Who are these guys? The only Republicans who walk the talk when it comes to the environment.
Dan Evans made environmental conservation a priority during his three terms as Governor, and was greener than the Democrat who succeeded him.
Rep. Fred Jarrett (R-Mercer Island) is one of the few Republicans in Olympia who believes global warming is real. Heck, Fred’s one of the few Republicans who believes the Earth is more than 7,000 years old! Where do his views get him? Ostricized within the GOP caucus.
Jim Nobles currently sits on the Seattle Monorail Board, a governmental organization that won’t exist in three months. (did you think it still existed? I didn’t) Jim is an avid user of public transportation, and actually supports light rail. Jim is the only Republican office holder in Seattle in large part because he never had to run with an “R” next to his name. Still, Nobles is the kind of Republican that used to get elected to the Seattle City Council.
So, there you go, Eric. Can anyone else think of any?
Who ever the rightie that was taling about Democrats breaking laws was, they better not read this.
Ohio congressman’s aid pleads guilty to conspiracy.
http://rawstory.com/showarticl.....K8RO0.html
How much energy do the households of Dan Evans, Fred Jarrett, and Jim Nobles use? As Al Gore would say, do as I say, not as I do:
Al Gore’s Personal Energy Use Is His Own “Inconvenient Truth”
Gore’s home uses more than 20 times the national average
Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.
Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).
In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.
The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.
Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.
Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.
Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.
“As the spokesman of choice for the global warming movement, Al Gore has to be willing to walk to walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to home energy use,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.
In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.
http://www.tennesseepolicy.org.....cle_id=367
Mr. Pope:
I keep seeing these kinds of figures repeated, but none of the people repeating them have quoted their sources. (I went to the source you quoted, but they have no sources listed for the information, and the Tennessee Center for Policy Research seems to have an axe to grind here.)
If they are correct, then I would be concerned. There may well be good reason for that level of consumption, but on the face of it, it seems excessive.
Perhaps utility bills in Tennessee are different from here. I was not under the impression that utility bills were public information. That leaves me thinking that someone may have simply concocted these numbers, and Mr. Gore is quite properly ignoring them.
Ah, the sackcloth, hairshirt elitist argument, once again.
When groups like the TCPR start chiming in with, “As the spokesman of choice for the Iraqi War, Rep. X has to be willing to walk the walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to supporting our troops.” READ: Walter Reed – I’ll stop yawning and listen to this hypocrisy carnard.
Haven’t hear about the cost of Pres. Clinton’s tarmac haircuts, lately, either…
Ostricized: Relegated to an environment populated only by flightless birds.
Toby Nixon is on the board of Republicans for Environmental Protection (Washington Chapter).
He is known as pretty good on the environment, isn’t he? I heard him speak at a WA Env. Coalition forum and
(Esser is a member of that organization… I can’t imagine he does anything but tow the party line on environment….)
Regardless, RepAmerica is an organization I like. It strongly advised its members against I-933, it has a pro-precautionary principle essay on its site (I can’t find that now, but here’s a general info page: precautionary principle — not a REPAmerica link).
RepAmerica accepts the IPCC conclusions and recommendations on climate change — etc. Here’s a statement on its national site:
This is an organization serious about being environmentalists, not a greenwash. It gives me a little hope.
It might be pointed out, Richard, (and yeah, I know it’s kinda lame) that in Gore’s neck of the woods, at least the electricity comes from falling water and busting atoms.
Also, as William F. Buckley wrote during the early-70’s oil crisis (and I’m paraphrasing here, but it’s close): “The rich can look after themselves. If there’s a shortage of heating oil, they can always go to Rio De Janeiro”.
I know the price of lettuce is high, without having to be told about it by a starving man.
ArtFart @ 7
Busting atoms creates a lot of radioactive waste. And there seems to be only a finite supply of U-235. Even if you add U-238 (if they start using plutonium breeder reactors) and Thorium whatever, that supply is still finite.
And let’s just suppose AlGore uses hydroelectric generated electricity. If he would cut back to a normal household level, then the TVA could sell that power to other utilities and they would burn less coal, oil, or natural gas.
Also, AlGore uses a massive amount of natural gas, like 10 times normal or more, for which these specious arguments could not apply whatsoever.
