Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

In the meantime, 50 people were selected for the first session, and the only ones I saw get mention in the press was a country singer, a beauty queen, a couple of Mayors, oh, and a mother in NJ of someone who works for Moveon.org (which also sponsored the "Truth parties" held at 1800 homes last night, which I assume was then a majority of Moveon members) who stated in an article in a NJ paper that she was against the war in Iraq. What that had to do with the training I don't know. Then for the next session all I saw covered in the media was a Secretary of State. And now for this the last session, I read  postings on the Internet  that one girl who got picked is buying a whole new wardrobe to meet Al Gore, one who claimed that this is also "political" to them, and people being picked who are already on environmental organization boards who already do presentations.

So I guess my questions are: What was/is the criteria used in selecting the trainees? If I were a famous singer, would my name be enough to get me in? If I were a politician and just placed a call to Mr. Gore's office, would my standing be enough to get me in?  How can committed working people without name recognition who love this planet and who would be willing to put themselves in debt to do this every day because it means that much to them without any of those credentials compete with that? How many trainees already selected are poor?  Are farmers? Are factory workers? Are mothers without children who work for moveon.org? And is this selection based in any way on a certain political leaning? And just how is the information on the applications corroborated, as I was not contacted once about anything I entered on the Internet application. And I ask that because I really have a strong feeling that many people signed up just thinking they would meet Al Gore and may have been tempted to fluff their applications up a bit to make their chances greater. So I guess my concern is ironically, truth.

And I'm not bitter about it (though yes, disappointed about it as I am one of those who would quit my job to do this if I could) because it hasn't deterred me from supporting solutions to this crisis or in working for them. I'm even starting the process of trying to put my own presentation together regarding the global water crisis which is really my main issue and concern, as well as having a presentation of the movie at my home last night for some neighbors, donating DVDs to my local school board and university, and signing the card to Congress at Mr. Gore's website (http://www.algore.com.)

I just believe that a "grassroots" organization should be a bit more diverse in who they select regarding all walks of life. And perhaps they have been; only once again it is the media picking and choosing who to cover. I don't know. That's why I am writing this, because I am sure others may be curious as well especially when we only read about those who are singers, beauty queens, politicians, and others who already have resources being selected, when it is the poor who need these tools most.

People on environmental boards who already give lectures don't need this training, so why would they have this paid for them when they are taking the places of people who need the training and would be willing to go through it? People who are already in politics don't need this training as they already have a public forum and the means to get out information. The same with singers and beauty queens... they all already have the public forum. But what about those of us who don't have that forum and don't have the resources to get it?  It is those who know what it is to be poor who need this training... People who live in urban areas... People untouched by the kind of education that is necessary for them to truly understand just what it is we are dealing with now.

Therefore, based on that, while I wish this program every success, I do wonder about all of the truly committed people it is leaving behind. People who already believe the deck is stacked against them and that this was one program that wouldn't look to name recognition or job title to include them. You know, a "grassroots" organization. Al Gore now has the potential of being the moral inspiration for a movement unprecedented in this country's history. However, people need to believe that their contributions are needed and appreciated across the board in order for that to happen.

That is why I believe anyone who sincerely took the initiative and was willing to devote time and the little resources they had to committing to this project should not give up. If you applied and are sincere about this and were turned down, don't despair. There is a multitude of resources at your disposal out here to do it on your own. Seek out learning Keynote or some other program that puts together slideshows. Get your own pictures. Write your own presentation. Be your own climate messenger.

For the ice sheets are melting fast, we are still spewing 70 million tons of CO2 in the air for each day we talk about it and pick and choose for programs, and time is of the essence. If you even at the minimum know what global warming is and can relay that in context to the consequences if we continue on the current path, you are needed now.

To the Climate Project, thanks for at least giving me a chance to apply for something I was firmly committed to. And to Mr. Gore, you give me inspiration to believe I can do this regardless of your training program. And now I will.