This is an outrage and embarrassment to the United States of America! We are really no better than a third world dictatorship. To think that the torture that went on in Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, and in prisons in Afghanistan under our watch actually happens under our watch right here in America is APPALLING and SICKENING, and I am sickened, sad, and outraged as a citizen who believes in following the law and in human rights. What I see as the REAL face of America now is not the face I thought I was looking at all of these years.

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Is the true power to make change really in the hands of just a President? Or don't you think the people should have a say in that? That is what an Inconvenient Truth brings forth in it's message, and in my opinion is Al Gore's true quest: To go beyond the Presidency.

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The ongoing water dispute between Mexico and the United States is becoming heated.

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This entry is in response to an article in the Edmonton Sun in which Klein trashed Al Gore's remarks regarding the oil sands extraction process in Alberta. I think people need to see the truth behind the environmental degradation being caused by this that will not in the longrun sustain our planet, but is only an addiction that is costing people their planet. I have previously written twenty diaries on the topic of water and its scarcity and other issues regarding this life force. Now I write in agreement with Al Gore about the absolute insanity regarding oil sands extraction and its effects upon our world, and in response as well to Ralph Klein who trashed Al Gore on this issue, who frankly doesn't know what the hell he is talking about.

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Our resources including our water are privatized, our votes are privatized, our military is privatized, they want to privatize the Internet, and now our borders will be privatized. Reading this article made me sick. It made me sick not only because immigration is not a cut and dry black and white issue that can even hope to be mended this way, but because now it should be obvious that Republicans don't care about people, only in making money... And they will use any issue to their advantage to do just that and advance their other goals, which I believe include a Police State.

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In my previous entries here on the topic of water, water scarcity, water quality, and other topics related to water which amount to nineteen making this my twentieth, I have mainly concerned myself with areas outside of the United States. However, the United States has it own problems involving privatization (which I did touch on,) drought (the Southwestern US has been experiencing a very bad drought with New Mexico just recently placing very strict restrictions on water usage,) and according to this report, The Great Lakes is experiencing a drop in water table that I believe should cause worry, especially in light of the reasons cited for its occurrence.

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Today, celebrate your freedom of conscience. It is the essence of humanity and Democracy.

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My last entry on the proposed development of the Kalabagh Dam in Pakistan (my seventeenth here in a series about water issues,) and the ecological damage it will do to an area of great tradition (the Sindh), along with the political powerplaying involved in calling for this project to go forward regarding the war that may ensue from it is not the only story in this saga. Let me first then say in this opening that development in and of itself is not bad. However, development aimed only at making money for developers and states with the intention of displacing indigenous peoples, diverting their water resources, and in exploiting them for profit is unconscienable. Again, water is a HUMAN RIGHT, although it seems that when it comes to corporate/state ownership human rights don't matter. Such is the case in Pakistan, and such is the case also in India.

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I just bought Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth this past Friday. I finished it last night. If you cannot get to see the movie for whatever reason (or even if you have,) you must buy the book. You will not regret it.

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That is the title of a headline printed by the Haaretz newspaper, and I concur. Of course, that may not be a popular sentiment to some here, but frankly, I don't give a damn. This is about human rights and where that is concerned there is no skin color, no religion, and no validation for it.
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I first thought of this idea about two and a half years ago, way before An Inconvenient Truth came out, or the climate crisis was considered a "hot topic" (pardon the pun.) I have always known in my heart that Al Gore is sincere and dedicated to this issue and has been trying so hard to bring this issue and warning with hope into the forefront of our consciousness for many years. I believe advocating and making great changes on this issue is now his destiny. It may even be what all of the previous years and hardships he faced in them personally and politically have brought him to. The success of An Inconvenient Truth certainly appears to be validating that as well. And while I support other notable and distinquished environmental leaders being considered for such a post if it ever came to be, I will continue to support this endeavor in supporting Al Gore as our first UN Global Environmental Ambassador.

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Pakistan's President Musharraf claims that building the Kalabagh Dam will alleviate the water crisis in Pakistan. Will it also ultimately lead to war?

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I previously reported on the first TED Conference speech Al Gore gave about four months ago. There is now a second speech that is being released for view on video that I have linked to here. In this speech Al Gore brings forth a fourteen point primer for us to become a part of the solution to the climate crisis.

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Are we now going to allow paid shills for the oil industry and other special interests to once again frame the debate on the climate crisis, as the current regime believes they can do it regarding every other issue? I sure hope your answer is no.

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This is my sixteenth entry on the issue of water scarcity, sustainability, pollution, and the threat of war surrounding our lifeblood. It isn't going to be my last either, because the more I read about this crucial issue the more incensed I become about this global crisis that is totally unnecessary because we have all we need to mitigate it. I also feel disillusioned about a global community that for the most part is not treating this with the urgency it deserves...Again, the URGENCY it deserves.

This diary is a change from my usual diaries, because it is a special day for me. Today my son graduates from junior high, and I am crying already. Is it always so tough on the parents?

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Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth has won a special award.  I predict it is just the first...

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The interview Charlie Rose did with Al Gore last night (6.19.06) was without a doubt the very best interview I have watched him on yet. He delved deeper into the actual issue of climate and other foreign policy matters than any other "cable" interviewer has to date. It was a thoroughly interesting and informative interview.

Update: The interview is now available at the link above. More below