John Barelli @ 3
I assume the utility bills are still public record in Tennessee. I used to live there 20 years ago, and they were public record back then. No privacy exception like we have here in Washington. Some people got upset with the intrusion into privacy, but it is something you just had to live with if you lived in Tennessee.
At least, the cops don’t need a search warrant based on probable cause to check your electric bill in Tennessee if they think you might be running a “grow” operation. By the way, marijuana growing benefits greatly from an artificially CO2 rich atmosphere.
Presumably, the Tennessee public records law is most annoying to dope growers and dopey politicians.
@ 8
The McCaw’s (Republicans all) use that much and more at their estates.
Besides, Gore is “carbon neutral”, meaing he buys offsets for what he consumes.
AF@7 You mean Rope-a-Dope-Pope is starving? Not enough to do around the old practice. . .to much time on his hands, so he’s spewing talking points and trolling for a position with WSRP or the RNC? If so, I concur. . . . .
ArtFart:
I’m going to disagree with you here. As we are, for all intents and purposes, on a national power grid, every KWH used in Tennessee requires the dirtiest of power generators to operate at just that much more capacity.
My concern is that these consumption numbers just get thrown out there without anything to back them up, and without any information about what that power is used for.
First, are the numbers even close to correct?
Next, if they are correct, what is the power being used for?
As Mr. Gore is a controversial and very active public figure, I would expect that security lighting, quarters for aides and assistants, business offices and the like would take some power. It would surprise me greatly if he could keep his power consumption below (or even near) the national average.
But where did the figures quoted come from? I’ve been to the Nashville Electric Services website, and they don’t have a “check your neighbor’s electric bill” link. A Google search gets me to a post on the Free Republic site, with no backup documentation.
It seems that the Tennessee Center for Policy Research took the numbers from that post (or vice-versa). Are the numbers even real?
Mr. Pope (at 4:12 PM)
If these are public records, and they are correct, then there should be a link to them somewhere. I have looked, and have not yet found one.
As I mentioned, even if they are correct, there may be good reason. After all, I do not have to entertain foreign dignitaries, provide office space for multiple aides and assistants and provide massive security against crazies that are determined to kill me and my family. (Of course, if I keep posting here…)
Still, they would be cause for some concern on my part.
Yes, I expect my leaders to walk the walk, not just talk the talk, and while I do not expect them to be perfect, I do want them to try.
A note regarding the reason for my scepticism regarding the figures for Mr. Gore.
A couple of years ago, an outfit published the annual charitible donations for the Gores. It was a pitiful amount.
HOWEVER – it seems that the numbers were chosen very carefully. In both prior and subsequent years, the Gores donated much more. Tens of thousands of dollars more.
The folks posting that pitiful amount knew (or should have known) this. It was deliberately misleading.
So, is this another attack like the last one? Is this information simply wrong? I don’t know, as the folks publishing this “data” decline to provide the source data.
Al Gore and, of late, Darcy Burner, are elitists. Their solution to global warming (if it exists) is to severely curtail the economy of first world nations, impoverishing us ordinary folk. Of course, China and India won’t have to change a thing, even though they are huge contributors to Mr. Gore’s problem.
And, of course, none of these solutions will apply to the elites. Mr. Gore will still fly around the world in a private jet, will be ferried around in limosines, and will own huge homes that consume large amounts of energy. Just like all his buddies in Hollywood.
When Gore moves into a condo, buys a Prius and flies coach, I’ll believe he is serious about the future of the country. As it is, all he is serious about is his pocketbook and the millions he is fleecing off the wannabe elitists.
Will says:
I don’t recall the McCaw’s advocating that people reduce their energy usage, so your argument is a red herring. Do you have some backing for this claim?
What a lame, enabling excuse. The only reason Gore can do this, is that he’s rich. The average person doesn’t have the ability to be “carbon neutral” by “buying offsets”.
I agree with Barelli. I checked out the TCPR site and they say they have a “Guarantee of Quality Scholarship”.
http://www.tennesseepolicy.org.....page_id=42
So I’ll wait until I see the “original factual data” until I pass judgement.
The most wonderful thing about the wingnuts is they have to lie about, and distort every single issue. On face value, they have no issues, and need to mislead ignorant dipshits that vote for them constantly.
