"Inconvenient" press conference

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The Inconvenient Truth press conference in Cannes' Grand Palais ended at 5:30 pm, or about an hour ago. The question-receivers, naturally, were Al Gore, director Davis Guggenheim, producer Laurie David, producer Lawrence Bender and two others whose names I can't remember.

Some highlights: (a) As things began moderator Henri Behar asked Gore how he should be addressed, and Gore replied, "Your Adequacy"; (b) Gore said he has no plans to run for President in 2008 ("I can't foresee any circumstances that would lead me to run," etc.), and that the whole running-for-office phase on his life is essentially over; (c) As far as dealing with global warming in a meaningful way, much less recognizing the scope of the problem, Gore allowed that some senior officials making decisions on behalf of the United States live in "a bubble of unreality" but "the people are always way ahead of the politicians on this issue"; (d) In a reference to Katrina and other domestic ecological disasters that are likely to result from global warming, Gore said that "even Bush and Cheney will eventually be forced to change their views", adding that "nature is a very persuasive force"; (e) After a journalist made a humorous reference to the Keifer Sutherland series 24, Gore said, "I think it was this season that the President [of the U.S.] on 24 turned out to be a real villain...right?" He then stroked his chin Sherlock Holmes-style and went, "Hmmmm"; (e) I asked whether he thinks Hilary Clinton has been a sufficiently active eco-friendly legislator as a U.S. Senator and whether he could name any eco-friendly potential candidates that he personally approves of in terms of their legislative record on global warming issues, Gore said, "This is going to frustrate you but I think it's too early to get into the 2008 Presidential race...right now I would rather focus on a local level for the fall elections."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 20, 2006 at 8:51 AM

comment #1

1970's Guy says ...

Global Warming? I thought we were heading into another Ice Age.... Maude got her own show? Cool.

Posted by 1970's Guy at May 20, 2006 12:24 PM

comment #2

delbomber says ...

Truth--the planet is warming. Maybe. Recorded temperatures seem to indicate a peak around '98 with no warming in the last 7 years...

Inconvenient--we are the cause. Probably...uh, maybe...perhaps. Our contribution to atmospheric carbon is less than 5% of the total carbon reservoir and the planet has waxed and waned for BILLIONS of years, a few incidents (e.g. Katrina), years or decades of which are hardly adequate samples.

An inconvenient truth--that we are headed for a disaster of biblical proportions unless we change our way of life. Are we? Beats the hell outta me. While warming may make our lives inconvienent, before we spread mass hysteria about fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, forty years of darkness, earthquakes, volcanoes, and cats and dogs living together, shouldn't we stop and ask if this is a natural occurance? Oh, how ironic it would be for environmentalists to wind up fighting for an unnatural stability.

And Bush? Knock him for plenty other things, but not the Kyoto Accord. Please. Even if all Kyoto targets were met, carbon emissions would continue to rise globally. Because Kyoto exempts developing nations, as they make efforts to achieve our level prosperity, increased emmissions would nullify and exceed any benefit derived from the agreement. And let's not forget the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate that was agreed to last year by the US, the aim of which is to use technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.

Does 'An Inconvenient Truth' make for riveting entertainment? Sure. Am I concerned that warming will have deleterious affects on our livelihood. Hell yeah. Are we fucked and is there anything we can do about it? Not necessarily. The only inconvenient truth I see is a fat-cat pushing a theory as bogus fact and all his minions drinking the kool-aid. Of course if he is right and we can stop this thing, then he will have saved the lives of millions of registered voters.

Posted by delbomber at May 20, 2006 9:15 PM

comment #3