Saw An Incovenient Truth last night; Have to eat my words

[demdiva]

Being a John Kerry fan, I've been a bit annoyed by the recent Gore-loving wave going around the blogs. If you're going to endorse a former nominee, you should endorse MY former nominee, right?

However, last night I went to see An Inconvenient Truth …it just opened in DC yesterday. I wanted to see An Inconvenient Truth both because of the buzz surrounding the movie (I’ll admit it) and because I have a strong interest in environmental policy. However, I did NOT go to see it because it was Al Gore’s movie.

First, if you haven’t seen it and have the means, I would definitely make the effort. An Inconvenient Truth is far more invigorating then the typical wonky documentary. Statistics and data are explained clearly by slick graphics, while stunning pictures and videos of Antarctica and the North Pole bring the issue to life. I had to keep myself in my seat when Al Gore discovered that the man hired by the current Bush Administration to lead the White House Office on the Environment used to head the American Petroleum Institute. I felt a little queasy when Gore pointed out that of nearly a thousand scientific studies on global warming, NOT ONE has disagreed with the trend; Of more than six hundred articles in the popular press, 54% wrote skeptically on the issue. I gasped out loud when millions of Chinese citizens were engulfed by the Pacific Ocean.

I somewhat expected to like the movie because it received such stellar cred, but something about the movie did surprise me. All-in-all, I have to say I was really impressed not only by the movie, but by Al Gore.

In An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore not only told the story of global warming, but he told his own story … and, in my eyes, he did seem to be a new Gore. The biting sarcasm, so evident in 2000, was replaced with a knowing chuckle and the boring drone was replaced with plucky optimism. The 2000 election may have broken him for awhile, but in the end it reinvigorated his drive and his passion.

John Kerry is still my favorite nominee and I want him to run for president again. I also think its unlikely that Al Gore will run in 2008. But, after An Inconvenient Truth, I have to say I would be an ardent supporter of an Al Gore presidency.

[beachmom]

1. Thanks for the review, DemDiva!!

I really want to see that movie, too (I'll have to check if it will play around here). For me, it's important to have a couple of names in your head for president, even if JK is #1, one has to have a plan B. Gore is my plan B, although frankly, it doesn't appear that he will run (he's happy doing what he's doing). But just because you like, or even love, Al Gore, that doesn't negate your devotion to Kerry (plus Kerry recently talked about "Al's movie" -- I like that it was on a first name basis). I bet you JK and THK will also go see that film, and only have nice things to say.

Damn. I REALLY want to see that movie.

[demdiva]

3. If you can get the book in the meantime!

The visuals are all in there and of course it's not as good as the movie, but it's also a helpful aide for explaing global warming to the non-believers. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594865671/sr=8-1/qid=1149386445/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8431137-6132868?%5Fencoding=UTF8

For example, today my roommate said isn't this just a cycle??? I could say WAIT WAIT let me SHOW YOU....

[karynnj]

2. I think it may have been the subject matter

you wrote:
In An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore not only told the story of global warming, but he told his own story … and, in my eyes, he did seem to be a new Gore. The biting sarcasm, so evident in 2000, was replaced with a knowing chuckle and the boring drone was replaced with plucky optimism. The 2000 election may have broken him for awhile, but in the end it reinvigorated his drive and his passion.


From what I remember of Gore as VP and as a candidate, he changed when he spoke of something that truely excited him - mostly global warming. I don't think Gore was ever sarcastic - in fact he seemed earnest. I haven't seen the film yet, but it sounds like the optimism may reflect that he is happy and content doing what he is doing.

[demdiva]

4. I think it was partially that for sure

But it was also just knowing more about Al Gore. He told about how his sister died from lung cancer and his dad immediately stopped farming tobacco, which he had done all his life. He talked about his favorite teacher who was an expert in global warming. And he talked about his struggles on Capitol Hill on the issue. He talked about the accident that nearly killed his son. I didn't know any of this about him ...it just made him a much more real person to me.

[JohnKleeb]

10. I think when we see politicans and that

we've been unsure on for what they are as people not just politicans. It reminds me of an experience that I regret since I acted like a juvenile asashole with my Congressman. I knew who he was and all that and didn't think him any different from the rest of the conservative Republicans in Congress but I have to tell you in retrospect him visiting my high school last year changed my opinion on that forever. He came in to raise awareness for Darfur and what I regret is that I asked him a politically loaded question. I've since learned that one of his big issues is human rights around the globe. Reminds me too that he was promoting a book by Samantha Powers the one that won a Pulitzer I forget which one. There was a guy who I was in Young Democrats who was rude to him too. If I could do it all over again I'd ask him about Darfur. Another note on this is when I was asking for information on a draft from the Armed Forces chairs and RMMs, only his office wrote back and they even sent me a document in the mail.

[demdiva]

14. Yeah sometimes it's easy to lump them all together

and it isn't really fair. And even if you disagree with someone 80% of the time, emphasizing the 20% is a benefit to you. But I think it's just natural to concentrate on the 80%. Side note: I swear I agree with most of my Republican friends atleast 75% of the time. That just proves how far right the Bush administration has taken us.

