream is about to be realized; tens of today's star musicians, as well as some has-beens and a few unknowns, will play a series of rock concerts to end global warming. He must be proud.

The stars will align and use megawatts of fossil-fuel generated electricity to show us rabble that we must do more to save the environment. I, for one, will listen to Al Gore and not turn on my TV during th entire show. I may miss acts like the Chili Peppers, who I like a lot, but I want to conserve some electricity.

I will also miss Yusuf (formerly Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens) and that would be a shame. The man is a full-on inspiration with his peaceful lyrics:

"The Jews seem neither to respect God nor his creation. Their own holy books contain the curse of God brought upon them by their prophets on account of their disobedience to Him and mischief in the earth. We have seen the disrespect for religion displayed by those who consider themselves to be 'God's chosen people.'...There will be no justice until all the land is given back to its rightful owners... Only Islam can bring peace back to the Holy Land."

Oops, that wasn't from his lyrics, that was his thoughts on Israel. Old Cat has become a pretty virulent critic of anything he considers un-Islamic.

On 'The Today Show,' Al Gore says he has fallen out of love with politics. I highly doubt it will stop the speculation. Some would just like to see him shake up the 2008 election. Despite his hesitation, the pleas for him to run will continue. A petition on Draftgore.com has 100,000 signatures!

I personally support Gore if his decision is to stay on the sidelines. Anyone is better off doing what he or she loves, and Gore seems to thrive in his cause for our environment. At this point I'd rather see him at the Oscars then in the White House. First of all, he seems so much happier. Second, it seems that people are actually responding to his passionate fight for environmental reforms. Finally, he places third behind Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a CNN poll and I highly doubt he actually could win the nomination. And let's not forget, he has lost before.

I do find it interesting that he hasn't endorsed any Dem candidate.

I agree completely with Ed Morrissey of Captains Quarters: Republicans and Conservatives tempted to crack on Al Gore's family problems should remember the Bush twins were busted for underage drinking and that Jeb Bush's daughter has had huge problems.

What's been giving this story real legs so to speak is that Al Gore III was caught in a Prius going 100 mph. First, it appears that the Gore family believes in what Senior Gore is selling. A Toyota Prius is probably not the most ideal mode of locomotion for a twenty-something young man.

But on the other hand, it was going 100 mph? Who knew hybrids could go that fast? A subtle piece of advertising for hybrid technology amongst a personal tragedy... could be.

As for the kid, I'm sure his parents Al and Tipper are pained and grieved by his actions, and I won't be shocked when we find out later that the Bushes and others reached out to Al privately to encourage him in light of their experiences with their own problem children.

The only obstacle for Clinton in the Democratic primary is Al Gore. Twenty-nine percent of Clinton voters would switch to Gore if he announced for president, and when all of the switches from other Democratic candidates were recalculated, Gore would defeat Clinton. In total, 32 percent of Democratic voters would support Gore over the candidate they are currently leaning toward.

Our old buddy Al Gore is writing again about the environment and the evil deeds us earthlings are perpetrating upon her:

Without realizing the consequences of our actions, we have begun to put so much carbon dioxide into the thin shell of air surrounding our world that we have literally changed the heat balance between Earth and the Sun. If we don't stop doing this pretty quickly, the average temperature will increase to levels humans have never known and put an end to the favorable climate balance on which our civilization depends.

Listen, I'm no Peggy Noonan or even a hack like Maureen Dowd, but does anyone consider that drivel good writing? Well, it is the NY Times and they are shills for libs like Gore so why even question it?

Anyway, let's continue with these words of wisdom from crazy Al:

In the last 150 years, in an accelerating frenzy, we have been removing increasing quantities of carbon from the ground - mainly in the form of coal and oil - and burning it in ways that dump 70 million tons of CO2 every 24 hours into the Earth's atmosphere.

The concentrations of CO2 - having never risen above 300 parts per million for at least a million years - have been driven from 280 parts per million at the beginning of the coal boom to 383 parts per million this year.

So how does Al expect to help our ailing planet? By hosting a seven continent concert that will involve hundreds of thousands of people to drive to attend and will burn up huge amounts of fossil fuels generating the electricity required to fire up the amps, power the concessions and provide air conditiong for Gaia's spokesboy, "no controlling legal authority" Gore. And what of the need to fly the performers, camera crews and assorted support personnel to all the continents? Will they go in a canoe or will they fly in atmosphere polluting private jets?

