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April 18th 2008

Nancy Pelosi And Newt Gingrich Come Together To Fight Climate Change

Filed under: green and famous — michael @ 3:31 pm

For the second in its series of videos titled “Unlikely Alliances”, the $300 million dollar WE initiative (sponsored by Al Gore’s Alliance For Climate Protection) has brought together Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

In the ad, Pelosi and Gingrich admit they don’t always see eye-to-eye, but believe the country must put aside its political difference and come together to fight climate change. How that happens, however, still remains a difference between the two politicians. As the SFGate reports, Pelosi supports a “mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce emissions, while Gingrich would rather use tax credits and other incentives to get industry to switch to low-carbon technologies.”

Said Cathy Zoi, CEO of the Alliance for Climate Protection, “By bringing together top Republicans and Democrats, we are demonstrating both to the American public and to lawmakers that we can and must overcome partisan differences to solve the climate crisis.”

Check out the ad below.

April 16th 2008

Al Gore Would Like To Know What Inspires You

Filed under: web — michael @ 5:38 pm

As part of their coverage leading up to Earth Day, Current TV is asking for people to ask what ideas, thoughts or changes they’ve seen or heard with regards to the environment that inspires them. If you respond with either a webcam video or text by April 17th, you may be selected to become part of their Earth Day coverage from April 19-22nd. So basically, you’ve got 24 hours — get to it, jump here!

Check out Al Gore’s video below:

April 14th 2008

Will Al Gore And Jimmy Carter Act Together To End Clinton’s Bid?

Filed under: politics — michael @ 10:40 am

There’s a rumor drifting online just above a whisper that Al Gore and Jimmy Carter may be about to act either together or in sequence to end the Democratic primary and gather support behind a single candidate.

Such rumors generally come from barely-credible sources, in this case the UK Scotsman, but if true it would be a blow to the one candidate suspected to not be getting the endorsement of either gentleman: Hillary Clinton. From the article,

“Former president Carter and former vice-president Gore have already held high-level discussions about delivering the message that she must stand down for the good of the Democrats. ‘They’re in discussions,’ a source close to Carter told Scotland on Sunday. ‘Carter has been talking to Gore. They will act, possibly together, or in sequence.’ An appeal by both men for Democrats to unite behind Clinton’s rival, Barack Obama, would have a powerful effect, and insiders say it is a question of when, rather than if, they act.”

Other sources claim that such an announcement might be imminent — which would be interesting strategy ahead of the April 22nd Pennsylvania primary.

Stay tuned!

April 11th 2008

Obama Now “Guarantees” Gore An Offer To Join Cabinet

Filed under: green and famous — michael @ 11:50 am

If you’re sick of all this Gore speculation, I’m sorry to be bending your ear. Unfortunately, I find it all too amusing and can’t help but share with everyone.

As I mentioned before, Presidential candidate Barack Obama previously said he would consider the idea when asked if Al Gore might be invited to take part in his administration. At a recent Town Hall meeting in Indiana, Obama raised the stakes even further by guaranteeing a offer to the former Vice-President to join his administration. From the article,

“’I can guarantee you that Al Gore will be invited to take part in my administration,’ Obama said, reiterating comments he made a week ago in response to a similar question in Pennsylvania. At both the Indiana and Pennsylvania events, Obama mentioned that he speaks to Gore periodically.”

Of course, Gore has reiterated that he “probably” will not be rejoining the political scene anytime soon. Ok, so he’s actually remained wishy-washy about the entire thing — something which is maddening, but probably wise in terms of playing the field.

We also know that both Clinton and Obama have been wooing Gore incessantly with hopes that his endorsement might seal the deal for the nomination.

Drama, people. Pure drama. But damn, it’s fun.

April 9th 2008

Al Gore’s Updated Slideshow From TED Now Available

The sequel you've been waiting for...

Filed under: film-tv, movies — michael @ 1:23 pm

At the most recent TED conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Al Gore presented an updated sequel of sorts to his famous ‘Inconvenient Truth’ slideshow. Previously, that talk was only available to those that attended, but now you can see Gore’s presentation in its entirety below. Some great questions are answered — and skeptics and supporters alike should take 30 minutes to relax and watch this. Enjoy.

April 3rd 2008

Senator Claims McCain Has Done More On Global Warming Than Gore

Filed under: politics — michael @ 5:26 pm

Let loose the dogs of absurdity! Fire up the flames of incompetence! Ladies and Gentlemen, we have someone other than Senator James Inhofe racking up the points in “Wild ‘n Wacky Quotes From U.S. Politicians”! Drum roll please…

“He’s not going to run away from President Bush but at the end of the day, John McCain has earned a reputation, and has the scars to show it, of doing things that put the country ahead of party,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said, noting McCain has differed with the party on immigration, his desire to close Guantanamo Bay, and enacting robust climate change policies.

