Congratulations, mostly, to Al Gore

Re “Peace prize for Gore stirs hope and speculation,” Oct. 13

On news of winning the Nobel Peace Prize, former Vice President Al Gore said, “The climate crisis is not a political issue.” Flat wrong. We are faced with resistance in Congress, the White House and a corporate-based quarter made up of both Republicans and Democrats bought and paid for by lobbyists in energy, transportation and other sectors. The end of the world as we know it may come because we did not insist on public financing of elections and put the public’s -- and the Earth’s -- interests first.

We cannot affect real change unless Gore (or someone like him) wins the presidency primarily on the issue of global warming with massive support from the American people. He won’t and we won’t. The will is not there, so we can kiss this fragile planet goodbye.

Jane W. Prettyman

Santa Barbara

Congratulations to our American hero Gore are definitely in order. It is gratifying to know that one man made a difference in drawing worldwide attention to global warming. I really do hope that Gore makes a run for the White House in 2008. Our country is in dire need of true leadership, wisdom and down-to-Earth compassion for all of its citizens.

Joe Martinez

El Segundo

President Bush won the election over Gore with a great deal of controversy. Today, it appears that the Bush legacy is all about harm to the reputation of the United States around the world and leaving a financial mess for future generations to clean up or live with. Gore, on the other hand, has established himself as a friend of the Earth and its environment. He is sought out as a speaker and was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his staunch support of addressing global warming.

Time will bear out if the legacy of Bush catches up with the historical recognition Gore is receiving. It makes one wonder if the people of the United States realize what Gore’s loss really represented.

Bernard Lefson

Los Alamitos

I would like to offer what I believe Gore’s reply would be to calls to join the 2008 election if he said what he’d really like to the general public:

“Thanks, but no thanks. Those of you who voted against me the last time, and have seen what has happened in this world because of your decision, can now live with it. You had your chance, and you blew it.”

Gordon C. Schneiders

Arcadia

Congratulations, Nobel committee; you guys finally caught up with Gore’s brilliance. He should have been honored years ago for inventing the Internet.

Kee Kim

Anaheim

Re “The anti-Bush triumphs,” Opinion, Oct. 13

Jonathan Chait’s ridiculously worshipful paean to Gore is a perfect example of the revisionist history routinely employed by Gore and his followers. Chait lionizes Gore as a “highly prescient” political thinker and activist who will be well judged by history. Chait seems to ignore Gore’s role as the Clinton administration’s go-to guy and cheerleader for the North American Free Trade Agreement, a treaty that has, according to environmentalists, wreaked environmental havoc on Mexico. Nor does Chait mention the fact that as a senator, Gore enthusiastically supported his wife’s crusade to censor rock music lyrics. Chait’s thesis -- that Gore’s rise in popularity is because of Bush’s current unpopularity -- is only half right. It’s also because of Gore and his supporters’ tireless campaign to sweep the less “prescient” aspects of Gore’s record under the carpet.

David A. Stein

Beverly Hills