The Hill's Blog Briefing Room » Voinovich Finds Gore's Energy Speech 'Ridiculous'

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July 17, 2008

Voinovich Finds Gore's Energy Speech 'Ridiculous'

@ 3:57 pm by Walter Alarkon

You can consider Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) as definitely not enthused by former Vice President Al Gore's speech Thursday on U.S. energy policy.

Voinovich had an initial one-word response — "ridiculous" — to Gore's speech at Washington's Constitution Hall, in which the Democrat called for the United States to end its dependence on carbon-based fuels and begin using renewable energy to produce electricity within the next 10 years.

Voinovich elaborated that ruling out carbon-based fuels such as coal would be unreasonable because of the country's vast energy and economic needs. Instead, he said the country should take a multi-pronged approach that includes but doesn't rely solely on nuclear, wind and solar power.

"We could put windmills from the Atlantic to the Pacific and, yes, it will increase the amount of carbon-free energy production, but the fact of the matter is, it's not going to get the job done," Voinovich said. "What we need to do is to look at all of the various sources of energy… We'd be much more realistic to realize that it's going to take all of these things in order for us to meet our energy demands."

-J. Taylor Rushing

Archived under: Energy & Environment, Lawmaker News
Tags: Al Gore, George Voinovich

1007 Comments »

The Hill welcomes comment from anyone and will almost always post it whether it is favorable or critical, as long as it is substantive and advances debate.

Gore has finally snapped.

Comment by Larry T — July 17, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
It's been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that man made global warming is a hoax, so it's fitting that Democrats get the biggest global warming liar of them all to give a speeech on energy.

Comment by Ron — July 17, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
Of course its ridiculous! Wonder how much Gore is planning to make on this phase of his ridiculous proposals. Does he indicate just how this will be done in 10 years besides saying it will cost loads of money, some/most of which will go to his interests. When is he going to debate the issues since so so many people do not believe in what he is pushing on us.

Comment by pattyke — July 17, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
If we could just capture and convert the BS and hot air that emanates from DC, we could be energy independent!! ;-<

Comment by Phantomll — July 17, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
According to Gore, we're suppose to have windmills
on top of our cars roofs.
Lead by example mr.gore, have about a dozen windmills set up around where you live, and then
let's see how much you like it.
in other news……… John McCain has a winner under his palms and that is drilling for oil.
McCain should make a promise to all Americans that if they elect him that he will promise cheap energy and plentiful energy, that all new oil wells put on line will go directly for US consumption and not to be sold on the open market. Also, he should demand that voters should
send him more republicans to the senate and congress so that dirlling could be a reality quickly and promptly.

Comment by Jim — July 17, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
al-gore is deranged. Think of it like this if it helps; al-gore is the same as Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther movies. al-gore has gone mad from coming SO close to winning the Presidency and now he has declared war on America. He hopes to destroy the nation by his insane energy policies. He's laughing his ass off as people struggle to replace light bulbs with compact flourescents. LIGHT BULBS! Meanwhile, he flies around the world in private Lear jets.

al-gore needs to be institutionalized for his, and America's, safety.

Comment by T-Hawkk in Texas — July 17, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Gore is right and if we don't take action very soon our entire economy will be at stake.

Comment by David — July 17, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Thank you Al Gore for shedding light on the neccesity of alternative energy. Peak Oil, Global Warming, Terrorism, and our Economic Woes are all related to our addiction to fossil fuel.

Why so many GOP'ers are so threatened by a rational solution to these problems is really unfortunate.

The scientific evidence is overwhelming that Peak Oil and Global Warming are real problems. Let's all work together to solve this energy crisis!

Comment by Jon Vander Pol — July 17, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Will good ol Owl Gore give up his 4 mansions, 8 SUVs and private jet.

One of his homes uses more energy the 234 average american homes.

Lets all be like OWL GORE!

Comment by Brent Amundson — July 17, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
Come on people. We are reaping the fruits of an oil based economy with Al Qaeda terrorists and $4/gal gasoline.
We send money for oil to the middle east. The Saudi govt gives hundreds of millions to Islamic charities and foundations which turn it over to the madrassas in Pakistan and to Al Qaeda.
This is a matter of national security!
We must find another energy source which is not based on Islamic Terrorists and Third World Despots!

FYI for the first time in history the Artic Ice pack will melt and you will be able to sail a boat over the North Pole! The CO2 isn't slowing this down any!

Comment by Morpheum — July 17, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
South Park really hit the nail on the head with their parody of Al Gore a few years ago…Man Bear Pig is coming, and Al Gore is getting really desparate for people to take him serial! If you haven't seen it, watch it, it's all you'll ever think of from then on when Al Gore does anything.

Comment by Sarah — July 17, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
how in the world will Big Al get around in his big private jet if we go off fossel fuels, or will he be the excepton to the rule!!!!

Comment by tumbleweed — July 17, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
Gore and his perpetual energy machines…

Wait a minute…doesn't his house use more energy than mine does in 5 years? I smell a rat…

Comment by Josh — July 17, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
Really Jon Vander Pol. Please, explain to me how global warming is a "real problem." Science seems to easily expose how stupid and irrational it all is, but I'm all ears…waiting to hear your incontrovertible, "overwhelming" evidence. You sound like an Al Gore commercial ("let's work together to solve this energy crisis…"). After reading that inspirational aphorism, I think I'm going to swallow my tongue after vomiting.

