Interesting...

...but far from surprising.

Al ("the planet has a fever") Gore testified in front of a Senate committee today, warning a room-full of fawning Democrats that we are in deep doo-doo, global-warming-wise. There were a few skeptical Republicans there as well, though the only coverage of their participation I've seen came when the egregious Barbara Boxer (who, I am embarrassed to say, "represents" my state) chastised James Imhofe, a Republican Senator, for trying to keep the circus from getting out of hand.

But aside for the normal lack of objective facts, emotional generalizations and simple horsecrap I expect from Big Al, there was a telling moment in the proceedings:

Imhofe: "“Are you willing to make a commitment here today by taking this pledge* to consume no more energy for use in your residence than the average American household by one year from today?”

Gore: "No. We live a carbon-neutral life, Senator."

And there is the secret: Gore, with lips trembling and tears in his eyes, tells us in a quavering voice that we must act to cut C02 emissions and cap carbon emissions right where they are. Immediately. In the meantime, he'll do his bit by buying the right to continue to be a gross polluter from people who don't pollute as much.

Oh, yeah: guess who happens to be a founder and shareholder in the company he buys "pollution credits" from?

Uh-huh. Al ("our civilization is threatened") Gore.

* As a believer:
· that human-caused global warming is a moral, ethical, and spiritual issue affecting our survival;

· that home energy use is a key component of overall energy use;

· that reducing my fossil fuel-based home energy usage will lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions; and

· that leaders on moral issues should lead by example;

I pledge to consume no more energy for use in my residence than the average American household by March 21, 2008.”