Indians come to the rescue...
Of Al Gore.
Live Earth Adds DC Show to Global Event
By ERIK SCHELZIG
The Associated Press
Friday, July 6, 2007; 12:22 PM-- Al Gore announced Friday a surprise Live Earth concert in Washington, foiling Senate Republicans who blocked Gore's attempt to bring his global warming extravaganza to the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
The former vice president said the all-day "Mother Earth" concert would be held on the National Mall at the National Museum of the American Indian _ about two blocks from the Capitol _ as part of Saturday's concert series focused on climate change. The headliners are Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
"Global warming naysayers in the political world have not been able to have their way, because this will _ despite their best efforts _ be held on the Mall," Gore told The Associated Press.
The "Mother Earth" show had been previously planned, but Gore announced Friday that it would be part of the Live Earth series. The concert will also feature films, music, dancing and guest speakers, including scientists and cultural leaders from the American Indian community.
"There is no more important matter before us than the question of how to live sustainably on the Earth," said Tim Johnson, acting director of the American Indian museum and a descendant of the Mohawk tribe.
Clearly I'm an Al Gore fan, but on one issue, I was never completely thrilled with the former VP. Back in 2000, as Deputy Field Director for Gore-Lieberman in Maine, I organized the first ever meeting of the heads of the five Maine tribes and the visiting Gore. Unfortunately, at the very last minute, Gore's idiotic Executive Director, a woman they sent to a rural state who did not even possess a driver's license, declared the meeting off, as "Indians shouldn't be treated any differently than other "interest groups", such as labor unions." I submitted my resignation, but was convinced by other friends on the campaign to reconsider. But I never completely let go of my disappointment in Gore, that he never contacted the tribal leaders to apologize for his offending staffer and her clear lack of understanding of the inherent nation-to-nation relationship of Indian tribes to the US government.
So I hope that the NMAI's bailing out of Gore sticks with him, going forward, and he appreciates that, with this Administration in power, the good deed will not go unpunished. But I also hope Gore is smart enough NOT to have his picture taken with Principal Thief, er Chief, racist and Abramoff client, Chad Smith of the CNO.
