Two Views of Al Gore

Cenk Uygur has a post Al Gore Was Right where he cites a speech from Sept 23, 2002 that Gore gave about Iraq and got all the problems right. Combine that with his Global Warming work and he asks "How right does a man have to be before we start listening to him? Or pick him to be our next leader?"

Meanwhile Paul Mirengoff writes Al Gore -- as phony as ever where he calls Gore "one of the great hypocrites of our time" because he took tobacco contributions after his vow to take on the tobacco industry after his sister's death from lung cancer; uses lots of energy in his large home; and now about a Zinc mine on his land.

Mirengoff wrote: "Now we learn that this alleged environmentalist has collected more than $500,000 in royalties from the owners of zinc mines who held mineral leases on his farm near Carthage, Tennessee. Apparently, before the mines closed in 2003, they emitted thousands of pounds of toxic substances. On several occasions, moreover, the water discharged from the mines into nearby rivers had levels of toxins above what was legal. The mines now have a new owner and are set to reopen this year."

If you read the story he links to and watch the little video the message is different. "Al Gore Jr. received more than $500,000 in royalties from the owners of zinc mines who held mineral leases on his farm near Carthage, Tenn. Now the mines have a new owner and are scheduled to reopen later this year. Before the mines closed in 2003, they emitted thousands of pounds of toxic substances and several times, the water discharged from the mines into nearby rivers had levels of toxins above what was legal. State environmental officials say the mine has had a good environmental record and there is no evidence of unusual health problems in the area. But the mine's reopening again raises concerns about threats to the environment."

Note what they are doing, spreading FUD. The state environmental officials say the mine had a good environmental record and reported only minor issues. This becomes "they emitted thousands of pounds of toxic substances and several times, the water discharged from the mines into nearby rivers had levels of toxins above what was legal."

Why are right-wing "journalists" such scumbags? I mean really. And why are they going after someone who isn't even a candidate?