Al Gore in Oslo (Pics)

[mogster]

OK, so a little update on this event :-)

Al Gore's kids out strolling in Oslo

Kristin Gore (left) and Sarah Lee.


Source (NO)

Official dinner tomorrow and then the official Prize ceremony on Monday.

Al and Tipper Gore arrived on Friday, took the airport train in to the city centre and walked from the Nationaltheateret station down to the hotel where they're staying.






Source (NO)
Source (NO)

[Hekate]

1. Kick and Recommend. Al and Tipper look GOOD. They make me proud. nt

[TahitiNut]

56. I wonder what Tipper said about the kids looking at NUDES?!?!?!

For what it's worth, the first photo is at the steps leading to the Monolith in Vigeland Park which is famous for its nude statuary. (I wonder if Tipper had them rated "R" or "PG.") :evilgrin:




http://www.museumsnett.no/vigelandmuseet/2parken/2b_historikk/engelsk/2bframeset.html

[stlsaxman]

65. stlsaxman slaps TahitiNut around with a large trout!

you're such a goof-ball!

:rofl:

[Hekate]

70. The "kids" are adults now. I doubt their mother tries to protect them anymore.

FWIW, when my now-adult kids were growing up I would have really liked a little help from the entertainment industry as regards meaningful ratings. It's not squelching either creativity or the 1st Amendment to ask that the government step in and make it happen.

Hekate

[Hekate]

74. Those nudes look very chilly in the Norway sun! But gorgeous. What do they represent? nt

[TahitiNut]

83. Humanity.

The statuary is realistic and the figures have expressions on their faces, wrinkles, love handles, etc. They're posed in active postures ... struggle, play, etc. The park is a very popular place for Norwegians to picnic, play frisbee, etc. Vigeland died 3 months before I was born. My maternal grandparents (both Nowegian immigrants) said he was Norway's greatest sculptor and ranked with Henrik Ibsen and Edvard Grieg at the top of Norway's greatest artists.

I personally see them in the context of the "Norwegian psyche" (if there is one) ... unassuming and non-pretentious. It's a cultural faux pas to deliberately draw attention to one's self. "The highest nail gets hammered down." At the same time, devotion to craftsmanship and diligence runs strong and is highly respected. The park is somewhat "liberating" in that context ... creating an atmosphere that counters the "wound too tight" tendancy some adopt.


While I've never been there (as much as I'd like to), one of favorites is the child throwing a tantrum.

[L. Coyote]

2. And the carbon footprint for this trip is what exactly? Words or Deeds, Al??

[silverweb]

4. Oh, for god's sake...

Of course. Gore's going to sit in his home office and work entirely from there to gather support and evidence and scholarship, and inspire people to work together to solve GW (and that includes the gatherings in Bali and Oslo, among others).

Because we all know that face-to-face contact with people does absolutely nothing to solidify teamwork and mutual support and thus has no beneficial effect on the results, right? :eyes:

You want to bitch about about carbon footprints? Then bitch at people who take jets and cruise ships just for their own pleasure, out of no necessity and with no greater purpose.

Sheesh... get real.

[lapfog_1]

5. And the carbon footprint of the computer you used to

post this was what exactly? words or deeds, Coyote?

[babylonsister]

7. He's trying, and I'm proud of him!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2422640

[mogster]

10. Hey, thanks!

For link :hi: It's nice to see a politician not entering a black limo and disappear, that was my first thought. A friendly face just now when the US looks so bleak. The carbon emissions saved by taking the train and walking is probably not gonna save the earth, but no doubt he's trying, and the signal effect is important.

[ConsAreLiars]

8. He does carbon offsets for all his travels. Name one other who does

that (do you?). Both words and deeds from Mr. Gore. Wanna name someone who does better?

[mogster]

12. Here's a video from the train station

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=188748

The article is in Norwegian, but the video is understandable ;-)

[Deja Q]

41. So he doesn't say "carbon credits" anymore? Why? Visa executives sue over the use of

the word "credit"?

"Carbon credits" is a lazy cop-out.

Besides, why should anyone repeat what can be found very quickly via a google search?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=al+gore+hypocrite&btnG=Google+Search

There's a LOT to be read, if you really wanted to take the time. Most people don't want to, which is why most people don't bother citing too many references.

[greenbriar]

26. okay Hannity...you broke your cover here

as I heard that said on his show last week

[postulater]

38. I turned over a few of my carbon atoms to him

so he could go and do my work over there.

I spose a few others also supported him with theirs.

So maybe it is a net gain if he accomplishes anything at all.

[Deja Q]

40. A VERY valid statement and I'm sorry you're getting flamed for it.

[Harper_is_Bush]

51. It's not valid at all. The poster deserves to be flamed for it.

Al Gore got the Nobel for - more than any other human being - getting the message of global warming out and spurring the world to action.

