MARTIN, Tenn. - Former vice president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore will receive an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Tennessee.
The degree - an Honorary Doctor of Laws and Humane Letters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - will be given to Gore at the spring commencement exercises of the College of Arts and Sciences on May 14, where he will be the featured speaker.
"Vice President Gore's career has been marked by visionary leadership, and his work has quite literally changed our planet for the better," UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said in a statement. "He is among the most accomplished and respected Tennesseans in history, and it is fitting that he should be honored by the flagship education institution of his home state."
University trustees approved the award Friday while meeting at the UT Martin campus. The proposal previously was approved by the UT Board of Trustees Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee.
Entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton and former Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. are the only other recipients of honorary degrees from UT Knoxville.
Chloe White Kennedy may be reached at 865-342-6341.
© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 117
Number69 writes:
"Vice President Gore's career has been marked by visionary leadership, and his work has quite literally changed our planet for the better," UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said in a statement.
JIMMY wake up it is AL GORE you know the guy that can't carry his HOME STATE...the guy who made up a company to let people pay him to cover their carbon footprint (litigation soon???) and the guy who kept the entire nation on edge after he lost the election by crying and stammering for recounts...which all proved he was NOT the winner. Al is a mega joke that TN votes repeatedly against! No really they do it was in all the paper!
Slow down...look at how well you guys are doing on picking a president for this great school..remember the two special ones??? Yea, now you understand. Don't blow it again!
billed23#213533 writes:
Don't forget to give him another doctorate for the invention of the internet. How can such a great institution sink so low?
oldoldtimer writes:
Ah, what the heck. Just go ahead and give it to him. After all it is a meaningless piece of paper. Maybe he will make a donation then. They hand these things out to any one they think will make a donation. I just wonder if it will be for faking climate data? To Al Gore we present an honorary degree "Doctor of Fake Climate Data".
AnotherBeatdownByKCSO writes:
"visionary"? hahahaha... shame on UT
whatever8 writes:
UT should be able to see that we still have winter and whoever it is that is giving this 'honorary' 'degree' should realize that ice shelves are maybe melting but maybe not and okay so they are but they are a long way away from here. So Gore should pack up his high-falutin' internet and UT should be ashamed because there IS still ice and who knows if humans or whales have anything to do with penguins? Obamaness is going to shake the ice out of the pockets of the internet anyway and UT will have winters and snow maybe for a few more years so take that UT.
whatever8 writes:
And the penguins will turn socialist with the whales on the internet and this scheme of UT's to bestow this so-called 'degree' on Gore is all Obamaness forever and will be the socialism of that big ice blob down there somewhere but it could be carried in on bird flu but who believes that one because the government made it up anyway so take that Mr. so-called Gore! Pack up your socialist penguins and mail a letter on your magical 'internet'.
cromedome writes:
For what has he done to deserve this ?? In my opinion, UT is hopeing for something in return from this. jeeeessshh !
Alwaysamazed writes:
It is a slow news day I guess. Personally I wouldn't of even written this article. Why give Gore more media time?
skeptik writes:
Why not also give Bernie Madoff an honorary degree in Economics?
wilson writes:
Al Gore is an idiot and an embarassment to the state of Tennessee. If he waits a few months, his ever growing shadow will be enough cooling to offset global warming.
whatever8 writes:
Al Gore-be-chev is an idiot and an embarrassment to Tennessee and the entire United States because he is too full of fake-o socialism warnings about fake sun and tans and ice and weather like a weatherman who hates you just hates you and everyone in your family. Okay? Cause if you believed in evolution and okay so who does right? then you would know there could be nothing good to come from socialism penguin love. Right.
