Al Gore wanted the Firenado, so why did he get denied?

November 16, 2012

Writer

You may recall a crazy viral video a few months ago shot by an Australian filmmaker named Chris Tangey that featured something being called a Firenado. It was a tornado that was basically on fire. Naturally, Al Gore wanted to use it as evidence of global warming (which it had nothing to do with). Tangy said no - then Gore got deceptive and tried to trick him into licensing the video. Tangey didn't fall for that either.

WATCH the viral video below:

Transcript of interview below:

GLENN: All right. We want to talk to Chris Tangey. He's a guy who runs Alice Springs Film and TV out of Australia. The only reason why I know this film company is because of the Alice Springs chicken at Outback, and that's all I know. And if that's what they do in Alice Springs, I am all for a film company about it. But that's just for us Australians that know Australia so very, very well. Chris is ‑‑ he runs this film unit in Australia and he's the guy who captured, and I don't know if you've seen it, a fire tornado. And it's an amazing piece of video of a tornado out of fire. I mean, it looks like, you know, it looks like the Ten Commandments.

Well, he received a phone call and we're going to let him tell the rest of the story. Hi, Chris, how are ya?

TANGEY: Good day, Glenn. Good morning. It's five minutes into good morning here, tomorrow.

GLENN: It's midnight there?

TANGEY: Yes. Saturday morning here by five minutes. So...

GLENN: I believe because it's still Friday at the beginning ‑‑

TANGEY: I can still say good morning.

GLENN: I believe since it's Friday here we should all become Australian and take the rest of the day off. So Chris, you captured ‑‑

TANGEY: You must post me some of this chicken, too.

GLENN: Yes. You captured this fire tornado. Tell me about the phone call that you got.

TANGEY: Okay. Yeah, I got ‑‑ well, it's actually an e‑mail. I got an e‑mail from the office of Al Gore wanting to use it in his presentations for the next five years, in his PowerPoint presentations and I knew what he did. I thought, that sounds a little interesting. I've got to have a little look into a little bit more of this and research his activities in the past and what he would be likely to be using it for. So once I got through that process, I really just had come to the conclusion that I had to say no because, you know, this had nothing to do with global warming or climate change or climate disruption ‑‑

PAT: Fantastic.

TANGEY: ‑‑ whatever it's called these days, but it was a very localized event, a highly localized event that really had nothing to do with even rather, let alone climate change.

GLENN: So tell me what caused this. It's a firenado? That's what we call it here. What is it called?

TANGEY: Yeah, they call it a firenado. I mean, the proper name apparently is fire whirl. I knew nothing about it like you until I saw this thing happening in front of me. I thought, what on Earth is that. But yeah, it's apparently called a fire whirl and not many people have actually captured them particularly up this close and for that long. And it was ‑‑ the particular circumstances here were that it was on a cattle station or cattle ranch and at the bottom end of this cattle station, this fire had been burning for about ten days, probably deliberately lit. So it wasn't even a natural fire in that sense. And they had been looking after this particular mesa, this big mesa near, there's rocks down here approximately 20 kilometers away, 50 mile away, and they had been protecting that habitat. They had been living on this cattle ranch for about 55 years and there's a particular grass there called spinifex which burns incredibly hot and they had been protecting that particular patch and when this fire came in from the north and hit that patch, there's probably a big buildup of resin and oil, which is what causes this grass to burn so intensely hot that had probably built up for 50 years. So it was an incredibly localized event caused this, you know, I guess you could say unique event of that sort, some sort of unique circumstances. And that's what it was. It was an unusual fuel load at the base of it.

GLENN: Okay. So it happened, Al Gore writes you, you check him out. You're a guy who's, you don't know ‑‑ you're not paying much attention to global warming. You don't know if it's happening or not happening. What happens next?

TANGEY: Well, I got back to them and explained my circumstances and that they had told me that Mr. Gore himself had seen the video and wanted it personally. So anyway, I thought that was all over. And then a month later I got an e‑mail from somebody saying ‑‑ they were from a nonprofit organization who was doing an Internet show and they would like to use it and wanted to pay me to use it. And they called themselves the Climate Reality Project. When I did a bit of research on this, I found that it was actually the founder and chairman was actually Al Gore. Then I did a little bit of research on the producer and I actually got back to her and said, "Look, you know, I don't know what's wrong with the internal bits of Mr. Gore's organization but, you know, you're asking me again and we actually had, you know, quite a big concern about it before," and the producer actually ‑‑ I thought, well, maybe she must be ‑‑ she must be a scientist. I checked that out; no, she's not a scientist. I thought, well, maybe she's made science films before; no. And I thought, well, maybe she's made natural documentaries, nature documentaries or something; no. It turned out that her last job producing was on Inspector Gadget 2 and she lives in Los Angeles.

GLENN: Yeah.

TANGEY: She's a Hollywood producer who lives in Los Angeles, and I found that a bit astonishing as well. But anyway, the bottom line was I had to say no again because really, to use this in that context is ‑‑ you know, if I used it myself in that context, I'd say ‑‑ you know, I'd feel like I was deceiving people really.

GLENN: Right. Now, Chris, I don't know if you know about me at all here in the United States, but ‑‑

TANGEY: I do, Glenn. I used to watch you on television for many years.

GLENN: God bless you. Well, I ‑‑

TANGEY: We get all that down here.

GLENN: Well, I don't know. I mean, the pictures are upside down when you get them.

PAT: (Laughing.)

GLENN: The ‑‑ we started a network called TheBlaze and we're creating fire effects kind of like this, you know, for different reasons and I don't know what you're charging for this video, but I'd like to ‑‑ I'd like to see if we could lease it from you just for the sole purpose of pissing Al Gore off.

