Al Gore is currently in Australia speaking on climate change, where he has launched a “passionate attack on the climate policies of Prime Minister John Howard and US President George Bush.” Yesterday, he spoke to a sold-out crowd of more than 700 people, and tomorrow’s event is anticipated to have similar attendance. From his speech yesterday:
I said it in Australia before and I will say it again, if Australia ratifies Kyoto, it is like Australia and the United States are Bonnie and Clyde in the world of environment.
And if Clyde is isolated and Bonnie has gone straight, Clyde won’t really be able to resist any more.
But according to the event organizer, Max Markson, Prime Minister John Howard’s Liberal Party has prohibited its members from attending the events:
Event organiser Markson says while he sent invitations to Liberals from the Prime Minister down, only one accepted and then promptly cancelled.
“There is absolutely an official boycott in place. We had one NSW Liberal MP [agree to come] and he had to ring back and apologise and say he wasn’t allowed to come,” says Markson.
Howard has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the truth of global warming. When Gore visited Australia in 2006 to promote his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, Howard refused to meet with him. Though he did eventually view the film, he dismissed it as “alright” and said, “I don’t take policy advice from films.”
Not surprisingly, Howard is a steadfast Bush ally. Earlier this month, he stated, “We have no closer alliance with any country in the world than we have with the United States.” Howard, whom Bush has called his “mate of steel,” joined Bush in refusing to sign the Kyoto protocol on climate change. They remain the only major industrialized nations to stay out of the international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Howard is facing strong disapproval from the Australian public, the majority of whom view climate change as the number one external threat to the country. They are also increasingly frustrated with Howard’s unwavering support for Bush’s war in Iraq, with 57 percent wanting the war to end.
One poll previewing the upcoming parliamentary elections showed Howard losing his own seat by seven points, and overall, his Liberal Party is losing 43-57 to the opposition Labor party.

Prime Minister John Howard’s Liberal Party have prohibited its members from attending the events
Huh. If they’re all gonna bow down to PM Howard, what’s the use for them? Fire them all and let Howard vote 43 times (or whatever).
September 19th, 2007 at 4:36 pmthe liberal party? that is like Tony Blair the fascist in training being head of the Labor Party in Britain. What odd names they give themselves to hide their real goals. Liberal is right wing to Aussies?
September 19th, 2007 at 4:37 pmGreat Americans: Global Warming Theory… comedy gold. Thanks.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:40 pmIf you both wear coats like that in public, you damn well better agree on almost everything else…
September 19th, 2007 at 4:40 pmComment by oldtree — September 19, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
How funny. I was just thinking “liberal” must not be a dirty word in Australia. Maybe it has to do with that whole “the toilet water swirls in the opposite direction” phenomenon
September 19th, 2007 at 4:41 pmCaption:
We must destroy the Jedis…
September 19th, 2007 at 4:41 pmPerhaps Howard has become Bush’s New Pet Poodle since Tony Blair is gone?
September 19th, 2007 at 4:44 pmThey’re dressed like Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:44 pmThey both look like idiotic clowns in this photo, too.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:44 pmBreaking: Less Than Half of all Published Scientists Endorse Global Warming Theory
Comment by Great Americans — September 19, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
From the linked blog:
6% Rejects the consensus. 94% do not. Seems pretty straightforward to me.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:45 pmCaption contest:
“So where’s the rest of our parade unit?”
September 19th, 2007 at 4:45 pmcandyce: I love it! You beat me to it. I knew they reminded me of something I’d seen. The Sorcer and His Puppet Apprentice!
September 19th, 2007 at 4:45 pmcaption:
Howard: “It hurts when I pee…”
September 19th, 2007 at 4:47 pmGeorge: “Now you tell me…”
Caption:
“Step to the left, then forward 2 steps… damn, I never knew Waltzing Matilda was so hard to Waltz”
September 19th, 2007 at 4:47 pm“But according to the event organizer, Max Markson, Prime Minister John Howard’s Liberal Party have prohibited its members from attending the events.”
What in the world are they afraid of?
September 19th, 2007 at 4:49 pmhe didn’t want them dying of boredom during the speech.
Comment by r
Yet he has his troops in Iraq…
September 19th, 2007 at 4:51 pmGreat Americans:
Mandate and Membership of the IPCC
Recognizing the problem of potential global climate change, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. It is open to all members of the
UN and WMO.
