Stepping off the conservation platform for a moment to speak my piece on Barrack Obama. I don't believe this country could make a worse choice for President of the United States. This may be hard to believe but I don't think Obama is bad guy, not like Liberals hate (underscore, underscore) George W. Bush. I just think he is incredibly naive, self absorbed, and woefully underqualified for the highest office in the land.
Compared to not just to McCain but any presidential party candidate in the last fifty years, the Democratic candidate may very well be the most under qualified leader elected to the White House. Obama spent seven years as state congressman for Illinois, then 143 days as a senator before officially running for President. John McCain spent 23 years as a Naval officer, seven in captivity in the Hanoi Hilton, and then another 23 years as senator of Arizona. Where is the experience weighted?
Its hard to discern from written posts, so I encourage readers to find videos of the candidates. You will find that Obama without a teleprompter is completely inept at putting sentences together. Its not a weighting of words, but a waiting for words between the ums, uhs and ahs. Republican will concede Bush is not eloquent but he is does know his mind. Something Obama does not. Obama does not have the propre foundation of international or even national experience to competantly express his position. He is further hindered by not being able to articulately defend his extremely liberal, nay socialist, actions as a member of the state house.
John McCain has spent decades working with both parties to affect change in this country. He has solid conservative beliefs but is known as a 'Maverick' because he will not toe the party line. Obama is considered one of the most liberal senators currently serving office.
The whole concept of Obama is 'Change'. His entire campaign through this date has been platitudes without action. Slogans over new ideas. An Obama presendancy will set this country back thirty years because those are the numbers he touts when it comes to raising taxes on every American. Those making less than $14,000 a year currently pay no taxes under the 'terrible' Bush tax plan, (really its just coming back to you when you file) but even these people will people will lose that benefit under Obama.
Obama has no energy plan. He won't let us use our own oil resources and wants to sell off our strategic reserve. The only reason it will take ten years to gather newly drilled oil is because thats how long it takes to get through the lawsuits. Unstick those and with todays technology new oil production can be on the streets within five years, maybe three. In fact Obama is not even interested in letting already existing and drilled wells to be uncapped in the midwest for new oil. These existing rigs were capped in the 1990's because it wasn't profitable to use them when oil was $9 a barrel. Now it is profitable to uncap these wells, but he has said he will not allow it. His big idea is to recommend filling our tires with proper air and getting tune ups. Tune ups?
By the way, McCain will conserve more acres than Obama and his adminstration will be better stewards of the environment because they understand that to have a thriving, living forest you need to clear away the brush choking the bases of trees which spreads wildfires like a virus. McCain has said he wants to build over forty nuclear power reacters. I say, how about just one. Seeing as we haven't built a new one in thirty years and have even shut a couple down, lets not be greedy.
Notice I have not yet mentioned the attack ads. To numerous. To weak. Not worth mentioning by item.
I will mention that in his mid-fortys Obama is not very spry. Sure he looks good on a basketball court but has taken vastly more 'rest' days on the campaign trail than his nearly thirty years older opponent. McCain at 71, has the vip and vigor of a much younger man. Sure he can't lift his arms, how do you age gracefully after surviving a combat crash in enemy territory after busting both sholders and one knee then being bayoneted in the arm and groin and thrown in a torture camp for seven years. I still crike in my neck from sleeping on a plane last week.
You can hate Bush. You can say what you will about McCain. Face the facts. You know Obama hasn't got the experience to run this country. You know that compared to McCain, who you may hate for no reason other than he's a Republican, he can't hold McCains jock strap. He doesn't have the time spent in government, he does not have international connections needed on the global stage like McCain does have. Which by the way, when Obama was a simple state congressman in 2003, McCain was in the country of Georgia immersing himself in the geo-socio-politico culture and infrastructure that is now being attacked by our cold war enemy Russia. But you don't want to hear that, "Lalalalala, but Obamas better."
Don't vote on emotion, vote for experience. Don't vote for change for change sake, vote for what will make you wealthier and safer in this global economy.
Vote McCain.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Energy, energy and not a drop to use
The presidential campaign and the price of oil have really sparked debate, or more aptly, conversation, on what the future track of this countries energy policy should be. Especially in the last month.
Republican candidate John McCain has stated he wants to run the whole gamut of energy use. Specifically he wants to build 45 new nuclear power plants. Hell, lets just build one. This country has not built any in thirty years.
