Huge news! If I were more skilled in an internet sense of things, I would embed one of those "24" type clocks on the blog so we could enjoy a countdown to Nirvana. I don't want everyone to get too excited because the big event is still a few days away, but on Thursday, Al Gore, the Buck Turgidson of environmental matters, will be giving a "major speech" on energy and the environment. Gore's office is calling it an "unprecedented challenge." I assume the "unprecedented challenge" is dealing with the energy and environmental issues, and not sitting through the speech. But it works just as well either way.