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Hi All:

___Although not really front page news worthy, the writers viewpoints were direct albeit slightly slanted from my perspective.

As both members of the news media and American youth, we're passionate about Gore's cause and the future of our planet - but he needs to help us help him. (http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/02/Opinion/In.It.For.The.Green-3005167.shtml)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Al_Gore_An_Inconvenient_Truth.jpg Leah Finnegan and Claire Harlin - Daily Texan - Oct. 2, 2007

Al Gore doing everything in his power to make global warming “the issue” while placing some green in his pocket in the process.

Al Gore certainly seems to practice what he preaches. Our stock mental picture of him these days features him in a Prius eating a Gardenburger Â- a little rounder than his government days, despite the vegetarian diet. He's come a long way from the White House.

We also don't question Gore's dedication to spreading his environmental gospel. Since 2006 Gore has been touring the continent with his infamous multimedia presentation of the award-winning "An Inconvenient Truth." The 75-minute global warming spectacular has sold out its fair share of auditoriums (although there were plenty of $98-dollar seats unfilled at the Frank Erwin Center Monday night), and Gore shows no signs of slowing down.

And why should he? For $100,000 a pop, Gore and his eco-tourage travel around like the best of them. His speaker's contract, managed by the exclusive Harry Walker Acency, Inc., demands first-class airfare and hotel accommodations from his sponsors, not to mention a tidy per diem allowance on top of the impressive speaking fee. We have to give Gore some credit: In accordance with his scruples, his contract dictates that his ground transportation must be a sedan - "NOT" an SUV … Read more (http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/02/Opinion/In.It.For.The.Green-3005167.shtml)

___One of the most poignant replies was the following:
Why is it that anti-environmentalists are allowed to be a rich self-serving bastards, but somehow anyone who speaks up for the environment is expected to be some sort of self-denying, green-tinged ascetic? The entire system is completely corrupted by money; if companies are allowed to dump chemicals in our waters, pollute our air, and destroy our environment purely for profit, why can't Gore make a buck the other way, especially if people are willing to pay to learn? (Sounds sorta like college, huh.)

My wife & I were there last night. Not surprisingly, we were quite enthusiastic.

"Our stock mental picture of him these days features him in a Prius eating a Gardenburger ­- a little rounder than his government days, despite the vegetarian diet."

Al is actually not a vegetarian, and gets flack from my sometimes vegetarian wife for not promoting a cause which also combats climate change. Research please.

"The Q-and-A time was more like a Gore-on-the-pulpit time, in which he fit in five mini-sermons for the price of one. Although he generously exceeded the allotted 10 minutes, we're still trying to figure out if he actually answered the questions asked."

A haha. Good one. Imagine that, the press is having a hard time figuring out whether or not he answered the questions. Well, let me help you out. I was there and he did.

"As both members of the news media and American youth, we're passionate about Gore's cause and the future of our planet - but he needs to help us help him. That takes more than a 10-minute, post-presentation Q-and-A session."

Here's some helpful advice. Instead of writing a column about rosemary crusted chicken whatever and whining about a lack of access, report on what was said last night about Australia, the epic drought, and the coming election. Report on the Northwest Passage, and the astonishment of Gore's scientist contacts. Report on anything he said that was not a part of the movie.

Yes Al, please work as hard as Leah & Claire.

I had a similar conversation with my Father-in-law last weekend. I told him that you can't take a crap in this country without money, and mentioned that Gore hasn't gotten a paycheck from the Government since he left the Vice Presidency 7 years ago. Everyone has bills to pay, and every provider is expected to put food on the table.

You can't do that if you're an ascetic.

I have heard him interviewed several times and he DOES answer questions. I think what the pundits might not like is that he doesn't tend towards the very neat answers in a very neat little package. His answers tend to be complete, long winded and "wonkish". But all questions can't be answered in nice little sound bites. In fact, no important ones can. I think candidates for public office now must have the least answering most pretending to answer answers.

He will do press interviews. The thing I observed is that they are all in depth type things of more than a half an hour. If I were thru what he has been thru I would be with him on this totally. If someone is willing to spend some time to discuss the issues you talk, if not why? Of course then they can publish this sort of stuff. He is perfectly accessible to anyone with a standard tv cable option (or even PBS), who is willing to sit and listen to more than a 2 minute blitz and has half an attention span.


I think he would be d***ed anyway. If he didn't make any money people would comment how he is going all over making these talks but no one really comes to them or wants to pay to hear what he has to say. Now he makes money and then they say that he makes too much.

I thought that the title ("In it for the Green") did suggest that Al was in it for the money despite their comments of his dedication.


--des