tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post116214456013591838..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: EXCLUSIVE: Al Gore Joins British GovernmentIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162378383718999052006-11-01T10:53:00.000+00:002006-11-01T10:53:00.000+00:00Paging Richard Dale, paging Richard Dale ... whil...Paging Richard Dale, paging Richard Dale ... whilst awaiting your further pearls of wisdom, I have another question. On BBC Radio 4 "Today" this morning, we heard <A HREF="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/international/uranium_20061101.shtml" REL="nofollow">Angus Stickler's report on depleted uranium munitions</A>. They have been described as "weapons of indiscriminate effect": they are dangerously carcinogenic. In Iraq there has been a sudden increase in cancers and babies born with birth defects. I suspect that those Iraqi civilians born deformed or who have developed cancer would not be comforted by being told that the <I>radiation would be less than that from say a nuclear test on a Pacific Island</I>.indigohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016153810542371398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162275588460884842006-10-31T06:19:00.000+00:002006-10-31T06:19:00.000+00:00richard dale, I am sure the world-wide radiation w...richard dale, <I>I am sure the world-wide radiation would be less than that from say a nuclear test on a Pacific Island. </I><BR/><BR/>Could I ask you to make a similar comment with reference to/comparison with Chernobyl?indigohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016153810542371398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162275412476749672006-10-31T06:16:00.000+00:002006-10-31T06:16:00.000+00:00Thank you, Richard Dale. Can I point out though t...Thank you, Richard Dale. Can I point out though that, when an occurrence as spectacular and - obviously - destructive as the Camp Falcon fire is not coolly analysed and explained in those media whom we do trust, then people will wonder if something really bad is being kept from them. It was just a headline in the MSM, with a claim of very light casulties. But anyone with access to the web can find out more - but not enough "more". I first saw one of the amateur films on a posting on the arrse.co.uk forum, and then I began to suspect that the (US and Iraqi) lives lost must be more than the handful reported. The other film I found on a blog; the explosion seen about 3:58 into the video filmed from 11 miles distant is self-evidently out of the ordinary. The human brain is hard-wired to try to make sense of things and will go on attempting to do so even in a news blackout. Woe betide the Government who lied to its electorate.indigohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016153810542371398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162248223780113612006-10-30T22:43:00.000+00:002006-10-30T22:43:00.000+00:00IndigoDepleted Uranium is not what you seem to thi...Indigo<BR/><BR/>Depleted Uranium is not what you seem to think it is. It is radiactive anywhere near to the levels of the by-products of nuclear power or of a nuclear explosion. The greater proportion would not be turned into any type of dust that might be transported in the air, certainly not into a gas. Remember depleted uranium rounds are not explosive (that's the point - they penetrate armour by kinetic energy, hence the need for the density of DU).<BR/><BR/>I am sure the world-wide radiation would be less than that from say a nuclear test on a Pacific Island.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162244117648398862006-10-30T21:35:00.000+00:002006-10-30T21:35:00.000+00:00anonymous 5:42 - But it's OK because he is saving ...anonymous 5:42 - But it's OK because he is saving the world and mankind. It is not OK for you or "the little people" to take extra trips in their car, though. He is a typical lefty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162241447801719582006-10-30T20:50:00.000+00:002006-10-30T20:50:00.000+00:00Call me an old cynic but I am becoming more and mo...Call me an old cynic but I am becoming more and more suspicious about this sudden development. Are there any scientists tracking the effect on the ionosphere of the immense fire at Camp Falcon (just south of Baghdad's Green Zone) armaments store on the night of 10/11 October, when around 315 US troops and more than 100 Iraqis died, and over USD 1 billion's worth of armaments went up in smoke - including, according to some reports, depleted uranium munitions. <A HREF="http://piglipstick.blogspot.com/2006/10/news-blackout-on-major-disaster-near.html<br/>" REL="nofollow">This video was filmed from a point 11 miles away from Camp Falcon</A>. At 3:58 into the film there is an *enormous* explosion. This is another, <A HREF="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1410660598904719984&pr=goog-sl" REL="nofollow">amateur, video of the fire made by a US soldier</A>.