TANGEY: Man, I have read about you guys and I've read about all the stuff you're doing.

GLENN: Yeah.

TANGEY: And I'm with you 100%.

GLENN: Really?

TANGEY: And you guys get it for nothing.

PAT: Wow. Wow.

GLENN: You are the best. Thank you. Thank you. You are the best. So what are you doing to protect it? Because these guys are really shady. Are you ‑‑ have you talked to anybody about protecting this so they don't use it?

TANGEY: Well, it's a little bit different. The copyright law is a little bit different in Australia in that we don't even have to put "copyright 2012" and your name on it. It's automatically copyrighted as soon as you create the work, they call it the work. And so it automatically is mine, and I'm the only copyright holder, and anything you've seen anywhere basically has been licensed by me. So if he was to use it, it would be a breach of copyright.

PAT: Wow, that's great.

TANGEY: What would happen then, how a little guy in the outback could take it up against a billionaire, I don't know. But maybe that could be the little, the swap deal we do for the firenado.

GLENN: That's great.

TANGEY: Your lawyers and (inaudible.)

GLENN: That's great. Chris, thank you so much and thank you for taking a stand and being smart with it. In the world where people will go for a fast buck, for you to be responsible with what you have is inspiring and I appreciate it. Thank you, sir.

TANGEY: Well, I just love you guys and your slogan, I can't recall it right at this moment, but I saw it yesterday to do with truth.

GLENN: Yeah, truth lives here.

TANGEY: Exactly what ‑‑ exactly. And I think that's exactly what we need in this world. And we need to know what we're looking at, what we're listening to, you know. How do we know otherwise.

PAT: Chris, the video is actually part of a larger documentary, right? Isn't it part of a movie?

TANGEY: No, no, no. No, no, no. No, I was actually location scouting a movie.

PAT: Oh, okay, that's where I got that.

TANGEY: I always do location scouting. So I don't know where it's going yet.

PAT: So if people want to see it, where can they go if they want to see the firenado.

TANGEY: If they search "fire tornado Australia," I think there's one on YouTube.

GLENN: Great. Thank you. We'll link to it on TheBlaze. Thank you so much, Chris. God bless.

TANGEY: Fantastic. Thank you, Glenn.

GLENN: You bet. Bye‑bye. I think we should.

PAT: He's great.

GLENN: I think we should license that thing.

PAT: I think so, too.

GLENN: We should put it on a commercial and the commercial would be we really don't have use for this but Al Gore wanted it really bad and we have it and, Al, you can't have it.

PAT: It's interesting to hear that because Gore obviously doesn't care about the science involved. There is no science involved. It's not about global warming but he would have made it about that.

GLENN: Oh, yeah, he's ‑‑

PAT: To think about what he would have said about this, "Look, it's so bad that the atmosphere is creating fire tornadoes."

GLENN: He would have done it.

PAT: He would have done that.

GLENN: He would have done it.

JEFFY: But we know that now because of the call from the future.

GLENN: Our ‑‑ the call from the future?

JEFFY: Chris Tangey. He called from the future this morning.

GLENN: That's right. He did. He called from tomorrow morning.

PAT: That's right.

GLENN: So he knows.

PAT: Wow.

The Woodrow Wilson strategy to get out of Mother’s Day

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I’ve got a potentially helpful revelation that’s gonna blow the lid off your plans for this Sunday. It’s Mother’s Day.

Yeah, that sacred day where you’re guilt-tripped into buying flowers, braving crowded brunch buffets, and pretending you didn’t forget to mail the card. But what if I told you… you don’t have to do it? That’s right, there’s a loophole, a get-out-of-Mother’s-Day-free card, and it’s stamped with the name of none other than… Woodrow Wilson (I hate that guy).

Back in 1914, ol’ Woody Wilson signed a proclamation that officially made Mother’s Day a national holiday. Second Sunday in May, every year. He said it was a day to “publicly express our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Sounds sweet, right? Until you peel back the curtain.

See, Wilson wasn’t some sentimental guy sitting around knitting doilies for his mom. No, no, no. This was a calculated move.

The idea for Mother’s Day had been floating around for decades, pushed by influential voices like Julia Ward Howe. By 1911, states were jumping on the bandwagon, but it took Wilson to make it federal. Why? Because he was a master of optics. This guy loved big, symbolic gestures to distract from the real stuff he was up to, like, oh, I don’t know, reshaping the entire federal government!

So here’s the deal: if you’re looking for an excuse to skip Mother’s Day, just lean into this. Say, “Sorry, Mom, I’m not celebrating a holiday cooked up by Woodrow Wilson!” I mean, think about it – this is the guy who gave us the Federal Reserve, the income tax, and don’t even get me started on his assault on basic liberties during World War I. You wanna trust THAT guy with your Sunday plans? I don’t think so! You tell your mom, “Look, I love you, but I’m not observing a Progressive holiday. I’m keeping my brunch money in protest.”

Now, I know what you might be thinking.

“Glenn, my mom’s gonna kill me if I try this.” Fair point. Moms can be scary. But hear me out: you can spin this. Tell her you’re honoring her EVERY DAY instead of some government-mandated holiday. You don’t need Wilson’s permission to love your mom! You can bake her a cake in June, call her in July, or, here’s a wild idea, visit her WITHOUT a Woodrow Wilson federal proclamation guilting you into it.

Shocking Christian massacres unveiled

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Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

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In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

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Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

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In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

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Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?

Should Starbase become its own city?

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

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Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

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Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

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While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

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