I heard O’Riley say last night Rush should not be used for information, he is an entertainer. In other words he lies his fat pig ass off. Straight from O’Riley.
Al Gore buys carbon credits to offset the greenhouse gas his lifestyle creates.
Do you?
Hypocrite.
I have a test for you wingnuts. Name one honest Republicon. You can’t use the words honest and Republicon in the same sentence. Their whole ideology is based on lies, fear, and fake christianity. God it must suck being, and having to defend Republicons.
All Facts Support My Positions.
No facts support the GOP.
Here is what trickle up voodoo Reaganomics got us.
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2....._0226.html
Total financial meltdown may not be avoidable thanks to Republicon Administration spending.
John Barelli @ 13
You have to make a public records request to the local government utility company. And, as I remember Tennessee law from 20 years ago, only a resident of Tennessee is allowed to make a public records request.
You won’t find Luke Esser’s personnel and payroll records on Rob McKenna’s official website either. But if you requested them, McKenna’s office would have to provide them in due course.
So it’s okay for AlGore and JohnKerry to have high utility useage, because they are super-rich and can afford to have a really big house (or houses) and pay really high utility bills?
Conservation is something that only ordinary folks like you and I should be forced to do?
Sorry — AlGore has much more room for improvement in his carbon useage than you or I do. He should set the example in his own personal life, if he wants to have either moral or political credibility.
What a lame, enabling excuse. The only reason Gore can do this, is that he’s rich. The average person doesn’t have the ability to be “carbon neutral” by “buying offsets”.
Yes they do. The problem is the fact that gas is so cheap almost every American enjoys a lifestyle that is destroying our planet, and the rest of the world wants the same lifestyle.
Tax carbon, and use the money to offset carbon by alternative energy production, and growing trees, and other methods of sequestering carbon.
The excuse “I am poor so I could care less about the planet” is a kinda lame excuse.
We are in the business of screwing the next generation. Just look at the debt we are piling on them to afford the Department of Offense’s military.
If we spent more on helping people than killing them, maybe we wouldn’t have people flying planes into our buildings…..
I have heard our country spends more on the military than all the other countries in the world combined.
Defense? I think not…..
Pope
I know it’s been awhile since you took the bar examination, but your familiarity with the Rules of Evidence seems to have become rather remote. What is it, utter speculation, hearsay, and character evidence are now admissible? Check the rules, they haven’t changed. Al Gore is becoming my hero, and I never thought I could go there.
So, let me see if I get this straight…the righties scream “Al Gore’s a hypocrite” and from that draw the conclusion that global climate change is a leftie pinko terr’ist hoax. So that means nothing’s wrong, we can climb back into our Suburbans and say “Boy, it’s great to be an American!”.
Am I missing something here?
“Heck, Fred’s one of the few Republicans who believes the Earth is more than 7,000 years old!”
Will, What a crock! You are showing a tremendous lack of intellect in your discussion to try and link every Conservative to an entirely nonsensical stereotype!
Your posts would be much more believable if you posted facts instead of ‘left-wing’ sniping.
Whoever thought that saying “Al Gore has charisma” would not mark you as delusional? The boy has grown. He’s making the global warming deniers look foolish to the general public. You’d think that’s a low bar to hurdle, but nonsense runs deep. Go, Al.
John, Facts, Will…I’m trying to find an actual source where it shows that Al Gore has actually purchased carbon credits. All I found is a quote from him that he and tipper are carbon neutral, but I don’t believe politicians and their speeches (either side of the aisle). So if you can point me to an source I’d appreciated.
@2
Richard, funny how you criticize rich Democrats for owning big houses, but you never criticize rich Republicans for owning big houses. Why is that?
@2 “Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.”
The operative word here is “paid.” Show me a rich Republican who lives in a big house, and I’ll show you an electric-bill deadbeat. Hint: His surname is Selig.
ROGER RABBIT QUIZ
What’s the difference between a rich Republican and a rich Democrat?
Answer: The rich Democrat pays $30,000 for electricity; the rich Republicans is $30,000 past due for electricity.
GOP = freeloader
@3 Doesn’t Mr. Gore own a working farm? Don’t farms use a lot of electricity?
