It’s put up or shut up time for soon-to-be-Dr. Al Gore who was formally challenged to defend his well-publicized global warming theories in a debate with a former advisor to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
As reported by PR Newswire (emphasis added throughout):
In a formal invitation sent to former Vice-President Al Gore's Tennessee address and released to the public, Lord Monckton has thrown down the gauntlet to challenge Gore to what he terms "the Second Great Debate," an internationally televised, head-to-head, nation-unto-nation confrontation on the question, "That our effect on climate is not dangerous."
How marvelous. The press release continued:
Monckton, a former policy adviser to Margaret Thatcher during her years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said, "A careful study of the substantial corpus of peer-reviewed science reveals that Mr. Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, is a foofaraw of pseudo-science, exaggerations, and errors, now being peddled to innocent schoolchildren worldwide."
Just spectacular. The release continued:
Monckton calls on the former Vice President to "step up to the plate and defend his advocacy of policies that could do grave harm to the welfare of the world's poor. If Mr. Gore really believes global warming is the defining issue of our time, the greatest threat human civilization has ever faced, then he should welcome the opportunity to raise the profile of the issue before a worldwide audience of billions by defining and defending his claims against a serious, science-based challenge."
Of course, it seems doubtful that Gore will accept Lord Monckton’s offer. After all, this issue has already been decided by a so-called consensus of scientists, correct?
As such, it seems quite simple for Dr. Gore to just say he’s too busy to bother debating “facts.”
Yet, it will be interesting to see if the American media bother covering this challenge, or whether they sweep this under the rug along with most questions about this junk science. After all, their goal must be to preserve the appearance of a consensus at all costs.
As always, we will know in the fullness of time
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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Comments Policy
This is a lose-lose situati
March 19, 2007 - 11:51 ET by DyneThis is a lose-lose situation for Al. If he refuses, he'll lose all credibility. If he accepts, he'll lose the debate and he knows it.
Dyne
March 19, 2007 - 11:56 ET by Noel SheppardDyne,
I don't agree. All he has to do is say that the debate is over, a consensus has been arrived at, and it doesn't make sense for him to waste his time. The media here will completely support him because they think the debate is over, too. ns
The truth will eventually e
March 19, 2007 - 12:00 ET by DyneThe truth will eventually emerge. And the longer it takes, the harder it will hit him in the end.
If he continues to claim the "debate is over," we'll only have more scientists and skeptics coming forth and challenging that.
Noel, I disagree. If Al dosen
March 19, 2007 - 13:07 ET by bassndudeNoel, I disagree. If Al dosent debate, some, not all, but some of the media will report it. But Al will not debate. Al thinks he is a good debater, and he is, but he is not very well informed on this issue. For him, it is simply his income. Al will be bashed for not debating this issue.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Bass
March 19, 2007 - 13:43 ET by Noel SheppardBass,
How are you, bud? Haven't seen you for a while.
Fox will report it. Wash Times will report it. Who else do you think will, and I mean either in prime time, or highly visibly? ns
Help put it in front of the liberals eyes
March 19, 2007 - 15:40 ET by Daniel BakerOn the Liberal site Digg you can vote for the story to be featured below
http://digg.com/politics/Al_Gore_Challenged_to_International_TV_Debate_on_Global_Warming
Noel, I.m good. Thank you. An
March 19, 2007 - 15:51 ET by bassndudeNoel, I.m good. Thank you. And I also think Glenn Beck will bring it out on his TV show. That will pull CNN into the fray. The Daily Oklahoman will report it, and our local CBS station will report it. I know that sounds strange, but you would have to watch these guys. Gary England, the weather guy, will more than likely mention it.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Er. Does Al Gore who used 20x
March 19, 2007 - 12:58 ET by danboEr. Does Al Gore who used 20x's more energy than the rest of us. Al Gore whose reinventing government program transferred oil reserves to an oil company his family owns stock in. Al Gore who profits from a polluting mine. Al Gore for who there was no moral authority for him not to take a bribe from Chinese Nuns. Does he have any credibility?
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
danbo... I think the phrase
March 19, 2007 - 14:34 ET by Tim the Enchanterdanbo... I think the phrase was "no controlling legal authority". That's the argument that one uses when one is caught with one's pants down and one's hand in the till.
