Posted on 09/07/2005 1:26:35 PM PDT by crazyhorse691
An overflow Portland audience for the former vice president's global warming talk results in a second show
With a message about the urgent need to combat global warming, former Vice President Al Gore drew unexpected thousands of Portlanders to the Oregon Convention Center on Tuesday night.
The crowds snaked around the corridors of the convention center, and those who were denied entry chanted and pounded on the doors until Gore agreed to do a second show.
The Democratic presidential candidate in 2000, who lost one of the nation's most controversial elections, has among other pursuits been busily touring the country with a slide show heavy on charts and graphs explaining global warming and its potential consequences.
He showed photos of melting glaciers around the world. He noted how the loss of Himalayan glaciers could lead to loss of drinking water for tens of millions of people across Asia. He explained elaborately plotted scientific data of rising ocean temperatures, increasing precipitation and intensifying hurricanes. He noted that when he started doing these talks two years ago, he predicted the melting of Mount Kilimanjaro's snows within 15 years. "It's virtually all gone now," he said.
"We're entering -- have already entered -- a new phase of human history," Gore said. "The fundamental relationship between our species and our home planet has been utterly transformed."
He denounced critics who question the seriousness of the threat of global warming, comparing them to tobacco industry operatives who mustered experts to question the harmful effects of smoking.
"It delayed sensible policy for a long time," Gore said.
"There are millions of dollars spent every year by organizations that profit from not having any restraints on greenhouse gases."
And he struck a few jabs at the Bush administration for, in his opinion, not doing enough to combat the problem.
But Gore said the solutions are available, if people demand that they be put into effect.
"States like your state have taken the lead," Gore told a receptive crowd of more than 2,000. He cited Gov. Ted Kulongoski's recent overruling of the Legislature to direct the state to adopt California's tough emissions standards for cars and trucks by the end of the year.
It was a most welcome message to Oregon environmental activists, who expect a fight over the auto standards.
"If you pose a problem, it's really important to offer solutions," said Chris Hagenbaumer, with the Oregon Environmental Council. She said she hopes Gore's appearance will help raise awareness and support for local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Joe Rojas-Burke: 503-412-7073; joerojas@news.oregonian.com
I'll say it again: -- We really dodged a bullet in 2000.
If bumberstickers are any weather vane of public feelings Gore has at least 1% of the vote and Kerry has 10%...of course some people intend to vote twice(hence both stickers).
I honestly think that these people that have lost elections after trying every dirty trick in the book should have to take a vow of silence and not be able to communicate their thoughts for 20 years! This week we have heard from Kerry, Edwards, and now AL! Oh God, please just make them go away! This must be a real bad nightmare.
Good! More gas for the rest of the nation.
The liberals will never admit that global warming is caused by their own daylight savings time legislation.
If Global Warming is really the threat they say it is, then it is incumbent on us to attack China to impose clean air standards on their industry by destroying it.
Earth to Algore...come in please.
Don't laugh, I heard on Savage's program, a caller was saying where he lived the EPA was getting ready to impose a limit on the amount of manure the farmers could use per acre.
Why yes. Algore's in constant communication with the mother ship.
I'm afraid it's too late...the fart damage has been done.
You just KNEW he was going to pop out of the woodwork - -
You hit the nail on the head! "out of the woodwork" Like a cockroach. Like a stinkin' nasty cockroach.
The faithful, indeed. They're more like some weird doomsday cult. I'm waiting for them to start having themselves castrated a prepare to board the mother ship like those heaven's gate freaks.
The Idiot speaks and more idiots listen. Didn't Al Gore create global warming?
Algore consumes this Earth, too. Therefore, he is responsible for his own share of greenhouse gases. He could commit suicide, thus ensuring those gases he emits aren't emitted.
In fact, if every leftist who complains about global waming being caused by mankind would just off themselves, why, global warming would probably end. Problem solved. Ecofreaks, you know what to do!
Not as long as there's the internet. A leopard can't change its stripes.....;-)
"...Crowd flocks to hear Gore's warnings..."
I can get a flock of pidgeons to gather around me by tossing out popcorn. It would be just as meaningful as Albore's ravings.
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