To criticise him for flying is beyond misguided.

Would you be happier if he had decided years ago to not take his message on the road because of the carbon footprint of his traveling? Do you really think the world would be paying as much attention to global warming as they are now if that were the case? Al Gore not only gave global warming global attention well ahead of what it would otherwise have been achieved, but he has inspired thoudands to become activists against global warming.

But I suppose you and the other poster would be happier if, years ago, he had decided to stay home, hmm?

I never cease to be amazed at how misguided some well-meaning people can be.

[gristy]

58. So what would you have him do?

Sit at home, turn off the heat, and keep his breath shallow?
Transport himself off the planet? That would be one carbon source removed.
Take you with him? That would be two carbon sources removed.
I see no flaming in response to #2. Only valid criticism.

[smoogatz]

63. It's valid in the sense that it's completely idiotic.

So it's valid as idiocy. Otherwise, not so much.

[Harper_is_Bush]

49. When's the last time you flew in a plane? Be truthful now.

As far as I'm concerned Al can fly around the world all year long, because it's through his WORDS that DEEDS are happening.

Apparently that's something you don't understand, judging from your flippant attack on Mr. Gore.

[BlueEyedSon]

64. I believe he swam there, pulling his family in a dinghy.

Jerk.

[NBachers]

66. Oh, Christ

Lay the fuck off purist

[Robeson]

68. Never fails. There's always one.

[Hekate]

71. Oh golly, Al's not clad in sackcloth & hemp-rope sandals!The hypocrite!He should have rowed there!

In a tiny sailboat!

Give it a rest.

Hekate

[Dukkha]

75. a loser says what?

[silverweb]

3. Beautiful.

President and Mrs. Gore make me feel proud and happy... even while sad at the loss of what might have been.

Thank you, mogster! :hi:

What are the sculptures on the left in the first picture? Is there someplace I could see the whole things and maybe read about them in English?

[mogster]

6. Hi silverweb

It is good to see them in Oslo :-)

The first picture is from the Vigelandsparken, with statues by the sculptor Gustav Vigeland.


More here, but not very many pictures, I think:
http://www.vigeland.museum.no/

It has a wiki here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigeland_Sculpture_Park
This is the sculpture they're walking past, the Monolith.

[silverweb]

9. Gorgeous....

Thank you!

I don't know that I'll ever have the opportunity to visit in person, but I'll enjoy studying these works on line in the meantime. :)

[mogster]

11. Thank you

I found a video that may give a bit more perspective:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvEBOwFPclU

[silverweb]

13. That was beautiful.

Thanks so much.

A part of my ancestry is Norwegian and I hope I do have the chance to visit someday.

[ConsAreLiars]

16. At a gas station, getting a tire repaired, I was asked if I was Norwegian

because the wife of the asker had suggested I looked so much like her Norwegian father. Well, being of mixed English, Irish, Dutch and German ancestry, I had to answer "probably." I had the good fortune to hitchhike from Oslo to the North Cape (and on through Finland, and so on) and I felt completely at home, as if I had come home for the first time. Everything from a schoolteacher giving me a sightseeing/educational ride out of Oslo, the unique breakfast at a hostel on a remote island, a fisherman insisting I share in a devouring a wash barrel full of fresh shrimp, putting up my tent anywhere that didn't intrude, and watching the sun circle 24 hours a day above the horizon. A mix of sharing and strength. Magic. Hard to describe, but a reminder of the kind of society we here might wish to become.

[silverweb]

17. It sounds magical.

"...a reminder of the kind of society we here might wish to become."

Yes. Everything I know and learn about the Scandanavian countries tells me this is true.

Now... if only they could do something about that bitter cold climate and my intolerance of it! :D

[mogster]

14. One more video, and photo/EN article

http://www.dagbladet.no/tv/index.html?clipid=24126



http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2140795.ece

[Triana]

15. What a great couple and what beautiful young women...

...are his daughters.

They all must be VERY proud of hubby/Dad!

Heck. *I'm* proud of him!

:applause:

[unhappycamper]

18. Nice pics mogster.

Isn't it incredible that this man and his family take public transportation? And they actually talk to people? Amazing.

Not like that putz we're stuck with. :-(

[mogster]

87. Heh-heh

I like to see them here, and to know they're the good guys :-)

[flordehinojos]

19. No anti-air-tanks for me. No gunship helicopters flying overhead. No bullet proof bubbles ...

No militarized mobility for us. No. No. and No. Let Peace, Sanity and Normalcy usher in!!!!!!

Thank you Al and Tipper Gore.

[malaise]

20. Al's losing weight

Dare I hope?

Lovely pix. Can't wait for his speech tomorrow.