So — the wingnutz’ answer to global warming is to change the subject to Al Gore’s house? Looks like they don’t have anything to say about global warming then.
@ 15
Being “carbon neutral” isn’t only for rich people (and really, what’s a ‘conservative’ got against rich people anyway, you Marxist twat), as lots and lots of regular people do things everyday to make themselves if not carbon neutral, then almost so.
…..as lots and lots of regular people do things everyday to make themselves if not carbon neutral, then almost so.
This may be true. I, for one, only fart at night at an undisclosed location in order to minimize by carbon footprint (size 8 1/2).
Richard Pope tries to play the hypocricy card to no avail. When it comes to that attribute, republicans nearly have the market cornered. Thus, for example, you will NEVER see a letter from Richard Pope excoriating..
(1.)… his gopper brethren for their cowardice and mendacity for not enlisting en masse for the war in Iraq (or even having the balls to advocate a tax increase to pay for it); or..
(2.)…his christian brethren for not “turning the other cheek” or “forgiving” their enemies; or….
(3.)….his gopper buddies who see absolutely no problem with greed being one of the seven deadly sins, yet simultaneously and miraculously the invisible hand “lifting all boats”; or…
(4.) ….pointing out that goppers have been consistently WRONG on foreign policy since Lincoln’s assasination, and have yet to utter one word of apology; or…
(5.)….goppers who continually lecture us ignoramuses about “actions have consequences” while whining like little school kids whenever they get caught with their hands in the cookie jar (dukie cunningham, numerous dickwad snake handling wingnut pastors); or ….
….well, you get the idea, Dickie Pope. If hypocricy is the gold standard (as you argue) then goppers take the cake, lamentations, and isolated contrafactuals to the contrary.
Essentially, this means you are a shameless whore, Dick, and your arguments are totally without merit. Personally, you may be a nice guy, but politically, you are an idiot.
What is paying for a “carbon offset” mean?
Let’s see — AlGore pays $30,000 per year for household energy, while I only pay about $1,500 per year.
That means I am saving $28,500 per year in energy useage as compared to AlGore.
So let’s say I decide to charge 10% for my “carbon offsets” in not using $28,500 per year in energy.
AlGore can pay me $2,850 per year for my “carbon offset”, and then pay someone else $150 per year for a much smaller “carbon offset” and …
VOILA — AlGore is carbon neutral!
Janet S. @ 14
With the Republicans in power we get the country looted and driven into the ground and a lower standard of living. In return… bupkiss…we get nothin’ but a dirtier environment and a likely lower environmental standard globaly.
I’ll take the supposed elitists you mention any day over these corrupt bastards running the country now and the bottom 30% who support them and think the world was created 6000 years ago and God plans to take them up bodily into heaven at the imminent end time. The top echelon running the GOP revel in chaos and instability these days because they believe they can reap a reward out of everyone elses suffering and anxiety.. With Gore and Burner’s values I get a hope for cleaner more stable future for my children, instead of gambling everything on someone figuring out a way to make a CO2 vacuum cleaner.
Pope @ 17.
The wild thing is that your average American would trust Gore LESS if he became really really hardcore, like Gov. Gerry Brown sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
Limo Liberals….so funny to watch.
Did you catch all of them at the Oscars? Conratulating themselves on the “green” Oscars?
PLEEEASE!
I drive an SUV. And guess what? I pay more for it everyday.
That is my choice.
The libs do the same, but have the elitist nerve to preach to everyone else that they should be more “green”.
There is no hiding from your hypocrisy on this one…
limosine, private jet, SUV, mansion owning liberals who believe in global warming and environmentalism…
What a joke.
Al Gore is the poster child…
It was fun reading this column.
1) It starts with an assertion that Al Gore pays for twenty times the electric power of the average American home. The only support for the assertion is a right-wing blog.
2) When challenged by John, no one can provide any evidence from a more reliable (less lying) source.
3) Just for the hell of it, janet s. throws in John Kerry’s name, without even offering a lie about how much electricity he pays for.
4) Someone compares Gore’s power bill to the McCaw’s.
5) Pope then says: It’s fine to use a ton of power if you are publically contemptuous of climate change.
6) But nobody has yet offered any reliable evidence that Al Gore uses any electricity at all.