The CEO of Greenpeace only makes about $65,000!? That's hardly an example of an inflated salary! Being a CEO requires talent, education and leadership, and finding someone who can do so at that salary level is practically a miracle. I may disagree with Greenpeace on many issues, but criticizing them for high salaries is very unfair if that figure is accurate.

Gore, I think, made the right decision. Although I disagree with many of his views, I think he would have made a principled and effective president... even if not always in the direction I'd prefer. Given the fiasco of the 2000 election, any subsequent Bush/Gore election was bound to be bloody and ugly and I don't blame him one bit for not wanting to put himself and his family through it. Time off from politics may give him the time to reevaluate his priorities and come to the table with a clean mental slate. I doubt he will run in 2008, but if he does he may come back a much better person for removing himself from the political arena for a while.

Like Carter, it may turn out that Gore makes a better ex-official than an official. If he uses his name recognition and clout to do more than SNL appearances and books, we may have a much-needed politically savvy activist on our hands.