We’re Doomed
By Mitch Berg
At least, if Twin Cities’ college student Andrea Jackley, as evidenced in this Strib op-ed, is any evidence.
Last Friday, former Vice President Al Gore and the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The award denotes a shared effort in diagnosing (and proving) global warming and bringing the pending environmental disaster to the attention of the world as one of the greatest challenges ever known to the human race.
And/or denotes the most amazing marketing effort for totalitarianism in the history of the world…
Nobel prizes are not meant to be political,
The Nobel Peace Prize nearly pure, distilled politics.
but nevertheless speak volumes [AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAGH! – Ed.] in terms of public opinion.
Among Norwegian academics? Perhaps.
And this year, as it always does, the award spurred controversy. Is the Norwegian Nobel Committee trying to criticize the Bush administration and its policies? Not really.
Hm. Interesting conclusion. Care to elaborate? I’d like to see the carefully-honed reasoning that led to this rather sweeping – and groaningly implausible – observation.
Are they trying to tell us what to think?
Well yes, actually. The committee made its message quite clear: “By awarding the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize to the IPCC and Al Gore, the Norwegian Nobel Committee is seeking to contribute to sharper focus on the processes and decisions that appear to be necessary to protect the world’s future climate, and thereby reduce the threat to the security of mankind,” said Chairman Ole Danbolt Mjøs.
In other words, the Nobel academics have decided what’s good for the rest of us, and want to do their bit to give an American patrician carte blanche to run the nation and the world.
No, Andrea. Nothing political about that.
As a full-time college student burdened by two jobs, I’m completely immersed in my own busy life. I’m not sure what I was wearing yesterday, let alone what’s going on in the steadily changing world of politics.
[Aside: So naturally, the Strib gives you an op-ed slot. I guess it’s no worse than Susan Lenfestey]
But in an America deeply, and quite publicly, divided by issues ranging from war to health care to — of course — climate change, I am acutely aware of the floundering patriotism, national pride and participation of younger generations. But can you blame us?
As a group? No. Just about every generation – at least, the generations anyone notices (mine, a demographic shadow, slipped through while everyone else was barbering about the Baby Boomers) – goes through a bout of narcissism, solipsism, and self-adulation; a period where it is the center of the world (and for the Baby Boomers, it’s never ended).
There is a constant deluge of reports in the media about how poorly the world thinks of Americans and how often our government lies to us…The past six years have done immeasurable harm to our nation’s foreign relations.
Which is why Sweden and Austria are swamped with immigrants, and lines of Indian and Saudi and Dutch are queued up to go to schools, apply for our jobs, and raise their families in Norway.
In a world becoming more and more closely linked on a daily basis, economically and socially, a cavalier and autocratic attitude is a luxury not even a superpower can afford. Contrary to what some of our politicians may think, America is no longer the stag leading the herd as far as the rest of the world is concerned.
Ding.
And so Ms. Jackley would prefer a leader who would, like Jimmy Carter, lead America to become a Big Sweden.
But then there’s Al, who has catapulted to almost movie-star status with his Oscars, who has appealed to the masses with giant outdoor concerts featuring acts like U2 and given his whacky, tree-hugging notions about the environment credibility. He’s all of the things college students love.
You just wanna put him in a bong and ingest the guy. Or maybe kick him around like a hackey sack.
Seriously – what does this say about “young people” today, assuming Ms. Jackley’s right? That the most important things in a leader are:
- They’re kinda like really cool rock stars
- The rest of the world loves them
- Oh, yeah – and all that “crushing democracy on behalf of a deeply controversial and far-from-proven theory” thing.
If Algore isn’t available, maybe Brad Pitt or Leo Decaprio could run. Because they’re just dreamy, and they’re also interchangeable non-American in outlook!
More important, he’s an established, world-renowned figure with a fresh Nobel Peace Prize in his hands. That makes him something the rest of the world can love, too.
And goodness knows we need to get the rest of the world’s approval!
Gore is exactly what this country needs. He can appeal to younger generations and give us reason to get up and vote, and perhaps feel proud of our country again.
Andrea Jackley – people whose entire concept of politics and of this nation is as shallow and facile as yours shouldn’t be voting. Indeed, you appear, from this glimpse into your personality, to be a prime example of why “get out the vote” efforts harm this nation.
He is someone who might be able to repair some of the damage to America’s reputation. He is someone who will, at the very least, start the ball rolling on energy independence and alternative sources. He is someone who will give us the leadership we’ve been craving. We need him desperately.
I desperately need an Advil.
October 16th, 2007 at 7:43 am
There has been speculation that Bill Clinton would like to be UN Sec Gen. I think Al Gore is now well positioned to ace out his former boss for that particular job. I’m not sure how they choose candidates for the job, and I’m sure being American is a major handicap. But, I’ll bet Al would love the job: no elections, no responsibility, lots of media attention, a bully pulpit for all his crackpot ranting.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:12 am
What’s Algore?
October 16th, 2007 at 10:02 am
That’s exactly what Mitch just said, Flash.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Andrea Jackley:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Andrea+Jackley%22
October 16th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Mitch, that you would use so much bandwith on Andrea Jackley speaks volumes.
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:34 am
What’s Algore?
America’s ox.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:45 am
What’s Algore?
He’s an asshole.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Oh, so its a person. please explain. Cause first i see this in a block quotes “Vice President Al Gore” and later I see ‘Algore’ and knowing Mitch, he would never stoop to using some juvenile name twisting akin to Shrub that the Fringe Left likes to banter around for our Current President. So I am just trying to be clear if this Algore is some type of metaphysical creation of the Right, or Left, or just some twisted juvenile epithet.
I admit, I was caught into the name calling game back in the day. However I saw how silly that was. It distracted from the message. But I guess, if the message is flawed, I can see where name calling can be a useful tool. A tool used too often by both sides.