[JohnKleeb]

16. Yeah

and human rights in Wolf's case is something oyu just can't ignore. It's an issue that isn't really left or right but is about humanity. The political division in this country saddens me honestly. You got people on both sides who sincerely do want to heal the differences but others who like the division.

[ginnyinWI]

6. Gore should follow his passions.

And global warming seems to be it--that's why he seems new, maybe. He's in the right groove at last.

I don't think he's got the same passion for politics and public office as JK does, so if Al Gore were my friend, I'd tell him to keep on doing what he loves.

[demdiva]

7. Yeah I think the same thing

I also think that Al Gore was somewhat of a burden on JK in 2004. Everyone tried to label him (JK) with a similar "all democrats are boring" label.

[JI7]

12. right, Gore is the same in that movie as he is and was before

the environment was always a top issue for him. even with all the criticism of his vp pick, on the area most important to him, the environment, Lieberman had a great record.

it's too bad those who supported Nader try to claim Gore is different now with these things. they refuse to admit they were wrong and instead say Gore has changed. the environment was one of the issues i always brought up in how Gore and Bush are different. but the moron Nader supporters would always bring up the stupid stock thing.

[JohnKleeb]

13. Barney Frank had it right when he challenged the Naderites

on gay issues Re: the difference between Bush and Gore. Yeah Lieberman is ogod-great on the environment which honestly is what I thought was the big issue for the Greens. In fact I remember a picture of Kerry and Wellstone celebrating the defeat of ANWR or somethin like that nad Joe was there with them. I don't like Lieberman but I do think some of the hatred towards him is dumb.

[demdiva]

5. My uncle wants me to post this on DKos, but I would feel like a traitor

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=89600&mesg_id=89708

[beachmom]

8. No, don't do it. Save your political capital for Kerry.

Seriously, I'm feeling mighty foolish for all the time I spent bashing Webb, when what I really want to do is promote Kerry. Save your capital for more worthy subjects than that Deanie weanie Kos.

[demdiva]

9. hmmm...thanks

I didn't even think of it that way. Although I guess that actually is why I just posted this here and not in GD or GDP.

[karynnj]

15. Well at least you're from Virginia

I also think the Kerry bashing was a valid point. (In fact, he seems to now be saying he supported Kerry = which is not true by most definitions.) Kerry clearly sees something positive going forward, I hope he's right. At least if he wins the primary, you should be more comfortable voting for him now.

[wisteria]

11. Dems have the most passionate and intellegent people belonging

to our party. Our candidates - win or lose- stay committed and continue to fight for what is right and just. President Carter, Gary Hart, John Edwards, Al Gore and our own John Kerry to name a few.

[politicasista]

17. I want to check it out too n/t

[globalvillage]

18. It doesn't open here till next weekend.

Only one theater, last I heard. I hope they add more, it'll be tough to get tickets if they don't.

[politicasista]

19. Thanks GV

I hope they add more too.

[zann725]

20. Movie was excellent; and ran to sold-old crowds here again & again.

Gore's commitment to the issue is so poignantly visually shown as he travels to 1,000+ spots around the globe, dragging, ON HIS VERY OWN STRENGTH ALONE, a large heavy cart of visual aids for his Environmental presentations. More poignant, since even though Gore is a large man, he at times still seemed overwhelmed by the "heavy load" he felt driven to carry behind him around the globe. I found the image so touchingly humble, and down-to-earth...like the farming, close to the earth background he came from. That he cared so much about this Earth, THIS issue that he's crossed the globe time and again deloping and presenting 1,000+ what WE the movie viewers saw recently as "The Inconvenient Truth."

After seeing the movie, and his immense time-consuming commitment to the issue, I DO TRULY understand now, and believe that Gore TRULY would NOT have time to be Prez NOW...nor would he even want to. He's found his 'calling' in saving the environment.

That however does NOT prevent him from being appointed to a high Cabinet post in the EPA, or something similar.

In light of the above, we better start re-forming realistically our Dem ticket for '08. (By the way, I note that OF the "Democrat" groups at DU, Kerry has TEN times more posts than any other Dem group, with Clark trailing at 1/10th JK-Group posts.) A matter to be considered when formulating '08 Dem Ticket.

[karynnj]

21. Also notice that on Dkos, not a single poster

challanged the prominent comment that getting Kerry's endorsement was the biggest and most significant to this point. Clark long ago endorsed him - which all the Webb posters mentioned profusely. Whan the main topic was support for a specific 2006 candidate IN A RED STATE they are still overjoyed with having Kerry's support.

[blm]

22. Al Gore has always been a great guy - he's made mistakes and paid more for

them than any one person should. It's the way people DUMP ON KERRY FALSELY that is irritating.

Truly - it's great Gore is doing this film for the issue - it's an important one - but, I still believe that he out of anyone should have concentrated on schooling the Dem party infrastructure on election fraud and ALL that needs to be secured before a fair election can take place. The movie could have been worked on AFTER the 2004 election.

I also take issue with those who say he is principled while attacking Kerry as a campaigning politician. In what world does Kerry's anti-corruption battles become political campaign tricks while dirty song hearings demonstrate real principle?