Al Gore - Environmentalist by day, Hypocrite by night?

I came across this article, and if true, is rather telling. Apparently, Al Gore and co. is an energy consuming monster. I wonder if he goes off roading in his SUV on weekends as well, that's right before taking his prius to Ivy League lectures.

 http://tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=764

Energy Guzzled by Al Gore's Home in Past Year Could Power 232 U.S. Homes for a Month
Gore's personal electricity consumption up 10%, despite "energy-efficient" home renovations

NASHVILLE - In the year since Al Gore took steps to make his home more energy-efficient, the former Vice President's home energy use surged more than 10%, according to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

"A man's commitment to his beliefs is best measured by what he does behind the closed doors of his own home," said Drew Johnson, President of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research. "Al Gore is a hypocrite and a fraud when it comes to his commitment to the environment, judging by his home energy consumption."

In the past year, Gore's home burned through 213,210 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 232 average American households for a month.

In February 2007, An Inconvenient Truth, a film based on a climate change speech developed by Gore, won an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The next day, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research uncovered that Gore's Nashville home guzzled 20 times more electricity than the average American household.

After the Tennessee Center for Policy Research exposed Gore's massive home energy use, the former Vice President scurried to make his home more energy-efficient. Despite adding solar panels, installing a geothermal system, replacing existing light bulbs with more efficient models, and overhauling the home's windows and ductwork, Gore now consumes more electricity than before the "green" overhaul.

Since taking steps to make his home more environmentally-friendly last June, Gore devours an average of 17,768 kWh per month -1,638 kWh more energy per month than before the renovations - at a cost of $16,533. By comparison, the average American household consumes 11,040 kWh in an entire year, according to the Energy Information Administration.

In the wake of becoming the most well-known global warming alarmist, Gore won an Oscar, a Grammy and the Nobel Peace Prize. In addition, Gore saw his personal wealth increase by an estimated $100 million thanks largely to speaking fees and investments related to global warming hysteria.

"Actions speak louder than words, and Gore's actions prove that he views climate change not as a serious problem, but as a money-making opportunity," Johnson said. "Gore is exploiting the public's concern about the environment to line his pockets and enhance his profile."

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research, a Nashville-based free market think tank and watchdog organization, obtained information about Gore's home energy use through a public records request to the Nashville Electric Service.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (3)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by CenterLeftLiberal, June 19, 2008

Even if Al Gore wastes a lot energy does not mean his messeage should be taken less seriously. Even if he is getting rich of raising awareness, that does not mean raising awareness on global warming isn't a good thing. Dismissing an argument based on the person making it is a fallacy; an ad hominem. As Immnauel Kant put it, judging the argument by the philosopher is about as wise as judging a painting by the looks of the painter.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by Glennsopinions, June 19, 2008

In the army, in business, anything that requires a leadership role, a leader must lead by example to gain respect. A true leader knows this. One who has never led does not.

Ed Begley, Jr is worth far more money than Al Gore, yet, he practices what he preaches. Al Gore does not.

http://www.edbegley.com/

Even President Bush's home is more environmentally friendly.

http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0429-03.htm

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by CenterLeftLiberal, June 19, 2008

Yes, leaders have to behave that way becuase people easily fall prey to fallacies, especially Ad hominems. That doesn't make these fallacies any less, well, fallacious. If you disagree w/ Gore or wish to discredit his arguments do not do so because he is wasteful in his personal life. Judge arguments based on their own merits... again mind the analogy Kant used. That fact that people often fail to seperate ideas from those who make them (and leaders need to take this shortcoming into consideration) is not excuse to enage in fallacious thinking oneself.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0