Dear Glennia, I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is even more meaningful because I have the honor of sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change--the world's pre-eminent scientific body devoted to improving our understanding of the climate crisis--a group whose members have worked tirelessly and selflessly for many years. We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level. My wife, Tipper, and I will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the award to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a bipartisan non-profit organization that is devoted to changing public opinion in the U.S. and around the world about the urgency of solving the climate crisis. Thank you, Al Gore |
Dear Al:
Thanks for your note. Congratulations! You and Tipper must be so proud of all that you have accomplished this year. I'm proud of you for turning lemons into lemonade, and making this your life's work. I'm proud of you for donating the money to a group that does such good work. I was deeply disappointed that The Supreme Court didn't elect you President in 2000, since as you well know, they were the deciders back then and not the American people.
Al, there is one thing you can do for me. You can endorse your friend John Edwards for President. You and he have been talking regularly, and I know that you nearly selected him for your running mate in 2000. The two of you see eye-to-eye on environmental policy, and I admire you both for it.
You might be worried about what the Democratic machine might think if you don't endorse the wife of your former boss. No worries. Just tell them they can kiss your shiny Nobel prize (and Oscar and Emmy). You're in a position to influence the election, even if you don't want to be in the race yourself. There are a lot of people who would like to see you jump in, but I think you're better off where you are. Right now, you're sitting pretty as a private citizen, making a real difference around the globe on one very critical issue for all. I think you need to keep focused and "stay the course" on global warming. Our children are depending on you to keep inspiring people, and keep doing the work you're doing.
So, Al, as a mom and citizen and someone who voted for you (not that it counted), I'm asking you to do the right thing and endorse John Edwards. He needs a little help right now, and I think you're the man to give it. An endorsement from you would go a long way toward getting people to take his environmental proposals seriously.
Best to you and the family,
As another mom who voted for you (and quite upset that it did not count), I also ask you to endorse John Edwards!!
Posted by: Beth B | October 13, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Me, too, Al. And you know that's a hard one for me to ask, because I was sure you were going to run. And if you had -- I'd have been there. But I've moved on and I'd like you to endorse Edwards.
Posted by: PunditMom | October 14, 2007 at 04:29 PM