Comment by G.W. Denier — July 17, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
My name says it all. Algore would like us all to Ben Dover and let him blow his hot air up our smoke stacks. There is not a bigger moron on the face of this earth. The people on this site who say the scientific evidence is overwhelming concerning global warming are equally dumb and must just be happy being sheeple following the pied piper of morons algore around this issue.

Comment by Ben Dover — July 17, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
It doesn't sound so ridiculous to me. Lot's of money to be made by Americans for Americans.

Comment by James — July 17, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
And some folks are defending this fool?! Our only realistic hopes for the next few decades are hydrocarbons and nuclear. All the alternatives are nothing more than frosting on the energy cake.

Comment by Dai Alanye — July 17, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Larry T, Gore and his hysterical eco-sycophants snapped a long time ago.

Comment by Cicero — July 17, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Forward thinking algore. How many are still paying the $11 per month algore tax on your phone bill. Remember what that was for? Wiring all schools for the internet! al i invented the internet gore couldn't invision a wireless? Al isn't too good are that vision thing. And he's wrong about global warming too… but we'll still be paying a tax long after he's gone.

Comment by randy — July 17, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
Jon Vander Pol - "Why so many so threatened by a rational solution to these problems is really unfortunate?"

First, you must identify and explain a "rational system." On top of all this, the US population is expected to blossom by another 200 million folks by the yaer 2050. Any system which would be significangly green,is still waiting for development. In the meantime,what will be required is conservation, consideration of greatly reducing demand (reducing immigration), much additional conventionial energy (cleaner coal, nuke, natural gas - and unfortunately for another 10-20 yrs additional oil - and massive increase in the use of alternative energy. It will take all of these. The good news is that if we can all work together on all of these - perhaps 50 years from now - we can be where we want to be. 50 years is only a day away.

This current want to misrepresent to people that we can just turn on a dime (as Gore has suggested) and replace all of our current energy production with green and meet increasing demand for the same price of just building more coal plants is the kind of talk that will destroy the country. He doesn't have a clue.

Comment by forparity — July 17, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
We now have "THE ONE" (Obama) and "THE TOO" (Gore). Where do I baptized into this new religion, I need to get saved.

Comment by Neil — July 17, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Back-up energy is required for an inconsistant supply. That means a dual (twice as expensive) system must be instantly able to run at full capacity when the wind stops. Even a few minutes off power will kill those on a piece of medical equipment.

Comment by whatnow — July 17, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
I wish someone would ask Gore what he did about energy the 8 years he was VP. Why is it so urgent now, but not while he and Bill had the White House???

Comment by Naturenut — July 17, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Al Gore is the south end of a north bound horse. I wonder if he has any idea of how long it takes to change over the fleet of cars? It takes about nine years to turn over half the fleet and that would assume they could find a station to refuel.

Comment by Joel Brandes — July 17, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Does no one ever read any science literature? It has been known since the 50's that oil is not a fossil fuel. It is created from calcium carbonate, ferrous oxide and water, under extreme pressure and temperature, in the bowels of the earth. We will run short of enough for our needs - but we will never run out entirely. It is a renewable resource in the same respect as geothermal energy. See:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3952
Drill now and drill everywhere!!!

Comment by Chuck — July 17, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
Mr. Gore is the darling of Hollywood, what else would you expect besides stupidity and someone expecting everyone else to pick up the check.

Comment by Uncle Rufus — July 17, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
Gore's ideas are ridiculous, because they are predicated on the likely scientifically erroneous idea that there is anthropogenic global warming that makes carbon based fuels ill advised. There is much experimental data, and more than a few theoretical concepts that suggest that there is no unusual global warming, and also, that the warming that has occurred (most of it prior to 1998) is natural. Primitive computer models, such as those of James E. Hansen of NASA, should not be trusted until they are vastly improved.

Comment by David Becker, Ph.D. — July 17, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
[…] Here. It is refreshing that there exists a politician here and there who will tell it like it is. […]

Pingback by Lunacy still unleashed. « Bear Diaries … with Stillman. — July 17, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
Meanwhile, while this gas bag is out giving speeches about what we all need to do…the electric meter at his house is running full speed.

Comment by Tom — July 17, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
Al Gore the snake oil salesman and I am from TN so I should know. He is absolute baffoon.

Comment by David — July 17, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
We will do more damage trying to be "green" Look at the TV's. There are millions of the old CRT TUBE tv's out there that will be rendered useless in 2009. So, everyone is running out and buying (on credit card - duh!) a new digital LCD TV. And all these old CRTs will go to the land fill with 7lbs of lead in each of them!!! SO, if OWL GORE gets his way - all the cars we have will be useless in 10 years, not to mention the impact on our economy because we have so much money wrapped up in the petrol powered cars. And all the unrecoverable parts will be in the dumps too. I love my gas guzzlers - I don't want a little tiny econobox - I want nmy Mustang and Jeep!

This is not about saving the planet - All of this is just AL GORES way at getting back at Bush for the 2000 elections. He never cared about the environment before the 2000 election. Gore is still jealous.

Comment by Bob — July 17, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
Here is a lesson for Mr. Gore in solar “power.” Sunshine is only available during the day, it only shines strongly near midday, it does not shine strongly in the winter at high latitudes nor at lower latitudes when it is cloudy. People want electricity day and night, winter and summer, rain or shine.