Democrat candidate Barrack Obama has told American automakers that if elected he will demand cars with higher gas mileage, which I think is great. Overall though he follows the same failed liberal track of demand cut backs on personal use and invest in alternative energy, wholly ignoring the gap between now and then.
In a previous post I spoke about coal shale and just recently it was found that we have more coal shale within our borders than all the available oil in Saudi Arabia. Put congress won't less us bring it up. Nor will congress allow us to drill in the 1002 Area of ANWAR, off the Pacific coast, off the Atlantic coast, off the gulf coast or in the most of the landlocked areas of the country.
I heard an interesting segment on the radio regarding oil drilling in the midwest. Most of these companies are small, private firms that drill a few dozen to a few hundred rigs at most. There were most active rigs in the late 1980's and early 1990's but when oil was only costing $10 dollars a barrel, it was not cost effective to pull up the oil and hundreds of rigs were capped shut. Congress will not allow these small firms to open these capped wells and begin pulling the crude up again, knowing that these are established sites and no wildcatting is necessary.
Why not open up oil rigs that can produce results today?
Of all the plans I have heard, the ones that make the most sense are the ones that set up incentives for a diversificaiton of all energy sources not simply focused on one or two that may bear fruit down the road. Also ones that make sense. The current trend for fuels tends to be ethanol, yet when it costs about $1.29 for $1.00 of ethanol fuel, that makes no sense.
Whatever road this country travels towards energy indepedence or foriegn energy marginalization, it must do so with realistic, un-hyped means. Solar, wind, keneitc, biofuels, coal shale, oil, nuclear, recycling, grain based, hydrogen; all need to be looked at for their true potential and allowed immediate clearance to market, the regulations are there to protect us but right now they hamper us in this cause.
Republican candidate John McCain has stated he wants to run the whole gamut of energy use. Specifically he wants to build 45 new nuclear power plants. Hell, lets just build one. This country has not built any in thirty years.
Democrat candidate Barrack Obama has told American automakers that if elected he will demand cars with higher gas mileage, which I think is great. Overall though he follows the same failed liberal track of demand cut backs on personal use and invest in alternative energy, wholly ignoring the gap between now and then.
In a previous post I spoke about coal shale and just recently it was found that we have more coal shale within our borders than all the available oil in Saudi Arabia. Put congress won't less us bring it up. Nor will congress allow us to drill in the 1002 Area of ANWAR, off the Pacific coast, off the Atlantic coast, off the gulf coast or in the most of the landlocked areas of the country.
I heard an interesting segment on the radio regarding oil drilling in the midwest. Most of these companies are small, private firms that drill a few dozen to a few hundred rigs at most. There were most active rigs in the late 1980's and early 1990's but when oil was only costing $10 dollars a barrel, it was not cost effective to pull up the oil and hundreds of rigs were capped shut. Congress will not allow these small firms to open these capped wells and begin pulling the crude up again, knowing that these are established sites and no wildcatting is necessary.
Why not open up oil rigs that can produce results today?
Of all the plans I have heard, the ones that make the most sense are the ones that set up incentives for a diversificaiton of all energy sources not simply focused on one or two that may bear fruit down the road. Also ones that make sense. The current trend for fuels tends to be ethanol, yet when it costs about $1.29 for $1.00 of ethanol fuel, that makes no sense.
Whatever road this country travels towards energy indepedence or foriegn energy marginalization, it must do so with realistic, un-hyped means. Solar, wind, keneitc, biofuels, coal shale, oil, nuclear, recycling, grain based, hydrogen; all need to be looked at for their true potential and allowed immediate clearance to market, the regulations are there to protect us but right now they hamper us in this cause.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
ANWAR vs. Solar
I got to thinking last night. Enviro-wonks counter the drilling in ANWR as too little oil, to long to wait. It will take ten years to get a drop into the pumps. In my opinion it may take ten years if the business of building the project is stalled with lawsuits and threats. I doubt there will be anyone chaining themselves to the landscape in a barren area like that.
However, I am constantly reminded that I could decrease my carbon footprint if I switched over to solar power for my house. If I generated a surplus I could even sell it back to the grid! I live in Phoenix and figured with as much sun as we get year round that it would be fairly cost effective.
Wrong. Even with rebates and tax incentives, out of pocket costs run well over ten thousand dollars. When I compared the various bids with my three year average energy bill, it would take me between ten and twelve years before I recouped that money. With the housing and oil market being what it is and portends to be there is no way I will do this.
Its not cost effective. To put another way, its well known that if you want a pool in this town, you buy a house with one already installed. You don't put one in yourself. The investment does not increase the value of home.
