Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!

[kpaske]

And on that off-topic topic, don't whip yourself too much about global-climate-warming-change... the scientific data says that it is happening, but it's only scientific opinion that says mankind is responsible for it. This is a critical distinction, but it is one that seems perpetually lost in all dialogue on the subject. Nature is more likely taking us for a ride than we are taking it for a ride.

I agree with everything you say up until the last line. There is enough hard evidence out there that much of the scientific community is starting to agree that mankind is at least partly the cause of the rapid global warming trend we've been experiencing over the last several decades. Yes, there are natural fluctuations, but if you study the science a little bit, I think it's difficult to deny that mankind is having an effect. Where there is still significant debate is to what extent and what can or should be done about it.

Electric and hybrid cars are definitely a step in the right direction, but there is another issue that needs to be addressed, which is America's dependence on foreign energy. This is another hot issue that has nearly reached the boiling point on several occasions, particularly during the oil crisis in the 70's and the present war in Iraq. The problem with electric and hybrid technology is that they still can't compete with the gas powered vehicles they are intended to replace. Diesel engines use compression, which is about 30% more efficient that gasoline ignition engines, and get much better fuel economy. The diesel passenger cars on the U.S. market today are far better than their gasoline versions, IMO. The only reason U.S. passenger cars favor gasoline is because of marketing and politics (which drove the "cheap" gas we've been chugging all these years).

I believe the best interim solution is to go diesel, phasing out petroleum based energy and replacing it with renewable biofuels. An all electric car that can hold a candle to a diesel in the same price range does not yet exist and is probably many years away from being mass produced. I've put my money where my mouth is and bought a 2006 VW Jetta TDi as my daily driver, and ultimately I'd like to drop a diesel in the VX.

OK, I'm getting off my soap box now!!!

[nfpgasmask]

I agree about bio-diesel. The problem I see with electric is that if we become totoally dependent on electric power, then we are going to need more nuclear and/or coal power plants, which create nasty byproducts as well. The problem of nuclear waste disposal would get more outta hand than it already is.

Bart

I agree with everything you say up until the last line. There is enough hard evidence out there that much of the scientific community is starting to agree that mankind is at least partly the cause of the rapid global warming trend we've been experiencing over the last several decades. Yes, there are natural fluctuations, but if you study the science a little bit, I think it's difficult to deny that mankind is having an effect. Where there is still significant debate is to what extent and what can or should be done about it.

Electric and hybrid cars are definitely a step in the right direction, but there is another issue that needs to be addressed, which is America's dependence on foreign energy. This is another hot issue that has nearly reached the boiling point on several occasions, particularly during the oil crisis in the 70's and the present war in Iraq. The problem with electric and hybrid technology is that they still can't compete with the gas powered vehicles they are intended to replace. Diesel engines use compression, which is about 30% more efficient that gasoline ignition engines, and get much better fuel economy. The diesel passenger cars on the U.S. market today are far better than their gasoline versions, IMO. The only reason U.S. passenger cars favor gasoline is because of marketing and politics (which drove the "cheap" gas we've been chugging all these years).

I believe the best interim solution is to go diesel, phasing out petroleum based energy and replacing it with renewable biofuels. An all electric car that can hold a candle to a diesel in the same price range does not yet exist and is probably many years away from being mass produced. I've put my money where my mouth is and bought a 2006 VW Jetta TDi as my daily driver, and ultimately I'd like to drop a diesel in the VX.

OK, I'm getting off my soap box now!!!

[kpaske]

I agree about bio-diesel. The problem I see with electric is that if we become totoally dependent on electric power, then we are going to need more nuclear and/or coal power plants, which create nasty byproducts as well. The problem of nuclear waste disposal would get more outta hand than it already is.

Right now, if it were to happen overnight, you're right. It wouldn't solve anything. But it will take us a long time to move from fossil fuels to all electricity, and that time could be used to develop cleaner, renewable energy production from Solar, Wind, BioFuels, and other alternative energies. The technology has already been proven. The problem is mostly a financial one - alternative energy thus far isn't very profitable - it's a movement associated with pot smoking hippies like Willie Nelson who want to save the world but could care less about profit. Not a very good business model.

