I spent some time at a Washington conference years ago with Gore, and -- contrary to Mick (we do this occasionally) -- I found him to be one of the weirdest people it has ever been my lot to watch in action. He was like a windup doll, and although he gladhanded around the room, and made official eye and hand contact, he gave everyone the creeps. Very intelligent, but like some kind of alien being. I certainly think that Clinton and Gore were a disaster for the environment -- what did they think they were doing all those eight years? -- but a disaster is better than a catastrophe, which is what is happening now.... yours, Peter T.