GORE CHANGED STANCE IN ATTEMPT TO SECURE VOTES

I'm not surprised to see a letter criticizing Al Gore for excessive
electricity use in light of his stance toward global warming, "Gore
should answer for excessive energy use" (May 28). While there is no
disputing the reality of global warming, Gore's record on another
"inconvenient truth," the likewise indisputable science of medical
marijuana, like his overuse of energy, also raises questions about his
overall credibility and trustworthiness.

While campaigning for president in 1999, Gore, an admitted pot smoker
before entering politics, briefly appeared to support medical
marijuana, citing his late sister's participation in a Tennessee state
program in 1984 that provided marijuana to cancer patients.

But in May 2000, Gore strongly backed away from his earlier support,
saying, "Right now, the science does not show me, or the experts whose
judgment I trust, that it is the proper medication for pain and that
there are not better alternatives available in every situation."

Back in 2000, Gore refused to acknowledge the inconvenient truth that
marijuana was medicine because of politics, just as many politicians
today deny global warming. Gore refused to stick up for patients like
his sister because he thought it would cost him votes, when the
opposite was true.

It begs the question what Gore's position on global warming would be
today, were he now inhabiting the White House, rather than on the
outside looking in.

Gary Storck, Madison