KBL Ed wrote:XtremeJibber2001 wrote:KBL Ed wrote:XtremeJibber2001 wrote:This is frightening. You're citing Al Gore as an authority on Global Warming.
Um, actually he is an authority.
I disagree ... the definition of the word authority:
an expert whose views are taken as definitive
Gore has a bachelor of Arts in Government, hardly an expert or an authority on anything scientific.
Dude, WTF is wrong with you? Is your world so black and white for every f-ing thing?? Someone needs a degree to be an authority?? WTF!
That said, I do respect Bubba's assertion that he may not be an authority for other reasons. Actually, it is not just his son's death which results in his views on the environment. It is his religious beliefs. He has toned it down a bit, but in the past, he has said that as a Christian, he could not stand by and watch destruction to God's creation, as it were. I'm totally paraphrasing, but something like that.
We obviously come from different parts of life ...
It's not always black and white, but sometimes it is ... well ... because it is.
Does someone need a degree to be an authority? Not always, but it certainly depends, but in most cases, I personally feel the answer is yes.
My professors in college (Ph.D's) were "authorities" on their subject ... many of them had degrees in their field, practice and research in their field, and also hands-on experience in their field before becoming an authority figure and a professor.
Considering Gore's lack of degree in a science field, a lack of practice and research in the science field, and a lack of hands-on scientific experience, I feel he's merely an advocate, not an authority.
Perhaps you can enlighten me as to why you personally feel he's an authority? After all, his own biography falls short of calling him an "authority".