Live Earth and Stupid Politics

The photo of Al Gore at right was taken today at the Live Earth concert in Washington D.C., a surprise location announced just yesterday.

Per its website, "Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis."

Writes Larry West, About.com's Guide to Environmental Issues:

"Live Earth may seem like just another in a long line of concerts for causes, but there’s one big difference. Instead of raising money, the goal of Live Earth is to raise awareness about the danger and urgency of climate change, and to inspire people around the world to make lasting changes in the way they live their lives and impact the planet."

ALL public polls tell us that except for a small, stubborn cadre of flat earthers, Americans believe that global warming is real, dangerous and must be dealt with effectively, swiftly, and radically. Global warming is scientific fact.

And global warming is interfaith, non-partisan gospel.... especially among Americans aged 17 to 29 (aka Generation Y), who are tagged by many as "the global warming generation."

Live Earth was blissfully non-political... until a few Senate Republicans got involved. The D.C. concert venue was announced just yesterday for a reason. Per AP:

"Al Gore announced Friday a surprise Live Earth concert in Washington, foiling Senate Republicans who blocked Gore's attempt to bring his global warming extravaganza to the grounds of the U.S. Capitol...

" 'Global warming naysayers in the political world have not been able to have their way, because this will — despite their best efforts — be held on the Mall,' Gore told The Associated Press.

"... Republican leaders in the Senate refused Gore's request to host one of the concerts on the Capitol grounds facing the Washington Monument. "

According to a recent New York Times/CBS News/MTV poll, 54% of Generation Y "intend to vote for a Democrat for president in 2008." And "58 percent said they had a favorable view of the Democratic Party, and 38 percent said they had a favorable view of Republicans. "

Late night comedian David Letterman occasionally showcases stupid pet tricks. Of late, Senate Republicans persist in performing stupid political tricks.

Attempting to block today's Gen Y-inspiring D.C. concert was an absurdly self-destructive act of political stupidity for the Republican party.

At the rapid rate that D.C. Republicans trample and ignore the overwhelming will of the American people, I honestly wonder how many Republicans will be elected (or reelected) to office in November 2008...

(Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Related Reading
Bush Refuses to Sign Kyoto Pact to Stem Global Warming
Live Earth Concerts Tune Up to Unite 2 Billion People to Fight Climate Change (Environmental Issues)
New York Times, June 27, 2007: Young Americans Are Leaning Left, New Poll Finds