Nobel Peace Prize could go to climate campaigner

[Klukie]

Source: Reuters

OSLO (Reuters) - The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize could go to a climate campaigner such as ex-U.S. Vice-President Al Gore or Inuit activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier, reinforcing a view that global warming is a threat to world security, experts say.

The winner of the $1.5 million prize, perhaps the world's top accolade, will be announced in Oslo on October 12 from a field of 181 candidates. The prize can be split up to three ways.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL1874415020070918

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Wouldn't that be something.....an Oscar, an Emmy, and the Nobel Peace Prize. Wow!

[SpiralHawk]

1. "What global warming?" - Commander AWOL

"Don't be fooled by facts like some kind of American citizen or whatever

"We republicon Homelanders do not BELIEVE in global warming, and our oil cronies also don't BELIEVE in it, so it cannot be reality -- Smirk smirk smirk"

- Commander AWOL

[Highway61]

2. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then...with all that under his belt....Gore could run and win ...HANDS DOWN. Please please please

[alfredo]

3. But would he want to give up his freedom for 4 to 8 years?

He's got a good thing going where he is. He is his own man doing what he loves.

[Lorien]

9. Well, to save the world perhaps?

Doing what's good for oneself is a fine thing. Doing what's best for all life on earth is even better.

[RestoreGore]

12. You mean you think what he is doing now is only for himself?

The Alliance for Climate Protection? Live Earth? The Climate Project? His books including the one is now writing on solutions? His pleas to US to help him in this? You're kidding right? What he is doing now IS doing what is best for all life on Earth and more people would see it if they weren't so stuck in their myopic little political ruts. Do you honestly believe he would have been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize otherwise? I really am truly beginning to believe that people abroad really do have a better understanding about all of this than Americans ever will. Over there they see him as a missive of hope for our world. Over here, nothing but a political prop.

[Lorien]

15. Of course he's doing what he's doing in an attempt to save the planet

but sadly the only thing that can truly make a huge impact is a real change in political leadership. This has been stated time and time again by scientists and activists the world over; what is lacking is POLITICAL WILL. Unless the LEADERSHIP of the world's first nations are committed to solving the problems of climate change, then 1000 Live Earths will only make a dent in this very massive issue. I believe that Gore can accomplish more in 4-8 years as president then in several lifetimes doing anything else.

[alfredo]

18. He's doing a good job at it now. He has the freedom to put all of

his time and energy to this one project. As president he would have to deal with many other issues. We will need to elect a Dem so his ideas will not be dismissed.

[Lorien]

19. But this is THE issue that will make or break all others

and the people who are listening to him now are, quite frankly, mostly the already converted. Hell, I push his documentary on everyone I know, I buy his books for friends, I buy them cloth bags for the grocery that go unused, they think that compact florescent lights look "ugly". They say the same about the Prius. They still eat beef five times a week or more, recycling is too much trouble and bottled water is more convenient that filling a bottle with water that's been through a Brita filter..and these are LIBERALS. Policy changes are the only way real changes will happen. Do you honestly believe that Hillary will listen to Gore more than she'll listen to GM, Exxon Mobile of Ford? I pray that she would-but I seriously doubt that she will if she makes it to the office. Gore needs the Big Microphone of the Presidency to have a real impact on climate change, otherwise the choir won't get a heck of a lot bigger.

[alfredo]

22. It's not just Hillary it is expectations. Dems are expected to take care

of the environment. They will also appoint people more friendly to our survival. We expect Reps to rape the earth, that is their thing. When they act as expected, it is accepted. A Dem that acts against our survival would be rejected soundly.

[Lorien]

23. I wish I had your faith

but I've found our expectations are not as high a priority as the expectations of corporate lobbyists for most politicians, and unfortunately that includes quite a few Democrats.

[alfredo]

25. Faith shouldn't be a factor. never trust our own to do the right thing

you need to keep your eye on them.

Unlike republicans, Democrats do not passively follow. Look at the hell we have been giving our own over the war. it appears to be working too. We will have to do the same with a Democratic president. We rightfully expect them to be environmentalist and to be on the side of the workers, and they know it. Force them to live up to our expectations and their promises.

[RestoreGore]

26. Which is why it cannot be tackled adequately from that office yet...

There is a great chance it would be backburnered or diminished because of the toxicity and powerplaying involved and the lack of demand from the people to address it and his momentum would be lost. Do you honestly believe he could devote the same time and passion to this there as he is now? I say no way. Not with a war or wars and God knows what else being dumped in his lap that he doesn't deserve to have to deal with besides a weak and stripped unitary executive that would take most of the time to even correct if it is even possible at this point. No, it is going to take a bit more time to get to that stage there, therefore I believe his strategy is indeed the quickest way to bring about the sea change because we don't have time to do it ass backwards, especially considering the political sphere in DC is still stagnated regarding this as they have been for the last thirty years regardless of party when he already tried that route.

Anyone can sign a bill, and yes, I do believe as a statesman and advocate and someone who has been there he can have great influence in that happening, but it takes a special person to inspire, motivate, and educate the world on this and that requires a focused commitment now to solving this crisis and bringing the world into it.

