AmericanPapist Comments
For the liberals out there, why don't you try to think of it as assisting the tree to commit suicide?
After all, the poor tree can't actually cut itself down or speak for itself, so you are just helping it to accomplish that which, if it could speak for itself, it would undoubtedly want.
Doesn't that make tree-cutting seem an act of compassion, rather than barbarism?
"The horror . . . the horror."
Why the assumption that Al Gore uses a real tree? I don't know anyone who uses a real tree for Christmas.
Of course we use a real tree and always have! How kitschy to use an artificial one! You obviously have no taste.
You should go to Germany ( the home of the Christmas tree) and see how much (real plants) greenery is used in bouquets and in decorations. It is simply beautiful and as Catholics we need to promote beauty, as well as truth.
Plastic uses oil and pollutes during its manufacture. And it cannot biodegrade naturally.
Let's hear it for real Christmas trees!
Compact fluorescents have to taken to special disposal places, since they contain a deadly neurotoxin called mercury. Also, if you happen to shatter them, you need to have your home decontaminated. Now how is that environmentally friendly? It doesn't matter to fanatics like Gore that humans are harmed, just as long as less energy is used.
Same goes for nuclear. Those plants become so radioactive after 40 years that no human being can go near them!
Oh, I'm aware that producing a plastic tree isn't environmentally friendly, but then again, my family hasn't had to waste money on a new tree--even if it is only $5 or whatever a tree costs--for the past 20-some years (maybe we've gotten a new one in that time, but I don't recall it) and we don't have to deal with the hassle of clean-up. My parents like to take a practical approach to this stuff.
My grandfather used to dig up an evergreen every fall and keep it in the basement until a few weeks before Christmas. Then he'd water it so it would green up, decorate it, take it back down to the basement after Epiphany and replant it in the spring.
I don't know how many Christmas trees were growing in the front yard.
Rest in piece Grandpa Al.
LvB;
You don't know what you're talking about when it comes to the nuclear industry. It's the safest industry in the world. Every power plant in world goes through the most rigorous international stipulations and every person who works in the nuclear industry is constantly monitored for radiation intake. You get more radiation taking a transatlantic flight than you do working beside a nuclear reactor for a day.
I worked on a test reactor site last summer - the regulations are intense.
And I wouldn't bash the nuclear industry at all because within another generation, it's going to solve the energy crisis and Americans won't have to rely on Middle-Eastern oil anymore.
Nuclear energy is very clean - the wastes are entirely containable, and the generation IV reactors being developed currently will be able to use about 90% of that stored waste and convert it into more energy.
Sorry, that was a bit of overkill. I just can't stand people using sensationalism for something they know nothing about.
It's an urban legend that you need your house decontaminated if you break a compact fluorescent bulb: http://www.snopes.com/medical/to.../toxins/
cfl.asp .
This post made me laugh since just last night my Aunt was lecturing me on how environmentally irresponsible it is to use a real christmas tree.
The phenomenon of global warming has been confirmed by countless scientists around the world. Even the pope, both JPII and Benedict, have acknowledged it to some extent.
Making fun of Al Gore and his apparently energy inefficient house does not mean global warming isn't real.
Al Gore's environmental activism are making a huge difference across the world. His actions are helping people make small changes that save energy and get used to the idea that our collective efforts can reduce carbon emissions.
Mr. Gore's house is irrelevant to the debate on global warming. Pay attention to the real issues at hand, and read what leaders of your church are saying.
Making fun of Al Gore and his apparently energy inefficient house does not mean global warming isn't real.
You're right. It does mean Algore is a hypocrite. "Do as I say, not as I do."
Even the pope, both JPII and Benedict, have acknowledged it to some extent.
To some extent. Neither ever said that humans are the durect cause of it, did they?
Al Gore's environmental activism are making a huge difference across the world.
He's scaring the heck out of some people, and I know some brits were sterilized to be 'carbon neutral,' but I haven't read where Algore's made a positive difference.
"Neither ever said that humans are the durect cause of it, did they?"
Perhaps they did, perhaps they didn't. But I do know that Benedict is expecting humans to come up with solutions to the problem. Who really opposes protecting rain forests and conserving natural resources through measures such as higher fuel standards except the lumber, auto, and oil industries? The Pope wants us to take care of the earth God gave us, not recklessly ruin it. There are days when someone will put up a good argument that global warming isn't man-made, and even if they're right, does that still excuse jerks for driving 14 mpg SUVs that only serve to appeal to their vanity and keep gas prices high, which in turn makes it difficult for people to buy gas and also funds terrorism. That should be unacceptable for all Americans, not just American Catholics.
Maybe Al Gore has done some positive work. He's at least got people talking about what, if anything, we need to do for the earth. Good for him. For a long time, this is a conversation no one wanted to deal with, which isn't surprising given that such attitudes are simply part of the modern culture where people of all stripes want to believe that our actions don't have consequences.
Oh, for those who make fun of Gore's home, read up a little bit on President Bush's ranch in Crawford. The USA Today says, "his dream home and ranch are models of eco-friendly technology." While impressive, that still doesn't make up for his opposition to clean air and clean water.
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