Yesterday’s blog entry on Al Gore’s new film, An Inconvenient Truth, neglected to mention that his book of the same name hit stores on May 24. At press time, every reviewer on Amazon.com had awarded it 5 stars (the best possible rating).

The former vice president’s work cites research from top international scientists, accompanied by photographs, charts and illustrations that document the reality of global warming—and it offers a chilling wakeup call. Gore argues that global warming is not just about science and politics; it’s a moral issue that requires us to take action.

Predictably, Gore is already being attacked by conservative anti-environmental groups that embrace junk science, many of which are funded by the oil and energy industries (no shock there). The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) has released two 60-second TV ads that bemoan “global warming alarmism.” Per Washington Post staff writer Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, the group, “which widely publicizes its belief that the earth is not warming cataclysmically because of the burning of coal and oil, says Exxon Mobil Corp. is a ‘major donor’ largely as a result of its effort to push that position.” (Oh, puke…)

Haven’t you had enough of politicians who place lobbyists’ dollars above American lives and the welfare of the planet? It’s time to invoke that famous line from one of my favorite movies, Network: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.” Filmed 30 years ago, it was eerily prescient, and I urge you to read protagonist Howard Beale’s complete tirade about unemployment, polluted air and food that’s “unfit to eat.”

Call your elected officials’ offices, ask to speak to their legislative aides, and voice your displeasure with the way our country is going. It’s time to take back the streets (and parks, beaches and atmosphere). In an election year, they need to know we’re paying attention…and we’re mad as hell.