Comment by Tim Allen — July 17, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
When Al Gore reduces the emissions and carbon footprint of his own Tennessee home to zero by going off the grid and using only electric cars powered by natural gas (which I'll allow for) or compressed air or a hydrogen cell, I'll stop and listen to him as someone who sincerely believes what he's saying. As it is, he's not even buying what he's selling.

Comment by Tim — July 17, 2008 @ 4:38 pm
Mr Gore can't even get off fossil fuels in 10 years, but expects the entire country to. Typical.

Comment by Gav — July 17, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
We need to arrest BIG Al for terrorizing humanity with the SCAM of his.

Comment by Riteaidbob — July 17, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
Ask Ted Kennedy if its ok to put wind farms off of Cape Cod. Soory, He already said NO because he sails there. Hypocryt

Comment by bill — July 17, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Yikes! Kinda'. . oh. . .'red-necky' in here, isn't it?!

Let's all just ignore the science, because, after all, we're going to live forever, anyway. Right?

Comment by Orphie — July 17, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
I think it is sad that the American people have to suffer at the hands of hypocritical politicians who say one thing and do another. For the amount of rhetoric coming out of the hill, change does not seem to be widespread. Does anyone know a senator or congressman who drives a hybrid or shares their flights with regular americans? Of course not. They drive their big cars, live in huge houses and get shuttled around in small commuter jets. Just remember that when it comes down the pipe, and Nancy Pelosi is up there in the pulpit orating about high gas prices and the middle to lower class Americans, that they are the roadblock to us drilling our own reserves and "ending dependency." What do they care anyway, their whole existence is afforded to them at the expense of the American people. Sad.

Comment by Jeff — July 17, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
The corrupt Republicans have all but destroyed and bankrupted our nation, and still the ignorant and uninformed condemn Al Gore. If Al Gore had been in the White House, which he won in 2000, our country would not be in this dire mess today. We have a clown in the White House and his disciples are commenting on this board, what a pity. Some of you deserve this cesspool of corruption, that is obvious by your comments.

Comment by Kudzu — July 17, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Excuse me while I go turn on some more incandescent lights!!

Comment by Al — July 17, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
Big Al definitely puts the Hippo in Hypocrite…

Even if drilling will not affect the price of oil (it will however), it is suicidal for us to be sending $700 billion dollars a year to the pockets of despots that fund anti-American activities at worst and buy up all our hard assets at best.

If we produced the majority of our oil from domestic sources that would stop the largest transfer of wealth that the world has ever seen

What I want to know is why that is not included in the congressional debates? Pelosi and Reed should address that point but will not because they know that undermines their party position.

there's a reason that Bush has 3x the numerical approval rating that Pelosi and Reed have and this is a part of it.

It is a shame that the Democratic Party has become the party representing the financial interests of foreign governments that aren't all that friendly to the US: but that is clearly what their actions of late in the energy policy arena are doing, in effect.

Comment by Richard — July 17, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Might be possible if we can build 200 new nuclear power plants in 10 years. There's no way wind/solar can replace fossil fuel power generation…unless you want millions of wind turbines all over the place and no food because we're using all the corn for fuel…

Comment by dlaws99 — July 17, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
I've got two words for everybody- acid rain…. do you remember that one? I used to be scared leaving elementary school when it was raining because i didn't know if i was going to be soaked in acid….. Without these causes environmentalists would have nothing to do and al gore would not be able to give speeches at college campuses for ridiculous fees…. The guy is the definition of a hypocrite.

Comment by justin — July 17, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Right, all the NASA scientist are wrong and all you hacks who read a few articles on the internets know everything, including that global warming dont exist. I think its time we get serious about real solutions, and Gore's plan is an ambitious step in the right direction.

Comment by nick — July 17, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
gore is an absolute bore - a self serving dope who says utters and spews nothing but junk science.

Comment by tom richards — July 17, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Your right…global warming is true. Too bad you have it backwards. See, temps usually rise and then the CO2 levels rise.

Comment by Jeff — July 17, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
The best way to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere would be for Al Gore and all the other left wing wackos pushing climate change alarmism to DROP DEAD AND STOP BREATHING. There you go. Instant CO2 reduction.

Comment by ig — July 17, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
The sky is falling…the sky is falling!
Chicken Little (aka Al Gore)

Comment by Dave — July 17, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Gore is not insane, he's a brilliant coniving businessman no different than the corporate big wigs he laments against in the oil industry. Since the end of his term in office he has amassed more than $100 million in personal fortune. The bulk of this has stemmed from his carbon trading company (scam) and his financial firm which provides start up capital to so called "green companies". The more aggressively we pursue "green" energies the wealthier he gets. It's a perfect cause; completely unprovable, very urgent sounding, riles up the activist community of enviromentalist who are willing to go to any lengths to have their way (see the Weathermen), if it cools down (already is) they'll be able to claim they're why it's cooled down, plus it brings out the elitist self important liberals who more or less own and control the media and our school systems so indoctrination into the beliefs is extremely easy. Really it has the structure of a great religious cult. Kudos Al, you'll bankrupt half of the civilized world leave 100's of millions impoverished, starve millions with your bio-fuel scam, and destroy the industrialized nations but damn you'll be rich. Good job, hope you enjoy hell con-man.

Comment by JB — July 17, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
I've got my cave all lined up..
That is where Al Gore and his policies will end us all up.
Living in caves.

