"Nature intended me for the tranquil
pursuits of science, by rendering
them my supreme delight.
But the enormities of the times
in which I have lived
have forced me to commit myself
on the boisterous ocean
of political passions."
by:
Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
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How true to life! Often our calling is not what we wanted or desired.
 -- WILL, Portsmouth     
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    If you don't think we are headed downhill, consider this. We have come from men like Jefferson and Franklin to hacks like Pelosi, Reed and Barney Franks.
     -- jim k, austin     
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    His dilemma seemingly cannot be avoided. While true science is wonderful it must be explained to a politcally sustained and operated world where humanity is ruled not by truth but by associations of persons and politics. So the truth of earth science and environmental science is useless with the ability to explain it to others. Thank God for men like Jefferson and Gore, men of science and politics and conscience.
     -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas     
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    I find it interesting that Jefferson called politics a passion. Science is by nature passionless. It is based on reason. Politics, much like religion, by nature is emotional. If there ought to be separation of anything, it should be separation of science and politics. Gore and Jefferson in the same sentence; I'd only believe it if lunatic and sane were in that sentence as well. The fact is glowbull warming is entirely political, i.e. redistrubutionist Marxism. Here an interesting article I ran across this morning as a matter of fact: How the world was bullied into silence... http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/7710
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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    Thank goodness!
     -- RBESRQ     
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    Waffler. Are you really saying Gore is comparable to the Political Genius of Jefferson? Not only did Jefferson pen the founding documents of our nation, but he was also a lawyer, a state legislator, the Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President and our third President. When he was President our nation purchased the land which flows into the Mississippi River Basin, and set Louis and Clark out on an expedition to explore the new land. Besides holding the office of Vice President, Al Gore has also been a congressman, and a senator. He also has a Nobel Prize for Climate Change. Which reminds me of the time JFK welcomed the Nobel Prize winners to the White House in 1962. He said, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and of human knowledge that has ever been gathered together at the White House – with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."
     -- Richard Saunders, Philadelphia, PA     
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    A beautiful way of saying what you like to do but give up for what you feel compelled to do. What a writer! Taken by a noble character, he chose to do it for us. Reason applies to both Science and Politics, delight just to one. Agree: there is no room for many names, other than the Founding Fathers, in one sentence when Thomas Jefferson is mentioned.
     -- Elisabeth, Astoria , NY     
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    Richard yes I do compare Gore to Jefferson in the sense that Gore has devoted himself to the scientific challenges of the day via the political realm. When in Congress it has been said that Gore was the most studied and knowledgeable on issues like battlefield nukes etc. He was involved in the Governments creation of the internet concept and his expounded the importance of environmental science for decades. Since Jefferson was farmer and Gore comes from farm country I think they would have gotten along smashingly both in science and politics.
     -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas     
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    Without the great spirit of Jefferson, America would never have become. The words found in the Declaration of Independence are the founding principles of individual liberty and the rights of humankind. Nothing even comes close. Jefferson was an individualist and a true Republican; Gore is a collectivist and a Fabian with no degrees of any kind in Science (except maybe a Bachelors of Science). Gore is a politician through and through and grew up in five star hotels most of his life -- he wouldn't know what to do on a farm if his life depended on it. Science does not need politics to prop it up. 'Climate Change' is a political expression, not a scientific one (duh -- the climate is always changing). The purpose of political doctrines is to put more power, control, and ultimately money into politicans' hands. While Jefferson was content with a good book, Gore is raking in millions with junk science that is rapidly losing ground within the scientific community. Someone didn't study 'entropy' in physics class...
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Really?!?! Are kidding? You really believe Gore invented the Internet? Are you for real? The Internet was created in the 1960's by the United States Department of Defense. You should really check your facts.
     -- TrollHunter, Someplace, USA     
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    Founding a country versus "inventing the Internet?" That's your argument? Try reading in between the lines... Jefferson is saying there is no room for politics in science. Which means the government has no business trying to control things that are humanly impossible to control (i.e. climate).
     -- Richard Saunders, Philadelphia, PA     
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    boring
     -- anonymos, life     
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