I dont think I see Gore there…
September 19th, 2007 at 4:55 pmAnd Repubublicans ban their own from attending the Special Olympics.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:55 pmI guess that Howard has given up all hope of being re-elected. Add this to his Bush ass-kissing stand on Iraq, Howard is toast.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:56 pmGO HOWARD!!! It will be sad if we lose him like Tony Blair.
Comment by Jake D. — September 19, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Jake, you say your not a Republican, then you say ‘WE” when referring to Howards liberal party.
I mean really, wth?
September 19th, 2007 at 4:57 pmNice spin Luis. Try your math again. Most studies were inconclusive and adding the 6% that reject it, that leaves the majority do not accept the hypothesis that Gore seem to be trying to portray as fact.
Comment by Great Americans — September 19, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
Woah there, cowboy. In science there’s definitely a difference between a) reaching inconclusive evidence, and b) not accepting an hypothesis. Absence of evidence is not the same thing as evidence of absence.
It kind of sucks when scientific evidence doesn’t support your false belief system.
Comment by Great Americans — September 19, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Sweet, be sure to tell that to the Creationists…
September 19th, 2007 at 4:57 pmIt kind of sucks when scientific evidence doesn’t support your false belief system.
Comment by Great Americans
Yeah, I know…it would be great to create WMDs out of nowhere in order to invade a country which has a lot of oil. I mean, the first thing we could do would be topple one of their presidents statues and put our flag on it. Then we would seize the oil ministry…you know, to help people.
Oh, wait a second…
September 19th, 2007 at 4:57 pmIt kind of sucks when scientific evidence doesn’t support your false belief system.
Comment by Great Americans — September 19, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Yeah, its kind of the way I feel about religion.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:57 pmIt kind of sucks when scientific evidence doesn’t support your false belief system.
Comment by Great Americans
You are 100% correct. Scientific evidence doesn’t support your false belief that there is no such thing as global warming.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:58 pmI mean really, wth?
Comment by Xisithrus
Or who the hell cares is more appropiate.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:58 pmGO HOWARD!!! It will be sad if we lose him like Tony Blair.
Comment by Jake D. — September 19, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Your reading disabilities are showing again….
Howard is about to lose the upcoming election. The majority of Australians are not happy with him at all.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:59 pmNo one is arguing there are shifts in global temperatures, what is in question is scientific evidence showing man has any affect to change it in either direction.
The only people who question are the people who accept only the scientific evidence published by non-peer reviewed “scientists” and “scientists” for the fossil fuel industry.
So tell me GM (I will not call you by your moniker because you certainly are NOT a Great American), are you willing to bet the lives of your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that you are right?
I wouldn’t. Even if I believed the anti-global warming “evidence”, I would still want to do something about our polluting the environment on the slim chance that global warming was caused by man. I would not be willing to risk the lives of my family.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:02 pmIt kind of sucks when scientific evidence doesn’t support your false belief system. Comment by Great Americans
From the URL you posted.
In 2004, history professor Naomi Oreskes performed a survey of research papers on climate change
Medical researcher Dr. Klaus-Martin Schulte recently updated this research
While today we are even more certain the earth is warming, we are less certain about the root causes.
I dont know what your belief is GA, and these non-climate folks dont seem to either.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:04 pmI mean “we†as in Americans dedicated to the Iraqi war and freedom around the world.
So when do we invade China?
OFF-TOPIC:
When is TP going to post a thread about O.J. Simpson?
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/ archive/ years/ 2007/ 0919071oj1.html
Comment by Jake D. — September 19, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
If you need your OJ fix best to go here The adults aren’t interested.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:08 pmI mean “we†as in Americans dedicated to the Iraqi war and freedom around the world. -Jake D.
Iraq, for the Nth time, has never been declared a war, Jake.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:09 pmHoward and GDumbya are like Bonnie and Clyde?
No. I’d say they’re more like Laverne and Shirley. It sure looks like it in that picture, too.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:10 pmWhen is TP going to post a thread about O.J. Simpson? -Jake D.
When is Jake gonna figure out this isnt the National Enquirer?
September 19th, 2007 at 5:11 pmIt just reminded me of Big Al doing the Macarena. That was some funny self parody.
Comment by r
That was a good atempt of comedy. But I will let you know when I give a f*ck about Dems.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:12 pmCaption Contest:
“Don’t worry DUHbya. It was just a flock of sea gulls and our band uniforms will wash.”
September 19th, 2007 at 5:13 pmCSPAN 2 - Reid is speaking in advance of the Webb Amendment vote which is coming up in 10 minutes.
