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Your ideas, hopes and links for green travel. - Page 6

post #201 of 308
2/1/11 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
Solar power late at night and wind power on a perfectly still day-

"It would connect turbines off the wind-lashed north coast of Scotland with Germany's vast arrays of solar panels, and join the power of waves crashing on to the Belgian and Danish coasts with the hydro-electric dams nestled in Norway's fjords: Europe's first electricity grid dedicated to renewable power will become a political reality this month, as nine countries formally draw up plans to link their clean energy projects around the North Sea.

The network, made up of thousands of kilometres of highly efficient undersea cables that could cost up to 30bn (£26.5bn), would solve one of the biggest criticisms faced by renewable power that unpredictable weather means it is unreliable.

With a renewables supergrid, electricity can be supplied across the continent from wherever the wind is blowing, the sun is shining or the waves are crashing.

Connected to Norway's many hydro-electric power stations, it could act as a giant 30GW battery for Europe's clean energy, storing electricity when demand is low and be a major step towards a continent-wide supergrid that could link into the vast potential of solar power farms in North Africa."
~ http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...ergy-supergrid

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

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post #202 of 308
2/1/11 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by john galt View Post


Update: A judge dismissed the "wiretapping" charges:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/loc...clist-tro.html

Excellent, there are going to be a lot of red faces in court. I wonder how many of those will end up with serious charges against them.

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #203 of 308
2/1/11 at 3:03pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry, please delete.

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #204 of 308
2/1/11 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
Half of the US's massive trade deficit is because of the money American's send abroad to pay for oil for there SUV's et al-

"Oil prices are approaching $100 per barrel, which is nearly 20 percent higher than a year ago. This is yet another reminder that the United Statess public health, economy, and security will suffer as long as our oil thirst continues. Americans spent an average of $228 million per day on imported oil in 2010, and these purchases are nearly half of our trade deficit. One of every five barrels of oil consumed in the United States also comes from dangerous or unstable nations, according to the State Department."
~ http://www.americanprogress.org/issu...ergy_sotu.html

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #205 of 308
2/1/11 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hands Sandon View Post

Solar power late at night and wind power on a perfectly still day-

Sounds like an ambitious project Hands!

I just can't help thinking the story reads like a Popular Science magazine from 1961. I mean, it's fifty years later - where's my flying car?

A is A
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A is A
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post #206 of 308
2/1/11 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by john galt View Post

Sounds like an ambitious project Hands!

I just can't help thinking the story reads like a Popular Science magazine from 1961. I mean, it's fifty years later - where's my flying car?


It's just a grid, there's nothing new here really, except Europe's joining up with electrical power.

It will help to ease any problems on say non windy days etc because countries can simply import clean energy from other countries. It also gives them a bigger customer base.

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #207 of 308
2/1/11 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
Better late than never-

"President Obama will propose nixing around $36.5 billion a year in oil and gas company subsidies and tax breaks in his new budget, set to be released later this month.


Renewable energy will get a funding boost in the same budget, according to Reuters, including $302 million for solar energy (up 22 percent), $123 million for wind energy (up 53 percent) and $55 million for geothermal energy (up 25 percent)."
~ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_816787.html

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #208 of 308
2/1/11 at 10:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

With all the postings of electric and hybrid cars, one solution which was overlooked is metropolitan and intra state light rail systems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_R...ngeles_County)

For Intrastate travel from LA to Sacramento or LA to San Diego go by rail...not all of the system is complete yet however.
http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/trip_planner.aspx
http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/
Quote:
Originally Posted by FloorJack View Post

I can't stand any rail system. What magic happens when you bolt a steel rail to the ground to run trains along it? The exact same thing can be done with road going vehicles for less money and more flexibility in town. Then out of town the ridership can never pay for the infrastructure costs. It's just government waste. It's a 100 year old solution for a modern day problem.

Seems to work in Europe:
http://www.reidsguides.com/t_tr/t_tr_system.html
http://www.alleuroperail.com/eurorai...peed-train.htm

Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Japan

High speed trains
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #209 of 308
2/2/11 at 5:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hands Sandon View Post

Better late than never-

"President Obama will propose nixing around $36.5 billion a year in oil and gas company subsidies and tax breaks in his new budget, set to be released later this month.


Renewable energy will get a funding boost in the same budget, according to Reuters, including $302 million for solar energy (up 22 percent), $123 million for wind energy (up 53 percent) and $55 million for geothermal energy (up 25 percent)."
~ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_816787.html

Well, he's got it half right. Trading one set of special interests for another though. \

P.S. I'd be curious exactly how much of the "$36.5 billion a year in oil and gas company subsidies and tax breaks" are subsidies and tax breaks specifically for oil and gas companies rather than subsidies and tax breaks that are available for and used by all industries (including oil and gas companies.) It's a clever rhetorical trick that I've seen used a few times before.