“Climate change is the road less traveled but he’s traveled it even more than Al Gore,” Graham said. “Al Gore has talked about it and deserves great recognition but he was around here a long time and never introduced a bill.”

My God! The Nobel Foundation got it all wrong! It’s actually John McCain that has done more than anyone else to draw attention to Global Warming! Of course!

As ThinkProgress points out “Gore held the first congressional hearings on climate change in the late 1970s, well before McCain was even elected to Congress.” Not to mention his work on the Kyoto Protocol, his thousands of talks on the subject, his $300 million dollar ad campaign, successful movie, books, and millions of other hours spent fighting to help educate and push the science of climate change into the collective of important social issues.

Gore hasn’t just walked the road. The man has practically built it.

But maybe we shouldn’t be so hard on Senator Lindsey. Maybe he does have a point about McCain’s environmental record.

“While Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has touted his support for the environment throughout his presidential campaign, the League of Conservation Voters gave him a zero rating Thursday on its 2007 congressional scorecard — making him the lowest-ranking lawmaker among all 535 members of Congress. Carl Pope, executive director of the advocacy group Sierra Club, said in a statement that the senator scored lower than some lawmakers who had died in the middle of the term.”

Or not.

April 2nd 2008

Obama May Tap Gore For Cabinet Position. Or Higher.

Filed under: green and famous, politics — michael @ 4:25 pm

Leave it to Barack Obama to keep Gore-political fever alive. Yesterday, we made a joke that senator John McCain had chosen Gore to run as Vice-President on his ticket; but now it’s Obama that may have the idea brewing in his head. When asked at a town meeting today whether the Illinois senator if elected President would tap the former vice president for his Cabinet, or an even higher level office, to address global warming, he offered this interesting response:

“I would,” Obama said. “Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He’s somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I’m already consulting with him in terms of these issues, but climate change is real. It is something we have to deal with now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now.”

Oh man. As the article points out, Gore’s rise once again in the Democratic party — and his refusal to so far endorse either candidate — is making him the center of attention for both campaigns. As he mentioned in his 60 Minutes interview, he regularly gets calls from both Clinton and Obama.

It’s going to be an interesting next couple months…

April 1st 2008

William H. Macy Says We Can Solve The Climate Crisis

Filed under: web — michael @ 2:14 pm

Below is a video from actor William H. Macy — the first in a series of ads starring some famous faces urging to take action on global climate change. The campaign is part of a $300 million push over the next three years by Al Gore’s foundation The Alliance For Climate Protection. Check out the official website here.

April 1st 2008

McCain Chooses Al Gore For Vice President

Filed under: politics — michael @ 12:45 am

In a shocking move of bipartisanship, Republican presidential candidate John McCain announced that he has decided to run with Al Gore for the 2008 ticket. The early announcement has sent shock waves around the world — with most believing he would choose Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina. MSNBC’s Senior Campaign Correspondent Tucker Carlson was moody about the choice. “At this stage in the game, for McCain to make this move is unbelievable”, he said. “I firmly believe he’s going to destroy the party here — we don’t need someone in the White House that’s going to push America in a new direction.”

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter was unavailable for comment after she threw herself out a third-story window and into Manhattan traffic.

Reaction on the other side of the political spectrum was mixed. Said one resident from State College, PA, “I really like Obama, but think Al Gore is completely awesome. Now what the hell am I going to do?” Aprile Pazzo, one of the founders of the grassroots site Draft Gore was equally confused. “We’re excited he’s running, but to join up with the Republican party just kind of sucks. It’s like Luke Skywalker accepting Darth Vader’s offer to join the dark side. I guess I’ll actually have to start paying attention to that old guy he’s running with.”

For his part, Al Gore offered that he would bring a fresh perspective — and new era of partnership — to the Republican party. “With today’s announcement that I’m joining John McCain for the 2008 ticket,” the former V.P. now V.P. candidate announced, “Americans everywhere can look forward to a united government that puts bickering and partisanship behind, in favor of addressing truly important economic, environmental, and social issues, working diplomatically with foreign governments, and ensuring that peace and prosperity can be something enjoyed by each and all.”

The sky then filled with rainbows, butterflies, and an original soundtrack by James Newton.

It’s worth noting that today is April 1st.

March 30th 2008

Full Al Gore 60 Minutes Interview Now Up

Filed under: interviews — michael @ 8:45 pm

If you have about 13 minutes to spare, the full interview of Al Gore on 60 Minutes this evening is now available. It’s a good piece — and we even learn that the former V.P. is setting up some wind turbines on his parent’s farm — and planning on turning it into a training center for others wanting to teach his Inconvenient Truth slide show. Check it out.

And just a hit small question for CBS — did you really have to fly to India for part of this interview? Really?