Al Gore: greatest person in history?

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SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: IgorFL
I find it difficult to proclaim a person who received F's in 5 of the 8 classes he took in Vanderbilt's Divinity School and was unable to finish Vanderbilt Law School a "great person."

His "documentary" is so riddled with errors, it would never stand up to academic scrutiny. But then again, that's why he cavorts around Hollywood and dubious honors such as the Nobel Prize.

P.S. If you want to have a serious vote concerning the "most well-rounded person" in history, Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau need to be two of the choices.
So because someone didn't do well in school, they're not a "great person" now? Incredibly narrow minded thinking, considering many greats didn't excel in college (look at FDR's law school record).

His documentary is still approved for showing in schools due to its incredible overall theme/message, albeit the judge in Britain ruled that there were 9 errors and teachers should tell students about them. It still stands up to academic scrutiny on most of its arguments, have you even read An Inconvenient Truth? Assault on Reason and the global warming chapter?

Thomas Jefferson would be one of your choices? Although commending him in Assault on Reason on various constitutional issues, Gore specifically wondered how Jefferson could promote personal liberty/freedom yet indulge in and advocate slavery. If you want to talk hypocritical: Jefferson is much higher on the list than Al Gore's "electricity consumption" which is more than offset by his efforts. There is a significant difference - Jefferson had the power to end slavery, but chose not to due to the political clout and personal gain (see: sexual servitude lol) it afforded him. He was a great man, but not the "greatest" in my book.

Gore's efforts including recent global Live Earth concerts to raise environmental awareness, his TV Channel that promotes an interactive and open discussion of ideas among young people, his ideas in his books on global warming/political ideas, and his work done in charity, technology promotion, and politics easily solidify him as one of the most intellectual people of the past 100 years. If you define intellect, sacrifice, positivity, and inspiration as "great", then yes he is in my top 5. He has definitely provided a fresh breath in the face of adversity, even after a devastating loss for the presidency in 2000. Only great men can come back from such a defeat to better themselves and the world to the extent of a winning the Nobel.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
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Originally posted by: IgorFL
I find it difficult to proclaim a person who received F's in 5 of the 8 classes he took in Vanderbilt's Divinity School and was unable to finish Vanderbilt Law School a "great person."

His "documentary" is so riddled with errors, it would never stand up to academic scrutiny. But then again, that's why he cavorts around Hollywood and dubious honors such as the Nobel Prize.

P.S. If you want to have a serious vote concerning the "most well-rounded person" in history, Thomas Jefferson and Jean-Jacques Rousseau need to be two of the choices.

That's some poor reasoning. School only prepares you for the real world. It's practice. The real world is what counts. A lot of all-time greats did poorly at some point in school, but excelled later on.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
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while Gore is a hypricrite what he is saying is important.


we are spending money to improve the house. new windows, new heater, new ac (soon), we try to limit driving . useing low power lights , wood burning stove in the winter etc.

I know a few that are building new houses and trying ot make them as efficiant as possible. even spending more to have the house done as needed.


saying that i have no respect for Gore. he uses far more electricity, gas then we do in a year. hell even 2 years. he preaches saving gas and uses a private jet.

BUT glad someone like him that many look up to is talking about it. i just wish he really live dhow he preached.
 

PlatinumGold

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
23,168
0
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Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: LoKe
Perhaps Mr. Johnson's organization would care to compare Al Gore's carbon footprint to that of others with 10,000 square foot homes.

That's some really poor logic there.

That's like someone saying that their 8,000 lb mega-SUV gets better gas mileage than most other 8,000 lb mega-SUVs, therefore making them "environmentally conscious".

Sure, his 10,000 sq ft home has a lower footprint than most other 10,000 sq foot homes, but why does an environmentalist want or need a house that large?

Should we give up all of our comforts for the sake of the planet?

You don't suggest that an environmentalist living in a normal sized house instead of an energy-guzzling 10,000 sq ft mansion is "giving up all of his comforts", do you?

If someone is going to make something their cause, they better be prepared to lead by example. Maybe I should become an activist for cars with better fuel economy. I can sell my 30 mpg Mazda Protege and buy a 6 mpg Hummer. Or maybe I'll become a vegan activist. If you're interested in my ideas you can find me at Outback Steakhouse. I'll be protesting the lack of butter on my Porterhouse.

hehehehe, sarcasm meter not found.


but seriously, the gore camp also makes the argument that their house also serves as offices for VP Gore and for Tipper Gore. hence, their carbon footprint is smaller. it's not an entirely invalid argument.
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,967
140
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..greatest racketeer. right along side Al Capone. And he's got all you guys fooled.
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,967
140
106
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Not even close.

Al gore is a politician, therefore he is at the bottom of the list.


..my hat's off to him. he's going to institutionalize a hoax and has positioned him self to laugh all the way to the bank. we should all be so lucky.

 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
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Greatest man of all time? Hardly. Very accomplished? Certainly. Gore has been very successful in a lot of different things - and as much as he's mocked for the internet thing, he actually has been pretty influential in the technology world.
 

paulxcook

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
4,277
1
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This thread gave me a laugh. I hope no one in this thread is actually seriously arguing that Al Gore is the greatest person in history.