home

Al Gore Makes Money the Green Way

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 01:14:44 AM EST
Tags: Al Gore (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit
The Times Online has a feature article on how wealthy Al Gore has become in the past seven years. When he lost the 2000 election, his net worth was about $2 million, consisting of his two homes and an investment in an oil company.

Now, he's worth $100 million, earned through stock options in Google and Apple to book advances and speeches to investment firm holdings and investments in green and other tech ventures.

No wonder he doesn't want to be President.

< Another Look at Life Without Parole for Juvenile Offenders | Should Judges Be Lawyers? >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Al Gore Makes Money the Green Way | 42 comments (42 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    Well ... (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by chemoelectric on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 02:36:10 AM EST
    I don't he would want to be president anyway, if he could do what he's doing. It brings him joy, most likely. Presidential politics didn't, I think; it was the sort of thing he "liked" mainly because it was what he was used to.

    The man is on a mission.

    i think he'd be a fool to run again, (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by cpinva on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 08:10:08 AM EST
    the MSM would just rake him like they did in 2000. who needs that kind of grief? he's far more effective doing what he's doing now, secure in the knowledge that he was right all along.

    It's not illegal (5.00 / 0) (#18)
    by Deconstructionist on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:40:05 AM EST
     and so long as he stays in the private sector it really is of little consequence that corporations gave him tons of of valuable property to exploit his name for the corporations' perceived benefit.

      Is it revealing about his character? Sure, but he's not running for anything but money and glory. If down the road he attempts to run for office, then his money grab should be an issue.

     

    No, it's not illegal. (1.00 / 0) (#19)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:30:31 AM EST
    And I'm fairly sure that it is the MM GW politicians and nut cases that are using Algore.

    But I do wonder if, down deep, he knows that.

    Problem is, his actions may gave a very negative impact on my children and their children's lift style.

    I don't like that. So pardon me if I mention it everynow and then.

    Parent

    Every now and then (none / 0) (#34)
    by jondee on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 02:13:04 PM EST
    Such as anytime the name "Al" is mentioned in any context; or anytime anyone so much as uses the word "gore" in a sentence.

    Parent
    If the media (none / 0) (#29)
    by jondee on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:43:40 AM EST
    were serious about making "money grabs" and what it says about character an issue, 99.9 % of the current candidates would have no chance of getting elected.

    My suspician is that those people most preoccupied with the getting of money and glory are the ones most convinced that that's Gores sole motivation.

    Parent

    99.9% (none / 0) (#37)
    by Deconstructionist on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 02:55:24 PM EST
      might be hyperbole but it would be a large percentage of candidates. Would it be a bad thing if someone (the  media or other) did a better job of objectively publicizing the impact the "money grabbers" have on government and more people were motivated to support people who don't grab for money?

     Personally, I'd welcome it. As it is, we just have the flacks for one set of money grabbing hacks  attacking the opposing money grabbers and excusing their own grabs leading people to conclude they really have no choice but to choose between money grabbing hacks and to simply choose the slightly lesser evil because that's as good as it gets.

      It's kind of sad that people who argue for a repudiation of all of the money grabbers are dismissed as quixotic eccentrics, and its considered a sign of sphisticated realism to champion how well our candidate plays the game.

    Parent

    I emit maybe a hundredth as much carbon as him... (1.00 / 2) (#3)
    by roy on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 11:18:06 AM EST
    ... where's my million bucks?

    Maybe he's just more entrepreneurial than me.  I can respect that.  Let's see... Every time I don't fly somewhere on a private jet, Al Gore can pay me for the carbon offset.  I'm not taking a jet to work this morning -- real work, mind you, not just telling people they need to pollute less than me -- nor to the grocery store this afternoon.  Nor to bed tonight.

    Simple (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by squeaky on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 12:22:53 PM EST
    ... where's my million buck
    s?Get enough people who will pay to hear you talk, and go on the lecture circuit. Then invest your money wisely.

    Obviously you think Gore is a fake or fraud, maybe you can build your first million on that idea. I bet that many wingnuts would be stupid enough to pay to hear your about your envy.

    Parent

    Roy has a problem (1.00 / 0) (#9)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 10:09:48 PM EST
    he is a truthful person and could try and sell the BS that Algore has been selling.

    Parent
    Let's See (5.00 / 0) (#10)
    by squeaky on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 10:18:06 PM EST
    From your relentless BushCo propaganda to your pathetic word games, your opinion of the "truth" is worthless.

