Comments on: The Swift Boating of Al Gore http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144 Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:02:49 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Teresa Heinz Kerry Visits Liberal Values For A Discussion of Women’s Health and The Environment - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-61486 Teresa Heinz Kerry Visits Liberal Values For A Discussion of Women’s Health and The Environment - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Sun, 29 Apr 2007 23:41:15 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-61486 [...] Liberal Values: Conservatives have taken on an uncharacteristic disdain of the affluent in their attacks on those speaking out on climate change, including the recent attacks on Al Gore’s energy use. In response we’ve heard about the carbon offsets and other efforts from Al Gore, and the efforts of John Edwards to make his mansion carbon neutral. What are you and Senator Kerry doing to reduce your energy use? [...] [...] Liberal Values: Conservatives have taken on an uncharacteristic disdain of the affluent in their attacks on those speaking out on climate change, including the recent attacks on Al Gore’s energy use. In response we’ve heard about the carbon offsets and other efforts from Al Gore, and the efforts of John Edwards to make his mansion carbon neutral. What are you and Senator Kerry doing to reduce your energy use? [...]

]]> By: Conservatives Reduced To More Smears Following Gore Testimony - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-42240 Conservatives Reduced To More Smears Following Gore Testimony - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Thu, 22 Mar 2007 05:11:34 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-42240 [...] The most absurd and dishonest attack came from Senator Inhofe, who found it newsworthy to release a press release that Gore wouldn’t sign a pledge he came up with which has little to do with what Gore actually advocates. This is reminiscent of the recent smears on Gore’s energy use, previously discussed here and here. Inhofe takes the contradictory stance of denying the established science on climate change while simultaneously calling on Gore to personally take a pledge to take action which differs substantially from the action which Gore recommends. Inhofe also stresses the energy use at Al Gore’s home, ignoring the difference between Gore’s recommendations on carbon use as opposed to total energy use. [...] [...] The most absurd and dishonest attack came from Senator Inhofe, who found it newsworthy to release a press release that Gore wouldn’t sign a pledge he came up with which has little to do with what Gore actually advocates. This is reminiscent of the recent smears on Gore’s energy use, previously discussed here and here. Inhofe takes the contradictory stance of denying the established science on climate change while simultaneously calling on Gore to personally take a pledge to take action which differs substantially from the action which Gore recommends. Inhofe also stresses the energy use at Al Gore’s home, ignoring the difference between Gore’s recommendations on carbon use as opposed to total energy use. [...]

]]> By: Attacks on Gore Not Even New - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-32434 Attacks on Gore Not Even New - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:17:18 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-32434 [...] After the Academy Awards a phoney think tank tried to smear Al Gore with bogus charges. It turns out they weren’t even original. Last August Taylor Marsh described and debunked essentially the same attacks as those launched this week. [...] [...] After the Academy Awards a phoney think tank tried to smear Al Gore with bogus charges. It turns out they weren’t even original. Last August Taylor Marsh described and debunked essentially the same attacks as those launched this week. [...]

]]> By: Gore Responds To Mass Media’s Coverage of Climate Change - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-32335 Gore Responds To Mass Media’s Coverage of Climate Change - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Thu, 01 Mar 2007 18:17:49 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-32335 [...] Recent attacks on Gore falsely portrayed a right wing group with ties to the energy industry as a nonpartisan think tank. The attacks called Gore a hypocrite for his energy use by confusing reality with right wing stereotypes of environmentalists as advocating a drastic change in our life styles. Gore has been advocating far less Draconian restrictions and his personal conservation efforts, including the purchase of carbon offsets for the energy he uses, are  consistent with his public statements. Gore can hardly be called a hypocrite when he carries out the same actions he actually advocates. In contrast, there is a certain hypocrisy to conservatives who both deny the dangers of global warming but also claim that Gore’s measures such as purchasing carbon offsets are insufficient. You can’t have it both ways in claiming both that there is no problem and in saying Gore is not doing enough personally. Related Story: The Swift Boating of Al Gore Written by Ron ChusidLast 5 posts by Ron ChusidIs the Middle Really Just a Myth? - March 1st, 2007Kerry Called Hero By Swiftie Backer - March 1st, 2007Michigan Science Teachers on Teaching Evolution - February 28th, 2007Former Canadian Defense Minister Calls For Use of UFO Science to Halt Climate Change - February 28th, 2007Kerry Gets Opportunity To Grill Swiftie Backer - February 28th, 2007 [...] [...] Recent attacks on Gore falsely portrayed a right wing group with ties to the energy industry as a nonpartisan think tank. The attacks called Gore a hypocrite for his energy use by confusing reality with right wing stereotypes of environmentalists as advocating a drastic change in our life styles. Gore has been advocating far less Draconian restrictions and his personal conservation efforts, including the purchase of carbon offsets for the energy he uses, are  consistent with his public statements. Gore can hardly be called a hypocrite when he carries out the same actions he actually advocates. In contrast, there is a certain hypocrisy to conservatives who both deny the dangers of global warming but also claim that Gore’s measures such as purchasing carbon offsets are insufficient. You can’t have it both ways in claiming both that there is no problem and in saying Gore is not doing enough personally. Related Story: The Swift Boating of Al Gore Written by Ron ChusidLast 5 posts by Ron ChusidIs the Middle Really Just a Myth? – March 1st, 2007Kerry Called Hero By Swiftie Backer – March 1st, 2007Michigan Science Teachers on Teaching Evolution – February 28th, 2007Former Canadian Defense Minister Calls For Use of UFO Science to Halt Climate Change – February 28th, 2007Kerry Gets Opportunity To Grill Swiftie Backer – February 28th, 2007 [...]