<BR/><BR/>My point is that Blair is doing this now to distract us or make us blame global warming for something that was actually caused by tons and tons of radioactive gases being released into the atmosphere (to blow around the world) from Camp Falcon three weeks ago.indigohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016153810542371398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162230120407966082006-10-30T17:42:00.000+00:002006-10-30T17:42:00.000+00:00And he'll be commuting between the UK and USA wit...And he'll be commuting between the UK and USA with his entourage of staff, will he?<BR/>Oh, the irony of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162220984026922942006-10-30T15:09:00.000+00:002006-10-30T15:09:00.000+00:00Thank you, Richard Dale. An opinion, at last, fro...Thank you, Richard Dale. An opinion, at last, from a real scientist, not a science-illiterate politician.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162220053033301262006-10-30T14:54:00.000+00:002006-10-30T14:54:00.000+00:00"As to the quality of his insight and knowledge I ..."As to the quality of his insight and knowledge I am not qualified to judge. Are you?"<BR/><BR/>I don't know about Verity, but I am more qualified than Gore is to judge - I have a science degree from a very good university, my main subject being Earth Sciences, probably the most relevant bachelor degree to the issue.<BR/><BR/>I can tell you that Gore is presenting over-simplified, out-dated, controversial science as if it was absolute fact. Unfortunately it fits with the narative the media has been presenting, and certain scientists trying to protect their funding have not helped (like the head of the Royal Society making anti-scientific press briefings). The politicians have been swept into this, and basically over-simplified facts are all the media and politicians ever want.<BR/><BR/>He might, as Glasshouse says, be a PR coup, but I don't want my country to be run by PR coup. I see that as <I>negative</I> point - the appointment smells strongly of PR rather than actually trying to get something done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162219394537921682006-10-30T14:43:00.000+00:002006-10-30T14:43:00.000+00:00Here's what Melanie Phillips has to say about the ...Here's what Melanie Phillips has to say about the "global warming" con: http://www.melaniephillips.com/articles-new/?p=460Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162217100499790642006-10-30T14:05:00.000+00:002006-10-30T14:05:00.000+00:00"a) Does he actually know very much about his chos..."a) Does he actually know very much about his chosen subject?"<BR/><BR/>He knows bugger all, but then Blair, who appointed him knows bugger all, as well. Here's a headline in today's Telegraph: <BR/><BR/>"Prime Minister warns of disatrous consequences of global warming." The arrogance is breathtaking. The ignorance sends one reeling. He knows less than nothing about anything, never mind anything as complicated as the science disciplines that would be involved in coming to this conclusion. He didn't even know Britain had a Bill of Rights. He has an IQ of around 90.<BR/><BR/>When he makes a moronic statement of this ilk, someone should force him to answer this question: "Who told you so?" so we can know which vested interest Tony Blair is listening to (and being slipped a bung by).<BR/><BR/>It's only the left that are touting this line, and it's because they are trying to downscale civilisation and progress to the level of an aboriginal somewhere (whose culture is equally valuable to our own).<BR/><BR/>As for why Al Gore - Tony, as ever, seeks to consort with the very rich - and Al Gore is very rich indeed - with an eye to future earnings. Everything he does in the great office of Prime Minister is with his eye on future earnings.<BR/><BR/>God,I hope Scotland Yard gets him! As an ex-con his appeal would vaporise. He'd have to become new best friends with that Ozzie conman who helped Cherie, Peter someone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162214602791287312006-10-30T13:23:00.000+00:002006-10-30T13:23:00.000+00:00Yeah, well. Brown knows a bandwagon when he sees o...Yeah, well. Brown knows a bandwagon when he sees one especially if it's shaped like a lifeboat.Prodicushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18024865482933469271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162211994626412892006-10-30T12:39:00.002+00:002006-10-30T12:39:00.002+00:00Gore has recently discovered a significant, hereto...Gore has recently discovered a significant, heretofore unknown, cause of global warming - cigarette smoking.<BR/><BR/>http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/9/28/220035.shtml?s=lh<BR/><BR/>All this from the man who invented the internet. We are honoured that such a great scientist deigns to help us.neil craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09157898238945726349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162211972734228262006-10-30T12:39:00.001+00:002006-10-30T12:39:00.001+00:00Gore has recently discovered a significant, hereto...Gore has recently discovered a significant, heretofore unknown, cause of global warming - cigarette smoking.