Comment by tankfixer — July 17, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
Chuck, thanks for pointing out one of the little known facts in this debate.

Spacecraft passing by Saturn have observed that its largest sattelite, Titan, is awash in hydrocarbons…oceans of liquid methane.

I wonder how many dead dinosaurs and jungle vegetation created hydrocarbon oceans at the other end of the solar system?

Comment by Imperator — July 17, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Someone needs to check into Gore's investment portfolio.

He has invested in Oil futures (speculation). He has done it to drive up the price. Gore wants the price up to push his whacko agenda…follow the money!

Comment by 6CarGarage — July 17, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
To Morpheum:

Your comment about the artic ice pack made me laugh (as so much of this global warming nonsense does). The earth is 4.5 billion years old. Admiral Peary first set foot on North Pole in 1909. Think about it.

Comment by Diana — July 17, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Hey, wait a minute. Isn't this the same person who invented the internet!!?

Comment by John D Gray — July 17, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Here's the answer. DO BOTH!

Why is that so hard?

It's not an either - or thing.

Drill more & keep our $$ and jobs here. AND work on renewables. It'll be 20+yrs for renewables anyway.

Comment by ster — July 17, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
Hey "Kudzu"…Al Gore did NOT win in 2000. Not by ANY objective analysis. The popular vote is irrevalent. You win the electorial college, per the Constitution. Katherine Harris was obeying Florida law. Activist leftist judges in Florida tried to hand it to him. Get you head out of your ass. I can just as easily say that if he WERE president, we probably wouldn't have a country today. Where I live, kudzu is an invasive week we try to eradicate….

Comment by dlaws99 — July 17, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
Al Gore will be even more celebrated in the future when he beomes the world's first trillionaire as a result of his scam carbon trading companies,etc.

Comment by Wombatbreath — July 17, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
I guess I have a naive but maybe practical question. So where will my electricity come from when the wind inst blowing? Are we talking about some really BIG batteries here? I mean what it's calm for like 3 or 4 days in a row? Do we get "Al" to stand on the plains and speak in an easterly direction? There is no panacea, we really should be pulling out all of the stops and let the market judge which directions to follow.

Comment by TW — July 17, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
At least Gore is trying to send a message. What have the republicans done? Nada! "Drill more." Wow, what a great idea. That will last 10-20 years then we are back in the same position. Lets do something instead of bringing down the people with ideas and going back to "same old, same old as usual". you know who is ridiculous? Republican thinking is what got us in this mess we are in now. And its not just oil that’s causing global warming. We need tougher standards on factories that are spewing pollution. Coal? yeah that’s something I want leaking into the air so I can get electricity and lung cancer. IDIOTS!

Comment by Brendan — July 17, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
I always wondered where the 9% that still support Bush actually were.

I believe I've found them here.

HARD. CORE. DELUSIONALS.

You idiots may hate the messenger, but if you don't get the message, it's your graves that will be filled prematurely.

Comment by SpammerX — July 17, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Everyone knows that Al is a whacko. The question is will Obama move down the road to energy oblvion betting the future of the country on technology that does not exist in a stubborn refusal to get the oil that we know is there? Has Barack sucked on the kool aid that will ruin our country while we wait for solar panels and wind energy to run the country?
Ever notice how the Dem's only talk in glowing generalities but don't have a real plan? Market for energy? They don't need no stinkin market.
Ten dollar oil and heating costs that are unimaginable are ahead. The rest of the world does not seem so bent on economic suicide as is the Democratic Party.

Comment by Peaches — July 17, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
"It's been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that man made global warming is a hoax"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Now THAT is ridiculous! Get a clue, dolt. You and your fellow climate-change-deniers are ruining the world for everyone. What is it that prevents people from understanding that it's time to change the way we consume?

Comment by JVA — July 17, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
How can anyone give credibility to James E Hanson from NASA ? In the 1970's he published articles saying we were going into an ice age!

Comment by gap — July 17, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
I intend to harnass the acid rain for use in my coconut shell batteries, which will power my yacht! Do not condemn me, for I am Hal Bore, a leader among men and a real conservationist. So what if my home uses a bit more energy than most? I AM HAL BORE and I deserve a little respect!

Comment by Hal Bore — July 17, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
Wow, David Becker, Ph.D, clearly you've read a couple articles on this and passed off other people's ideas as your own. Very impressive. Your silly doctorate clearly qualifies you to discuss REAL science. Go sit in a corner and ask "why". No one is impressed with your terrible academic decision.

Comment by JVA — July 17, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
I wonder why the people who disagree with Al Gore are so vitriolic. It isn't obvious whether what he's saying is right or wrong… but people confidently and crudely say things like "… this fool…".

With some actual knowledge of the oil and gas industry, it is predictable that offshore drilling and production is unlikely to have a major impact on oil prices or supplies. And it is certain that it won't have any effect for close to 10 years. It still may be a good thing to do along with other measures to get off oil in the long run, if the effect of oil spills can be kept to an acceptable level. In the long run there is no alternative to getting off oil. How long is that? Probably by 25 years from now we will have no choice but to make most of our fuel from something other than oil…. there just isn't enough of the stuff.

