Heat Of The Moment

2007-09-04 - 10:21 a.m.

Yesterday was the last day of our summer season. Most of the schools go back in today, except for a few private schools.

The chaos of summer is over. Let the tranquility begin.

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And now your global warming moment of zen.

Columnist Robert Samuelson talks about "Newsweek's Global Warming Crusade" here. While Samuelson is a believer (note the last line of the first paragraph), he is realistic about this:

Consider a 2006 study from the International Energy Agency. With present policies, it projected that emissions of carbon dioxide (a main greenhouse gas) would more than double by 2050; developing countries would account for almost 70 percent of the increase. The IEA then simulated an aggressive, global program to cut emissions based on the best available technologies: more solar, wind and biomass; more-efficient cars, appliances and buildings; more nuclear. Under this admitted fantasy, global emissions in 2050 would still slightly exceed 2003 levels.

Even the fantasy would be a stretch. In the United States, it would take massive regulations, higher energy taxes or both. Democracies don't easily adopt painful measures in the present to avert possible future problems. Examples abound. Since the 1973 Arab oil embargo, we've been on notice to limit dependence on insecure foreign oil. We've done little. In 1973, imports were 35 percent of U.S. oil use; in 2006, they were 60 percent.

Samuelson makes this comment:

To cut oil imports, I support a higher gasoline tax -- $1 to $2 a gallon, introduced gradually -- and higher fuel-economy standards for vehicles.

There's an easy way to cut dependence on foreign oil - let's drill in the US. Let's have the marketplace look into truly viable alternative energies. And the marketplace has got to do it - without government funds, if possible. Government funds have strings attached, and there's almost always someone who will twist your results. Not to mention that, with government money, there's always a possibility that results won't come...just to stay on the government teat.

Yes, private money can also have strings attached...but private companies can't pass laws based on your research.

Or try to block you.

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Thomas Sowell does another "Random Thoughts" article. Always a good read.

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Hey, if it works for global warming, why not for gay sex?

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Saw this in Hud's blog: at a Seattle concert, people were forced to throw away hundreds of bottles of water before going to an old football stadium that "contained no working drinking fountains, nor easily-accessible potable water".

The irony? This concert was supposed to be "green". Go look at the pictures. And then tell me this was a Good Thing.

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Onward into the (possible) quiet.

Be seeing you.

Brin - 2007-09-04 13:26:57 -
Dave, I'm so glad the later summer hours are over. You'll be able to SHOP after work! I keep imagining you attached to the glass doors of the supermarket just before midnight, looking like one of those tree frogs with the little suckerfeets, begging to get into the market because there's nothing in your fridge but a six month old slice of cake and that yogurt from last year. (Tangetally, I shall pose the question as to how one knows yogurt has gone bad...?)

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Dave - 2007-09-04 13:29:48 -
Simple - you know yogurt has gone bad when it's doing one-to-five for carjacking.

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Brin - 2007-09-04 13:32:07 -
Upon reflection, I guess it's those Yogurt Gang Colors that are the first telltale signs.

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Smed - 2007-09-04 13:33:41 - http://smedindy.diaryland.com
We have ruined our biosphere enough with wanton drilling and mining. Let's preserve what we have left and look for alternatives, for our sake and our children's sake.

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Dave - 2007-09-04 13:34:09 -
Must be the Trix influence. Not to mention the whole Go-Gurt...culture.

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Brin - 2007-09-04 13:35:25 -
Speaking of culture, it's Smed! Hi, Smed!

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Dave - 2007-09-04 13:58:44 -
Smed, there have been many technological advances in the last several years - I believe we've learned how to drill without destroying. And yes, let's look for alternatives - but not on the government's dime.

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