Seriously, I am simply not sure.
And to be clear, I am a lot closer to Mitch and the rest of his right leaning readers on this issue, so I read posts like this looking more for affirmation, and instead I get . . well . . . you know the rest.
Flash
PS: This was a Beaut “”people whose entire concept of politics and of this nation is as shallow and facile as yours shouldn’t be voting. Indeed, you appear, from this glimpse into your personality, to be a prime example of why “get out the vote” efforts harm this nation.””
So you shouldn’t be allowed to vote unless you agree with Mitch. Perfect.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:10 am
“Flash”,
Look away from the monitor for a second. Nothing interesting here.
Everyone:
Someone call the cops. “Doug” has obviously kidnapped Flash, locked him in the trunk of his cargo bike, and is posting under his name. We need to work out a plan to rescue him.
OK. Now I’m going to re-engage “Flash” in this discussion. Don’t anyone let on like you know about the whole…er, “idnappingkay” thing, OK?
All right. Mum’s the word
Let’s go back.
Du…er, “Flash”:
Oh, so its a person. please explain. Cause first i see this in a block quotes “Vice President Al Gore” and later I see ‘Algore’ and knowing Mitch, he would never stoop to using some juvenile name twisting
Er, Flash? This is a fairly benign caricature, playing on the way Gore pronounces his name (“Haih, U’m Algore”). Not a whole lot different than the way bloggers – right and left – say “strategery” or “edumication”. It’s called “caricature”.
So you shouldn’t be allowed to vote unless you agree with Mitch. Perfect.
I wasn’t aware that I had the ability pass binding legislation on my blog.
[BULLWINKLE ON] “Guess I don’t know my own strength” [/BULLWINKLE OFF]
I’m pretty up front about the fact that I think idiots should not vote. I’m not going to stand in their way – but if someone’s too apathetic to give a rat’s ass the actual facts of a race, why should they go to the polls?
I have my theory, but that’s a subject for another post. In about a year, as a matter of fact.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Seriously, I am simply not sure.
Seriously, you are a pompous ass.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:22 am
“This is a fairly benign caricature”
So ‘Shrub’ is OK then. You told me name calling distracts from the message. I am just trying to keep up with the rule changes.
“Seriously, you are a pompous ass.”
Not really, I just play one on the Internets. I learned it from Mitch!
Flash
— I know there is a release lever in here somewhere
October 16th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Ah, I see Flash has responded to the “must agree with Mitch to gain right to vote” comment.
Are sure you learned from Mitch, you seem like a natural.
Focus on the idea of encouraging fools and the uninformated to sit out of a election season, Flash… just for a minute. Why would you want an uninformed person voting in your district? What is the advantage?
October 16th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Not really, I just play one on the Internets.
No seriously, it’s your attempt to pretend to be a pompous ass, that makes you a pompous ass. You should try to pretend to not be one, really stretch your creative writing ability.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Score one for Mitch on the Bullwinkle reference. Way too funny, Mitch.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Algore wonders what Angry Clown things about this.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
knowing Mitch, he would never stoop to using some juvenile name twisting
Me? Of course I would! I make less a practice of it than most, but juvenility – depending on the day, time and subject – can be pretty irresistable.
But if you can’t see the difference between “Algore” – a wry, innocent caricature based on a verbal tic that doesn’t insult the former Veep in any way – and “Shrub”, which Molly Ivins fully intended as an insult – then we need to work on the whole “perspective” thing.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
“juvenility – depending on the day, time and subject – can be pretty irresistable”
Or, as in my case, more necessary than the air I breathe.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
A former coworker who was a dear sweet friend of mine at that time, was one of those “uninformated” fools. In the 2002 governor’s race, she decided that since I and a few other coworkers were voting for Pawlenty, she would vote for whoever the democrat candidate was (I forget who it was). Not because she liked his politics or platform or ideas, not because she didn’t like Pawlenty, not because she was a democrat, republican, independent, green, constitutional, reform, socialist Anglican or Angolan.
It was simply because it wasn’t fair that all of us were voting for Pawlenty and the democrat wasn’t “getting any” from us. I told her that I loved her, as a friend but in all honesty, I preferred that she just stay home. Another coworker of ours had her take a “which Gubernatorial candidate suits you best” quiz on MPR’s website, and her best match was Tim Penny.
She never got out to vote because she didn’t get up early enough to go before work, and a bunch of her friends were going bar hopping that night.
I got in a shouting match with a highly idealistic friend over that. I remarked that while I support everyone’s RIGHT to vote, there are certain people who shouldn’t vote, because they don’t care enough about politics to take the time to educate themselves on the candidates and issues. He said he would rather have a million uninformed idiots vote for democrats because democrats would promise them the moon without talking about who would pay for said moon, than have them encouraged not to vote because they failed to see the inherent problems with and ramifications of, such lunar promises. I looked at him and said “Then you better be happy to pay for a Lunar Minnesota”.
October 16th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Mitch,
You get extra credit for “You just wanna put him in a bong and ingest the guy. Or maybe kick him around like a hackey sack.” Perfect timing.
The point Doug, I mean “Flash” misses is that the post was about young skulls full of mush thinking deep thoughts with all the acuity of a cocker spaniel. Not the Goreacle and his phony religion.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I found this old press-release from Al Gore. Not exactly sure where it was posted….
“From now on, I would prefer if all print and electronic media refer to me as “Algore”. The removal of the space between my first and last name will serve as a carbon offset to my extensive use of private jets, my large energy guzzling estate, and my voracious appetite for beef (medium rare).” It also gives me a cool one word name like Madonna, Bono and Cher. “
October 17th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I know where “Algore” originated, but I ain’t saying anything.