Lets start ramping up oil production that we can get to inside our walls. Lets start putting solar panels on new houses like England has done for several years. Lets build nuclear reacters and wind farms. Lets do it all. But lets do it now because when it comes to being green, you need to have green. And the future still ain't all that rosy for the pocketbook.
However, I am constantly reminded that I could decrease my carbon footprint if I switched over to solar power for my house. If I generated a surplus I could even sell it back to the grid! I live in Phoenix and figured with as much sun as we get year round that it would be fairly cost effective.
Wrong. Even with rebates and tax incentives, out of pocket costs run well over ten thousand dollars. When I compared the various bids with my three year average energy bill, it would take me between ten and twelve years before I recouped that money. With the housing and oil market being what it is and portends to be there is no way I will do this.
Its not cost effective. To put another way, its well known that if you want a pool in this town, you buy a house with one already installed. You don't put one in yourself. The investment does not increase the value of home.
Lets start ramping up oil production that we can get to inside our walls. Lets start putting solar panels on new houses like England has done for several years. Lets build nuclear reacters and wind farms. Lets do it all. But lets do it now because when it comes to being green, you need to have green. And the future still ain't all that rosy for the pocketbook.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
3 Ways to Lower Gas Prices
I am one of the lucky Americans driving an American made car that gets over 20 mpg. And its a sedan, not some clown car. Even so paying $4.25 a gallon takes its toll, especially in a car/van household. The government is deadlocked, unable to move in any direction except that which continues to provide them lucarative taxation on every gallon that is pumped. The lunacy of this was seen recently when heads of American based oil company's were brought before the senate to be held accountable for thier 10% profit on their commodity Never acknowleding that the government taxes on that commodity far exceed the money made in profit by the company themselves.
Here is my three ways to lower gas prices. America must begin mining its assets on land and sea. It must build more refineries. It must streamline the blends of gas being made.
It is a misnomer that we will drill in ANWAR. Its an expedient description however the debated area is actually called the 1002 Area. This land was created in conjunction with ANWAR in 1980 to be used specifically for research and testing for oil and wildlife needs. This site, twenty five year ago, was known to be rich in oil and gas reserves and benefit for our needs. There is much debate by environmentalists regarding its proximtiy to the migration path of the porcupine caribou almost two months per year, however the Governor, senators and most natives all comment that the area is a wasteland. A barren area of land. The oil drilled from this area would decrease our dependence barrel for barrel against middle east oil, equaling an estimated 8 billion barrels.
One of the reasons the global price of oil has risen is the modernization and consumerism of China. Every year China increases its oil consumption and energy needs. As such it is very focused on securing oil rights around the world and doing so with great ease with leftist countries in North and South America. In 2006 China and Cuba began a joint operation to drill oil right off the coast of Florida. It is believed that this reserve could hold as much oil as the 1002 Area of ANWAR. With the advent of slant drilling which allows a wide area of drilling from a very small platform, China could tap estbablished American oil fields off our own coast. "I drink your milkshake"
Other areas of concern are known oil reserves along South America that China is working towards. With their finger on Cuba, their foot on the Panama Canal and their mouth in the ear of every leftist organization to our southern border, oil could very well be the impetus of the Monroe Doctrine 2.0
If the USA fails to secure its own oil interests other countries will surely secure them for themselves. It is logical to assume they will do so without the environmental concern shown by this country.
We may finally be getting a new refinery after a thriry year wait. Don't hold your breath until its open. By having more refineries available it serves many interestes. It strengthens our counter-terrorism abilities. We have seen the affects of just one refinery off line for a few days or weeks due to repair, imagine if deliberate steps were taken by our enemys to true damage our capacity. It will lower the costs of transporting fuel to states.
On the same track of refineries, the last nuclear reactor came on line in over a decade ago. Nuclear energy is a completely different animal than weapons manufacturing. It is cheap and by far the cleanest power produced for mass consumption.
Right now there are around 50 different 'blends' of gas used around the country. Twice a year all the refineries have to stop or decrease production to switch over to summer blends or winter blends, which were created federally or locally as an off shoot of the Clean Air Act of 1990 to reduce smog. Not all cities or states have blend gas, but those that do feel the pinch in the pocket every spring and fall. By eliminating blend gas, oil compnies would decrease their costs and that should, hopefully trigger a lowering of gas prices.
