Al Gore, James Hansen, and Civil Disobedience

[TheDoorbellRang]

Al Gore, James Hansen, and Civil Disobedience
by Gordon Clark
September 01, 2007

In his recent global warming op-ed in the New York Times ("The Big Melt," August 16, 2007) , Nicholas Kristof reported on a conversation with Al Gore in which the former Vice-President said: "I can't understand why there aren't rings of young people blocking bulldozers, and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants." His comment was a reaction to the ever- quickening pace of polar ice meltoff, with all its catastrophic implications, and the huge role played by coal-fired power plants in advancing our demise through global warming.

Gore's comment was also strikingly similar to a recent quote from Dr. James Hansen, the top climate scientist at NASA: "It seems to me that young people, especially, should be doing whatever is necessary to block construction of dirty (no CCS) coal-fired power plants."

What does it mean when one of the top scientific leaders ringing the alarm on global warming, along with a top political leader, both suggest, in so many words, nonviolent direct action (or civil disobedience) to confront the challenge of climate change?

Clearly both men must realize the importance of nonviolent resistance in social change efforts of this magnitude and agree, if only subconsciously, with historian Howard Zinn's observation that "Protest beyond the law is not a departure from democracy. It is absolutely essential to it." (Dr. Hansen, for his part, goes on to quote the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution at some length.)

Gore and Hansen must both know that nonviolent direct action has been a significant catalyst in nearly every major social change movement in U.S. (and world) history, starting in this country with the Boston Tea Party and extending through the anti-slavery, woman's suffrage, labor rights, civil rights, environmental and anti-war movements. Nonviolent direct action can dramatize an injustice or danger to the general public as few other actions can. It both provokes other people to act and speak - often people who had previously been silent - and it opens up political space for them to do so. Nonviolent actions are acts of courage that inspire others to follow. They are acts of leadership.

more...

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=1&ItemID=13675

This looks like the missing step between a Supreme Court decision and violent revolution.

[flyarm]

1. young people today are too comfortable..as are most Americans..

if it isn't something that hits their pocket book today..it doesn't matter to most..

fly

[TheDoorbellRang]

2. Actually, I thought it strange they put the onus on young people

for this. The ones I know are pretty caught up in making ends meet, and this mess isn't of their generation's making. Then there's those of us in the 30-65 range -- I'd think several would be afraid of losing their jobs if they did this. Myself, I say the golden agers 65+ oughta all hit the streets!

[flyarm]

8. in 2004 the youth voted in the lowest numbers than almost anytime in history.

i worked on the Kerry Campaign and when we saw the inside numbers it made me sick..literally..it was single women and the youth votes that were totally off in record numbers..

fly

[RestoreGore]

3. Mr. Gore, unless those talking do some walking it isn't going to happen with their children...

What can we expect from young people who have no examples to follow? I have gone out a few times myself over the last few years with signs against the war or to support this planet, and have also handed out many flyers regarding how we must work to sustain this planet, and I have taken my son with me. It was a learning experience for him and it gave me a chance to talk to people and hopefully change a few minds for the better. I hope that then instills in him the lesson that change won't come without his participation in it. So perhaps that is also a way for people who may be wary of direct action right out of the box to wean themselves into standing on a line to stop a coal plant... but that realistically won't happen unless people are educated and outraged enough first. Perhaps the Internet for all of its good in a way is a negative aspect of that. With people having the ability to just sit and type all day, many think that is all they need to do to make them think progress is being made. Either that, or they expect you or some other savior to run and save them. They haven't made the connection that real progress can't come unless we all get on the frontlines whether it be on a picket line or simply walking up and down the streets of their town to hand out flyers and educate and awaken people.

[greenman3610]

4. its already beginning

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/08/30/greenpeace-nanticoke.html

Three Greenpeace activists were arrested Thursday afternoon during an attempt to stop the delivery of nearly 30,000 tonnes of coal to the Nanticoke power plant on the shore of Lake Erie, south of Hamilton.

The activists' storming of the ore carrier comes a day after the Ontario Power Authority released a new power plan that calls for more than $25 billion to be spent on nuclear power plants to ensure the province's electricity supply until 2025.

[TheDoorbellRang]

5. You know, part of the problem is these never get the tv exposure

they got back in the 60's. Every time there's a big protest, I get the most info on it here at DU. Sorta feels likes a tree falling in the forest when no one is there to hear it. :(

[Nay]

6. Mr. Gore and Mr. Hansen need to lead the revolution--it's no use

commenting that kids should be in the streets, when you yourselves(with lots less to lose, if you've managed your investments right) won't do it. And I like Gore--wish he'd lead a few demonstrations and show the rest of the politicians how it's done.

[TheDoorbellRang]

7. from your keyboard to Gore's ears! n/t