]]> By: Ron Chusid http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-32199 Ron Chusid Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:34:48 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-32199 Whether Gore's carbon offsets are a good solution is a totally different subject. The arguments against Gore are that he is being hypocritical here, but in fact he is doing exactly what he advocates. Why should't Gore live in a 10,000 foot house? Many of his wealthy conservative critic do. They misrepresent his views by claiming he opposes modern technology and the ecnomic benefits of our society. Gore is taking the steps he advises others to take with regards to reducing their carbon foot print. Conservaties can't have it both ways in claiming the issue is bogus and also criticizing Gore because he isn't doing even more than he advocates to fight climate change. "Why wouldn’t he not only buy carbon offsets, but also cut down on his consumption so he could have a negative carbon inprint?" He is. He's taken several steps to reduce the energy use, which would otherwise be much greater. He also reportedly in the process of taking additional steps to further reduce the energy use. Again, the validity of the documents is not the issue. They are misportraying the information to lead people to a totally false conclusion. I'm not just shooting the messenger by exposing the think tank. It is being claimed that a nonpartisan think tank did this investigation when actually this is an oil-industry financed conservative group which is set up to launch this dishonest attack. Whether Gore’s carbon offsets are a good solution is a totally different subject. The arguments against Gore are that he is being hypocritical here, but in fact he is doing exactly what he advocates.

Why should’t Gore live in a 10,000 foot house? Many of his wealthy conservative critic do. They misrepresent his views by claiming he opposes modern technology and the ecnomic benefits of our society. Gore is taking the steps he advises others to take with regards to reducing their carbon foot print. Conservaties can’t have it both ways in claiming the issue is bogus and also criticizing Gore because he isn’t doing even more than he advocates to fight climate change.

“Why wouldn’t he not only buy carbon offsets, but also cut down on his consumption so he could have a negative carbon inprint?” He is. He’s taken several steps to reduce the energy use, which would otherwise be much greater. He also reportedly in the process of taking additional steps to further reduce the energy use.

Again, the validity of the documents is not the issue. They are misportraying the information to lead people to a totally false conclusion.

I’m not just shooting the messenger by exposing the think tank. It is being claimed that a nonpartisan think tank did this investigation when actually this is an oil-industry financed conservative group which is set up to launch this dishonest attack.

]]> By: dsmith http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-32194 dsmith Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:26:22 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-32194 Thank you for taking the time to respond in kind. I appreciate the dialog. I have to say though, some have looked deeper into Gores "carbon offset" purchases and found that he is purchasing these offsets from his own company, number 1. And number 2, where is there ANY evidence that the money actually goes to do anything? Even I have looked for that and couldn't really tell. Some of these companies look downright suspicious. Can you provide evidence that something is actually done with these carbon offset purchases? I haven't been able to find any concrete evidence. Second, who is planting these trees or making these windmill farms? Where? Additionally, it's nice that Gore is buying these carbon offsets (if they do actually exist and help), but you have to admit, his electricity usage (not the price he pays) is massive! Why wouldn't he not only buy carbon offsets, but also cut down on his consumption so he could have a negative carbon inprint? It's like back when the Catholic church was buying your sins. That way, the rich could go out and sin like crazy, then just buy these sin taxes and be redeemed. Or like the swampland in Florida that was sold to many different people and no one could build a house on the property. There are just too many questions on Gores side of the fence here. If he is SERIOUS about global warming, and if he truly believes that the planet is going to suffer to such a massive extent, why isn't he doing ALL he can to reduce his consumption? Is it necessary for him and Tipper to live in a 10,000 square foot house? Look, I'm by no means a communist or minimalist. I don't begrudge anyone who lives the high life (myself included), but when you preach about the climate and make your entire living and existence on this one issue, you should walk the walk. It's as bad (yes, it is) as the preacher getting caught in a homosexual relationship! You have to admit that. By the way, the think tank may not be non-partisan, but the documents are real. I've seen them. They even have his name and address on them. It's hard to deny it. Please, don't shoot the messenger. Thank you for taking the time to respond in kind. I appreciate the dialog.