Sorry for the off topic, but I know most of you care.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:14 pmWow, Bush and Howard in their best Howdy Doody Clarabelle cow uniforms!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:18 pmCaption Contest:
[Howard and George singing]
Were turning japanese, we really think so.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:20 pmHave fun, Howard while your already arid country shrivels to dust and blows away. Throw another roo on the barbie, mate.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:21 pmWe’re talking about government getting involved with mandating what type of car I drive
If you’re enraptured with your gas guzzling, super polluting SUV, then yes, the effing government needs to tell you what kind of a car to drive, because you’re too stupid to figure it out for yourself.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:25 pmCaption:
\/\/: I had a dream where I went out in public with my jammies on.
|-|: Me too….
~~~~~~~~~~
We’re talking about government getting involved with mandating what type of car I drive. -GA
They pretty much already do: Catalytic convertors and air bags and crash tests, mileage regulations, speed regulations, dont forget to put on your seat belt!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:29 pmIf Howard is a “Librul”, I’d hate to see what Australia’s right wingers are like.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:29 pm‘The long-term increase in solar irradiance is heating both Earth and Mars,’ Abdussamatov said.†-GA
Back to the Mars thing again?
September 19th, 2007 at 5:33 pmGusty winds are sweeping away dust and making Mars’s surface darker, contributing to planetary warming, experts say.
news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070404-mars-warming.htm
Unless China and India are required to reduce their emissions the same amount as the USA, we should NEVER sign that junk. China is the worlds LARGEST polluter when it comes to greenhouse gases. The whole thing is a joke if they are allowed to kill the world while it is somehow so vital the USA needs to reduce emissions. We either join together or nothing.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:33 pmGood. Gore is so one-sided in his beliefs that it borders on the ridiculous. He is making big money with his monopoly of selling green credits.
Breaking: Less Than Half of all Published Scientists Endorse Global Warming Theory
Comment by Great Americans
===============================
Let’s take a look at the link “Great Americans” provided:
Breaking: Less Than Half of all Published Scientists Endorse Global Warming Theory
August 29, 2007
Posted by Matthew_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (4:45pm ET)
Last week in his blog post, New Peer-Reviewed Scientific Studies Chill Global Warming Fears, on the Inhofe EPW Press Blog…
——
September 19th, 2007 at 5:34 pm“The Inhofe EPW Press Blog”!
Got that?
“Inhofe”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHA
“Inhofe”!
Hey GA maybe we can get the Mars Rovers to stop the wind from blowing the dust around mars and cover them dark heat absorbing areas!
You know dark areas do that, like this:
September 19th, 2007 at 5:38 pmhttp://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ Newsroom/ NasaNews/ 1999/ 19990324203.html
The three-year analysis of Atlanta’s land-use temperature and air-quality found that large urban areas like Atlanta are warmed to create their own “heat islands.” The heat islands are created by removal of trees, addition of tall buildings and paving of land. During the day, dark materials like asphalt and roofing absorb heat and hold it long after the Sun sets, maintaining higher temperatures than rural areas.
When Gore can reduce the warming occuring on Mars then, and only then, will I believe his socialistic power grab. You lost the election Gore, deal with it.
Links
According to National Geographic: “Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of the St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia, says the Mars data is evidence that the current global warming on Earth is being caused by changes in the sun.
Comment by Great Americans
=====================================
So if you’re a right winger, you don’t get your Earth climate information from Climatologists, you get them from Russian Astronomers.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:39 pmAnd worse still, you get your propaganda from the Inhofe EPW Press Blog.
Yeah, that Inhofe…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA
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Comment by Great Americans — September 19, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
You’re really whacked. Gore won the election, kennedy and SCOTUS stole it from his, that’s now a proven, and embarrassing, fact. And if you want to rely on some crazed Russian’s take on global warming, so be it. You’re wrong about everything else, might as well extend your streak.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:41 pmYou can drive around in your little Prius while Gore uses more energy than most small communities -GA
I didn’t watch the Gore movie. And I just showed where cities, mankind, DO create heat.
How much energy do you think George used, GA, on his record amount of trips to crawford, at public expense, for vacation?
September 19th, 2007 at 5:43 pmUnless China and India are required to reduce their emissions the same amount as the USA, we should NEVER sign that junk. China is the worlds LARGEST polluter when it comes to greenhouse gases. The whole thing is a joke if they are allowed to kill the world while it is somehow so vital the USA needs to reduce emissions. We either join together or nothing.
