Big Weird Al says he wants to have a "conversation"

Gore Warns of 'Climate Emergency' While Promoting Disaster Film:

Former Vice President Al Gore warned of a "climate emergency" on Tuesday as he joined forces with political activists from MoveOn.org to promote a Hollywood disaster film that shows global warming creating an ice age and causing massive destruction.

It's nice to know that Big Weird Al has a hobby! Tell us more!

The Day After Tomorrow , a 20th Century Fox production set for release on Memorial Day, stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid. The $125-million movie will offer "a rare opportunity to have a national conversation about what truly should be seen as a global climate emergency," Gore told reporters.

Hmmm, when I hear the phrase "national conversation," I reach for my holster because there's only one kind of varmint that makes that noise.

"I hope this movie will provide many opportunities for in-depth conversations about what this issue is really all about," Gore added. Others participating in Tuesday's teleconference are also planning to use the timing of the film's release to attack the Bush administration's environmental policies.

Many "in-depth conversations" yet. Is there some style sheet for wingnuts?

Emmerich's latest offering depicts global climate change wreaking havoc on the Earth by causing a rapid ice age in much of the world. Los Angeles is slammed by massive tornados, New York City receives depths of snow nearly as high as skyscrapers, New Delhi, India, is also consumed by snowstorms and Tokyo is pounded by giant hailstorms.

Giant locusts are cool too, but no word on them. And what about Godzilla?

Gregg Easterbrook, a senior editor at New Republic Online and one who believes that human-caused climate change is real, said Gore is doing a disservice to the environmental cause by affiliating himself with a Hollywood disaster film.

"Once Gore was a serious thinker on environmental issues and diligently sought out top-notch advice ... Now Gore appears ready to affiliate his reputation with a cheapo, third-rate disaster movie that makes Fantastic Voyage seem like a peer-reviewed technical paper," Easterbrook wrote.

Easterbrook assailed the movie's "imbecile-caliber" science: "By presenting global warming in a laughably unrealistic way, the movie will only succeed in making audiences think that climate change is a big joke, when in fact the real science case for greenhouse-gas reform gets stronger all the time."

Can't you just feel the angst? Of course, there's comedy value in picturing Gore as a "serious thinker."

Easterbrook also criticized Gore for his close affiliation with MoveOn.org, the liberal group propped up by huge donations from billionaire financier George Soros for the express purpose of defeating President Bush.

"It's easy to see why MoveOn.org wants the reflection of the new movie's limelight; wild exaggeration is a good fundraising tool. But if Gore associates himself with this mindless film, he will have completed his descent from serious thinker and national leader to MoveOn.org's sock puppet," Easterbrook wrote.

Maybe Big Weird Al is bucking for Number 2 in Spectre?

Gore acknowledged that the movie contained fictional elements, but he charged that the Bush administration's climate policy was even more fictional.

"There are two works of fiction that we have to deal with. One is the movie and the other is the Bush administration's presentation of global warming," Gore told reporters. He said he has read the script but not yet seen the film.

Gore explained that the movie's timeline of events is fictional; but he said it's "accurate in giving the impression that the consequences can be extremely serious.

That's a novel one. How about a 50 megaton atomic blast going off in Big Weird Al's nether region to demonstrate the point that hanging around with idiots is a bad plan?

"The Bush administration is in some ways even more fictional than the movie -- in trying to convince people that there is no real problem, that there is no real degree of certainty on the part of scientists about the issue and sort of accepting the big polluters' argument that nothing should be done to change the current practices of dumping pollution in an unrestrained way into the atmosphere," he added.

"This is the kind of dishonest behavior that can lead to an unhealthy debate in our democracy not dissimilar from the kind of misleading impressions that were created in the run up to the Iraq war," he added.

I get it - it's a "conversation" where only one view is permitted and everything else is "unhealthy." That sounds way too familiar.

There's much more whining from the usual suspects by following the link, including an infestation of tofu eaters to celebrate the flick's opening day, but here's a closing quote:

David Rothbard, president of the Washington, D.C.-based free market group, Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), rejects what he sees as climate change alarmism.

