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Break Stuff to Save the Planet: Gore

Former VP endorses civil disobedience against climate change

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 6, 2009 4:15 PM CST

(Newser) – Al Gore says nonviolent disruption of polluters and airports is justified considering the grave threat posed by climate change. "Civil disobedience has an honorable history, and when the urgency and moral clarity cross a certain threshold, then I think that civil disobedience is quite understandable, and it has a role to play," Gore tells the Guardian. "And I expect that it will increase, no question about it."

The former VP and global-warming crusader is confident that the Senate will pass a climate bill before the Copenhagen summit, which he expects President Obama to personally attend—but he was speaking before new reports that a time-intensive cost-benefit analysis may postpone the Senate's work until after the summit. Gore hinted at "surprises" coming from the Senate, drawing on confidential talks between Republicans and Democrats to which he's been privy.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore addresses the audience, on the second day of the 'Leaders in Dubai' conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tuesday Oct. 27, 2009.
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore addresses the audience, on the second day of the 'Leaders in Dubai' conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tuesday Oct. 27, 2009.
Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore poses for a photo before signing copies of his new book Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis, in New York Nov. 4, 2009.
Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore poses for a photo before signing copies of his new book "Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis," in New York Nov. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 26 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 9, 2009 12:18 PM CST
There's going to be civil disobedience. I just hope its for just and forward thinking causes. It could just as easily be for stupidity like middle class and poor people voting for billionaires to deprive them of healthcare; Or for politicians to send them to war; Or for rich bankers to get richer by repossessing their homes. It is amazing how people can be suckered into hitting the streets on matters which are against the own best interests.
rajanKazhmin
Nov 8, 2009 2:00 AM CST
Your stupidity is almost poetic.
cornelison
Nov 7, 2009 12:22 PM CST
Peaceful civil disobedience is what I think Gore is referring to. It's similar to what The President said, "Change comes from the bottom up." Judging from the atmosphere in D.C., most people thee do not like change.

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