Gore -ified

Al Gore came to campus today, and it was my every intention to see him.
Unfortunately, when the box office opened with its free tickets to the event, it "sold" out in less than one hour...Over 4000 seats..
Is he a rock star?

No. Better. He is a smart politician with an agenda to literally save the world. What could be more motivating? Our box office did not open until 10am, however, people were in line for tickets as early as 5am. That is commitment.

Still, with no ticket in hand, I had faith that I too, would be in his crowd of supporters.
I tapped into my informal network, and ended up with an usher position in the VIP section of Rimac. Synchronicity.

Al Gore is bigger than life. What surprised me was his knack for stand up comedy. For the first 10 minutes he spoke humorously about his fall from Air force 2 to a rented Ford Taurus. Where was his entourage indeed. After thanking Roger Revelle for teaching him about the importance of global ownership and preservation, and honoring Ellen Revelle's continued support, he moved into his presentation. He asked that the lights be turned down in order to view the slide show. With the lights off, one could focus on the information rather than revel in the awe of his person.

Just as in the movie, the information was horrifying. But his message brought hope and inspiration. His presentation was filled with a passion that I had not heard before. It moved me, touched my core, made me think. Was this how people felt when they heard Martin Luther King Jr. at the pulpit? It had to have been close.

With the crowd roaring "Gore for President"! Stomping their feet in the bleachers, and sending him audible kudos, he left for his next stop on the trail he is blazing toward a renewed environment.


Al Gore and Ellen Revelle look at an item in the Birch Aquarium's new "Feeling the Heat" exhibition.
(Photo / Bob Ross)