"Since Al Gore had such success peddling science fiction as reality in his book Earth in the Balance, it's no surprise he's all ozoned-up about a global warming movie with similar fantasy-as-fact foundations," Rothbard told CNSNews.com.
...
"Indeed, I expect many Americans, much to the environmentalists' chagrin, to be watching this movie at the drive-in with their SUV engines running and their trans-fatty buttered popcorn being washed down by a nice 32 ounce cola in a Styrofoam cup"

And hopefully they won't get to see Big Weird Al and Tipper steaming up the windows in the next car.

What a surprise!

'Oily' French Bank Taps Ex-Bubba Atty:

The French bank at the center of the United Nations' Iraq oil-for-food program has hired President Clinton's lawyer in the Paula Jones sex-harassment case to help it deal with numerous investigations into the financial scandal, The Post has learned.

Super-lawyer Bob Bennett has joined a politically influential legal and lobbying team being assembled by the French bank BNP Paribas, which is facing intensifying scrutiny on Capitol Hill and elsewhere over its handling of the bulk of the $100 billion worth of oil-for-food transactions, officials close to the giant financial institution said last night.

Bobby better get cracking - more of those pesky coverup letters keep turning up!

Teh-Ray-Za and Lurch Alert!

Teresa: Bush Enviro Record 'a Sin Against Humankind'

Would-be first lady Teresa Heinz Kerry blasted President Bush's environmental record over the weekend, calling it "a sin against humankind."

Speaking before the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network in Manhattan, Heinz Kerry said the administration's efforts to alter the clean air and water acts were "inexcusable and unforgivable."

The $700 million ketchup heiress, who jets around in a gas-guzzling Gulfstream V and owns several SUVs, then went even further, describing the Bush record as "a sin against humankind, period."

That Teresa is a weenie is no surprise, but who knew that Rev. Al was an Ecoweenie?

But you better be careful what you say about Lurch's Sugar Momma - Kerry Warns Opponents Not to Attack His Wife:

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) warned his political opponents on Monday against attacking his outspoken wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, saying, "They're going to have to go through me."

The Massachusetts senator also sought to dispel the notion he was aloof, asking one television interviewer: "Have you had a beer with me yet? I like to have fun as much as the next person, and go out and hack around and have a good time."

Sing it everyone! "Macho, macho, macho man!"

And speaking of macho, it's a little hard to identify with someone who arranges for bogus home war movies, presumably in case he ever ran for office (hat tip: Henry Hanks):

The newest $25 million John Kerry advertising buy includes film of a young Kerry, rifle in hand, strutting through a Vietnamese jungle village in full field regalia. Boston journalists who have seen it are guffawing. When Kerry has shown them this footage over the years he described it as a "re-enactment" staged by Kerry with a Super-8 home-movie camera. Others say the original shots may have been part of his defense for an anticipated court martial.

Lurch's web site used to have a frame from the Super 8 available as desktop wallpaper, but it looks like it went down the memory hole. Too bad, it's just what I wanted - a snap of a bozo in fancy dress.

Here's a shock!

Immigration found to cut U.S. workers' pay:

Two decades' growth in the supply of immigrant workers cost native-born American men an average $1,700 in annual wages by the year 2000, a top economist has concluded.

Hispanic and black Americans were hurt most by the influx of foreign-born workers, says a new report by Harvard University's George J. Borjas, considered a leading authority on the impact of immigration.

In further news, the sun rises in the east!

Bad News for Kerry's Billionaire Boys Club!

Buffet's Dollar Bet Goes Bad

Warren "The Oracle of Omaha" Buffett may have a crack in his crystal ball.

The legendary investor bungled an $18 billion bet on a weaker U.S. dollar last quarter, and lost as much as $600 million in five weeks.

The results weakened Buffett's two high-powered stocks - Berkshire Hathaway/Class A and Berkshire Hathaway/Class B - wiping out a total $6.8 billion of shareholder value yesterday.

I wonder how John Kerry's other billionaire, currency-trading pal, George "Blofeld" Soros made out?

There's always a silver lining!

Uganda tries nude dancing as tourist draw

With its gorilla-watching industry in a severe slump, Uganda is going to try to generate tourist revenue through the licensing of nude dancers.

They're such a rare commodity! That'll get the tourists thronging the place. But what happened to the gorilla watching?

Uganda's tourist industry had relied heavily on gorilla-watching tours in the forest along the country's western border. But, the industry was dealt a severe blow in 1999 when eight foreign tourists and a park ranger were killed by Rwandan rebels from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

That'll do it every time.

