July 11, 2006

We've long been skeptical of having the public debate come out of the movie theater.

Films like "JFK" are laughably inaccurate; "Fahrenheit 9/11" was filled with half-truths.

But we might have to change our mind because it appears that Al Gore has taken on a discussion of global warming that is more on point than most of the debates now happening in our nation's capital.

A quick check of scientific literature reveals most scientists are comfortable with the position laid out in Gore's film, "An Inconvenient Truth."

Gore and the movie's vast staff laid out a comprehensive look at the problem of global warming and succeeded in probably the best way they could: to bring people's attention to the problem.

Perhaps we've reached a stage in 21st century life in which the power of the media — particularly cinema — is more influential than those who are serving in Washington.

Gore joins a long tradition of retired public officials some say he's running for president, but he's out of office now who continue working for the public good. We hope he remains out of office because he's now established himself as someone who can bring a message to the people. If his role changes because he's back as a partisan politician, he'll lose some of his believability.

We had no real complaints about the movie during a recent screening in Santa Cruz sponsored by Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. Sure, he included a few zingers against the current administration but after winning the popular vote back in 2000, he probably has the right to do so.

He deserves credit for his focus on the problem. The movie brings up a few ideas to fight against global warming, but in large part his mission is to convince the viewer that the problem is bigger than one might have expected. He takes aim at those who would deny that global warming is happening.

What should happen next is a meaningful debate of the subject. Alas, this is where we're discouraged that the current leadership in Washington is capable of that.

While Gore the moviemaker is working on explaining the issue to millions of people, those in Congress are frittering away their time on non-issues like flag-burning. And, we really don't need elected officials to be telling private citizens whether gay people should be allowed to marry.

Our solutions to environmental problems will be different than either the Democrats' solutions or the Republican ones. That's OK. We'd like to see a debate on the best way to move forward in an environmentally responsible way.

The Associated Press has reported that key people in the administration have vowed not to see the movie. We think that's a little snippy of them, but on the other hand they can be excused for thinking that Gore is not going to give them a fair shake.

But the administration ought to address the issue. Voters deserve to know where each party stands when it comes to environmental issues.

We're not convinced that the solution to global warming is only a political issue. But even if it's a scientific matter, we'd like to know more about how and when the scientific community will move forward.

"An Inconvenient Truth" is a great wakeup call. We hope that the issue won't continue to be ignored in Washington.