Yes, you read that right. Hell yeah, you read ALL of that right.
Is this a very political move by the Nobel committee. You bet. Bush must be furious, as must most of the Republican base. But then when is a peace prize not political? Was it apolitical to award it to Kissinger? To Rabin? To Carter?
Apart from US politics, I also think this is a terrific move because it elevates the issue of climate change. Al Gore is getting the peace prize in part because his movie was instrumental in changing the position of most Americans on this issue, including Bush, who (though he won't credit the movie) went from being a denier in 2000 to someone who admits that climate change is a challenge in 2006.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Al Gore Becomes Latest US President to Win Nobel Peace Prize
Posted by The Law Talking Guy at 9:31 AM
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3 comments:
"Of course we’re happy for Vice President Gore and the I.P.C.C. for receiving this recognition."
-White House Spokesman Tony Fratto
I hope Gore sticks with his plan NOT to run. By acting as the statesman above politics, Gore can do more to fight global warming. He will also have more moral clout with which to help the Democrats retake the White House--perhaps even extend their gains in the Congress--both of which are preconditions for any meaningful U.S. action to save the planet.
Clinton is doing a lot of good in private life. He said on the Daily Show that he's learning just how much the private sector can accomplish when they are working in conjunction with a government that is on the same page.
Imagine what a Democratic administration could do to support dynamic and enthusiastic men like Bill Clinton and Al Gore in their efforts in Africa and on climate change!
In other thoughts, I was also thrilled to see the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the I.P.C.C--an international team of scientists who never imagined such recognition. The Nobel Committee did well to honor not just those who brought the issue to the forefront, but also the men and women who discovered the potential for catastrophe and conducted astounding amounts of research to determine if the threat was real. (And alas, it is.)
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