[nfpgasmask]

Well, you just hit the nail on the head. Our country is essentially not a democracy. It is more of a capitalist dictatorship. Money talks. Our government is basically just big business's evil twin brother. Nothing will happen if it doesn't line someone's pockets up top. Doing things because they are right, died along time ago. Doing things because it makes someone rich, that is how we operate here in the US, and just about everywhere else too....people who believe in ideals and revolution have no power, cause they have no money. And all the people in the middle would rather succumb to day to day conveniences than make the drastic lifestyle changes that are needed to push things in the right direction. And I say all this, knowing that I am no exception. Its just the way it is...

Bart

Right now, if it were to happen overnight, you're right. It wouldn't solve anything. But it will take us a long time to move from fossil fuels to all electricity, and that time could be used to develop cleaner, renewable energy production from Solar, Wind, BioFuels, and other alternative energies. The technology has already been proven. The problem is mostly a financial one - alternative energy thus far isn't very profitable - it's a movement associated with pot smoking hippies like Willie Nelson who want to save the world but could care less about profit. Not a very good business model.

[ZEUS]

Yeah, I wish the "Native Americans" would have won... of course if they did there would probably be global warming problems from the immense amounts of methane venting from the butts of over-populated buffalo!

[kpaske]

Well, you just hit the nail on the head. Our country is essentially not a democracy. It is more of a capitalist dictatorship. Money talks. Our government is basically just big business's evil twin brother. Nothing will happen if it doesn't line someone's pockets up top. Doing things because they are right, died along time ago. Doing things because it makes someone rich, that is how we operate here in the US, and just about everywhere else too....people who believe in ideals and revolution have no power, cause they have no money. And all the people in the middle would rather succumb to day to day conveniences than make the drastic lifestyle changes that are needed to push things in the right direction. And I say all this, knowing that I am no exception. Its just the way it is...

I'd call it a capitalist oligarchy. Either way, the government stopped acting in the interest of the people a long time ago when corporations and SIGs started buying politicians. BUT, just because the system is flawed doesn't mean its irrepairable. And frankly, I don't believe our lifestyles have to change all that much. In fact, getting most people to change is futile, which is why we need to implement the technology we already have so people won't have to change their behavior very much. I personally have started making changes in my life that really haven't inconvenienced me at all. I LOVE my new diesel Jetta, it gets 3x the fuel mileage of my VX, and it can run BioDiesel. I think it starts with educating people, because there are many simple, smart choices that people can make but they don't because they're force-fed all sorts of ideas through the media and advertising that are just plain wrong.

[Bulldoggie]

Well, you just hit the nail on the head. Our country is essentially not a democracy. It is more of a capitalist dictatorship. Money talks. Our government is basically just big business's evil twin brother. Nothing will happen if it doesn't line someone's pockets up top. Doing things because they are right, died along time ago. Doing things because it makes someone rich, that is how we operate here in the US, and just about everywhere else too....people who believe in ideals and revolution have no power, cause they have no money. And all the people in the middle would rather succumb to day to day conveniences than make the drastic lifestyle changes that are needed to push things in the right direction. And I say all this, knowing that I am no exception. Its just the way it is...

Bart

Same as the Romans, maybe?

If we all lived like native Indians. We would have burned all the wood to heat our Teepee's, and if we didn't kill all the buffalo to eat, we would have killed alot of our neighbors so they didn't eat all the buffalo first.
The real answer came from hippies, = It was callecd ZPG, or zero population growth. Tax the parents of more than two children, Like Singapore has had to do.

[spaceCADETzoom]

We must fight the corporations, they sit there in their...corporation buildings acting all corporatey and making money.

Darn Isuzu and their conspiracy and capitalist um...dictatorship...that forced me to buy a 15 mpg SUV that seats 2+2.

I put a jihad on them.... And if you don't believe it, then you better kill me now... cause I'll put a jihad on you too.