"The more obscure and uncertain the cause, the greater the effect: the greater the number of idlers one could count in a family, the more illustrious it was held to be....
"It is to this desire of being talked about, and this unremitting rage of distinguishing ourselves, that we owe the best and the worst things we possess, both our virtues and our vices, our science and our errors, our conquerors and our philosophers; that is to say, a great many bad things, and a very few good ones. In a word, I could prove that, if we have a few rich and powerful men on the pinnacle of fortune and grandeur, while the crowd grovels in want and obscurity, it is because the former prize what they enjoy only in so far as others are destitute of it; and because, without changing their condition, they would cease to be happy the moment the people ceased to be wretched." -- Rousseau, "On the Origin of Inequality"
Posted by Vanderleun at February 26, 2006 2:48 AM | TrackBackThe last sentence of the Rousseau quote reminded me of an idea I've had for some time: If victims did not exist, it would be necessary for Liberals to invent them. (with thanks to Voltaire)
Posted by: STEPHEN STROMMER at February 26, 2007 8:02 AMThe Tennessean newspaper reports,
Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES). . . . The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average. Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.Posted by: Donald Sensing at February 26, 2007 8:04 PM
Since Mr. Goreable lives so close to me, I might just have to take my little EasyShare with me next time I go by--about five times a day---and stop and take a few photos of it. Unfortunately, there are people in my extended famiy who will threaten my life--most likely--if I post them. However, I might just have to take that chance.
In case you don't hear from me again, and I disappear from my blog, please call the police...
Posted by: Webutante at February 27, 2007 6:54 AMa message from Belgium, sorry for the possible 'pidgeon' English.
Gore has spent 10 years making his presentation.
Is this all he has?
I spent one week doing some serious research and found that Gore's documentary is full of lies, faults, mistakes and deception. I am making my own presentation now and call it: "the convenient lies behind 'an inconvenient truth"
Just a few points that are undeniable facts:
- CO² rise is always a result of global warming , not the cause. It is probably natures way of trying to bring back the balance since high CO² levels increase the reflective abilities of the athmosphere, thus cooling the earth.
- CO² rise causes plantlife to grow faster, thus consuming more CO² and producing more oxygen and biomass. Plants that grow in CO²-rich biotopes consume much less water. A solution for the dry parts of Africa, since the wealthier plant growth will hold the water in the ground, preventing it from evaporating.
- Man brings about 5,5 gigatons of Carbon into the athmosphere/year. Other interactions (athmosphere/seas and athmosphere/earth)exchange more than a 1000 gigatons. What is the importance of this 0,5% by man?
Conclusion: there is no manmade global warming.
Congratulations Mr. Gore on the Nobel Prize to go along with your Oscar and your best selling book. I also think you got an emmy. You really are smart to not run for President again. Although I believe you should have won originally.
The dirt diggers would ruin this great image that you have managed to rebuild.
I also want to thank you for inventing the internet because it continues to make my life easier.
Posted by: John at October 26, 2007 10:05 AM"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated to combat spam and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.