    Parent
    As I almost said. (1.00 / 1) (#14)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:07:19 AM EST
    Roy is a truthful person and wouldn't try and sell the BS Algore has been peddling.

    For a lesson on the type of people you are dealing with, check what the Demo Congress has done about the war and read the link what the Demos knew, and when they knew it, about CIA interrogation/locations.

    I bet the Demos wear T shirts embossed: "I'm with dummy" when they are around you.

    Parent

    I don't begrudge him the money (none / 0) (#21)
    by roy on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:20:55 AM EST
    If I had the connections and believable face to follow the same career path, I would.  I'd probably have the energy-sucking house and private jets, too.

    The problem is that Gore goes around asking that people be forced to live a Green lifestyle, while refusing to live one himself.  The larger problem is that he's held up as an icon for the environmental movement, when the real icon is a family enjoy clean cool air but only when not struggling to pay higher home construction, fuel, food, and tax costs.

    Parent

    Forced? (5.00 / 0) (#31)
    by squeaky on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 12:27:32 PM EST
    The problem is that Gore goes around asking that people be forced to live a Green lifestyle....

    Really, do you have links?

    By your logic all environmental organizations are hypocritical unless they send out their message on foot by word of mouth.
    No printed words, no driving, no telephoning, no mailing....

    IOW no information gets disseminated. A veritable wetdream  for the big corporate polluters.  

    Parent

    A Word on Environmental Inconography (none / 0) (#22)
    by glanton on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:35:30 AM EST
    The model you speak of, the "clean cool air family," is not in a position to heighten public awareness of environmental issues.  Even if said emblematic family were interested in doing so, it could not.

    Heightening awareness of this issue, as with any issue, takes resources.  Involves travel.  Is only going to be able to be gotten off the ground by people with a lot of money.

    Those who push this stoopid meme, of course, would never decry money's utter dominance of American politics.  The point is to derail the prospect of environmentally-conscious policy.

    When you look around you will see this common agenda among those pushing the perceived hypocrisy of an environmental activist actually travelling on an airplane to maximize awareness.

    Parent

    Not a bad point (none / 0) (#23)
    by roy on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:53:46 AM EST
    I had considered that.  It may be a truism on par with "it takes money to make money" that "it takes carbon to reduce carbon".  It would explain away the private jets, and maybe even the house (though he really should close off all but 800 square feet or so when he's not entertaining enviroguests).  

    Why, though, when he speaks is there no realistic portrayal of the emblematic family in addition to his glamorous image?  If the movement must show Gore on stage in person to make its point effectively, to make it honestly mustn't they also show a family who has to sink money into rent rather than building equity buying a home because the energy-efficiency geegaws are too expensive, or a working parent going an hour out of their way every day riding public transportation because the inefficient car he could afford is not legal to produce?

    I'm all for environmentally conscious policy -- I'm on record supporting carbon taxes and increased enforcement of pollution restrictions -- so long as it's conscious of all the side effects, too.

    Parent

    Roy (5.00 / 0) (#25)
    by glanton on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:08:58 AM EST
    Why, though, when he speaks is there no realistic portrayal of the emblematic family in addition to his glamorous image?

    A damned good question, that. Were I a member of Gore's staff, or if I had a podium of any kind, I'd be pushing for this model nonstop, becauseit represents, among other things, practical application of environmental consciousness and a point of real-life identification for all of us nonwealthies who are concerned with this issue.

    At the same time, though, this is not an issue that is going to be fixed by individual lifestyle changes, much as the libertarians would like to tell us that all can be fixed on this level.  Some things are big enough that it takes both individual initiative and a collective effort: your comment about carbon tax is a good example.

    All that being said.  

    Overwhelmingly, the squealing over Gore's travels, as well as his home/work site, has nothing to do with the question we are discussing here.  This meme is not part of a reasoned discussion, it is not a thought-out "point of view."  It is neither more nor less than part of an effort to deligitmize potential policy movement re the environment.  
     

    Parent

    Fair and balanced??? (1.00 / 0) (#27)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:17:42 AM EST
    Algore is a hypocrite.

    And that is my very well thought out opinion.

    And that has everything with what we are discussing here.

    Parent

    BTW (1.00 / 0) (#30)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 12:14:48 PM EST
    for all of us nonwealthies who are concerned with this issue.

    You can sell your car, turn your thermostat back to 55 F and turn off your electric power at any time. No is preventing you from doing so.