It is interesting how people can be so sure of themselves… and so amazingly insulting and disrespectful of others' opinions, even when there's a lot of validity to those opinions. Obviously anyone who can only put down the person who is saying something they disagree with really isn't interested in the merits of the arguements. In the end… there's only one reality, and being rude and offensive to deny it might make you feel better for a few seconds, just like a kid on the playground hitting another kid… and then paying the price.

Comment by Jake — July 17, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
How about investing in infrastructure. 45% of the gas you use is to get up to speed. Seems to me America likes sitting in traffic lights and inefficent road design. Been to Socal latley, what a joke.
If you want change as Obamma suggests vote out the criminals that are running Congress. Get rid of cafe standards and do away with the NHTSA, another waste of money.
55 mph my ass. I want a American Autobahn.

Comment by Clark — July 17, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
The fact that WIND, SOLAR, and HYDRO are not continuous reliable sources of energy which will fluctuate. The sun does not shine 365 days a year everywhere, the wind does not blow at a continuous velocity everywhere, and rivers do not always flow at the same rate. The electrical grid must have a continuous and reliable supply of power to to match the electrical n distribution load. The demands of industry, and households that allows us to turn o a light or run a refrigerator, or charge electric cars 24 hours a day cannot be depended upon since the energy from solar, wind and hydro is not storable. Sources that can be controlled are Nuclear, natural gas, coal and oil. Our economy will not run as we know it without these sources of controllable energy as part of any plan. The former sources (wind, solar, hydro)can only be used when the demand load is there to match the demand supplemented by fossil or nuclear fuels

Comment by Deuce — July 17, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
George W. Bush is my hero…Al Gore should be taken out back and shot for all this nonsense he pedals. I am eternally greatful for our Supreme Court and our beloved Antonin Scalia for saving us from this man that received the most votes in 2000. I pray every night, every night that W. declares marshall law and ends this current election and makes himself, PRESIDENT FOR LIFE.

Comment by John Dixon — July 17, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
I agree, Owl-Gore is deranged! He should get himself a job outside a tobacco shop as the welcoming wooden indian, after all he is so wooden! Then he would be more concerned about terminites that the hoax called global warming.

Please tell us Mr. Gore, if man-made global warming is such a problem, why does your house consume 20 - 22 times the amount of energy an average home in your area consumes?

Hypocrit, moron and scare-monger!

Comment by Alice — July 17, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
JVA: You are one of those Global Warming lemmings who are ruining our economy and helping to push this country farther and farther into a Socialist State. Why don't you do some research? What evidence do you have that man's CO2 production (3% of all CO2 output to the atmosphere in nature) is causing any so-called Global Warming? In fact, the Earth is now cooling. The Pole's ice caps are in no danger of melting. Even if they did one day, why would this be bad? It has happened in the past. The Earth's climate is not within man's control. It is people like YOU who are ruining the world.

Comment by GOB — July 17, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
A good half of americans still take seriously about Al. That tells you about state of the America. Don't you leftist have any common sense? or you all brain dead or on drugs? You really think windmills/solar power can resovle ever increasing energy demand. You smacks should all move to Africa or carves in high mountains near Pakistan.

Comment by karl max — July 17, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Good to see Voinovich still hitting the crack pipe. And nothing is sweeter than than listening to the sounds of right wing trash blow a gasket.

Comment by Brian D — July 17, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
See, with Dems it's ALL about punishing the U.S. Meanwhile, China, India and Brazil are both consuming and growing like crazy…and then these same dumkopfs can't seem to understand why jobs are going overseas. The level of red tape and regulation that exists in the U.S. is ridiculous. WAKE UP PEOPLE! It's all about control! Control of what you do, where you go, how much you consume… Do you really think national health care is the panacea that they are selling?? How soon, before that same entity can then dictate how much you weigh, what you can eat, etc. ?
I say we get the self-anointed, self-appointed know-it-all, Al Gore, in a nationally televised debate with degreed climatologists, meteorologists, who take an opposing view. They would eat his lunch, and send him off like the know-nothing socialist that he has always been.
Drill, drill, drill! Turn off the Middle East spigot as soon as we can! Immediately cease all foreign aid to those countries who through their deeds act contrary to our national interests. Let them eat sand…

Comment by Freddiemyman — July 17, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Hey JIM IN VEGAS - put down your 9am martini and dice and go to bed. You're having one of your apoplectic tantrums again…

Comment by Ed Burns — July 17, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Windmills….Ok…where do the materials and energy to make them come from. Gore is a pure loonie.

Comment by ron — July 17, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
Algor is a conman who's enriched himself at the expense of loons and fools. P.T Barnum said it all.

Comment by john — July 17, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
George W. Bush save us again from this man!

Comment by John Dixon — July 17, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Al Gore is a loon and all who follow him are loons as well. 10 years from now, we will see the folly of his ways…and hopefully be laughing at the hysteria of a few sheep. Check out sun activity, temps in the 30's and 70's, and ocean temps from the new gadgets they put out to gather readings. Global warming is normal and so is cooling. The ice at the pole may melt due to the volcanos, but it will freeze again and life will go on. Also, CO2 is great for plants, plants are great for animals, and animals and plants are great for humans. Read, study, and learn people…you are being feed a scam and unfounded theories as fact. You are Americans…act like it.

Comment by Phocus — July 17, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
Unlike his former boss, Mr. Gore obviously chose to inhale. And is apparently still doing so.

Comment by BRIAN — July 17, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
What a bunch of Luddite Naysayers. At some point in time you'll realize that the next economy is renewable based. Until then, you should keep your heads in the ground. At least it will get it out of your butts, but the view is about the same.