<BR/><BR/>http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/9/28/220035.shtml?s=lh<BR/><BR/>All this from the man who invented the internet. We are honoured that such a great scientist deigns to help us.neil craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09157898238945726349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162211832388794462006-10-30T12:37:00.000+00:002006-10-30T12:37:00.000+00:00I don't get this. Gore fronts a film put together ...I don't get this. Gore fronts a film put together by others, touts it round as his own work, and is then 'appointed' as 'Special Advisor'. A few questions:<BR/><BR/>a) Does he actually know very much about his chosen subject?<BR/><BR/>b) Are there no British experts who can offer his level of knowledge?<BR/><BR/>c) When was the job advertised?<BR/><BR/>d) Who is picking up the tab?<BR/><BR/>e) How much is the tab?<BR/><BR/>Maybe, perish the thought, Blair thinks that Gore's 'ecological' profile is so high that by 'appointing' him he'll get a political bonus. But is that concept just a touch too cynical?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162207635553780132006-10-30T11:27:00.000+00:002006-10-30T11:27:00.000+00:00Gore IS a household name in the UK.He appears occa...Gore IS a household name in the UK.<BR/><BR/>He appears occasionally in the Simpsons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162205272972192482006-10-30T10:47:00.000+00:002006-10-30T10:47:00.000+00:00anonymous 9:00 Gore lost.He's a self-important wi...anonymous 9:00 Gore lost.<BR/><BR/>He's a self-important windbag.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162201718159027272006-10-30T09:48:00.000+00:002006-10-30T09:48:00.000+00:00According to my other half's US passport, working ...According to my other half's US passport, working for a foreign government means you forfeit your citizenship (along with becoming a citizen of another country).<BR/><BR/>This is ignored for the most part (at the moment) but I can imagine Hilary Clinton rather liking the idea if it does look like Gore will run again...Tristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15395992764678278326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162198856068291482006-10-30T09:00:00.000+00:002006-10-30T09:00:00.000+00:00verity: gore won 1/2 million MORE votes than bush,...verity: gore won 1/2 million MORE votes than bush, you idiot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162193680298123552006-10-30T07:34:00.000+00:002006-10-30T07:34:00.000+00:00yak40: I have been reading the Democratic Undergro...yak40: I have been reading the Democratic Underground for about two years - I look in two or three times a day - and have to say that, compared with DUers, Freepers (as seen on their equivalent forum) are knuckle-dragging neanderthals. Where DUers demonstrate an ability to question intelligently and feel compassion for the less fortunate, Freepers don't; where DUers exhibit a healthy scepticism about the motives of the current US administration, Freepers parade slavish adulation of Bush and horrible anti-gay, anti-Black, anti-Catholic prejudice and cruelty. And so on. The vanity and stupidy of Rapture Ready Freepers is especially contemptible.indigohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016153810542371398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162193047234467902006-10-30T07:24:00.000+00:002006-10-30T07:24:00.000+00:00Once you have the Second Permanent Secretary at H....Once you have the Second Permanent Secretary at H. M. Treasury, Sir Nicholas Stern, do a Report urging us to pay lots more money in taxes you can see why Brown made him Perm Sec for Public Finances...................now to get Al Gore to get The Guardian etc to advocate a 50% levy on paper and newsprint to pay for the cost of bleaching paperAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162170325470382152006-10-30T01:05:00.000+00:002006-10-30T01:05:00.000+00:00This whole Global Warming conspiracy is not only m...This whole Global Warming conspiracy is not only mad, but it's going to cost us billions.<BR/><BR/>100,000 years ago anybody standing in the English midlands would have been buried underneath an ice-field one mile thick.<BR/><BR/>NOBODY knows why that ice-field suddenly disappeared over a 20 year period as a consequence of (welcome) global warming. But it does not seem likely that it was anything to do with people driving cars about.<BR/><BR/>150 years ago, the Thames used to freeze. Every year. Dickens wrote about it. Oxen used to be roasted in the middle of the river channel, in the perfect safety of the frozen water. They call this the mini ice age.<BR/><BR/>It doesn't seem likely that this was anything to do with people driving 4x4s about either.<BR/><BR/>If the earth is getting warmer, and that is by no means certain, there might be a reason for it which is nothing to do with us. I go further. It would be amazing if it was anything to do with us at all.