BeagleGirl writes:
I just love it.... another free handout! WTF? I have to bust my rump to get a degree and he gets one for lieing to our county! What gives?
kletusclamsniffer writes:
Heh heh,,,,,good stuff! Turn it down Al,,,you can do so much better.
bigK writes:
I am shocked and embarrassed for UT. Who actually made this decision??? Al Gore is not a Tennessean--he is a product of Washington, DC! I cannot believe an honorary doctorate is being bestowed upon him after all the controversy with the global warming emails. Don't you read the news?????
1Scooter writes:
I think people are getting dumber and dumber. Yes, Let's give a degree to the man who invented the internet and made up global warming.
jwtrent writes:
Guess that's the real reason for the tuition increase.
Holston writes:
Obviously this decision has not been very well thought out! It insults the prestige of the honor and devalues the awards given to Dolly Parton and former Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. Maybe they should also give an award to Sen. John Edwards for meritorious advancement of the American Family. Shame on U.T.!
Iris_Messenger writes:
I would like to see UT grant Anna Mae Bullock aka Tina Turner a doctorate. She is an accomplished and charitable African American Tennessee who has done more on a global scale.
Proud_American writes:
RISE UP TENNESSEE TAXPAYERS and UT ALUMNI !
If UTK gives any honor what ever to this perpetrator of a fraud for financial gain, Tennessee tax payers should demand that heads roll. Also, UT alumni will have to hang their heads in shame. DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. STOP THIS ABSURDITY.
harleyrider1978 writes:
Whats even crazier is al gore still grows tobacco! But hell,so do we.But we dont go around promoting smoking bans and lies about second hand smoke like al gore does.........and global warming lies..........its turned out some of the same folks writing the global warming hype are also writing second hand smoke hype.its all psuedo-science and propaganda.
According to independent Public and Health Policy Research group, Littlewood & Fennel of Austin, Tx, on the subject of secondhand smoke........
They did the figures for what it takes to meet all of OSHA'S minimum PEL'S on shs/ets.......Did it ever set the debate on fire.
They concluded that:
All this is in a small sealed room 9x20 and must occur in ONE HOUR.
For Benzo[a]pyrene, 222,000 cigarettes
"For Acetone, 118,000 cigarettes
"Toluene would require 50,000 packs of simultaneously smoldering cigarettes.
Acetaldehyde or Hydrazine, more than 14,000 smokers would need to light up.
"For Hydroquinone, "only" 1250 cigarettes
For arsenic 2 million 500,000 smokers at one time
The same number of cigarettes required for the other so called chemicals in shs/ets will have the same outcomes.
So,OSHA finally makes a statement on shs/ets :
Field studies of environmental tobacco smoke indicate that under normal conditions, the components in tobacco smoke are diluted below existing Permissible Exposure Levels (PELS.) as referenced in the Air Contaminant Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000)...It would be very rare to find a workplace with so much smoking that any individual PEL would be exceeded." -Letter From Greg Watchman, Acting Sec'y, OSHA, To Leroy J Pletten, PHD, July 8, 1997
WHAT! DILUTED BELOW PERMISSABLE LEVELS
harleyrider1978 writes:
Yes...the 1992/93 EPA report was thrown out by a judge for fudging the numbers. Essentially, the standard for scientific significance which demonstrates if a variable has an effect at all was lowered. But the judge's ruling doesn't stop the anti-smoking advocates from citing bad science.
Here's some other findings that have been taken so far out of context it defies the imagination:
2006 Surgeon General's Report (excerpts)
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between maternal exposure to secondhand smoke and female fertility or fecundability. No data were found on paternal exposure to secondhand smoke and male fertility or fecundability.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between maternal exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy and spontaneous abortion.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and neonatal mortality.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and cognitive functioning among children.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and behavioral problems among children.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and children’s height/growth.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between maternal exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy and childhood cancer.
harleyrider1978 writes:
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke during infancy and childhood cancer.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between parental smoking and the natural history of middle ear effusion.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between parental smoking and an increase in the risk of adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy among children.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure from parental smoking and the onset of childhood asthma.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between parental smoking and the risk of immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy in their children.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and an increased risk of stroke.
