Communicating complicated scientific issues to the public is becoming increasingly vital to democracy, especially as science becomes more complicated and more intrusive upon traditional values. With global warming becoming a valence issue, though, I think it’s time to pay credit where credit is due to those who so effectively educated the public on the myriad threats to our environment.
I refer, of course, to none other than Al Gore and the heroes behind Futurama.
Why did we not elect this man!?
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We did elect him.
Posted by shadowcatdancing | July 16, 2008, 1:31 amDarn it, shadowcatdancing, you beat me to it. Given that the 1st two posters both had the same line, I think we’ll categorize that as a “gimme.” ;)
Bonus non-joke content: I will admit that I voted for GWB the first time. I can’t for the life of me remember why, although I think I bought the compassionate conservative line he was selling.
I’m not proud of this, but I should be man enough to admit my mistakes. I cast the vote in Washington, if that makes it any better – it didn’t actually swing anything. Anyway, point is that it wasn’t *completely* obvious at the time.
Anyone know if AG didn’t run this year because he actually doesn’t want to be president anymore, or did he think the timing was wrong, or…? I’d have liked his chances…
~ John
Posted by John | July 16, 2008, 2:28 am@John: All is forgiven as long as you don’t vote for McCain. ;-) As to your questions… no clue whatsoever. All I know is that my heart went pitter-pat when there was a fraction of a slim chance he might run, and then sank when he refused.
Especially after Obama’s speech today, I’m utterly sick at heart that we didn’t elect a better president. Of course, had Gore been at the helm when the Towers fell, you know who would’ve gotten the blame… then again, they might still be standing, because I can’t see Gore looking at a memo entitled “BIN LADEN DETERMINED TO STRIKE IN U.S.” and saying, “Well, I guess you’ve covered your ass,” to the analyst who flew it, then promptly refusing to act.
Grr, argh.
Posted by Dana Hunter | July 16, 2008, 4:55 amGrrr, argh indeed. And Shadowcat, as soon as I posted I thought that, but I fell asleep before adding it :-). You’re 100% right!
Posted by Ames | July 16, 2008, 9:47 amJohn, if it makes you feel any better, I voted for Nader in 2000. I was so ticked about McCain getting screwed in SC that I went the protest route.
Posted by Progressive Conservative | July 16, 2008, 2:01 pmSorry for thread necromancy, but I was away for a day or so…
@Dana – I’m annoyed about the FISA thing, but I don’t think it’s a vote changer. I may be seduced by the shiny thing, so to speak, but where many contested issues seem to be a quagmire of opposing views, I feel like personal security /privacy / freedom of information issues have got some pretty clear good guys and bad guys. I know, I know, I’m probably simplifying, but when the president comes out and says “we need this bill or future companies won’t be so willing to break the law when the government tells them to” and PEOPLE BUY IT I just get the heebie jeebies.
@PC – I can respect that, actually, unless you didn’t really believe what Nader had to say. I don’t think honest votes for “marginal” candidates are dishonorable, otherwise we really are putting partisanship over beliefs. Now, if you held your nose while pulling the lever, you can join me in my boat of shame.
~ John
Posted by John | July 17, 2008, 1:41 pmAl is too busy spending his 100 million (1% on a 100ft houseboat recently) and trying to fix his solar panels at home (which are using more electricity than they are putting out).
In the spirit of Futurama – Googling “Farnsworth” shows that much that we take for granted is untrue.
Posted by Henry Galt | August 8, 2008, 11:29 am