How About A Pickens/Gore/MoveOn Alliance?

I've posted this elsewhere, too. But I think it's worth repeating. Earlier today, I received an email from the folks at MoveOn.org calling attention to Al Gore's vision for America to produce "100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years."

Gore, like T. Boone Pickens, points to our disproportionate dependence on carbon-based fuels as the common thread linking our economic, environmental and national security crises. He notes that "enough wind power blows through the Midwest corridor every day to...meet 100 percent of US electricity demand," and also emphasizes the value of harnessing energy in our solar corridor.

It would seem that Pickens and Gore have a common position on energy. And it's a position that isn't gaining enough traction in the media. MoveOn lamented that Gore's speech was mostly ignored and pleaded with members to help spread the word.

I cannot help but think: Why not work together?

Both camps have interests that are fundamentally the same. Pickens and Gore want an energy policy that achieves a significant reduction in our reliance on foreign oil while moving us solidly in the direction of clean and renewable power. If this is to become something of a national mission, it would certainly help for the Pickens Plan to have wide-ranging bipartisan support. What better way to establish this than an alliance with Al Gore and MoveOn?

Moreover, there's the additional benefit of gaining access to MoveOn's substantial mailing list.

Just a thought.

Tags: activism, alliances, bipartisan, pickens, plan

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Darlena Frick on July 18, 2008 at 3:46pm: Mr Pickens was on Fox News this morning and said we have to do it all. Drill for oil, produce wind power, and develop solar in other words anything we can do to get off foreign oil. Mr Pickens is using a lot of his own money and as far as I know has not asked us for anything other than our support. But if he does ask I think that all of us in his army will gladly donate as much as we can.

Mr Gore on the other hand wants to put additional taxes on the American people and I wonder how much of his own money he is willing to put down. He is busy trying to force Green down our throats while he lives in a big not so Green house and drives a big SUV. Maybe Mr. Pickens should put windmills in DC.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Doyle Guhy on July 18, 2008 at 4:08pm: I concur with your assessment Darlena. Gore/MoveOn want to force conservation/alternative energy on us and add to our already over taxed country. They would add more government bureaucracy to our lives; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rich Lee on July 26, 2008 at 2:42pm: Well put Darlena! Mr. Pickens is a businessman while Mr. Gore is a politician. Mr. Pickens has the best interest of the country at heart while Mr. Gore seems to always have some other motive. I am always wary of anyone who advocates any form of "carbon tax" or talks of "carbon credits" as though they are some kind of commodity. The truth is they are just another means of extorting money from us and spreading wealth to make the world more socialist.

I would urge everyone to view the website "www.heartland.org" for the latest information on the cause of global warming which largely isn't anything man can control. In fact one number is that man contributes only 1% of the global warming.

This is not to say that I think we should continue with fossil fuels, rather quite the opposite. But we need to draw on all forms of energy to lessen our exposure in any one type and to keep our money in the US.

Keep up the good, hard work Mr. Pickens and we will be there with you!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by American in the D.R. on July 26, 2008 at 3:29pm: Darlena,

I see that you have changed a few things. The American flag is not behind you anymore. The link to a certain site supported by a very well know Washington politician is missing. Sorry, but I find your Politics are very “in my face” with just about every post you make proving it. Everyone has that right, when in the proper place.

I respect Mr. Pickens and Mr. Gore (does he still have the title of Mr. Vice President? (Gee, I'm still addressed by my rank by some after 15 years Ret.) Neither of these men have supported any political party during their recent releases. I hope that they both keep it that way.

I’m sure that they know about each other and would have no problem taking a call from the other.

As for MoveOn; right into politics. I don’t think that would do much to bring people together. Quite the contrary.

Just my opinion.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ronald Haslam on July 18, 2008 at 4:07pm: There is a big difference between the two men. Mr. Pickens is investing his own money and Gore as always wants ours.

Ron; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chuck Burns on July 26, 2008 at 2:10pm: Have followed T. Boone Pickens for a long time and respect him immensly.

Have followed Al Gore for about 20 years. I can not say the same about him..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Don Klein on July 18, 2008 at 4:10pm: Pickens plan is a great step in the right direction for independents. However, we all need to get our elected representatives on board with developing a comprehensive energy policy that combines all our resources eg. more drilling, new refineries, Nuclear Power, increased use of natural gas and wind power to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Those that don't get the message, Republican or Democrat, need to be voted out ASAP and we can all work to that end! I personally don't care who gets the credit, just get it done! I don't think linkage with any political lobby like moveon.org is a good idea.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dooner Horton on July 18, 2008 at 4:24pm: The reason I would fight to my dying day any plan which algore has any part in is that HIS "solutions" involve the government forcing compliance with what he, and the rest of the marxists, deem "fair" for our energy use and our "carbon footprints." meanwhile HE uses more energy at his Tennessee mansion than TEN average homes in the US. (Can you say "hypocrite,"Boys and Girls?!)

He is a proponent of the Kyoto accord which will put our economy further in the toilet while granting exclusions to "emerging countries" like India and China, which are the biggest global polluters now.

I support Pickens Plan BECAUSE it relies more on free enterprise and solutions from the private sector. If you enjoy the treatment yoiu receive from the IRS and the DMV, you'll LOVE what the government can do to energy and health care! Take your "move on" and shove it up algore's rear end. If this movement is going to become another front for government control of every aspect of our existence, count me out.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jane on July 20, 2008 at 6:50am: Ditto's is all I have to say!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike on July 18, 2008 at 6:53pm: I'm afraid any connection to people or groups that appear to be fanatical will only chase anyone capable of critical thinking away. I for one hold MoveOn and Mr Gore in poor regard and probably would dismiss myself from the discussion on the simple point that they, and their like, are involved.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle Dowell on July 26, 2008 at 10:48am: Mike I hold most of the GOP in poor regard but I'm willing to put those feelings aside for the best interests of our country.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ART005 on July 18, 2008 at 6:50pm: I'm nearly response #10 and I am so glad to see the initial responses! I opened the post expecting the worst. It would be so easy for Pickens Plan to slip towards the direction of the original post and yet people seem to really get it. Kudos to all of you!

I hope Mr. Pickens is getting prompts to maintain the definition of his plan in the media and not let it get bogged down by the likes of the Post.; ▶ Reply to This