People in the News

NEW YORK — Who says politics is show business for ugly people?

"An Inconvenient Truth,” Al Gore’s film on the perils of global warming, scored two Oscar nominations Tuesday — for best documentary feature and best original song.

While he is not technically a nominee — the film’s director, Davis Guggenheim, won the nod, as did singer Melissa Etheridge for the song "I Need to Wake Up” — Gore said he was "thrilled” that his movie was honored.

"The film ... has brought awareness of the climate crisis to people in the United States and all over the world,” Gore said in an e-mail statement. "I am so grateful to the entire team and pleased that the Academy has recognized their work. This film proves that movies really can make a difference.”

Aides say the former vice president plans to walk the red carpet with Hollywood’s beautiful people at the Academy Awards ceremony next month.

Guggenheim said he wasn’t expecting a nomination but welcomed the fresh attention from the Academy’s recognition. He said he spoke to Gore and asked him, "’Are you ready to go to the show?’ I think he’s ready. For years he’s been in the wilderness on global warming. Now he’s ready for his grand walk. Now he’s at the Academy Awards. It’s a hero’s return.”

Nugent says his Confederate flag shirt didn’t bother Texas governor

AUSTIN, Texas — Ted Nugent says Gov. Rick Perry had no problem with his decision to wear a Confederate flag shirt during his appearance at last week’s inaugural ball — and even complimented his performance.

Nugent, 58, said Perry talked to him backstage after the black-tie event, complimenting him on "the greatest rock ’n’ roll” and thanking him for coming, several newspapers reported Tuesday.

The governor also called over the weekend, ending the conversation by telling Nugent to "give ’em hell,” Nugent was quoted as saying.

Perry spokesman Robert Black said the governor wouldn’t wear such a shirt, but told Nugent he has the right to wear whatever he wants.

"If you’re going to defend freedom of expression, then you’re going to have to defend all freedom of expression,” Black said.

When asked if Perry would have invited Nugent if he had known what he would wear, Black said: "Yes.”

Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, has criticized Nugent’s decision to wear the shirt, saying it symbolized "the enslavement of African-Americans and more recently the symbol of hate groups and terrorists.”

Nugent, a hunting and gun-rights advocate, lived in Michigan most of his life before moving to Crawford in 2003. The "Motor City Madman” is famed for his 1977 hit "Cat Scratch Fever.”

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On the Net:

Ted Nugent:

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