Al Gore is one of the great hypocrites of our time. In his 1996 speech to the Democratic convention, he held his audience spell-bound as he described his sister's death from lung cancer, and his vow at the time of her death to "pour his heart and soul" into taking on the tobacco industry. But after the alleged vow, when campaigning in tobacco-growing states, Gore pledged his devotion and allegiance to tobacco, and continued to accept the industry's campaign contributions. When called on this, he reportedly blamed his "emotional numbness" over the death of his sister.
More recently, questions have been raised about how well Gore's consumption patterns comport with his crusade against global warming. Here's a hint -- they don't.
Now we learn that this alleged environmentalist has collected more than $500,000 in royalties from the owners of zinc mines who held mineral leases on his farm near Carthage, Tennessee. Apparently, before the mines closed in 2003, they emitted thousands of pounds of toxic substances. On several occasions, moreover, the water discharged from the mines into nearby rivers had levels of toxins above what was legal. The mines now have a new owner and are set to reopen this year.
No wonder Gore proclaimed his environmental arguments "inconvenient."
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. At some point all you can do is laugh.
Mel at 5:24PM on Mar 17th 2007
2. Al Gore connected with the people from Hollywood and made a documentry about the environment. Hollywood isn't referred to as the "land of make believe" for nothing. Al made a political statement. Now the American people have have John Kerry snow boarding in Aspen, Hillary mumbling something about a right wing conspiracy, AL's Oscar, Murtha's slow strangle of the troops in Iraq and Joe Kennedy sucking up to Hugo Chavez. Then all at once,they are all going to stand up at the DNC and say "vote for us". You can't make this up.
C.Ealie at 6:02PM on Mar 17th 2007
3. At some point all you can do is laugh.
This post makes me laugh too. A select group of lawyers have cleaned up on the tobacco industry in the last few years. And I smile and grin that the Powerline attorneys didn't get to partake in any of this fortune and subsequent accolades. It must really burn to be so petty and jealous.
Webster Hubble Telescope at 7:25PM on Mar 17th 2007
4. If you watch the actual video about the mine, the state said it had a good environmental record with only minor issues. this becomes "they emitted thousands of pounds of toxic substances and several times, the water discharged from the mines into nearby rivers had levels of toxins above what was legal." If you want to object to something, report the facts as they are without blowing them out of proportion.
FUD at 8:26PM on Mar 17th 2007
5. I think what’s needed in 2008 is a slate of balanced heavy weights, Al Gore and Rosie O’Donnell.
Bob Rogan at 1:17AM on Mar 18th 2007
6. #5
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/3/16/17521/8441
Webster Hubble Telescope at 1:33AM on Mar 18th 2007
7. Global Warming, isn't about Al Gore. Global Warming did not hire Al Gore as its spokesperson.
Al Gore does not preach that he is a saint or above repoach in his own lifestyle's contribution to C02 emmissions.
Attacks on the man (rather than the message) show that you have a weak hand to play in the argument.
J Carlson at 2:13PM on Mar 18th 2007
8. To J Carlson, You are correct that "global warming" is not Al Gore, however Al has chosen to try to make it so. Because one points out the hypocracy of the messenger does not mean that they cannot also point out the hypocracy of the message.
Al is the politics, the error of the message is in science. The science of "global warming" is long on hype and little on substance. If both Al andt the movement were on firm ground why is it he will never have an open discussion with any of his detractors? There is no weaker hand than that of those who continue to avoid serious debate by shouting their opposition doen with "the science is settled".
Truly science by definition is never settled. By their own admission the IPCC is only formulating a hypothesis not science that is set in stone. Just look at the changes they have made since their last report, ocean level increase PREDICTIONS were lowered from 3 feet to 17 inches. Contrast that to Al's claim of 20 feet which he still sticks to.
If any of the proponents of "global warming" really want to be taken seriously by a skepric they would best be served by distancing themselves from the self serving politician Al Gore.
J. Lindholm at 2:38PM on Mar 18th 2007
9. SOME PEOPLE, AS IN LIBS, JUST LIKE TO CREATE HYSERIA. THERE'S A WONDERFUL BENEFIT TO THAT. NON-THINKING PEOPLE SEE THEM AS THEIR PROTECTORS. WHICH IS LAUGHABLE COMING FROM THE DUMBOCRAP CORNER.
JUST AS MANY SCIENTISTS SAY THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS A NATURAL PHENOMENA, THAT EVEN THOUGH CO2 EMISSIONS HAVE INCREASED YEARLY, THE TEMPERATURE OF THE EARTH HASN'T CHANGED IN 6 YEARS. THAT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WE CAN DO WILL CHANGE ANYTHING, GIVEN THAT HUMANS CONTRIBUTE ONLY 4% TO THE CO2 LEVELS. PLANTS LIKE CO2. THE POLAR BEAR POPULATION HAS ACTUALLY INCREASED FROM 10,000 T0 25,000 IN RECENT YEARS. AND SO ON.
BUT SOME PEOPLE WOULD RATHER FLOCK BEHIND AL GORBAGE:
FLUNKED OUT OF LAW SCHOOL
BRAGGED HE INVENTED THE INTERNET
TRIED TO HIDE NEW TAXES IN OUR PHONE BILLS
tsgrv at 2:43PM on Mar 18th 2007
10. GORBAGE SCANDALS W/CLINTONS
Vandalgate:
Before leaving the White House, members of the Clinton administration, particularly the Vice Presidents office, are reported to have vandalized the Whitehouse as a "prank" on the incoming Republican administration. Democrats have tried to downplay this scandal and dismiss it as false, but the fact remains that several pranks did occur including the removal of "W" keys off computer keyboards. This prompted office supply companies to donate replacement keyboards and keys. Elsewhere the Clinton staffers wrote lewd messages on door nameplates and left their trash including pizza boxes (perfectly fitting for the Clinton administration) in the offices.
Coverup for our Russian Comrades as Wellgate:
This recently revealed "snafu" involves a CIA memo that was sent to Algore's office. The memo included evidence of major corruption in Russian leadership. It was returned with little more than a post it note telling the CIA that Gore didn't want to here about it right now. The reports included charges that former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin used many illegal means for personal gain. Chernomyrdin is said to have charged $1 million for a meeting with a German businessman. The CIA set aside the evidence that this event occurred because of Gore's dismissal of the earlier reports. So power is being sold by the same guys we give massive aide checks to? Then again selling power is not a crime according to the Clinton administration. I don't see any difference between this incident and the '96 coffee breaks.
Federal Building Campaign Phone Callgate:
Algore made over 75 illegal phone calls to solicit contributions to the DNC from federal property yet Janet Reno refuses to investigate it further. Janet Reno launched another investigation of these phone calls. Note: soliciting campaign donations from federal property is illegal in America. Why does Algore get away with breaking the law?
Donations from convicted drug and weapons dealersgate:
The Clintons and Algore were photographed on numerous occasions meeting with drug ring leader Jorge Cabrera at fundraiser events. Other Clinton donations came from a convicted illegal arms dealer, Chinese government agents, and many other drug smugglers. Many photographs only reconfirm this data
Buddhist Templegate:
Algore attended a money funneling event/fundraiser for the DNC at a buddhist temple then claimed he never knew about it being a fundraiser. Buddhist monks were used in a money funneling scam to the DNC.
tsgrv at 2:41PM on Mar 18th 2007