I then see him more as a main negotiator of the new "kyoto" treaty as a global environmental ambassador working with the UN to bring all countries into the fold on forging a new treaty to bring Co2 down now to where we can at least reverse some of the damage that has already begun. You can't do that mired in the Washington DC beltway of today without massive public demand for change and action on the part of the people first, which his book illustrated susinctly. Policy change will not be made there without the people backing it up emnasse. You try to force it on them now without facts and truth and it may backfire. They must feel it is their moral imperative to do so and not a political agenda.

And this is a global crisis which will require access to leaders worldwide which he already has as a global ambassador. His ability to influence policy not only here but on a global scale is now unparallelled to a "president" in my view and will only increase as a Nobel winner. He has the best of all worlds now. And if the presidency is the only big microphone then this isn't really a Democracy, because it is the people who should have that big microphone. His three year ad blitz thoughh The Alliance for Climate Protection is aiming to do exactly that. I just wish people would support it more and give it a chance. I have faith that Mr. Gore knows exactly what he is doing.

[Whoa_Nelly]

21. Giving up his freedom, or living in his freedom through strengthening democracy?

Being President is not like being owned by the Army. It's an opportunity to actually make a difference.

Bush = making a horrible, no-good, very bad difference.

Gore = possibly making a very good, globally effective, very positive difference.

Bush has been "free" to do as he pleases.

It's time to stop the "very bad naughty boy" tantrum-throwing little Lord Pissypants fuck, and start repairing and strengthening our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

[Sequoia]

4. Wringing my hands too....please, please, please let it be Al !

Wasn't he just handsome at the Emmy's. Not that I'm on looks, but he looked so confident and true. When he ran for President way back when I sent him my first and only telegram to any person asking him not to give up. However, with those Brooks Brothers crooks like Tom Delay screaming at the voter counters to stop and the Supreme Court...damn! Stupid Supreme Court...traitors!!!

[pscot]

5. I hope Al wins, partly because he deserves it,

and partly for the pleasure of seeing the Shrub's head explode.

[budibudinski]

6. Al Gore's own trifecta.

george and his 27% will devour themselves from the inside out.


Go Al Go !!

Give it to Al dammit!!

[Pastiche423]

7. Two very excellent reasons!

[Buns_of_Fire]

11. Problem is, I doubt Mush-for-Brains even knows what a "Noble" Prize IS.

Don't American Nobel Prize winners traditionally get invited to the White House? :evilgrin:

[Seabiscuit]

8. Imagine...

In 2007:

Gore gets a standing ovation at the Academy Awards for starring in a movie which wins two Oscars.

Gore writes a book which makes the New York Times best seller list.

Gore sponsors a record-setting global rock concert to raise awareness of global warming.

Gore wins Spain's most prestigious Principe de Asturias prize for his role in raising awareness of climate change.

Gore gets a standing ovation at the Emmy Awards for winning an Emmy for his cable channel, "Current".

Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

After Gore declares his candidacy for President on All Saints Day, the rest of the field of hopefuls collapses at the feet of this colossus as their campaign donations disappear.

Then, in 2008:

Gore doesn't win the general election in a landslide, he wins it in a tidal wave that washes across all 50 states and Bush's head explodes.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Letting the imagination run wild, you say? Consider the score: it's 5 down, 3 to go, and the last three simply haven't had time to happen yet.

Children wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Al Gore pajamas.

[nosferaustin]

10. :-)

"Children wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Al Gore pajamas."



excellent!

[rosesaylavee]

20. Love your list...

And he's also won so many other honors this year:

Sweden's Gothenburg Award on Sustainable Development 9/2007
Global Brand Forum's "Brand Icon of Year Award" (Singapore 8/2007)
India's Khasi tribe in the state of Meghalaya - Award for raising awareness of the climate crisis. 8/2007

And I am sure there are others I just haven't gone back through the year thoroughly.

What a year he has had.

[Seabiscuit]

29. Indeed - 2007: The Year of Al Gore.

Chinese prophecy: 2007: Year of the Gore.

[RestoreGore]

13. I would actually like to see Mr. Gore share this prize with Ms. Watt-Cloutier.

Both of them are doing extraordianry work to get out the message regarding climate change and taking action.

[budibudinski]

14. Heads Up Everyone for OCTOBER 12...........

Al would certainly be that generous as to share it with her and to give her proper credit.

They have both given us much.

[RestoreGore]

24. Yes he would, because the prize isn't about him to him

It is about how it can be used to further action on climate change, which it would seem many forget.

[Lisa]

17. and maybe James Hansen?

Gore gives him a lot of credit for trying to focus attention on global warming, for more than 2 decades now.

[Gman]

16. Sorry, Rush

and it may go to the person you least would like it to go to. On the positive side, you'll have a whole show you can do ranting about how liberal the Nobel Committee is. The downside of that is it'll be sour grapes on your part.

So Rush, I'm telling you now. Get over it.

[Klukie]

27. kicking for Al

[Orsino]

28. "But...but...earth tones! Inventing the Internet!"

I can hear Them sputtering.