I'm sure that Clinton's former lapdog Veep will end global warming within two weeks of the concerts, hell, he usually just shows up and the temperature drops 15 degrees. But I digress.

We all remember how Bob Geldof's Live Aid ended starving in Africa the Concert for Bangladesh ended poverty in that Asian nation. I feel that the Gorapalooza will do the exact same for global warming. I'm positive that China will here the music of the Police and shut down their highly-polluting electrical plants and go right back to the ox and cart because the "Goracle" said so. Maybe if it were a few Buddhist monks, old Al could take them for a few shekels.

It used to be that when a president, or in this case, vice president, left office, they would lay low for awhile, not attack succeeding administration, write their memoirs and work on getting their library built. Unfortunately, for fans of civility, those times are long past.

Al Gore is a great example of ex-veep who can't shut up and must remain in the national debate regardless if what he say has merit. He "starred" in the film "An Inconvenient Truth" and wrote a recent book slamming the Bush administration as inept and worse:

The former vice president reserved perhaps his harshest condemnation for his onetime rival, President Bush. On the threat of terrorism, Mr. Gore writes that instead of making it better, the president "has made it worse. We are less safe because of his policy. He has created more anger and righteous indignation against us than any leader of our country in all the years of our existence as a nation."

Maybe my memory is a bit flawed, but I seem to remember a few instances where Gore and his boss Bill Clinton failed to act after overt acts of terror against our civilians and military that emboldened a terror group to attack us at home. Let's review, shall we?

Somalia: In October of 1993, U.S. special forces were in Mogadishu and a were ordered to capture important allies of Mohammed Farah Aidid, the strongest of the clan leaders. They were told to go in with a scaled-back plan, thus attacking without all the weapons they had in theater including AC-130 gunships. The result was an all-out battle against what would prove to be al-Qaida equipped and trained insurgents. We lost several men and they dragged the bodies of several of our soldiers through the streets. End result: we did nothing except pull our troops out.

Mother's Day is coming up, and undoubtedly a lot of folks will be purchasing last-minute cards and gifts. But is there one mother – Mother Earth – that we've overlooked? Bob and Susannah – and two surprise guests – debate in the latest episode of "Running Gags"!

More Political Cartoons on 'The Stump':

· Tancredo, Chavez: Great Minds Think Alike
· Will Farm Bill Increase Illegal Immigration?
· Virginia Tech and Iraq: A Violent Week
· Opportunism From Obama on Imus?
· McCain's Mideast Mistakes

Environmentalists and liberals (but I'm redundant) have worked out the perfect scenario when it comes to explaining their "do as I say, not as I do" mentality: carbon offsets. These are absolutely useless credits that you can buy to supposedly balance your "carbon footprint."

To the rational mind, these would sound as if they were concocted by a snakeoil salesman in the Old West. That wouldn't be exactly correct. They were popularized by a snakeoil salesman from Tennessee (or Washington or...) named Al Gore. You see, Gore has taken the old scam one step further, you buy the carbon offset credits that supposedly balance your "carbon footprint" from a company you have an interest in. Ponzi couldn't have created a better scheme. But I digress.

It turns out that (gasp!) the whole carbon offset thing has been manipulated to make money for the greenest of our capitalists:

The growing political salience of environmental politics has sparked a "green gold rush", which has seen a dramatic expansion in the number of businesses offering both companies and individuals the chance to go "carbon neutral", offsetting their own energy use by buying carbon credits that cancel out their contribution to global warming.

The burgeoning regulated market for carbon credits is expected to more than double in size to about $68.2bn by 2010, with the unregulated voluntary sector rising to $4bn in the same period.

Yes, those were b's in front of the -illions.

I've always been a big believer that the whole global warming thing is way overblown. Climate change is a part of the Earth's history for millions of years and the environmentalists are ratcheting up the volume for financial gain. It turns out that some are seeing through the smokescreen and are looking at the whole Kyoto/global warming/carbon dioxide sham in a whole new light.

Update (2053): The party of environmentalism left one hell of a carbon footprint between DC and South Carolina.