[Stevepol]

35. Losing weight! That's what I thought. It can only mean one thing:

suddenly he's getting lean and mean and he realizes he could still win the nom and heads straight for Iowa to throw his hat in the ring!

[Mojorabbit]

77. I noticed that too

I hope he isn't ill and that he is losing it for, well you know.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

21. Thanks for posting these. Al is the man who talks the talk AND

walks the walk. He is my FIRST CHOICE for President. :patriot:

[Hissyspit]

22. Weather in Oslo today: High of 31 degrees F, low of 30 degrees F; snow

On Monday: Snow; High of 32 degrees F, low of 25 degrees F.

[globalvillage]

31. He's going to Bali from Oslo.

I think it's in the 80's there.
Great pics, congrats to Al!

[Cha]

47. That'll be fun to

see them in Bali! Our Planet is Amaaa-zing!

[globalvillage]

53. I've been trying to keep up with Bali news

Good thing Gore and Kerry will both be there, though Kerry only for a brief time due to Senate business, because the official US delegation sent by the admin. isn't looking so good.

http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_13/items/4049.php

That's the official site, but if you google, there are a lot of negative stories about the US approach to climate change.

[Cha]

54. Thank you, Global!

Viva Gore, Kerry, and Dean!

[Cha]

46. Sounds just like

where I am in New York..brrr.

[TheDoorbellRang]

23. Wonderful pics.

Thanks so much for posting them. K&R

[DesertRat]

24. Wonderful pictures. Thanks for posting. n/t

[Kajsa]

25. Hejsan Mogster!

These are very nice pictures.

Al and Tipper look great. ;-)

Tack ska du ha!

:hi:

PS.- When are the Nobel festivities in Oslo?

Is the first picture taken at the Vigeland Sculpture Park?

[DFW]

43. Hejsan Kajsa!

I was thinking that you and I were two people who could read that article in
Norwegian and understand 99% of it (de skriver lite konstigt, eller hur? LOL).

Al Gore looked (and looks) more presidential than the present clown ever did.
Bush could steal four more terms in office and never look half as presidential
as Al Gore does now, and did before he ever left the vice-presidency.

[Kajsa]

90. Hej DFW!

Yes, I could understand most of the article.
We have a number of Norwegian speakers here.
Mogster is Norwegian and both Swamp Rat and
Zombie Nixon speak/write fluent Norwegian.

You are the only one I know of here, who
writes/speaks Swedish.
LOL- (dom tycker nog att vi skriver konstigt.)

And yes, Al Gore looks like a president.
And he was the president per the popular vote.

The one we have posing as Mr. Pres. doesn't
look one bit like a president or any other leader
for that matter.

Think positive- we only have one more year of that
$%^&*&() in office.

Hej då, har det så bra.

:hi:

[mogster]

55. Hi Kajsa

Thank you :-)
The ceremony starts at 1 pm local time on December 10, and then there's a concert the day after, at 8 pm. in the evening.
Here's the program:
http://nobelpeaceprize.org/eng_week_prog.html

Yeah, the first picture is from the park, I think.

[Kajsa]

89. That is very cool.

I hope everyone was celebrating.

Tack ska du ha!

:D :pals:

[undeterred]

27. My president!

[StarryNite]

85. Mine too.

:)

[Libby2]

28. Beautiful!

Thanks for sharing.

Makes me tear up to think what could have been.

[Reader Rabbit]

29. What's with the all-black look?

Is Al channeling Johnny Cash?

[RestoreGore]

32. I love it and wrote and told him so...

So I hope so. Johnny Cash was the man.

[Blue Belle]

33. I thought the same thing...

but it looks good on him.

[Reader Rabbit]

34. I agree.

If I remember correctly, Johnny had a song about why he wore black all the time, and the lyrics went something like, "When the world gets its shit together and starts doing the right thing, and people start treating each other right, then I'll wear all the colors of the rainbow. But until that happens, I'm wearing black."

Maybe Al's thinking the same thing?

[Cha]

48. I didn't even

think about it..but it would be a good person to channel.

[madokie]

30. Big Al, Tipper and family looks good

sorry Al but we blew it by not having your back back in november and december of 2000, something us who love our country will never ever be able to live down. You were great as a Vice President and you are great today

[Cha]

50. Thanks for the

"apology" that we do owe Al Gore!

[otohara]

36. I Heart Gores

heartbroken however that they will not be our first family.

[dropkickpa]

37. He looks very healthy!

A far cry from prez cherry nose!

[Deja Q]

39. Wow. They're hot. (Does that help global warming?)

:9

:hide:

[Stephanie]

42. He's looking quite svelte.

God I wish he was our nominee!

[Stockholm]

44. Welcome to Scandinavia Mr. President

...