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Comment by Roger_Roger — September 19, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Yes, kill your children even sooner, that’ll show ‘em! USA # Polluter! Rah, Rah, Rah!
You’re such a loser, no wonder the GOP is now irrelevant and finished.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:43 pmHeres another interesting thing Great American. Actually quite pretty to see. Noctilucent clouds.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/19feb_nlc.htm
September 19th, 2007 at 5:48 pmWhile greenhouse gases warm Earth’s surface, they actually lower temperatures in the high atmosphere. Thomas notes that noctilucent clouds were first spotted during the Industrial Revolution–a time of rising greenhouse gas production.
“We either join together or nothing.”
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Comment by Roger_Roger
Huh, sounds familiar… oh yeah, you’re either with us or against us.
And nothing is exactly what you will have, R2,
September 19th, 2007 at 5:48 pmno food, no heat, no shelter, no civilization.
How can a political party in a democratic country “prohibit” members from listening to a presentation on any topic at all? And what kind of politicians allow themselves to be bossed around like that? It makes no sense to me at all! What’s Howard going to do if they ignore him, especially since he’s shortly going to be out of power.
Aussies are weirder than I thought.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:48 pmWould you be surprised to know that the total energy expended, from design to junkyard, a Hummer is a better bargain than a Prius? Link
I have seen this and it points directly to the problems of ‘getting it done cheaper’ globalization. The “REAL” costs of products is NOT what the consumer pays. The real costs are hidden in the cheapness of labour and products made in other countries. These real costs are very hard to pin down. I am not aware of a better system as the average consumer would not be able to pay the real costs and producers would have to alter their methods dramatically.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:52 pmHonestly, I don’t understand the reichwingers’ insistence that global warming is a myth…
Don’t they get that it’s better to err on the side of caution in this case?
Fools.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:53 pmIf you truly listen to and read what Gore has to say (and I know you Republicans will do neither) his point is that if everyone does something small, then no one will really have to change their lifestyle in a radical way. Despite the claims from the Right, Gore has never suggested we revert to some sort of radical ultra-hippe lifestyle. Instead we can use and develop technology which will both cause us to be more effecient and create jobs.
What I don’t understand is why the Right is so vehemently opposed to working to end Climate Change. Why would Inhof go through the trouble to have a “Guide to Debunking Global Warming?” What good does it bring? Why couldn’t he simply disagree and spend his time doing something which might actually be helpful. It sickens me how the Right claims to have the moral high ground when they are the same people who have no problem letting the rest of us die.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:56 pmHoward said, “I don’t take policy advice from films.â€
But you take advice from an equally ridiculously dressed unintelligible moron that started a totally unnecessary war in Iraq , that has turned into the single biggest foreign policy blunder in US history ; nothing like being completely aware of the statement you’re making and its ramifications……….
September 19th, 2007 at 5:58 pmGummitch: How can the democratic party “prohibit†members from speaking out against the false claims of man-made global warming, Iraq surge-success, atrocities of abortion, etc. Just look in the mirror…..
Comment by Great Americans — September 19, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
The Democratic party doesn’t need to try and prohibit speaking out on the type of lies and bullshit you’re spewing……..
September 19th, 2007 at 6:00 pmhttp://www.bom.gov.au/ bmrc/ basic/ events/ cloudseeding/
Autralias cloud seeding symposium. Hmm. Doesn’t believe in Global Warming yet wants to alter the weather?
Hey, Great American, what happens when everyone starts cloud seeding?
Cloud theft and cloud wars!!
FRAGRANT HILLS, China — When he’s not tending cherry orchards outside Beijing, Yu Yonggang can be found behind the twin barrels of a 37mm anti-aircraft gun, blasting shells [silver iodide] at passing clouds.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:01 pmhttp://www.usatoday.com/ news/ world/ 2006-06-29-china-rain_x.htm
Yu is one of 37,000 peasants enlisted by the Chinese government to help produce rain in parched areas. The need for rainwater has produced squabbles on the ground. Two years ago, five thirsty cities in Henan province accused each other of “cloud theft” for their efforts to trigger chemically induced showers
Howard meant to say “I don’t take advice from people who know what they’re talking about; I’d rather talk to Bush, he tells me what I want to hear”.
And GA, the democratic party has prohibited speaking out? you’ll have to prove that, and you won’t be able to.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:03 pm“Unless China and India are required to reduce their emissions the same amount as the USA, we should NEVER sign that junk.”