Its valid to watch the environmental concerns of business and hold them accountable to their actions. but let them act. The notation that companies after thirty years have not improved the technology and processes needed to provide our country with the life blood of the economy is riduculus. The vast majority of Americans want to have trees and parks in their neighborhood and know that its countries beauty is protected but it also doesn't want to be forced to take public transportation with their kids or have to pay exorbitant energy costs in the winter.
Here is my three ways to lower gas prices. America must begin mining its assets on land and sea. It must build more refineries. It must streamline the blends of gas being made.
It is a misnomer that we will drill in ANWAR. Its an expedient description however the debated area is actually called the 1002 Area. This land was created in conjunction with ANWAR in 1980 to be used specifically for research and testing for oil and wildlife needs. This site, twenty five year ago, was known to be rich in oil and gas reserves and benefit for our needs. There is much debate by environmentalists regarding its proximtiy to the migration path of the porcupine caribou almost two months per year, however the Governor, senators and most natives all comment that the area is a wasteland. A barren area of land. The oil drilled from this area would decrease our dependence barrel for barrel against middle east oil, equaling an estimated 8 billion barrels.
One of the reasons the global price of oil has risen is the modernization and consumerism of China. Every year China increases its oil consumption and energy needs. As such it is very focused on securing oil rights around the world and doing so with great ease with leftist countries in North and South America. In 2006 China and Cuba began a joint operation to drill oil right off the coast of Florida. It is believed that this reserve could hold as much oil as the 1002 Area of ANWAR. With the advent of slant drilling which allows a wide area of drilling from a very small platform, China could tap estbablished American oil fields off our own coast. "I drink your milkshake"
Other areas of concern are known oil reserves along South America that China is working towards. With their finger on Cuba, their foot on the Panama Canal and their mouth in the ear of every leftist organization to our southern border, oil could very well be the impetus of the Monroe Doctrine 2.0
If the USA fails to secure its own oil interests other countries will surely secure them for themselves. It is logical to assume they will do so without the environmental concern shown by this country.
We may finally be getting a new refinery after a thriry year wait. Don't hold your breath until its open. By having more refineries available it serves many interestes. It strengthens our counter-terrorism abilities. We have seen the affects of just one refinery off line for a few days or weeks due to repair, imagine if deliberate steps were taken by our enemys to true damage our capacity. It will lower the costs of transporting fuel to states.
On the same track of refineries, the last nuclear reactor came on line in over a decade ago. Nuclear energy is a completely different animal than weapons manufacturing. It is cheap and by far the cleanest power produced for mass consumption.
Right now there are around 50 different 'blends' of gas used around the country. Twice a year all the refineries have to stop or decrease production to switch over to summer blends or winter blends, which were created federally or locally as an off shoot of the Clean Air Act of 1990 to reduce smog. Not all cities or states have blend gas, but those that do feel the pinch in the pocket every spring and fall. By eliminating blend gas, oil compnies would decrease their costs and that should, hopefully trigger a lowering of gas prices.
Its valid to watch the environmental concerns of business and hold them accountable to their actions. but let them act. The notation that companies after thirty years have not improved the technology and processes needed to provide our country with the life blood of the economy is riduculus. The vast majority of Americans want to have trees and parks in their neighborhood and know that its countries beauty is protected but it also doesn't want to be forced to take public transportation with their kids or have to pay exorbitant energy costs in the winter.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The Dune Buggy Fund
I have always wanted a Dune Buggy like the one in the picutre below. A friend had one in high school and college and we had a blast driving it around. That was a long time ago but the feeling never left me. Now with Mighty Mo getting to the age where it might not be such a risk for him to ride with me and he might actually enjoy it, I decided to finally act on the thought instead of just dream about it.
Now what the heck does this have to do with conservation? Simple. I am going to buy it by recycling aluminum cans. Mightly Mo and I call this, "Our Dune Buggy Fund". It is going to take about one hundred and fifty thousand cans, close to three tons of aluminum. Minimum.
I already pick up litter when I am out, now I am making it work for me. Every day I come home with at least three cans. On a good day its fifty or more. I easily got past the ick factor of reaching my hand into garbage cans and yes I do leave cans that are filthy. Since I have started the Dune Buggy Fund, I have picked up at least three cans every time I go for a run and trying to find a way to carry them other than in my hands. I got an idea...
I realize that I'd like to get the buggy within the next year and the amount of cans I need it huge, so I may have to recruit my coin jug. As long as I am patient I can make a good buy. I don't think I will stop collecting cans after I get it so whatever I have to invest personally will be recouped eventually.
