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Brazil, Indiana ~ Friday, September 5, 2008
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Joe America on Oil
Posted Saturday, June 14, 2008, at 12:31 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
A friend sent me this URL the other day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPch2k63uj4).
After listening to what "Joe" had to say, I thought that he made a lot of sense. We, America, are paying through the nose for foreign oil while sitting on large reserves. While I don't agree with opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to unrestricted oil production without a deep concern for the environment, it appears to be one way to take some of the pressure off of the average American's energy costs. Using our reserves, by itself, is not the answer. As "Joe" states, we must develop alternative sources of energy to replace using Earth's finite supply of oil. It is also obvious that we must break our foreign dependence for energy. When a nation must depend upon other nations to supply needed resources, that nation is not in control of its own destiny and is prone to be involved in wars for the resources it needs. We, America, do need a viable energy conversion plan to move us to another source of energy. It would be desirable if our Administration and Congress came up with a viable, long-term plan. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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It's easy to say we need a new source of energy. The problem is there either is no such technology yet or there is no infrastructure to support the technology we do have. I've read alot of articles on alternative modes of energy. Some of it really cool stuff but It's still a ways away. The Government can't just snap their fingers and make alternate forms of energy available.
There are no reliable alternative right now. Electricity is starting to get there, sorta. I know of several theoretical ideas beign tossed about but its just not there yet. If it was we would be seeing those vehicles on the market right now. What better marketing tool could you have than a car that doesn't require gasoline but could instead run on water from your faucet?
In the meantime the price of gas is skyrocketing. Any long term plan will be just that: Long term. In the meantime you have a staggering problem wit oil you have not dealt with. I don't know if drilling is the answer but it can't hurt. It isn't like the government hasnt been trying anyway. Everytime they come up with a solution it is shot down by special intrests. More refineries, Drilling for domestive oil, Nuclear power. Can't have any of those. That might help.
I will be making these this winter.
http://greenupgrader.com/273/diy-build-a...
seriously, I wish that solar panels were more affordable. I think every home should have them.
I think the first step for all of us is to learn to reduce, recycle, and reuse.
I think we have to learn to seek alternative sources but they will come with a price. The oil companies will fight tooth and toenail to keep their powers strong.
Maybe if we get rid of their LOBBYIST then the government could listen to the rest of us!
As "Joe" said, we need someone to step up to the plate and say, as JFK said about putting an America on the moon, "This is what we're going to do and this is the timespan in which we are going to do it in!" We have far too many special interest groups saying that we can't for their own reasons, whether it be Big Oil's profits or some environmentist's concern for flora or fauna outweighing people's needs.
True, we do need to conserve more, but there is a point where conserving adversely affects lifestyle. I know because I cannot ride comfortably in most cars across the city of Brazil. They sit too low and you sit with your legs stretched out in front of you like you are sitting on a couch that is too low. Minivans and vans have the front seat too far forward, too near the steer axle and as a result you get jarred with every bump. There are plenty of those in Brazil. So I own an SUV and a full sized pick-up. Both of these are high enough that I can slide in and out of them, you sit well behind the front axle and they have a long enough wheelbase to smooth out the majority of the bumps. They do have the drawback of using more fuel, therefore we try not to drive any more than necessary. We try not to drive unless we can accomplish several things with one trip.
Changing our source of energy is not going to be an overnight thing. Converting to oil took decades and converting away from it will, too.
If people think that those who hold the Middle East's oil fields are mad at us for our standard of living and are intent on squeezing every dime they can out of us while the opportunity lasts, think how mad they will be at us the day that we are no longer dependent on their oil. They are going to be very angry when the message hits them to go pound sand, we don't need your oil. I probably won't see it, but if you think terrorist attacks to date have been horrid, I would wager that it won't compare to what happens after the dollars stop flowing into the Middle East and South American oil producers.