>>>>>>>>I disagree. The link between the peace prize and the ecology isn't obvious at first sight, but if you take into account that climate changes may cause more natural disasters (hurricanes, floods) and reduce the volume of water supply, then taking action now against pollution will help in reducing the damage and have less peoples dying or fighting each others for the remaining ressources.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>For me, the choice of Al Gore for the Nobel peace prize is a good one.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>It certainly is NOT a peace prize.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>The Nobel Committee states your point....
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2007/press.html
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>>>>>>>Indications of changes in the earth's future climate must be treated with the utmost seriousness, and with the precautionary principle uppermost in our minds. Extensive climate changes may alter and threaten the living conditions of much of mankind. They may induce large-scale migration and lead to greater competition for the earth's resources. Such changes will place particularly heavy burdens on the world's most vulnerable countries. There may be increased danger of violent conflicts and wars, within and between states.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>There's also a video on their site...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Following the announcement, Geir Lundestad, Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, tells freelance journalist Øystein Heggen why climate change is connected with war and peace.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>And Gore certainly has been competing for earth's resources, what with all the jet-setting he does, and $37,0000 to power his home
>>>>>
>>>>>Terry, you really have it in for Al and his house. I dont subscribe to the idea that he ought to be living in a tent and walking across the planet to promote his cause. I think he'd find it too difficult to get his msg out. And I dont have a problem with him owning a big house either. Even a pool and a guest house. And an office. Probabaly an office for Tipper too (from which to warn us about bad music). I understand that its quite a 'green' house. But it is a big house.
>>>>
>>>>Yes. And it seems that Perry has too (must be something to do with names ending with "erry"). The house doesn't bother me so much, for the reasons you've just stated, but then again, wasn't it pointed out recently that the very un-green GWB beats Gore into a cocked hat with his energy-efficient house, and I'm sure the Pres's house carries a few staff and stuff.
>>>>
>>>>My main beef with him is the GW band-waggon he jumped on. I've made no pretence of my skepticism for the unstoppable anti-GW juggernaut that has become a whole series of industries in itself, keeping 1000s in employment (not least Gore, his entourage and the makers of his film). It's also a similar beef that I have against the rich and privileged who bang on about their high-profile "My Work" re: their charity work (like Princess Di). Now, give me several million pounds, such that I don't have to work for a living, a lot of leisure time, and I can be just as altruistic as these lucky buggers.
>>>>
>>>>Does Gore give all his lecture fees to GW campaigning charities, BTW? I don't know. I suspect not. I also suspect he made a pretty penny on his film.
>>>
>>>I am not familiar with the energy rating of W's house. Frankly, i find that a distraction. I suspect if Gore didnt have a home office (maybe two?) and instead had them "in town" then his home energy bill would be lower. Then you'd find it that much harder to reject his positions outright ;). Plus he can leave the Prius in the driveway and walk to work.
>>>
>>>I dont think he jumped on the badwagon as much as he was an early "championeer". And you can hate Princess Di all you want, but not me ;). The issue of rich/privileged/soapbox cuts both ways. If you are not rich nor privileged, you dont have a soapbox.
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>>1) I don't hate Di. She was alright but this cult-worship, the fact that one British newspaper NEVER has her off its front page (always ANOTHER plot/twist/fact/scandal/speculation/etc). She did some good "work" and had a winning smile but ...
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>It wasn't Di who created the Di hysteria. It was your the world press. Plus, she couldnt sit around on her duff all day could she?
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>>2) I don't know about Gore being a champion. There's been noise about GW for over a decade and I only heard, to my surprise, that Gore was involved when the film came out.
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>I think he's been involved w/ that issue for a long while.
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>>3) Rich and soapbox. Exactly" Without riches you don't get in teh privileged position to be heard. Without Gore's money/clout/connections/whatever he couldn't have made th efilm. I'd have a lot more respect for him if he'd been some poor boy inconnu made the flick with a few thou budget.
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>Gore was a congressman/senator for 17/18 years and then was the VP for 8. So yes you do make a lot of connections in that gig, and vice versa. And his dad was a senator before him. And his family owned a farm of some size. So i guess money came from a few different places. But he didnt marry into it. He was sorta born into it, and then got a job.

I don't know all that much about US politics (not too Politically-minded generally) but, despite my antipathy towards him, based on the band-wagon accusation, I'd've much preferred him to have been pres than GWB, and Florida was a big disappointment.

Whether Gore was born to money, or married into it, is immaterial. Fact is he got it easy. Seems to me you don't get to be pres. nomination unless you're moneyed, and/or have been through Harvard/Yale, which seems a shame, in that there may be thousands of people out there who could be a great pres, if only they weren't born to a poor lower class.