Studies of secondhand smoke and subclinical vascular disease, particularly carotid arterial wall thickening, are suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and atherosclerosis.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and acute respiratory symptoms including cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing among persons with asthma.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and acute respiratory symptoms including cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing among healthy persons.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and chronic respiratory symptoms.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between short-term secondhand smoke exposure and an acute decline in lung function in persons with asthma.
The evidence is inadequate to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between short-term secondhand smoke exposure and an acute decline in lung function in healthy persons.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and a worsening of asthma control.
The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
And finally.....
The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and odor annoyance.
Source: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library....
radioattic writes:
Rocky Top is cracking up!
RBM writes:
Now we know the real reason Lane Kiffin quit.
Zoob writes:
Oh puleese! The next award will be a Doctorate of Humility and Business Accumen to Obama.
yonjuro writes:
"Visionary?" Try "hallucinatory."
Richard_FL writes:
If this wasn't so sad this would be funny. It is a joke.........right??
If anything, Al Gore needs to have charges brought against him for fraud and conspiracy. This guy is nothing but a circus clown and has no idea what he is talking about. This is the biggest scam perpetrated on the American people and needs to be stopped. Is this Global Warming we are cheering, or is it Global Climate Change, or maybe it is just normal fluctuations in our climate cycles?? Duh!! And it would seem appropriate that the University put this on hold until the final story is told and these jerks are shown to be the frauds they are.
It is a shame that what supposedly is a respectable institution of learning would stoop to this level. I guess now their degrees will be about as useless as the Nobel Peace Prize....I suspect we will soon see them given as the prize in the Cracker Jack boxes.
How sad and what a bunch of blind lemmings the administration of the University has become. I had to sit through the absolute ridiculous indoctrination speech at the recent commencement exercise for my daughters graduation. It is apparent that the liberal left and the radical environmentalists have truly taken control of our educational institutions, but there is a ground swell of opposition to this ridiculous notion that academics can run this country. Our current national governmental administration is proof positive that those that have never held a real job, done anything other that feed from the trough of academia and sucking off the teet of the taxpayer bring nothing to the table. A bunch of hollow suits that cannot run a lemonade stand, much less the country.
I trust that soon a bronze bust or full statue of this bozo Gore will be erected on campus so all those that want to bow down to this fool will have ample opportunity.
Pathetic at best!!!
Edgy writes:
I feel for the ones that actual got their degree by working for it. This only cheapens a degree from the University of Tennessee.
What a joke!
BGMSTSINC writes:
This is awesome! I think I'm make up a catastrophic condition that requires the human race to change their lives so we all don't "burn up" or what have you so I can receive an honorary doctoral degree. And live in our land of unicorns and other make believe creatures.
RightStuff writes:
If being nuttier than a fruitcake justifies Al Gore getting an honorary doctorate, fine. The man is certifiably insane. You can look into his close-set beady eyes and see that he is a wild man.
krusatyr writes:
Groveling for an endowment has never sound so "genuine"? Gore's bouncing mammaries could wither if such an entreaty to suckle is granted.
Fortunately for mankind beyond TN, Gore's leadership was cut off at the knees before reaching the cliff edge.
lifestudent writes:
The value of a UT degree just went down.
overit writes:
Oh! Urp!
ut_stick writes:
Embarrassing for all of the UT alumni.
Here is the email address for the chancellor's office: chancellor@utk.edu
haiku360 writes:
Fuzzy Al Gore-rithms - A Haiku:
http://haikme.wordpress.com/2010/02/1...
gennara writes:
Beautiful, so there are now 3 recipients of this award. Begs the question:
Name the 4 biggest boobs to get this honorary degree.
Answer: Baker, Gore, and Dolly Parton
herdzcatz writes:
Visionary Leadership? Must be a typo. I believe the original read Delusionary Dictatorship.
jigsha (staff) writes:
Read an editorial by the News Sentinel Editorial Board (posted early) on Al Gore being a fine choice for honorary degree:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/mar...