I stand corrected."The u
March 19, 2007 - 22:18 ET by danboI stand corrected.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
Hey danbo,I liked Tim's point
March 19, 2007 - 22:22 ET by BlondeHey danbo,
I liked Tim's point.
I'm going to remember it if I ever get supoenaed by the liberal sharks.
Tim's post is a keeper.
Having been supoened a few ti
March 19, 2007 - 22:45 ET by danboHaving been supoened a few times. I wish I had thought of that argument. Think I would face a possible contempt citation if I did.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
GORE GUTS
March 19, 2007 - 13:30 ET by JOEL714I AM AFRAID THAT THE ESTEEMED MR. GORE HAS NEITHER THE GUTS NOR THE FACTS TO ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE. IT IS THE LONGEST OF LONSHOTS THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER THIS DEBATE. HE HAS NOTHING TO GAIN AND EVERYTHING TO LOSE, EXCEPT HIS "OSCAR" AND THAT WILL BE HIS ETERNAL MONUMENT TO IGNORANCE AND VANITY.
I agree with you, dyne. And
March 19, 2007 - 14:37 ET by GalvanicI agree with you, dyne. And should he debate, there'd be another loser, too: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts. Afterall, for very political purposes, they awarded an Oscar to Prince Albert and company for Best Documentary. If Monckton shoots Gore's film full of holes, the Academy's image of integrity --- if indeed, it was ever perceived to have any --- will be shattered.
As for Gore's skills as a debater, he sure came off pretty weak against Bush Jr. in 2000. Gore is a bona fide dork, and not a quick thinker (let alone, an effective speaker).
Milli Vanilli had to return t
March 19, 2007 - 15:31 ET by Hero SquadMilli Vanilli had to return their Grammy awards when it was revealed that their content was a fraud.
Will Mr. Gore eventually have to do the same?
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
I agree with you, dyne. And
March 19, 2007 - 14:39 ET by Galvanic(dupe entry)
algore
March 19, 2007 - 11:54 ET by DontabGorbal warming is a sickness, not a science.
Algore
March 19, 2007 - 12:06 ET by iveseenitallAlgore and the media are ignorant on this subject. I agree, they will get together and stonewall any debate. Their defense is that the debate is over. Algore and the media will, as always, ignore the "facts" and support only their "feelings". Al has nothing to fear by declining.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
I really will be seeing eleph
March 19, 2007 - 12:33 ET by Dave RI really will be seeing elephants flying by my window before I will see Al in a one-on-one debate on this subject.
No way Al shows up for this. No way.
This republic will not survive the continued neglect of its people.- Neal Boortz.
Unfortunately, probably tru
March 19, 2007 - 12:37 ET by dervishUnfortunately, probably true. But if Gore does take the bait, I'd pay good money to see it.
If he doesn't accept, one w
March 19, 2007 - 12:48 ET by wiwfIf he doesn't accept, one word defines Al Gore, made popular by my generation's college culture: "Puss-ayyyyyyyy!"
Or better yet....
March 19, 2007 - 12:49 ET by joshuapchaseI'd pay some good carbon credits to see it (and do my part!)
Chicken-Little will chicken o
March 19, 2007 - 12:51 ET by mattmChicken-Little will chicken out. He can't afford to allow his position to be questioned. This is true of all Leftist issues - debate is not allowed.
The media will sweep this under the rug if they possibly can, because they also have a stake in preventing debate - in fact, that's the essence of their bias.
My oh my. Is this the same Al
March 19, 2007 - 13:31 ET by midnight cowboyMy oh my. Is this the same Algore who was crowned the king of debaters when he allegedly swept the floor with Ross Perot on the NAFTA debate breoadcast on Larry King Live? I would think he would jump at the opportunity. These were the same people who were calling Bush 41 a chicken in 1992 when he was being non commital to a debate. They were saying at the time a chicken has no lips (as in reference to his "read my lips" pledge). Well AL, you are a pussy because a pussy has no balls.
What's that in Algore's hand?
March 19, 2007 - 13:52 ET by iveseenitallWhat's that in Algore's hand? Tipping a little too much with Tipper lately, Al?
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Not same standard
March 19, 2007 - 17:07 ET by Blogger Guy00001Al won't be held to any kind of standard by the mainstream media.
He will get the same free pass that he and other liberals get all the time.