<BR/><BR/>There might be many other reasons for the Earth warming up. The Sun is a variable star. Nobody really knows how it works. I saw a theory the other day that clouds in the Earth's upper atmosphere can be affected by the frequency of super-novae in the galactic neighbourhood. If it should be the case that, quite randomly, the number of local supernovae should be fewer in number than in times past then it would naturally follow that fewer rain-clouds would be conjured into existence and that the world's temperature would rise.<BR/><BR/>To summarise, I don't buy any of this stuff. Even if I was prepared to believe in global warming, that the Earth is actually warming up, I don't believe it has got anything to do with us. The solar system is not just very big, it's also very complicated, more so than people realise. I read recently that Global Warming has recently been spotted on Jupiter. <BR/><BR/>There are more things on Heaven and Earth Horatio......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162168138543990462006-10-30T00:28:00.000+00:002006-10-30T00:28:00.000+00:00My God, where to begin?Indigo - 'Al Gore gained a ...My God, where to begin?<BR/><BR/>Indigo - <I>'Al Gore gained a lot of popularity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - the Democratic Underground Forum were all over him.'</I> <BR/><BR/>What is the Democratic Underground Forum? A bunch of grassed out anti-Viet Nam protesters with posters up on their walls that read "What if they gave a war and nobody came?"? <BR/><BR/>Plus, he <I>didn't</I> gain a lot of popularity after Katrina because everyone knew he was wrong, as always. President Bush could not come storming into Louisiana without an invitation. Three times he called Governor Blanco asking if he could send in Federal help and three times she said she was working on it. <BR/><BR/><I>'Al Gore did a lot of flying around and helping the coastguard and generally being a hero after Katrina.'</I> <BR/><BR/><I>What?</I> Al Gore helped the US Coastguard how???? Donned a Sou'wester and drove a boat because they were too untrained to do it themselves? Or jumped into Lake Ponchartrain (how we wish!)studying the dams until the Army Corps of Engineers arrived, at which point he gave them his report? How did Al Gore "help the US Coastguard" - a government body well-armed with professionals?<BR/><BR/>What are you talking about?<BR/><BR/>Indigo - just for you to remember, the dykes in NO were built under a corrupt Democratic regime. Louisiana is so corrupt Jacques Chirac wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. Governor Blanco [Spanish married name but from a very old, very embedded (geddit?) Louisiana family]. That's why she took so long to allow the Feds in. They had to figure out how to divvy all the Federal aid up. <BR/><BR/>Please. Inform yourself.<BR/><BR/>The Squid: "Yes, largely as a result of his recent film, he is thought by a significant number of people to know something about climate change." A significant number of people think crop circles are from outer space. <BR/><BR/>How did he get this knowledge of the all the varied sciences of climate, meteorlogical history, the world's atmosphere and the cosmos, chemistry, given that he never studied any one of the many disciplines involved? Intuition? He just, like so many on the left, 'feels it'?<BR/><BR/>Yes, it seems so. You write: "As to the quality of his insight and knowledge I am not qualified to judge." The quality of his <I>insight</I>? As in, "I dunno, summers just seem to have got hotter since when I was a kid."?<BR/><BR/>The man didn't even have the discipline to finish his law degree! And now he's an expert on physics, chemistry and the universe? Are you mad?<BR/><BR/>He won't be paid much. Just enough to look like a real fee, because Tony is now scared to death of the voters and Al Gore is very rich indeed (and Tony may need him for future income if the Bush family dumps him, which they may; who knows?).<BR/><BR/>How naive and uninformed are Indigo and Squid?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162167598325801922006-10-30T00:19:00.000+00:002006-10-30T00:19:00.000+00:00indigo, "Democratic Underground ", otherwise known...indigo, "Democratic Underground ", otherwise known as the DUmmies would indeed like Gore, his name is a four letter word which, if you lurk there awhile, you will see is about their limit.Yak40https://www.blogger.com/profile/10391635243252561168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162167347956106882006-10-30T00:15:00.001+00:002006-10-30T00:15:00.001+00:00Algore has become an "expert" due to the principle...Algore has become an "expert" due to the principle of repeat a lie often enough it will be believed, especially by media types who can barely spell atmosphere let alone know any science.<BR/><BR/>Algore, the son of the "Senator from Occidental" is still benefitting from Oxy's dollars while preaching "green", maybe he's referring to greenbacks !Yak40https://www.blogger.com/profile/10391635243252561168noreply@blogger.com