Al Gore in Idaho - a bird's eye view

I was one of 10,000 people who listened to Al Gore give his comments on the environment and our responsibilities as individuals. I went to the event anticipating sheer and utter boredom, as Mr. Gore has never been much of a public speaker. The thought of sitting through a couple hours of his historic droning on and on and on made me look anxiously for my next dental examination.

I was as wrong as could be.

Mr. Gore presented a witty and very informative mulit-hour information and education monologue. And quite frankly, it was great. His passion and  growing stature as a statesman was unusual to watch. His handling of his side of the debate was, as expected, very refined. He knew what he was doing. What I found especially interesting was his handle on his opposition's comments. He knew his enemy.

Also, I've never thought of Mr. Gore as a particularly physically impressive man, but he was. Much more confident in his older age, he dominated the stage at the Taco Bell Arena.

 Did I agree with all that he said? Heavens no. But let's examine the things that I did agree with him on:

• We believe environmental stewardship is a biblical mandate and commission from God.
• All of God’s creation is important to Him, down to the last sparrow and blade of grass.
• We have wrongfully assumed that creation exists for our own consumption.
• It is the responsibility of every true citizen to take stewardship seriously, and that includes environmental stewardship.
• This is an issue for all faiths, beginning with whatever you believe.
• This is a matter of personal responsibility- beginning at your home.
• There is no political party ownership of the environment.

I'd like you to visit www.letstendthegarden.org and see a conservative Christian approach to environmental stewardship by the Vineyard Boise.In particular I would like you to consider purchasing Tri Robinson's book Saving God's Green Earth.

I always ask people who have not yet met me to give me the benefit of a personal meeting. I failed my own request when it came to Al Gore. 10,000 people- a personal meeting? Nah. Yet you could see Mr. Gore's sincerity and willingness to go out on the hustings. That's pretty impressive.

I hope you can see my sincerity as well. I listened and learned. Can't beat that.

Dennis

Comments

[Julie in Boise]

Dennis, thank you very much for having an open heart and open mind over what Gore had to say, and thank you for this thoughtful write-up.

I applaud the Vineyard's work on this issue, too. Do you think your congregation would be interested in working with mine (Vineyard's Garden City neighbors, the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) to lobby Valley Ride for Sunday public transit so folks could catch the bus to and from church?

When it comes to climate change, it's not so important what is causing it. It's the realization that, whether human caused or natural, it IS happening, and we need to take action sooner than later. Bearing a bit of inconvenience to lessen our dependency on personal transportation is one big way we can all help.

[Dennis Mansfield]

Thanks, Julie. Very kind comments.

What a beautiful spring we will be having! All those interested in helping on environmental projects, call Emily Hopping at the Vineyard (377-1477)

Den