I have to say though, some have looked deeper into Gores “carbon offset” purchases and found that he is purchasing these offsets from his own company, number 1. And number 2, where is there ANY evidence that the money actually goes to do anything? Even I have looked for that and couldn’t really tell. Some of these companies look downright suspicious.

Can you provide evidence that something is actually done with these carbon offset purchases? I haven’t been able to find any concrete evidence. Second, who is planting these trees or making these windmill farms? Where?

Additionally, it’s nice that Gore is buying these carbon offsets (if they do actually exist and help), but you have to admit, his electricity usage (not the price he pays) is massive! Why wouldn’t he not only buy carbon offsets, but also cut down on his consumption so he could have a negative carbon inprint?

It’s like back when the Catholic church was buying your sins. That way, the rich could go out and sin like crazy, then just buy these sin taxes and be redeemed. Or like the swampland in Florida that was sold to many different people and no one could build a house on the property.

There are just too many questions on Gores side of the fence here. If he is SERIOUS about global warming, and if he truly believes that the planet is going to suffer to such a massive extent, why isn’t he doing ALL he can to reduce his consumption? Is it necessary for him and Tipper to live in a 10,000 square foot house?

Look, I’m by no means a communist or minimalist. I don’t begrudge anyone who lives the high life (myself included), but when you preach about the climate and make your entire living and existence on this one issue, you should walk the walk. It’s as bad (yes, it is) as the preacher getting caught in a homosexual relationship! You have to admit that.

By the way, the think tank may not be non-partisan, but the documents are real. I’ve seen them. They even have his name and address on them. It’s hard to deny it. Please, don’t shoot the messenger.

]]> By: Ron Chusid http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-32183 Ron Chusid Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:45:14 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-32183 You're missing the point. Nobody disputes Gore's energy bills. The problem is the dishonest manner in which Gore's bills are being presented, falsely claiming that the fact that he uses electricity somehow contradicts his arguments regarding climate change. In taking conservation measures and buying the carbon offsets Gore is doing exactly what he advocates. The reports are also dishonest in portraying attacks coming from an energy-industry financed conservative group as coming from a nonpartisan think tank. You’re missing the point. Nobody disputes Gore’s energy bills. The problem is the dishonest manner in which Gore’s bills are being presented, falsely claiming that the fact that he uses electricity somehow contradicts his arguments regarding climate change. In taking conservation measures and buying the carbon offsets Gore is doing exactly what he advocates. The reports are also dishonest in portraying attacks coming from an energy-industry financed conservative group as coming from a nonpartisan think tank.

]]> By: dsmith http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-32179 dsmith Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:39:34 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-32179 I have a .pdf to the electric bills (they are all over the rightwing sites) and they also have the gas bills, so there is evidence out there. You just haven't looked for it. I have a .pdf to the electric bills (they are all over the rightwing sites) and they also have the gas bills, so there is evidence out there. You just haven’t looked for it.

]]> By: Conservative Blogs Exploit Attack on Cheney To Make Absurd Attacks on Liberal Bloggers - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-31914 Conservative Blogs Exploit Attack on Cheney To Make Absurd Attacks on Liberal Bloggers - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:20:15 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-31914 [...] A day after they launched a dishonest smear campaign against Al Gore we see yet another example of how the right wingers smear without any regard for honesty in their claims about the liberal blogosphere’s response to the attempted assassination of Vice President Cheney in Afghanistan. It is dangerous to say that no blogger holds a viewpoint as you can always find a lone wacko who believes anything, but liberal bloggers are not going to applaud any such action from terrorists or wish harm to the Vice President regardless of how we feel about the individual currently holding the office. In the fantasy world of the right wing bloggers, however, liberal bloggers would be rooting for the terrorists. In order to make their case they resort to a common tactic of quoting not actual bloggers but those who post comments to blogs. [...] [...] A day after they launched a dishonest smear campaign against Al Gore we see yet another example of how the right wingers smear without any regard for honesty in their claims about the liberal blogosphere’s response to the attempted assassination of Vice President Cheney in Afghanistan. It is dangerous to say that no blogger holds a viewpoint as you can always find a lone wacko who believes anything, but liberal bloggers are not going to applaud any such action from terrorists or wish harm to the Vice President regardless of how we feel about the individual currently holding the office. In the fantasy world of the right wing bloggers, however, liberal bloggers would be rooting for the terrorists. In order to make their case they resort to a common tactic of quoting not actual bloggers but those who post comments to blogs. [...]

]]> By: Halperin’s Team Continues To Report Right Wing Smears as News - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144&cpage=1#comment-31395 Halperin’s Team Continues To Report Right Wing Smears as News - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Tue, 27 Feb 2007 06:45:24 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1144#comment-31395 [...] The Swift Boating of Al Gore [...] [...] The Swift Boating of Al Gore [...]

]]>