Jigsha Desai
knoxnews.com
lsnapoli writes:
Al Gore? LOL!! How embarrassing for the knoxnews.
Ruckweiler writes:
The world can't seem to give this fat fraud the awards fast enough. Hard to stop laughing at the sycophants such as the administration of the University of Tennessee and the Nobel Committee. To UT grads, I am embarrassed for you.
brewjmarcus writes:
This is a terrible move to grant a politician of Al Gore's caliber a degree from an institution of higher learning.
I hope the University of Florida continues to beat the Tennessee Vols like a drum.
ut_stick writes:
Here is my message to Chancellor Cheek, with a copy to the president's office...
Chancellor Cheek,
As an alum and donor to the University of Tennessee, I am extremely disappointed in the decision to give former VP Gore an honorary degree to UT. While his political career may have merit to receive such an honor, the recent findings of dishonesty in the "global warming" science and former VP Gore's significant involvement does not. With the possibility that "global warming" is the largest hoax ever known, I feel this announcement cheapens the image of UT and its alumni. There are other Tennesseans who are worthy of this honorary degree. For instance, Fred Smith or Danny Thomas.
American1957 writes:
The University of Tennessee is perfectly justified in granting Vice President Gore an Honorary Doctor of Laws and Humane Letters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. After all, the University of Tennessee (do not confuse it with UT - the University of Texas in Austin) has the lowest SAT average for incoming freshmen of any state university in the country. When the library burned down back in the 60's, they were able to save 5 books, and only three of them had been colored in...You compliment a Volunteer female with 'nice tooth,' and Volunteer orange can be worn to the game on Saturday, huntin' on Sunday, and to work picking up trash on the side of the road the rest of the week. Tennessee as a state and Al Gore as a leader - the perfect combination of two losers. Go chew some 'backy you hob-nailed, inbred ding dongs.
agsb writes:
He deserves it for being able to scare half the world and convince TV network, some scientist to preputate his lie.
American1957 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
attietewd writes:
Obama’s Science Czar John Holdren involved in unwinding “Climategate” scandal
By Dr. Tim Ball and Judi McLeod Tuesday, November 24, 2009
whats really scary is that we are just finding out about this and it happened three months ago....whats up with that?
attietewd writes:
Obama’s Science Czar John Holdren involved in unwinding “Climategate” scandal
By Dr. Tim Ball and Judi McLeod Tuesday, November 24, 2009
whats scary is this happened three months ago and we are just finding out about it...whats up with that?
The_Warrior writes:
Maybe the award Big Al should get is a gift certificate to Ben and Jerry's. Hey; he looks like he's carrying around about 50 extra pounds of Rocky Road, doesn't he. This is like ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich teaching "Ethics in Politics at Northwestern University". It's just a joke and a sham. Shame on you, U.T.
Titainiumman writes:
Algore is a complete and utter fraud,leave it to U.T. to give some one that has led the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the world an award for leadership.
Algore should be investigated for the spreading of false information on global warming,even the British courts ruled that his movie was full of lies and statistical errors.
How much money has Algore and his friends made pushing this leftist agenda that has nothing to do with the climate but is a way to redistribute wealth to other countries?
How much money has this nation needlessly spent
by buying his b@llsh@t on global warming?
If i were a member of U.T or an alumni i would be deeply ashamed to be associated with a university that would bestow an award to such an undeserving person (kinda like Obama and the nobel prize)
theunbubba#668970 writes:
Algore is deserving of only our derision and scorn. How dare you insular academics keep propping this clown of a charlatan up with your paper buttresses. This is a urination on the good name of Tennessee. A travesty of the elite keeping their own insulated world view aloof from reality.
We should protest this demeaning slur against our good names.
I will be there. Will you?
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