For the first time since the inauguration of President George W. Bush in January of 2001, former Vice President Al Gore was at the Capitol Building in Washington today. However, this time he was not there as President of the Senate, but to testify before two House committees and a Senate committee on the issue of Global Warming.
Gore's documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary last month. Over twenty years ago, as a Senator, Gore called the first hearings on the threat of global warming.
Today, before the House and Senate committees Gore suggested the United States take a leading role in the fight against climate change.
"There is a sense of hope in this country that this United States Congress will rise to the occasion and present meaningful solutions to this crisis. Our world faces a true planetary emergency. I know the phrase sounds shrill, and I know it's a challenge to the moral imagination," he said.
He advised the legislature to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90% by the year 2050 to avoid catastrophic changes to the Earth's climate.
Former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert believes the debate on global warming is over, it's happening and it needs to be taken care of. However, Hastert was hesitant over some of Gore's suggestions. "A lot of those recommendations are more regulations and more taxation," Hastert said.
The former Vice President rejected the idea that the U.S. should only agree to carbon emission restrictions if other large countries such as China and India agree to follow suit. Gore claims the only way to get other countries to go along with this is if the United States works as a world leader. It must use it's power of influence and resources to change the world for the better.
My opinion: I am currently on the fence as to whom I want to support for President of the United States of America in 2008. It will be the Democratic candidate. But, which one? I like Hillary, she's got experience, but is "heartland" going to elect a female president? Obama is good too, but I think he needs more time in the Senate. Edwards is also another good candidate, but will the memory of the 2004 loss be on the minds of voters? I want a candidate I'm sure will have no trouble winning the White House. If Al Gore decides to run again, he has my support. As of right now he says he has no plans of running, but the timing couldn't be better. The GOP is weak, and he has had tons of exposure lately because of his movie. He was elected in 2000, why not again in 2008?
I agree that the country needs to take a leadership role in the fight against global warming. Gas guzzling SUV's pollute our airways and warm out atmosphere. The planet is a mess, and we have the power to fix it, some of us just need to find the will to fix it. I highly recommend seeing An Inconvenient Truth. It's not a bunch of liberal trash, it's fact.
In the words of one of my childhood heroes, Captain Planet, "THE POWER IS YOURS!"