    You can also do what I have done. All appliances are energy efficient, all light bulbs are fluorescences,  the thermostats are timed to adjust based on time and life style. All windows are double paned, doors insulated and outside walls insulated to R33 and inside at R19. The attic is triple insulated with blown in insulation and the roof has vent hoods at the peak and the attic has two 18" vents. All heat/ac filters are changed every 6 weeks and all ducts wrapped and insulated. A split system is used for both heat/ac and hot water.

    Best I can tell I have reduced energy usage about 25-30% on an annual basis.

    The new car averages 25.5 mpg city/highway and the pickup remains a compact 4 banger with a 5 speed that averages 23 city/highway.

    See Glanton, you don't have to be a "koolaid drinking believe whatever BS Algore tells me dummy" to believe and practice in energy conservation.

    And buying energy credits is a hoax that allows people who have more money to live the good life while telling you that you need to use less.

    Saving is saving. Using is using.

    So let me know when Algore has reduced his usage 25%. Until then he remains another over hyped demigod who should try to do actual things instead of flopping his chops about everyone eles.

    It is called leading by example. Walking the walk.

    But you get the picture.

    Parent

    I hear ya glanton.... (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:57:07 AM EST
    but I wish Big Al would at least fly coach.  If for no other reason than to hush his critics.  Or he could get creative and video conference from home instead of polluting his way 'round the globe.

    I'm not a big global warming guy...I don't doubt it exists, but I think the earth will heal herself once us pesky humans aren't around anymore.  Al is raising our awareness, yes, while hastening our demise....one could say it's a wash.

    Parent

    kdog (1.00 / 0) (#26)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:14:04 AM EST
    Algore will willingly fly coach the day the seas rise three inches..

    which is to say never.

    He is the embodiment of an elitist and we should have have his picture besides the word in every dictionary.

    Not only that he knows absolutely nothing about the subject and his presents are so outrageously false he should he jailed as a confidence man..

    Parent

    Dont rain on my libertarian (none / 0) (#5)
    by jondee on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 12:47:06 PM EST
    pie-in-the-sky parade, Al.

    The Lord and Milton Friedman have givin us dominion to sh*t in our nets in perpetuity.


    Parent

    Indeed he is more "entrepreneurial" (none / 0) (#6)
    by bronte17 on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 09:28:23 PM EST
    He didn't make his money off the carbon offsets. Heck, those are just now getting serious attention.

    He did the old-fashioned way... hard work, vision and fortitude.


    Parent

    heh (1.00 / 0) (#15)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:08:13 AM EST
    Plus wealthy parents.

    Parent
    Look, Gore has been working non-stop (none / 0) (#7)
    by bronte17 on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 09:52:58 PM EST
    He's made his money the hard way... one step at a time, one foot in front of the other, visiting one city at a time... with fortitude and determination and vision.

    So, he had the foresight to invest in Google and Apple.  He deserves to be rewarded.  

    The Rehnquist Court thrust this nation into disequilibrium when they handed down that contorted decision in Bush v Gore.  Gore walked through fire and emerged victorious.

    He's in Oslo to pick up the Nobel (you can watch it at 7 a.m. EST tomorrow morning).  He'll be speaking before the UN Climate Change Conference on Friday in Bali.

    He's been rather busy.

    It's not an accurate portrayal to say he doesn't want to be President.

    I'd like to know (1.00 / 0) (#8)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 10:08:43 PM EST
    when and how much he paid for those Google options.

    Parent
    Try Google (5.00 / 0) (#11)
    by squeaky on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 10:21:24 PM EST
    In addition to the steady flow of six-figure speaking gigs, he has become an insider at two of the hottest companies on the planet: at Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), where he signed on as an adviser in 2001, pre-IPO (and received stock options now reportedly worth north of $30 million), and at Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), where he joined the board in 2003 (and got stock options now valued at about $6 million). He enjoyed a big payday as vice chairman of an investment firm in L.A., and, more recently, started a cable-television company and an asset-management firm, both of which are becoming quiet forces in their fields.

    Financial disclosure documents released before the 2000 election put the Gore family's net worth at $1 million to $2 million. After years of public service--and four kids needing high-priced educations--Al and Tipper used to fret occasionally about money. Not anymore. They have a new multimillion-dollar home in a tony section of Nashville and a family home in Virginia, and have recently bought a multimillion-dollar condo at the St. Regis condo/hotel in San Francisco. Avail

    able data indicate a net worth well in excess of $100 million.