Yessir, no illegal coordination around here!

From a email to me from George Soros' dung flies at MoveOn.org:

Dear MoveOn member,

In the wake of revelations of torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners, John Kerry has launched an important petition calling for President Bush to fire Donald Rumsfeld. Getting rid of Secretary Rumsfeld would be a huge step forward for all of us who oppose the Bush war policy, and Kerry needs to hear our support. To sign on to the petition, go to:

http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld.php

Senator Kerry's full message to his email list is copied below.

Sincerely,
--Eli Pariser
MoveOn PAC
May 7th, 2004


Message from Mary Beth Cahill, Kerry Campaign Manager:


Dear Friend,

Yadda, yadda

Help us show that America supports John Kerry in calling for Rumsfeld to resign. If 50,000 people sign this petition, that is a strong statement that will be recognized in the media -- and by the Bush-Cheney campaign.

Further bloviations from ole Mary Beth elided. Can we see the list of signers online? I know the folks in Kerry's campaign wouldn't throw other people's email addresses over the fence, but I'm a tad curious as to how many times Screw You and Bite Me signed up.

And tell us again how MoveOn is a purely independent organization that isn't covered by the swell new campaign finance restrictions.

That's just sad!

It's kind of like an over-the-hill rock group playing the lounge at the local Holiday Inn. I hope Jesse has been stashing away some of his ill-gotten gains.

Who's the most disgusting wingnut?

I know it's tough, but I always wax nostalgic over punk loudmouth Congressman Fortney Stark (D - Rubber Room).





What brings the boy to mind is Stark voice mail on Iraq vote winds up on Limbaugh, Net:

Dow faxed Stark a letter Thursday afternoon saying he was "appalled" by Stark's vote against the resolution, noting many of Stark's constituents are serving in the military with pride and distinction. Dow wrote that Stark's vote shows he doesn't support troops selflessly serving their nation, and "is a disgrace to the people of this district who have elected you."
...
Stark soon left Dow a phone message saying that Dow didn't know what he was talking about, and that Stark believed someone had put Dow up to writing the letter, perhaps even writing it for him: "I doubt if you could spell half the words in your letter."

"But I'll call you back later and let you tell me more about why you think you're such a great, goddamn hero, and why you think that this general and the defense department who forced these poor enlisted guys to do what they did shouldn't be held to account -- that's the issue," Stark said.

At least Fortney didn't call him a fruitcake.

Dow gave Stark's taped message to KSFO 560 AM, which aired and discussed it Friday. The station also posted it on the Internet and sent it to Limbaugh, who played it nationwide later Friday. Limbaugh said Stark spoke "typically as a liberal would to an upstart, peasant, dare-to-speak-to-a-congressman citizen."

Listen to the pond scum here. For an odious old fart, ole Fortney's sure a macho guy.

So much to blog, so little time

John Kerry says, "Send in the Peace Corps!" No word on whether his speech writers made him say it.

And speaking of Lurch, Despite rap, word is Kerry can be fun. I think it's supposed to be about how Lurch really is a swell guy, but it seems to be a new list of Lurch stories and bloopers. My favorite is the late Congressman Joe Moakley:

Kerry was a tough sell for Moakley, who campaigned dutifully if not passionately for the incumbent. Kerry had a knack for leaving people cold and a reputation as someone easier to admire than embrace.

"Jeez, you just have to vote for Kerry," Moakley would tell union members. "I'm not asking you to have a beer with the guy."

Meanwhile the NY Times has some theories about Teresa's tax return. Hey let's face it - $500M dollars attracts tax lawyers like a feedlot attracts flies. I'm sure the campaign staff has a real hankering for the little folks to see a textbook on tax avoidance. But that's OK - let us press our noses to the glass!

Meanwhile, Obesity Becoming Major Global Problem. If it's not one thing, it's another, I guess. We'll still see Sally Struthers on the tube, but she'll be with fat 3rd world kids. Or maybe just by herself.

But not to worry, out in Fruit and Nut Land, Bill To Lower Voting Age To 14 Passes Senate Committee. Best indicator of the liberal tinkerer mindset:

The proposed constitutional amendment would give 14- and 15-year-olds 1/4 of a full vote, while 16- and 17-year-olds would get 1/2 a full vote.

No word on when the authors would get a clue.