5 ms·

He invested in a firm whose purpose is in trading a security that has no value currently, but which will be immensely valuable if the government passes laws req

by lzw 16y ago

He invested in a firm whose purpose is in trading a security that has no value currently, but which will be immensely valuable if the government passes laws requiring people to buy them... and for which Al Gore is actively campaigning to get government to pass said laws. This is the very essence of corruption.

kingkawn 16y ago
You're intentionally confusing the genesis of his interest in the topic with the timeline of his investments to make your point. It has nothing to do with corruption. He has publicly discussed his business interests, they are common knowledge, and he is in part using it a case study for the good economic opportunities behind sustainable technology and policy. Corruption is pushing for changes that benefit you without acknowledging it, or obscuring your intentions.
- rick888 16y ago
  "It has nothing to do with corruption. He has publicly discussed his business interests, they are common knowledge, and he is in part using it a case study for the good economic opportunities behind sustainable technology and policy. Corruption is pushing for changes that benefit you without acknowledging it, or obscuring your intentions" Ok, it's not corruption. It's just plain unethical. If Bush had come out and said to the American people that he was going to profit from the Iraq war, would it then make it okay? I guess the next time I'm going to commit a crime or do something unethical, I should let everyone know my intentions. This will make it okay. "he is in part using it a case study for the good economic opportunities behind sustainable technology and policy" a "case study". Really? Really?? I call a billion dollars in personal profits enforced by the government more than a case study.
  - kingkawn 16y ago
    I'm really not a monumental Gore fan or detractor, but I find your insistence that he's unethical puzzling. Usually the left is decried for not taking business considerations into account. Gore is doing the opposite, and being pilloried here even though he's publicly stated his intentions have been to make investments and start companies that would encourage actual change in the market. He's asking for government intervention because thats a major piece of the puzzle, but not focusing solely on it. I'd think that a reasonable business person would be able to appreciate this effort as holistic. This is the general approach of our era; if there's a vision for the world it had better have a relationship to economy, or it won't amount to much beyond piecemeal charity.
    - rick888 16y ago
      "I'm really not a monumental Gore fan or detractor, but I find your insistence that he's unethical puzzling. Usually the left is decried for not taking business considerations into account. Gore is doing the opposite, and being pilloried here even though he's publicly stated his intentions have been to make investments and start companies that would encourage actual change in the market." I'm all for business. If he wants to invest in carbon credits, I'm happy for him. However, pushing to get cap-and-trade laws passed that would require companies to buy carbon credits from many of the companies he is invested in just sounds down right unethical to me. One then has to question: is he doing it to help the environment or line his pockets? "He's asking for government intervention because thats a major piece of the puzzle, but not focusing solely on it." Why would he want people to notice the fact that these laws will make him a billionaire? "I'd think that a reasonable business person would be able to appreciate this effort as holistic." I suppose organizations such as the RIAA/MPAA might appreciate his efforts, but not me.

by lzw 16y ago

kingkawn 16y ago

You're intentionally confusing the genesis of his interest in the topic with the timeline of his investments to make your point. It has nothing to do with corruption. He has publicly discussed his business interests, they are common knowledge, and he is in part using it a case study for the good economic opportunities behind sustainable technology and policy. Corruption is pushing for changes that benefit you without acknowledging it, or obscuring your intentions.

rick888 16y ago
"It has nothing to do with corruption. He has publicly discussed his business interests, they are common knowledge, and he is in part using it a case study for the good economic opportunities behind sustainable technology and policy. Corruption is pushing for changes that benefit you without acknowledging it, or obscuring your intentions" Ok, it's not corruption. It's just plain unethical. If Bush had come out and said to the American people that he was going to profit from the Iraq war, would it then make it okay? I guess the next time I'm going to commit a crime or do something unethical, I should let everyone know my intentions. This will make it okay. "he is in part using it a case study for the good economic opportunities behind sustainable technology and policy" a "case study". Really? Really?? I call a billion dollars in personal profits enforced by the government more than a case study.
- kingkawn 16y ago
  I'm really not a monumental Gore fan or detractor, but I find your insistence that he's unethical puzzling. Usually the left is decried for not taking business considerations into account. Gore is doing the opposite, and being pilloried here even though he's publicly stated his intentions have been to make investments and start companies that would encourage actual change in the market. He's asking for government intervention because thats a major piece of the puzzle, but not focusing solely on it. I'd think that a reasonable business person would be able to appreciate this effort as holistic. This is the general approach of our era; if there's a vision for the world it had better have a relationship to economy, or it won't amount to much beyond piecemeal charity.
  - rick888 16y ago
    "I'm really not a monumental Gore fan or detractor, but I find your insistence that he's unethical puzzling. Usually the left is decried for not taking business considerations into account. Gore is doing the opposite, and being pilloried here even though he's publicly stated his intentions have been to make investments and start companies that would encourage actual change in the market." I'm all for business. If he wants to invest in carbon credits, I'm happy for him. However, pushing to get cap-and-trade laws passed that would require companies to buy carbon credits from many of the companies he is invested in just sounds down right unethical to me. One then has to question: is he doing it to help the environment or line his pockets? "He's asking for government intervention because thats a major piece of the puzzle, but not focusing solely on it." Why would he want people to notice the fact that these laws will make him a billionaire? "I'd think that a reasonable business person would be able to appreciate this effort as holistic." I suppose organizations such as the RIAA/MPAA might appreciate his efforts, but not me.