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post #210 of 308
2/2/11 at 5:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

Seems to work in Europe:
http://www.reidsguides.com/t_tr/t_tr_system.html
http://www.alleuroperail.com/eurorai...peed-train.htm

Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Japan

High speed trains
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail

Comparisons to other nations get kinda tiresome. This is one of those times.

First, while I have nothing at all against rail and think it would be great, assuming it was private industry and unmolested by the government (we tried that once but they couldn't keep their hands off and basically ruined the industry until more favored ones like airlines are cars came along.)

Second, size comparisons are useful here because they help us to think about the relative feasibility of various transportation technologies. Europe...all of Europe is roughly 1/2 the total size of the continental US. It is about equivalent to the eastern half (east of Big Miss) of the US. Japan is roughly the size of Montana or slightly smaller than California. Now, granted, the larger US would seem to be an argument against auto travel. It hasn't worked out that way, but you can probably than the US government for that. Dontcha just love irony?

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post #211 of 308
2/2/11 at 7:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Comparisons to other nations get kinda tiresome. This is one of those times.

First, while I have nothing at all against rail and think it would be great, assuming it was private industry and unmolested by the government (we tried that once but they couldn't keep their hands off and basically ruined the industry until more favored ones like airlines are cars came along.)

Second, size comparisons are useful here because they help us to think about the relative feasibility of various transportation technologies. Europe...all of Europe is roughly 1/2 the total size of the continental US. It is about equivalent to the eastern half (east of Big Miss) of the US. Japan is roughly the size of Montana or slightly smaller than California. Now, granted, the larger US would seem to be an argument against auto travel. It hasn't worked out that way, but you can probably than the US government for that. Dontcha just love irony?

What's wrong in using rail systems in heavily traveled corridors? The system is still developing in LA. Have friends coming in from Glendale and Pasadena to Downtown who commute using the Gold Line and won't switch back to the 110 grid lock.
I travel to Fresno and it takes about 3.5 to 4 hours by freeway, flying cost too much and travel to Burbank or LAX hectic and you have to go through TSA check points, if when they complete the California HSRA route to Fresno and Sacramento it I'll check it out. When complete to Sacramento it will take a lot of traffic from 99 and Interstate 5.

For long distant travel like Montana...probably will still drive...been a while since I went fly fishing.
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #212 of 308
2/2/11 at 7:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

What's wrong in using rail systems in heavily traveled corridors?

Nothing at all as far as I'm concerned. Only one condition: They should be privately started, funded and operated. That's all I'd ask.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

For long distant travel like Montana...probably will still drive...

I'd love to see some long-haul high-speed rail systems to compete with the airlines.

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post #213 of 308
2/2/11 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Comparisons to other nations get kinda tiresome. This is one of those times.



Second, size comparisons are useful here because they help us to think about the relative feasibility of various transportation technologies. Europe...all of Europe is roughly 1/2 the total size of the continental US. It is about equivalent to the eastern half (east of Big Miss) of the US. Japan is roughly the size of Montana or slightly smaller than California. Now, granted, the larger US would seem to be an argument against auto travel. It hasn't worked out that way, but you can probably than the US government for that. Dontcha just love irony?

You're joking right?

Europe is much bigger than the US. Europe is 10,180,000 km squared, whilst the US including Alaska is only 9,826,000 km squared. If you take Alaska out of the equation you're left with the mainland US covering only a pitiful (9,826,000 - 1,717,000) 8,109,000 km squared and most of the UK is already connected to the rest of Europe with rail.

Europe Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe

USA Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States

Alaska Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska

All the countries in Europe will become a part of the EU, like Turkey and even Russia. The railway system will be developed and connected even whilst thise countries aren't EU members.

This is just the begining...Russia to allow EU citizens without visas for three days at a time-

"Russia Launches New High-Speed Train and Seeks to Ease Visa Requirements for European Train Travelers:

The high-speed train trend threatens to take on air travel, with rail service expanding and promising better conditions, and not just for first class tickets. When it comes to rail service, the absolute speed record is of 574.8 kilometers an hour, held by a ultra-tech, high-speed train built by the French company Alstom. Then, the Velaro express from Germany’s Siemens rushes between Madrid and Barcelona at 3000 kilometers an hours, while in Germany and some of its neighbors, such rail service speeds have been in place for about two decades."
~ http://www.staho.com/russia-launches...velers/209088/

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

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post #214 of 308
2/2/11 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hands Sandon View Post

You're joking right?

