Gore: AGW is a Planetary Emergency

Former VP and global warming crusader Al Gore called man made global warming a "planetary emergency" during testimony today.

Gore said lawmakers should pass legislation that would halt carbon dioxide emissions at current levels, and require a 90 percent cut in pollution by 2050. He called for a moratorium on construction of any new coal-fired power plants that can't capture and store their greenhouse gas emissions and a tax on carbon emissions.

While Democrats were receptive of Gore's message, he wasn't without his critics...

"You're not just off a little, you're totally wrong," said Texas Rep. Joe Barton, the leading Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as he challenged Gore's conclusion that carbon dioxide emissions cause rising global temperatures. Barton and Gore's exchange grew testy at one point—Barton demanding that Gore get to the point and Gore responding that he would like time to answer without being interrupted.

"Global warming science is uneven and evolving," Barton said.

Not to mention that Gore's testimony violated the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee’s hearing rules.

Gore first demanded to be granted an unprecedented 30 minute opening statement to the Senate EPW Committee for Wednesday’s (March 21) global warming hearing scheduled for 2:30 pm ET.

The GOP minority on the EPW committee agreed to the 30 minute opening statement.

But then Gore demanded a waiver of the EPW committee’s 48 hour rule that requires all witnesses before EPW to submit their testimony in advance. The GOP minority on the EPW committee then agreed to waive the 48 hour rule in favor of allowing Gore to submit his testimony 24 hours before the hearing.

But in a breaking news development on Capitol Hill -- the former Vice President has violated the new 24 hour deadline extension by failing to submit his testimony – even with the new time extension granted to Gore.

As of 8pm ET Tuesday evening, the testimony still has not been received by EPW, a clear violation of committee rules.

The word on Capitol Hill says not to expect Gore’s testimony to the Senate EPW committee until Wednesday (March 21) -- the day of the hearing.

It appears that Gore does not believe the same rules apply to him that apply to every other Senate EPW witness.

The question looms on Capitol Hill: Is Gore delaying the submission of his testimony until the very last moment because he fears it will give members of the EPW committee time to scrutinize it for accuracy?

Emphasis added. More links about Gore's testimony via Drudge:

GORE SWEARS: 'Crisis threatens the survival of our civilization'...
**Dire warnings...
Dem Rep.: 'You are a prophet'...
GOP: GORE REFUSES TO TAKE PERSONAL ENERGY ETHICS PLEDGE...
BOXER: YOU HAVE GIVEN US HOPE...
Katie Couric: Gore makes triumphant return, scientific consensus is clear...
'THE PLANET HAS A FEVER'