When you think about it, each can is worth between three and four cents. That seems so inconsequencal but when brought together, well its going to buy us a dune buggy. Think about all the diet soda, energy drink and beer cans that end up in the trash when they really can be a long term, low yeild savings account while being a good steward of the environment. Plus at over 35 miles a gallon, I would save around $100 a month driving it a few times a week.
I may at some point get organized and start reaching out instead of being self supported. Right now this is just the beginning.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Finding another Target
Now that the current administration has listed the Polar Bear as an endangered species, even though their numbers have been going up and not down, its time for the Marxist environmental movement to find a new victim. Introducing the Walrus.
Now that the cute and cuddly Polar Bear whose identity has been co-opted by Coke commercials at Christmas, (I hate to say it but Polar Bears and Penguins do not exist together) and fluffy toys have been given it the stasis of hate crime victim amongst the soccer mom crowd, its time to turn the tide on the Walrus.
The Walrus has always been shown with vigorous honesty unlike the false advertising of Polar Bear. The Walrus is ugly, fat, has big teeth looking tusks, their lazy (hey I have some friends that look like this). The Walrus has always been the goofy 3rd tier comic relief side kick of any documentary in cold water climes.
Plus the baby seal is sooooo 1970.
The whale is so 1980.
Soon enough you will see the typical fear mongers decry the plight of this affable bumpkin, the southern redneck of the polar caps. Putting a human face on the poor misunderstood Walrus. Guys will be told to relate to the bushy whiskers and large guts and how they attract their mate. The women drawn to their nurturing instincts. Some top of the fold article will admire it for being the only mammal with a two foot long bone inside its penis. The Walrus oosik is a very prized item amongst Alaskans and at auction for its uniqueness.
The Polar Bear is so 2000.
The decade of 2010 is all about the Walrus.
Now that the cute and cuddly Polar Bear whose identity has been co-opted by Coke commercials at Christmas, (I hate to say it but Polar Bears and Penguins do not exist together) and fluffy toys have been given it the stasis of hate crime victim amongst the soccer mom crowd, its time to turn the tide on the Walrus.
The Walrus has always been shown with vigorous honesty unlike the false advertising of Polar Bear. The Walrus is ugly, fat, has big teeth looking tusks, their lazy (hey I have some friends that look like this). The Walrus has always been the goofy 3rd tier comic relief side kick of any documentary in cold water climes.
Plus the baby seal is sooooo 1970.
The whale is so 1980.
Soon enough you will see the typical fear mongers decry the plight of this affable bumpkin, the southern redneck of the polar caps. Putting a human face on the poor misunderstood Walrus. Guys will be told to relate to the bushy whiskers and large guts and how they attract their mate. The women drawn to their nurturing instincts. Some top of the fold article will admire it for being the only mammal with a two foot long bone inside its penis. The Walrus oosik is a very prized item amongst Alaskans and at auction for its uniqueness.
The Polar Bear is so 2000.
The decade of 2010 is all about the Walrus.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Not wasting time
Canyon lake has been opened with good weather for only a few weeks and already there is trash all around my swimming hole. It frustrates me, especially sense most of the trash is easily identifiable as coming from Mexican stores. I picked up several beer cans but as I did not have my trash picker-upper (I am sure thats the technical term) I am not touching the rest strewn about. The next time I head up there I will collect what I can with it.
I decided this year to collect and sell all the aluminum cans that I find. I have heard its going for a buck a pound at the recyclers. Of course I will go crazy if I don't figure out just how many crushed cans equal a pound but thats a simple thing to do one night.
I have always been of the opinion of "Do good deed and keep them to yourself." I think for special stuff that is still good advice but this year I am going to let people know how much trash I collect on a weekly basis out there and in other places in Tonto National Park and let the park service know about it. Not to rub their face in it, they work hard out there; but to let them know there is need for a trash container in that area and that there are people like me who are doing what they can to keep the area beautiful.
I decided this year to collect and sell all the aluminum cans that I find. I have heard its going for a buck a pound at the recyclers. Of course I will go crazy if I don't figure out just how many crushed cans equal a pound but thats a simple thing to do one night.
I have always been of the opinion of "Do good deed and keep them to yourself." I think for special stuff that is still good advice but this year I am going to let people know how much trash I collect on a weekly basis out there and in other places in Tonto National Park and let the park service know about it. Not to rub their face in it, they work hard out there; but to let them know there is need for a trash container in that area and that there are people like me who are doing what they can to keep the area beautiful.
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