The USA is the lone superpower in the world. It is the leader. Considering this, one would think that the USA should actaully take the lead on this issue and lead by example.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:07 pmDid man really land on the moon or was that faked too? -GA
Is the moon getting hotter?
September 19th, 2007 at 6:08 pmGummitch: How can the democratic party “prohibit†members from speaking out against the false claims of man-made global warming, Iraq surge-success, atrocities of abortion, etc. Just look in the mirror…..
Comment by Great Americans — September 19, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
What planet are you living on? I’ve never ever heard the Democratic Party prohibit any members from speaking out on anything, either at the state or federal level. Try to wrap your head around the whole “democracy” concept.
If you’re going to make absurd claims like this, at least try to document them.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:29 pmOog.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:48 pmThis appears to be the real gwb. All dressed in his texan cowboy garb. The boys back home will connect to his royalty photo opt. Look at them holding hands as if their time was dwindling. They look scared. And rightly so for they may be in the Hague soon.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:49 pmAnd the Aussies, they are can’t believe just what is happening to their country. Much like America will when they awaken to the BS.
Bush is radioactive. He ruined Tony Blair’s political career and now John Howard and his party will go down hard. At least Blair’s party was able to jettison him before the entire party went down. Bush is not content to destroy his own party here in our country. He wants to take the act on the road.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:14 pmcaption:
Howard: “I think I’m finally getting off…”
September 19th, 2007 at 7:34 pmGeorge : “How can you tell?”
Howard: “Well, you’re all blue with silver spots…”
George: “Huh? Everybody’s blue with silver spots,
all the time, right? Right?”
“finalyinsf”, you see this is the problem with your so-called source: your link takes us to the Heartland Institute. Heartland is one of the many phony thinktanks that have been set up and funded by Exxon-Mobile. The people there work for Exxon. You might as well try to debunk the idea that cigarettes cause cancer linking to the Tobacco Institute. Pure, unmitigated distortion and bullshite.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:38 pmAny of ‘em tries to come, Howard personally will Tase ‘em!
September 19th, 2007 at 8:33 pmRoger, while you may be right that recently China has taken the top position of greenhouse gas, it still does not mean America shouldn’t do anything about it. Didn’t your parents ever tell you just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean its ok for you too?
1> America needs to invest in itself, with a govt controlled energy industry with the profits removed. Investing in solar, wind, and even Nuclear energy, until such times as cleaner, safer energy means come along. As for those on the far left fearing Nuclear energy need to realize fossil fuels, gathering of such, and wars over such has killed and simply made ill more people than all the Nuclear accidents combined. And we have over 50 years of experimenting with splitting atoms. And at this point we have few other choices.
2> Jobs created from this can be just as good paying as those in the private sector. This invests in America. While keeping our heating and fueling our vehicle costs down, by taking HUGE corporate profits out. Capitalism and Socialism can co-exist.
3> Technology should be researched by colleges, and any business that will sign a contract stating any new technology belongs to the citizens of the USA, and they are allowed to make a maximum of _% of profits from such technology. The rest of the “profits” are re-invested in America, not some CEO buying yet another Yacht and Summer home.
Who are we going to by those super efficient solar panels from? Japan? India? China? Europe? I hope their made right here in the good ole USA, roger why do you hate America?
——
GA mumbled something about the government mandating what you drive.. Wrongo-Bucko stop listening to Rush.
We need the government nudging corporations to convert to hybrid, and all electric vehicles. As well as meeting better fuel efficiency standards, (did you know China has better standards than America?) and if you’re going to drive a gas guzzling SUV, we’ll you’re going to be taxed for it, to build a national, self sufficient network of energy creation.
America needs to build it’s “Grid” of alternate energy now. Research Peak oil, it’s only going to cost more in the future to build the technology to maintain our lives.
September 19th, 2007 at 8:34 pmHoward suffers from chronic short-term thinking.
He thinks pleasing George Bush is the same thing as being a good friend to America.
Bush will be out of office soon, but Australia suffers the legacy of having encouraged Bush to invade Iraq and ignore Kyoto.
Howard was re-elected in 2004 on the basis of “keeping interest rates low”. I think he meant “keeping the rate of interest in reality low”.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:06 pmNice post.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:13 amIf Bush is no hypocrit, then he should sign Jenna & Barbara up to serve in the military in his messianic quest for oil. He makes no personal sacrifice for the mess he’s made, he’s only busy counting his money as a war profiteer. He’s a pathetic excuse for a commander in chief.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:38 pm