Conveniently Oppositional

If you have seen the documentary on global warming that's been in the theaters for several weeks now, you know that it is, indeed, an "inconvenient truth." It is bothersome, annoying, and (with any luck) life-altering. You know that it is engaging and interesting--as documentaries go anyway. You've also experienced the interlacing of vulnerable stories and vignettes that help relax the pounding in your head by taking a few tugs on your heart strings. If you are like most folks that I have talked with who have seen the movie, you can't help but wonder "what if" this is true? If, as a high-ranking official of the Howell Istitute pondered, only half of the conclusions are correct, we've got a serious problem that will require changes from all of us. If you have been "inconvenienced" by this truth, how has it affected you...and what sort of changes are you implementing?

But this post isn't really about the movie itself. If you have seen the movie...and mentioned to people that you saw it...you've also experienced that many people are "conveniently oppositional." First, they act like they didn't hear you--"What movie did you see?" Next, with a crinkled face they utter their own Bushism, "Is that Al Gore's thing?" If you affirm that it is based on Gore's Global Warming presentation, the most you are likely to get is a heavy "humph." Probaly, however, you will get a quick subject change.

What's everyone opposed to anyways? Is it Gore? Are people unable to accept that Al Gore "has brains" and is not afraid to use them? Or are they afraid that they are going to be hoodwinked into becoming a Democrat? It's a slippery slope, you know? One minute you are watching a documentary and the next minute you will find yourself part of a pro-abortion lobbying group.

"Ridiculous, you say?" I agrree. So, maybe they have a problem with environmentalism. Most of the people that I talk to are Christians, so my sample of subjects is coming from a group of people that generally identifies itself as "pro-life." Yet, the confusing thing is, they seem to be nonchalant and generally uncaring about "the earth and all that is in it--except nice people." Should issues about the environment be so LOW on the list of a pro-life group? May it never be!

If you agree, then join me in "pushing some buttons." Rather than letting folks off the hook so easily, I'm going to start asking some questions.

• Do you think you'll see the movie? Why or why not?
• That's an interesing tone you used when mentioning Al Gore...what's up with that?
• Don't you think Al's stance is strongly pro-life in this regard?
• Are you already pretty knowledgeable about global warming and the environment?

Now, I'm not suggesting you get yourself punched or thrown out of a restaurant for causing a disturbance, but let's shake things up a bit. I'm interested to figure out why so few people have seen the movie...and why those who have seem conveniently opposed to it.