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Al Gore Makes Money the Green Way | 47 comments (47 topical)

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I don't begrudge him the money (none / 0) (#21)
by roy on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:20:55 AM EST
If I had the connections and believable face to follow the same career path, I would.  I'd probably have the energy-sucking house and private jets, too.

The problem is that Gore goes around asking that people be forced to live a Green lifestyle, while refusing to live one himself.  The larger problem is that he's held up as an icon for the environmental movement, when the real icon is a family enjoy clean cool air but only when not struggling to pay higher home construction, fuel, food, and tax costs.

[ Parent ]

Forced? (5.00 / 0) (#31)
by squeaky on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 12:27:32 PM EST
The problem is that Gore goes around asking that people be forced to live a Green lifestyle....

Really, do you have links?

By your logic all environmental organizations are hypocritical unless they send out their message on foot by word of mouth.
No printed words, no driving, no telephoning, no mailing....

IOW no information gets disseminated. A veritable wetdream  for the big corporate polluters.  

[ Parent ]

A Word on Environmental Inconography (none / 0) (#22)
by glanton on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:35:30 AM EST
The model you speak of, the "clean cool air family," is not in a position to heighten public awareness of environmental issues.  Even if said emblematic family were interested in doing so, it could not.

Heightening awareness of this issue, as with any issue, takes resources.  Involves travel.  Is only going to be able to be gotten off the ground by people with a lot of money.

Those who push this stoopid meme, of course, would never decry money's utter dominance of American politics.  The point is to derail the prospect of environmentally-conscious policy.

When you look around you will see this common agenda among those pushing the perceived hypocrisy of an environmental activist actually travelling on an airplane to maximize awareness.

[ Parent ]

Not a bad point (none / 0) (#23)
by roy on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:53:46 AM EST
I had considered that.  It may be a truism on par with "it takes money to make money" that "it takes carbon to reduce carbon".  It would explain away the private jets, and maybe even the house (though he really should close off all but 800 square feet or so when he's not entertaining enviroguests).  

Why, though, when he speaks is there no realistic portrayal of the emblematic family in addition to his glamorous image?  If the movement must show Gore on stage in person to make its point effectively, to make it honestly mustn't they also show a family who has to sink money into rent rather than building equity buying a home because the energy-efficiency geegaws are too expensive, or a working parent going an hour out of their way every day riding public transportation because the inefficient car he could afford is not legal to produce?

I'm all for environmentally conscious policy -- I'm on record supporting carbon taxes and increased enforcement of pollution restrictions -- so long as it's conscious of all the side effects, too.

[ Parent ]

Roy (5.00 / 0) (#25)
by glanton on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:08:58 AM EST
Why, though, when he speaks is there no realistic portrayal of the emblematic family in addition to his glamorous image?

A damned good question, that. Were I a member of Gore's staff, or if I had a podium of any kind, I'd be pushing for this model nonstop, becauseit represents, among other things, practical application of environmental consciousness and a point of real-life identification for all of us nonwealthies who are concerned with this issue.

At the same time, though, this is not an issue that is going to be fixed by individual lifestyle changes, much as the libertarians would like to tell us that all can be fixed on this level.  Some things are big enough that it takes both individual initiative and a collective effort: your comment about carbon tax is a good example.

All that being said.  

Overwhelmingly, the squealing over Gore's travels, as well as his home/work site, has nothing to do with the question we are discussing here.  This meme is not part of a reasoned discussion, it is not a thought-out "point of view."  It is neither more nor less than part of an effort to deligitmize potential policy movement re the environment.  
 

[ Parent ]

Fair and balanced??? (1.00 / 0) (#27)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:17:42 AM EST
Algore is a hypocrite.

And that is my very well thought out opinion.

And that has everything with what we are discussing here.

[ Parent ]

BTW (1.00 / 0) (#30)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 12:14:48 PM EST
for all of us nonwealthies who are concerned with this issue.

You can sell your car, turn your thermostat back to 55 F and turn off your electric power at any time. No is preventing you from doing so.

You can also do what I have done. All appliances are energy efficient, all light bulbs are fluorescences,  the thermostats are timed to adjust based on time and life style. All windows are double paned, doors insulated and outside walls insulated to R33 and inside at R19. The attic is triple insulated with blown in insulation and the roof has vent hoods at the peak and the attic has two 18" vents. All heat/ac filters are changed every 6 weeks and all ducts wrapped and insulated. A split system is used for both heat/ac and hot water.

Best I can tell I have reduced energy usage about 25-30% on an annual basis.

The new car averages 25.5 mpg city/highway and the pickup remains a compact 4 banger with a 5 speed that averages 23 city/highway.

See Glanton, you don't have to be a "koolaid drinking believe whatever BS Algore tells me dummy" to believe and practice in energy conservation.

And buying energy credits is a hoax that allows people who have more money to live the good life while telling you that you need to use less.

Saving is saving. Using is using.

So let me know when Algore has reduced his usage 25%. Until then he remains another over hyped demigod who should try to do actual things instead of flopping his chops about everyone eles.

It is called leading by example. Walking the walk.

But you get the picture.

[ Parent ]

I hear ya glanton.... (none / 0) (#24)
by kdog on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:57:07 AM EST
but I wish Big Al would at least fly coach.  If for no other reason than to hush his critics.  Or he could get creative and video conference from home instead of polluting his way 'round the globe.

I'm not a big global warming guy...I don't doubt it exists, but I think the earth will heal herself once us pesky humans aren't around anymore.  Al is raising our awareness, yes, while hastening our demise....one could say it's a wash.

[ Parent ]

kdog (1.00 / 0) (#26)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:14:04 AM EST
Algore will willingly fly coach the day the seas rise three inches..

which is to say never.

He is the embodiment of an elitist and we should have have his picture besides the word in every dictionary.

Not only that he knows absolutely nothing about the subject and his presents are so outrageously false he should he jailed as a confidence man..

[ Parent ]

Al Gore Makes Money the Green Way | 47 comments (47 topical)

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