Europe is much bigger than the US. Europe is 10,180,000 km squared, whilst the US including Alaska is only 9,826,000 km squared. If you take Alaska out of the equation you're left with the mainland US covering only a pitiful (9,826,000 - 1,717,000) 8,109,000 km squared and most of the UK is already connected to the rest of Europe with rail.

Europe Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe

USA Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States

Alaska Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska

All the countries in Europe will become a part of the EU, like Turkey and even Russia. The railway system will be developed and connected even whilst thise countries aren't EU members.

This is just the begining...Russia to allow EU citizens without visas for three days at a time-

"Russia Launches New High-Speed Train and Seeks to Ease Visa Requirements for European Train Travelers:

The high-speed train trend threatens to take on air travel, with rail service expanding and promising better conditions, and not just for first class tickets. When it comes to rail service, the absolute speed record is of 574.8 kilometers an hour, held by a ultra-tech, high-speed train built by the French company Alstom. Then, the Velaro express from Germanys Siemens rushes between Madrid and Barcelona at 3000 kilometers an hours, while in Germany and some of its neighbors, such rail service speeds have been in place for about two decades."
~ http://www.staho.com/russia-launches...velers/209088/

Maglev (transport)
Quote:
Perhaps the most well known implementation of high-speed maglev technology currently operating commercially is the Shanghai Maglev Train, an IOS (initial operating segment) demonstration line of the German-built Transrapid train in Shanghai, China that transports people 30 km (19 mi) to the airport in just 7 minutes 20 seconds, achieving a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), averaging 250 km/h (160 mph).

HST Florida
How Maglev Trains Work
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #215 of 308
2/2/11 at 10:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

Maglev (transport)

HST Florida
How Maglev Trains Work

China,s going to link up with a lot of the world with high speed rail, including Europe-

"China already has the most advanced and extensive high speed rail line in the world, and soon that network will be connected all the way to Europe and the UK! With initial negotiations and surveys already complete, China is now making plans to connect its high speed rail line through 17 other countries in Asia and Eastern Europe in order to connect to the existing infrastructure in the EU. Additional rail lines will also be built into South East Asia as well as Russia, in what will likely become the largest infrastructure project in history."
~ http://inhabitat.com/china-to-connec...way-to-europe/

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #216 of 308
2/3/11 at 7:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

With all the postings of electric and hybrid cars, one solution which was overlooked is metropolitan and intra state light rail systems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_R...ngeles_County)

For Intrastate travel from LA to Sacramento or LA to San Diego go by rail...not all of the system is complete yet however.
http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/trip_planner.aspx
http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/
Quote:
Originally Posted by FloorJack View Post

I can't stand any rail system. What magic happens when you bolt a steel rail to the ground to run trains along it? The exact same thing can be done with road going vehicles for less money and more flexibility in town. Then out of town the ridership can never pay for the infrastructure costs. It's just government waste. It's a 100 year old solution for a modern day problem.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

Seems to work in Europe:
http://www.reidsguides.com/t_tr/t_tr_system.html
http://www.alleuroperail.com/eurorai...peed-train.htm
Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Japan
High speed trains
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail

Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Comparisons to other nations get kinda tiresome. This is one of those times.
First, while I have nothing at all against rail and think it would be great, assuming it was private industry and unmolested by the government (we tried that once but they couldn't keep their hands off and basically ruined the industry until more favored ones like airlines are cars came along.)

Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

What's wrong in using rail systems in heavily traveled corridors?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Nothing at all as far as I'm concerned. Only one condition: They should be privately started, funded and operated. That's all I'd ask.
I'd love to see some long-haul high-speed rail systems to compete with the airlines.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hands Sandon View Post

China,s going to link up with a lot of the world with high speed rail, including Europe-
~ http://inhabitat.com/china-to-connec...way-to-europe/

MJ looks like its coming sooner than we think and governments will have to engage, this should be a cooperative effort with both governments and private industry.

FJ, the auto is over 100 years old, Air travel is over 100 years old and rail is over 150 years old...your point is??
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #217 of 308
2/3/11 at 7:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

MJ looks like its coming sooner than we think and governments will have to engage, this should be a cooperative effort with both governments and private industry.

Why?

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post #218 of 308
2/4/11 at 9:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Why?

why not??????
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #219 of 308
2/4/11 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

why not??????

Let's start with you. You've asserted two things:
  1. governments have to engage (in the creation of rail transport systems)
  2. this (the creation of rail transport systems) should be a cooperative effort with both governments and private industry

Why?

