“We need to set aside” the issue of what is causing global warming, the president said, in defense of his decision not to watch Al Gore’s movie. To which Gore later thundered back, “Why should we set aside the global scientific consensus? Is it because Exxon Mobil wants us to set it aside?”
Not that this is a surprise, but what a tragedy nonetheless that the man who could most effect meaningful change on the issue of global warming won’t even watch an acclaimed movie on the issue.
L.A. Times:
WASHINGTON — Is President Bush likely to see Al Gore’s documentary about global warming? “Doubt it,” Bush said coolly Monday. But Bush should watch it, Gore shot back. In fact, the former Democratic vice president offered to come to the White House any time, any day to show Bush either his documentary or a slide show on global warming that he’s shown more than 1,000 times around the world.
“The entire global scientific community has a consensus on the question that human beings are responsible for global warming and he has today again expressed personal doubt that that is true,” Gore said in an Associated Press interview from France where he attended the Cannes Film Festival.
Bush and Gore have had bitter disagreements about the environment and other issues. Bush defeated Gore in a disputed presidential election that was finally settled by the Supreme Court in 2000.
Gore’s documentary chronicles his efforts to bring greater attention to the dangers of climate change.
“New technologies will change how we live and how we drive our cars, which all will have the beneficial effect of improving the environment,” Bush said. “And in my judgment we need to set aside whether or not greenhouse gases have been caused by mankind or because of natural effects and focus on the technologies that will enable us to live better lives and at the same time protect the environment.”
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Jump to Comments
By Whitney Green, May 23, 2006 at 10:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I have just returned from seeing An Inconvenient Truth. This is a amazing, disheartening, jaw-dropping, and utterly essential film for everyone - everyone - to see. Certainly the most important film you will see this year. Run. Find it. We are rudderless on this profoundly important issue, but Gore and the filmmakers bring this neglected story into a fine focus.
Report thisAnd it is a cruel irony, that the oil man who snuck past Gore into the White House, won’t even bother to see this extraordinary movie on the single largest issue facing all of us. He won’t listen, and on his apathetic watch, our precious earth continues to cook.
By Jeronimo, May 23, 2006 at 1:54 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Our president’s intelligence and religious absolutism aside, the main reason that he’s in denial about the manmade causes of global warming is that if he admits this, he’ll have to do something about it, and the measures that he’ll have to take would put capitalism in jeapordy. Certainly there’d have to be a quick switch to non-fossil fuel energy and war will be out of the question, and without war, goodby fearmongering and, without that, how’s he going to scare us into surrendering our liberty and justice? Let’s face it, he’s an ideological animal. His pseudo-religioity and staged regular guy appeal are to put us off the track. Unless his fascist ideology is challenged head-on, he’s going to continue to get away with destroying freedom and democracy in America. What do we challenge him with? Visions of a better world, that’s what, and how to get there.
Report thisBy Madam Mijanou, May 23, 2006 at 7:41 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
After 6 years of bush watching, isn’t it completely obvious that he has absolutely no intellectual curiosity? Why would he want to evaluate the other side of his opinion? Makes me wonder how he comes to his opinions in the first place!
Report thisBy TomChicago, May 23, 2006 at 3:47 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
What would be surprising, and refreshing, and statesmanlike is the open-mindedness of a President who eagerly offers to watch a documentary on a topic of world-wide importance. I guess we should “set aside” our brains and just let Jesus fix everything.
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