[Cha]

45. Beautiful...they are so

Awesomely Beautiful..from their Intelligence to their kindheartedness!~

[hurricaneric]

52. I think Al's on a diet

Does he look a bit thinner to all of you. Not that it makes any substantive difference in the man, he's still the man.

[ThatsMyBarack]

57. I LIKE seeing photos like these.

That's OUR Mr. President and Mrs. First Lady. So refreshing! :patriot:

[K Gardner]

59. The First Family looks healthy and happy ! n/t

[madfloridian]

60. On a google news search, sorted by date....foreign news covering the peace prize.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=%22al+gore%22&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d

Am I missing something?

I don't see our major papers covering this?

[mogster]

88. Yeah, will it be buried?

You can tell this event doesn't go down well with the media. I've noticed over here as well, although this is a major event here and can't be buried the same way.

[Gloria]

61. My, GOD! He's lost so much weight!!!!

[goforit]

62. Thank you Al for saving the Earth

[FourScore]

67. I LOVE the Johnny Cash look -- all black.

He's been doin' that for a while now.

I wish he were my president...

[KoKo]

69. Kick! The Man Who Was President ....doing Good while the Evil Chimp

is the P-Resident who took down our Country.

[NYC Liberal]

72. What a difference: Do you think * will ever be able to walk around freely

as Al Gore and Bill Clinton do? Fat chance. Not only that, he'll be lucky to be able to leave his ranch (unless under the cover of night) - let alone leave the country.

[kster]

73. What are them blue things they have pointed at Al Gore?

Cameras? Don't them guys have a car chase or a missing blonde to film somewhere. :sarcasm:

[Swamp Rat]

76. Hêia mogster!

:hi: Go'mårra! :D

I miss Vigeland Park. :cry:

[mogster]

78. Hi Swamp Rat

Yeah, it's a nice place, especially during summer. It also has a music festival, the Norwegian Wood, did you check that out while staying?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Wood_(music_festival)
I've been there some times, first time in 1994 to see Jethro Tull.

[Swamp Rat]

80. Sitting on a Vigeland Park bench! ... dummm, dum dum!...

:D Jethro Tull! :headbang: I saw them in Audubon Park, here in New Orleans in the late 80s.

I was in Norway during the entire Summer, but it felt like Winter to me. :D

I only spent a few days in Oslo, so I really do not know much more than the usual tourist sights. Maybe some day I'll have the ability to come visit you, and you can show me the Oslo underbelly. ;) :D

[mogster]

81. Haha, more like 'the internet undebelly'

Me not being the most outgoing person these days.
But hey, I could use some air, so come right over :P

Jethro sucked, btw. It must be the single most disappointing concert experience ever. Anderson had a cold, and could never hit the high notes when singing. You could see him suffering when trying, like standing on his toes to get high enough.
And I had forgot a sun block, and had already been out in the sun too long before the concert started. So when it was over, I walked home looking like a cooked lobster.

Al Gore-day today, SR. I hope he gets a great ceremony :-)

[autorank]

79. What a sight to see! Thank you.

[mogster]

82. Thanks, autorank!

:-)

[autorank]

91. My pleasure...a great post!

:kick:
:kick:
:kick:
:kick:
:kick:
:kick:
:kick:

[mogster]

84. Here's some facts about the award you might not know

The Nobel Peace Prize nominations are done by parlamentarians, and Al Gore's nomination was put forward by two Norwegian politicians from different sides of the spectrum; Børge Brende from the Conservatives and Heidi Sørensen from the Socialist Left. Both are people with long time experience in working for the environment. They proposed him to share the prize with the Canadian inuit activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier, while the committee's final choice as co-winner was the UN panel for climate change, the IPCC.

Børge Brende and Heidi Sørensen

The Nobel award are not normally seen as very political in Norway (at least that's my impression), although in years with controversial winners, there are always some political comments and criticism.

The idea to take the train and walk to the hotel originated with the Nobel Peace institute leader, Geir Lundestad, and not with Al Gore, although he thought it was a great idea when proposed. Remember, he's not up for election, and received this prize for deeds done, not to boost his self image or environmental 'cred' in any way. He is the official guest of Norway, and the security issues are no different here than in the US, so it took some arrangement. Geir Lundestad is the grey haired man seen on the Al/Tipper pictures.

[mogster]

86. The latest pictures

From a press meeting yesterday at the Nobel institute, Rajendra Pachauri from IPCC and Al Gore.


Climate for breakfast: Al Gore, Rajendra Pachauri, Norw. foreign minister Gahr Støre, Norw. env. minister Erik Solheim, Deputy Secretary in the Env. dept. Heidi Sørensen (who also nominated Gore) and Geir Lundestad, leader of the Nobel institute.


Uma Thurmann will host the Nobel Concert tomorrow.