If you have no reasoning behind these assertions, then there're really no further discussion.

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post #220 of 308
2/5/11 at 6:13am
How can mag' lev' possibly be green? You're burning a ton of electric power to simply float a huge train so it will go even faster. You're using power simply to defy gravity. Rolling on wheels would be far far greener.
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post #221 of 308
2/5/11 at 7:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Let's start with you. You've asserted two things:
  1. governments have to engage (in the creation of rail transport systems)
  2. this (the creation of rail transport systems) should be a cooperative effort with both governments and private industry

Why?

If you have no reasoning behind these assertions, then there're really no further discussion.

Then maybe you can't answer the question....why not?
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #222 of 308
2/5/11 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

Then maybe you can't answer the question....why not?

Evidently you can't answer the question. You made the initial assertion. I've asked a simple couple of questions desiring you to support these assertions. Apparently you won't (or can't). That's fine.

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post #223 of 308
2/5/11 at 7:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Evidently you can't answer the question. You made the initial assertion. I've asked a simple couple of questions desiring you to support these assertions. Apparently you won't (or can't). That's fine.

So then you aren't going to answer why not?
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #224 of 308
2/5/11 at 9:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

So then you aren't going to answer why not?

I will gladly...when you've stopped avoiding my question. It shouldn't be too hard for you. You seem to have made your assertions with such certainty and confidence, undoubtedly you have clear and solid reasoning behind them. I'm just curious what it is. But if you don't want to, or can't, that's fine too. I'll just have to assume they are vacuous assertions that need no further comment.

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post #225 of 308
2/6/11 at 2:18pm
Thread Starter 
Are you sick of telling others not to smoke around you whilst you kill them with your exhaust emissions when you drive?

Are you sick of paying for the very bullets that cripple and kill US soldiers day in and day out?

Are you sick of empowering billionaire dictators who torture their own citizens?

Are you sick of oil spills that make everyone and everything they touch sick?

If you are here's the solution. Simply step back in time when things were less obviously destructive and enjoy this nice sports car powered by electricity-

"The Porsche 356 Speedster and Porche 550 Spyder are some of the most iconic sports cars of all time, minimalist design and racing pedigree making their mark -- and of course James Dean losing his life in a Spyder certainly helped it to gain some notoriety. Restored models go for hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the one you're looking at above goes for much less. It's a replica made by California company Euromasters, and it's all-electric. Specs on that plus the Spyder replica are identical, including 120hp motors, top speed of over 100mph, a range of over 200 miles, and 0 - 60 in a very brisk 5.6 seconds -- almost four seconds faster than an original road-going 356. The Speedster was unveiled at the LA Auto Show late last year and both it and the Spyder are now up for order. $49,900 if you want the Speedster, another $5,000 if you want the James Dean Edition Spyder. Just be careful if you get one: we doubt these Little Bastards are much safer in a crash than the originals."
~ http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/e...rebel-without/

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #226 of 308
2/6/11 at 5:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

It shouldn't be too hard for you.

No its not. But you've been on my semi ignore list so I gave up responding to yours.
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #227 of 308
2/6/11 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

No its not.

And yet...


Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

But you've been on my semi ignore list so I gave up responding to yours.

Evidently not.

The count is at 4.

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post #228 of 308
2/6/11 at 9:47pm
I have had some time to mull this over a bit and I am prepared for some limited responses. I purposely took time so that I would not post rash responses. I apologise for my initial post if they came off rude. I know that you did not intend your response to be taken the way I did initially, but i don't back away from my position, just my level of response pointing to you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BR View Post

I WANT human life to continue. That's why I want us to push into space so all of our eggs aren't in one basket. I also think we should stop reproducing like rabbits so that our one basket doesn't crowd itself into extinction.

I believe you want this. I also believe that you feel that overpopulation is a problem. I don't believe, however, that we are going to crowd ourselves into extinction. This may simply be my optimistic nature, but the issue with people starving and such are generally due to a lack of compassion rhter than a true lack of resources.

Quote:
1. Promote the shit out of adoption. There are plenty of babies that need loving homes. Frankly, infertile couples should really be turning to adoption more frequently.

I fully agree here. Adoption is a wonderful option, and there are plenty of children out there ho need a solid family to grow up in.

Quote:
2. Sure, stop giving deductions for the 3rd child and beyond. Sure, tax families for having 3 or more children. Make sure those taxes scale appropriately so it's not just the rich who can still have large families.

3. Provide REAL sex education nationwide. Free condoms, EVERYWHERE. None of this abstinence-only bullshit that just fucking doesn't work. