Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 to Al Gore and IPCC. Wow!
I did not expect this, even though he’s been one of front runners. So, what do you think?
Here’s a link to the committee’s reasoning.
It’s certainly part of the widening of the peace definition that has taken place in the last few years. I actually agree with this, as it is at least equally important to reward what can prevent war as it is to bring peace to war-torn areas. The environment is important in this respect because the lack of resources in the world can cause a lot of problems and potentially lead to war. (Not well formulated,but you know what I mean. ;))
I guess that’s as close a category as applies to his work, it might be more of a stretch to give him the prize for physics or chemistry. I think it’s entirely appropriate to give him the prize and I hope he uses it as a springboard to being reelected president.
Kudos to Gore - he deserves it.
But no, he’s NOT running for President in 2008.
Gore? :rolleyes: I now conclude the Nobel Peace Prize is a joke.
Heh, good one. 
I feared that they would pick Gore. Making a movie and jetting around all over the world telling people “do as I say and not as I do” shouldn’t merit an award.
I guess it was unavoidable but I think they should have waited a year or two.
Damn Nobel for letting the Norwegians pick the peace prize winners.
You’d apply this standard to Mother Theresa, as well, right?
This really stinks of politics.
Was the lock box nominated for a Prize as well?
GORE MORE YEARS!
This makes my day.
Gore is something of a political hero of mine, because he looks at the world as a whole, and tries to unify that whole, and understands how the actions of each individual entity can impact that whole. Both he and Clinton have always seemed to grasp this global perspective, and I admire that.
True. It’s a good thing that that’s not what he does.
While I don’t really have a problem with it going to Gore, I haven’t taken it all that seriously. They might give it to Gandhi, or they might give it to Kissinger. It’s a tossup.
Exactly. It seems that for every worthy choice they make, they make a complete WTF choice. I pay no attention to the peace prizes (and very little attention to the literature prizes.) To me, the physics and chemistry prizes are where it’s at.
Really, so his huge mansion in TN doesn’t use 10x more energy in a month than the average New Yorker’s house does in a year? And how does he travel, dirigible?
“Carbon offsets!”, cry his fans, “Al purchases carbon offsets so that he can use this energy”. Presumably, because his work is so important. Ah, yes, carbon offsets, the plenary indulgences of our time. The rich can buy them, and fly all over the world guilt-free, and live in 25,000 sq ft houses guilt-free, while they tell US how to live. Meanwhile, some one else does the conserving for them. Nice work if you can get it.
Oh, I recall another Nobel Peace Prize winner: Yassar Arafat. How’d THAT work out?
So much for the Nobel Committee’s good judgment…
Yeah, Gore’s totally rich. He gets speaking fees, movie and book royalties, presumably a sizable government pension. What a bastard! And his house! It’s big! Much bigger than average! Clearly, he’s a traitor and pretty much the same as Yassar Arafat.
Sure, his cars are hybrids, his house is equipped with solar energy, he pays 50% more for “green” energy and he’s spent 20 years of his life–often as a punching bag and a punchline–championing this cause to the world. Doesn’t matter, 'cause he’s rich. That’s how he can afford those pricey hybrids and solar panels and carbon offsets. And if there’s one thing I hate, it’s rich people who spend their time, money and energy trying to make the world better. He sucks.
PharmBoy – if you want to debate whether or not Gore deserves this, or comment on his lifestyle, Great Debates already has a discussion going.
You shouldn’t put quote marks around faked quotes.
I am not up to speed on the details but I believe that people have been criticizing Mother Theresa for not being a very nice person.
If those descriptions are right I would say that she probably shouldn’t have gotten a prize either.