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

[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.