Comment by Hunter Gatherer — July 17, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
All you Peak Oil people: Haven't you read Julian Simon's "The Ultimate Resource"? When you do, you'll stop freaking out about Peak Oil. Linear predictions of anything (bad or good) are never right, because people don't behave linearly. We don't need to freak out about what could happen in 50 years, because technologically, what's going to happen in the next 20 years will eclipse what's happened in the last 200 years. Get it? People are the "Ultimate Resource". Reactionary scare tactics only blow existing resources on solutions are short sighted. By killing our economy to force a move to renewable energy (which is already happening anyway) before the technology is there, we'll cripple ourselves. Technology is changing exponentially, and in 20 years, we'll be running on solar no problem.

Comment by Neil — July 17, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
Why so vitriolic? Because Gore is the biggest fraud in the history of the world. Right now he is causing people at the low end of society, in Africa for instance to starve. It will be people in our own country starving if we impliment his program fully. Meanwhile he makes millions and struts around like a rock star.

Comment by Ian — July 17, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Jeb 2012!

Comment by John Dixon — July 17, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
For eight years ALGORE was the Vice-preesident along with the environmentally friendly Bill Clnton. At the end of their term, Clinton was known for "dropping" his pants and ALGORE was best recognized for accepting money from the Peoples Republic of China and making a series of ridiculous statements about himself as he lived in a fatansy world.. Their eight year term was totally devoid of any "environment" related issues. Actions speak much louder than words. Gore is nuts, admit it, he is actually NUTS !!!

Comment by Loomis — July 17, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
We can wring our hands about CO2 and melting ice all day, but the USA requires Fossil Fuel to produce goods. Wind and solar are "feel good" bandaids to the problem. Do any of you have the $50,000 it is required to put up solar panels for your home? Where is the electric car? Where is the hydrogen car?

Until there is a viable solution to our energy needs, I say DRILL, BABY, DRILL!

Comment by Al Suxs — July 17, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
I've got an idea:

Let's use giant rubberbands and slingshots to propel our airplans across the atlantic! We could even retrofit our cars with rubberbands and change the speed limit to 1 MPH. Wait a second, is rubber good for the env?

Ok..let's all take turns breathing. If you were born on an odd day, you get to breath on M,W,F. Even days get T,R and Sa. No one gets to breath on Su. Of course, politicians like Gore will insist that their work is very important and thus breath whenever it suits them. Retarded ehh?

LET'S SEND GORE TO MARS TO DO RESEARCH ON CLIMATE CHANGE!!!!!! I'll be the glaciers stop melting.

Gore was a loser THEN, NOW, and dare I say, TOMORROW.

Comment by John (Tampa, FL) — July 17, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
So eliminate CO2 (which has nothing to do with warming or cooling) and kill all the plants which consume CO2 and the primary source of oxygen will be killed then all the oxygen dependent life will cease and the weather will do what the weather always does….change.

Comment by rvcrabb — July 17, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Gore is utterly psychotic and narcissistic. The Nobel folks were fools. Weasels like Gore/Pelosi/Obama will do anything to shove socialism down our throats.

Comment by MarkJ — July 17, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
What big Al needs to do is to propose legislation which will revoke the first law of thermodynamics. This could easily pass as only about 9% of the legislators, accoridng to opinion polls, are sentient beings.

Comment by Earle Ralph — July 17, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Im not smart enough to know if global warming is real or not (most of you aren;t either)- but why do we want to keep sending money to these crazy Arabs in the Middle East?

Thats the real issue. Wake up people.

Comment by BDiddy — July 17, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Voinovich Finds Gore's Energy Speech 'Ridiculous'

I would not expect anything different out of the mouth of the guy that invented the internet. His comments are always self serving, he has used this Global Warming hoax to his financial gain and that is all Al Gore really cares about.

He is as stupid as his wife was when she was trying to censure "Rock & Roll" lyrics. He comes from a genetic tree that is laced with scandal an has been able to keep it under wraps, sort of like Ted Kennedy and the death of Marie Jo. Power to control, with an adoring but stupid media giving this guy pedestal to preach from.

Comment by Smokey Word — July 17, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
The movie—An inconvenient truth—is based on the premise that when carbon dioxide levels rise, the temps rise.

THAT—is NOT TRUE!

It has been proven that when temperatures rise, carbon dioxide levels quickly follow. PROVEN! That have it bass-ackwards. People are sheep.
Now that 10 years of huge sun-spot activity has slowed down, so will the warming. Even on Mars. Yes Mars.
Oh, that's right. We DO have a little car up there don't we.

Comment by Radioboy — July 17, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Al Gorp (sic)(private joke) "Brilliant"? My Lord, he flunked out of divinity school, he could never understand that two wrongs do not make a right the way two lefts do!! And now he's a climatic guru.
The dems never did publish the school transcripts of their last two geniuses against dummy GW. Too bad, would have been interesting!

Comment by corporal jack — July 17, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Al Gore has become the World's "Rectal Aqueduct", with a never ending flow of nonsense, self-serving ideas that only a super heavyweight moron could conceive. But, one thing I find extremely strange is how many morons follow this jackass's ideas. Global Warming has become a highly profitable endeavour of Mr. Gore, with a simple slight of a pen, and a certificate of carbon credits, he has managed to pull the rug from under a lot of his followers.

Comment by Gabe Ramis — July 17, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
When, oh when, will AL GORE just shut up and go away?!!!!!!!!!

Comment by MichWolverine — July 17, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
Why is that a good man like Tony Snoe leaves us so early and we still have algore?

Comment by Walter Dixon — July 17, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
You people make me laugh. All you folks do is criticize a man who has been on the correct side of most issues, yet you make fun of him. Quite frankly, you right wing nuts make me sick. You got what you wanted a president who can't string two grammatically correct sentences together at the same time. Yet you laugh at a man that should have been president. Go ahead, have a beer with George, that is why you voted for him. I rather vote for a president that will do his job. Anyone who voted twice for George Bush is complete looser and should be banned from voting for life.

Comment by George — July 17, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Al Gore musta watched too many Gilligan's Island shows. Too bad he wasn't on the SS Minnow.

Comment by SteveH — July 17, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
I really want to know how they get that the Human race is causing global warming. 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens spued more garbage into the atmosphere than the entire history of mankind. Then think about the super volcanos that have erupted over the history of the world.

Comment by Dan — July 17, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!!! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Please Mr. Vice President, lead us, guide us, tell us what to do…. I'm so afraid, please comfort me…. maybe dinner and a movie? No red meat, maybe some whine, ha!

Comment by billschmudlap — July 17, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Where was Al Gore on these issues when he was VP? Nowhere to be seen because at the time there was no money to be made in them. Now there is…and he's cashing in big time! P.T. Barnum was right!

Comment by Tim — July 17, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Here are some facts about Al Gore - consider them before you ever believe anything he says.

FICTION: Al Gore recently claimed that his mother-in-law pays more than $100.00 for the arthritis medicine Lodine; and he claims that his dog takes the same medicine for $37.00, claiming "This is wrong!"
FACT: Gore's aides were quick to apologize for Gore's lie, saying the information was from a Democratic study. Washington newspapers also reported that Al Gore wasn't even sure his mother-in-law was taking any medication at all and wasn't even sure she had arthritis. And, he doesn't know anything about his dog's "arthritis".

FICTION: Al Gore said his father, a senator, was a champion of civil rights during the 1960's.
FACT: Gore's father voted against the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and was a racist who was fond of using the "N—-" word.

FICTION: Al Gore said that his sister was the very first person to join the Peace Corps.
FACT: By the time Gore's sister joined the Peace Corps, there were already over 100 members.

FICTION: The same sister died of lung cancer years later and Gore vowed to never accept tobacco money as campaign contributions.
FACT: Just four years later, while campaigning for office, Gore spoke to the tobacco industry and said he was one of them because "I've planted it, raised it, cut it, and dried it." He raised over $100,000 in "reported" Big Tobacco contributions.

FICTION: While running for office, Gore's campaign literature claimed he was a "Brilliant Student".
FACT: Washington newspapers said he barely passed Harvard and consistently earned D's and C's.

FICTION: Gore claims an extensive knowledge of law as a result of his extensive study at law school.
FACT: Al Gore dropped out of law school.

FICTION: Gore claimed that his knowledge of God and spirituality came to complete fruition while "finishing" divinity school.
FACT: Al Gore dropped out of divinity school.

FICTION: Al Gore claimed responsibility for inventing the Internet in the 1990's.
FACT: Shocked scientists were quick to speak out, explaining that the Internet had been in widespread use by government and educational institutions since the early 1970's.

FICTION: Al Gore claimed the book "Love Story" was based on his life and Tipper's.
FACT: Author Erich Segal called a press conference to deny his claim. (Couldn't he at least lie about a love story where his sweetheart doesn't die?"

FICTION: Gore claimed that as a reporter for a Nashville newspaper, his stories led to the arrests of numerous corrupt criminals.
FACT: He later apologized for his claim and actually said it was untrue (Also known as lying).

FICTION: Gore claims to increase diversity in the staff that follows him daily, especially among blacks.
FACT: Black members of the Secret Service are suing because they claim they are not being promoted to positions guarding theVice-President.

FICTION: Al Gore said he was the first to discover the Love Canal nuclear accident.
FACT: The incident was already discovered, being investigated, and covered widely in the press for many months before Gore was even aware of it.

FICTION: Gore said just recently that if elected president, he would put harsh sanctions on the sleazy producers of Hollywood's extreme sex and violence.
FACT: Just six days later, Gore attended a fundraiser by Hollywood producers and radical gay activists where he told them that he would only pretend to "nudge them" if elected. He raised over $4 million in campaign contributions.

FICTION: Al Gore said he built his Tennessee home with his bare hands.
FACT: Totally untrue!

FICTION: Al Gore says parents should not have a choice between private and public schools because public schools are far better.
TRUTH: Al Gore attended private school and he has sent his children to private schools.

FICTION: Al Gore remembers his mother lulling him to sleep as a baby by singing the popular ditty, "Wear The Union Label".
FACT: The popular ditty was created by the unions when Gore was 27 years old.

FICTION: Al Gore claimed to co-sponsor the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act.
FACT: The Act was not sponsored until he had been out of office for over a year.

FICTION: Al Gore claims to be instrumental in keeping gas prices low.
FACT: Gore has voted on numerous occasions to raise the tax on gasoline. In his book "Earth In The Balance" Gore claims that the nation's Number One enemy is the internal combustion engine. (That's the motor in your vehicle that gets you to work and takes your kids to school.)

FICTION: Gore pretends to champion the rights of poor women to be tested regularly for breast cancer with the most modern technology.
FACT: While giving a speech on the subject in September, Gore didn't know what a mammogram was.

FICTION: AL Gore promised Florida's senior citizens that they would finally have low-cost drugs with no interference from government.
FACT: Gore's plan calls for the creation of a huge federal agency that would tell you which doctor you are allowed to see in order to get the "special rates".

FACT: Al Gore told NBC's Lisa Meyers that he had never told a lie. When Meyers pressed harder, "You've never told a lie?!" Gore said, "Not that I know of." (DOES THAT SOUND FAMILIAR?)

Comment by Smokey Word — July 17, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
LEave him alone! He created the Internet just for us, and he still hasn't gotten over losing in 2000 to that really rascally Republican George Bush. He's misunderstood, and maybe mentally unbalanced. Could this be why Dems are pushing for mental health care?

Comment by billschmudlap — July 17, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
Stupid Al Gore. Just for his speech, I'm going to burn $100 of gasoline in my non-energy saving Mustang GT. Bunch of hippies.

"Look at the North Pole! It's melting"

"What about the South Pole? It's actually getting colder."

"Well, down there it's global cooling. Up here it's global warming! Peoples! Do something!"

Comment by Nick Ward — July 17, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
Support Socialism vote Democrat.
Global warming is just another vehicle to support the socialist agenda of elite. Elimination of the middle class is the true plan.
As you lose every right you have as citizen of this great country, you will also lose freedom.
Pelosi and Reid have done absolutly nothing to help the American People. In their eyes you are just an eater. They will not support our troops, or Our Commander in Chief, and they certainly don't care about you either.

Comment by Clark — July 17, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
If any of you believe this caveman, take a look at China. Go there and see how fossil fuels and pollution are destroying the planet. Continue to believe that Global Warming is BS, keep polluting and you'll keep having lots of Hurricane Katrinas, wildfires and other ecological disasters.

Comment by Harper — July 17, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
The comments from the pea-brained conservatives are embarrassing.

You guys need to go find another country to screw up. We've done it your way for a good number of years. So you need to either follow or get the hell out of the way!

Comment by Brent Mack — July 17, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
if anyone here can point me to the "evidence" that global warming is a a hoax i would love to hear it. because from all of the real scientists that i have heard give an opinion on this issue seem to think it is a real and serious problem.

also do people not see an alarming coincidence that our current admistration from the president all the way down, have strong ties to the oil industry, the same industry that is seeing record yearly profits

Comment by ryan — July 17, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
Cost to use Solar energy for electricity is $4.86 per watt. http://www.solarpowerathome.com/cost-of-solar-energy.html
This is to do a home. IF you can make a plant that produces power is still being worked on. Some ideas are being built. But do not know if they are cost effective. Does oil need to be $200 a barrel to break even? WHo knows. But an average house and not Al Gores house average it would cost $72,900 That could be a lifetime of paying for electricity to the power company. It would take 60.75 years if your current electric bill is $100 per month.
Costs for electricity from non renewable sources in Wisconsin is 4 cents per KWh. Wind Power is 7.2 Cents and Solar is 40 cents per kwh.
So at the current technology double the cost or 10 times the cost for energy needs at home. http://www.mge.com/environment/wind/cost.htm
Solar only works when you have sunlight
Wind only works if you have wind. Light breeze does not work. So limited areas where it is cost affect.
So any solution right now is more a pipe dream or cost each person up to 10 times the current electric bill. As technology gets developed costs do drop. Wind Power costs is 1/10 what it was in the 1980's. It takes time. But until energy from renewable resources become affordable we need to drill and use our natural resouces. The US spends millions of dollars researching Solar, Wind and other renewable energy productions ideas each year. In time new ideas will be developed that will make it possible to get rid of Oil and coal. But it may be a generation or two to get to that point. We do not need to cripple our economy and cause this research to stop because the companies can not afford to do the research anymore. Too expensive to move the equipment to test sites to see if they work. Or instead of large test sites they go for smaller sites. That is your choice. Democrats prefer to cripple the economy by their stance.

Comment by David Anfinrud — July 17, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
Ozone Man…………Lost It a long time ago, What really is sad is so many folks buy his crap!

Comment by B Meyer — July 17, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
What happens when the wind stops?

Right now if it stops, the powerhouse generators, which were idling (using fuel), take up the slack.

Are you willing to put up with 10 minute blackouts every time the wind isn't fast enough to spin up the windmills?

Comment by Tony — July 17, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
Conservation = Good
Alternative Energy Research/Sources = Good
Drilling Here = Good
Man-made Global Wariming = BS!
Al Gore = Mentally Ill

Global Warming won't be the death of us, POLITICIANS WILL.

Comment by Todd D. — July 17, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Algore's family has been in bed with Occidental Petroleum since the 1940's, he helped push through legislation that benefited Oxy while in the White House. Why don't any of his green disciples ask him about the money he receives every year from Oxy? Will his green initiatives help or hurt Oxy, I bet he finds a way to make them pay him even more. Check out his article about his love of the environment. http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=468

Comment by Michael — July 17, 2008 @ 5:55 pm

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July 17, 2008

Voinovich Finds Gore's Energy Speech 'Ridiculous'

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