    Parent
    Thanks for taking the bait. (1.00 / 0) (#16)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:23:16 AM EST
    What do you think Algore knew about business or technology when Google and Apple started throwing money at him. Nothing. Zip. Nada.

    Catch a clue. He was trading on perceived "influence."

    I'm sure you have no problem with that.

    As for:

    Put the Gore family's net worth at $1 million to $2 million. After years of public service--and four kids needing high-priced educations--

    Gee... Guess they were the only people in the world with that problem.

    BTW - How does a person making the quite low income ... relative to location/cost of living for all those years get a networth of $2,000,000???

    Down home we used to have county sheriffs who made almost nothing yet would retire after 8 years owning two farms and being on the board of every bank in the county...

    Just good money management.

    tehe he and a big LOL.

    But Occidental's funneling of money to the Gore family doesn't end there. In the sixties, the Gores discovered zinc ore near land they owned in Tennessee. Through a company subsidiary Hammer bought the land for $160,000--twice the amount offered by the only other bidder. He swiftly sold the land back to Al Gore Sr. and agreed to pay him $20,000 a year for mining rights. After receiving his first payment, Gore Sr. sold the land for $140,000 to Gore Jr., who has received a $20,000 check nearly every year since he acquired it. Strangest of all, Occidental has never actually mined the land.

    TheNation

    Parent

    Jim linking to the Nation (5.00 / 0) (#32)
    by jondee on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 12:31:32 PM EST
    is all the redemption this thread needs.

    LOL

    Parent

    Of course everything (5.00 / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 12:37:53 PM EST
    the Nation says about Bush just proves how much the Left hates America, our freedoms, the Lord Jesus etc etc

    Parent
    You must love pain (1.00 / 0) (#36)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 02:54:30 PM EST
    Link

    Link

    Link

    Link

    Parent

    How ppj n/t (5.00 / 0) (#40)
    by squeaky on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:59:20 PM EST


    Parent
    Typical (1.00 / 0) (#41)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 08:12:48 AM EST
    Attacking the messenger.

    How Leftie of you.

    Parent

    Typical (5.00 / 0) (#44)
    by jondee on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 03:15:10 PM EST
    utter and complete lack of self awareness/shame mixed with the usual toxic stench that messenger boys from wingnuttia always carry with them.

    As if you aren't "attacking the messnger".

    Parent

    Can we get a link to (5.00 / 0) (#45)
    by jondee on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 03:35:39 PM EST
    the Nation/Common Dreams file on Bush now?

    Please? He's mah he-ro.

    Parent

    Oh, there's more... he's been very busy (none / 0) (#13)
    by bronte17 on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 11:45:47 PM EST
    CurrentTV will now host vblogs by The Guardian and Salon.

    As far as that house in Nashville... it is an old home that he has converted with solar panels and many upgrades. "This Old House" with an environmental focus.

    We have lots of old housing stock in this country. There is nothing wrong with upgrading it to the best of your ability.  The Gore home is just a little "tonier" than some... but the home is certainly not "mirror mirror on the wall... the most lavish of all."

    Parent

    Ah the old "suggestion" of wrongdoing as (none / 0) (#12)
    by bronte17 on Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 11:37:29 PM EST
    sin by virtue of attachment.

    Why is it wrong to be successful at earning money through foresight and a bit of high risk investment in new technologies?


    Parent

    Nothing (1.00 / 0) (#17)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:29:06 AM EST
    Of course it helps to be appointed to the boards and  to have invented the Internet...

    Parent
    All he'd have to do is (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by jondee on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:30:58 AM EST
    shill the WOT and you'd shut up about anything else he does or says yesterday.

    Notwithstanding your perpetual, unflinching stance against the hegemony of "elites", hypocrites and nepotism in American politics.(sic)

    You're too funny, ppj.

    Parent

    Want some cheese (1.00 / 0) (#35)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 02:41:22 PM EST
    with that whine????

    Still can't refute the point, eh??

    Parent

    What other positions (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by jondee on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 03:07:12 PM EST
    championed by the Nation do you concur with, you old pinko?

    Just curious.

    Parent

    Evidently you can read (1.00 / 0) (#42)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 08:15:03 AM EST
    The point was:

    Of course it helps to be appointed to the boards and  to have invented the Internet...


    Parent
    Al Gore Makes Money the Green Way | 42 comments (42 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment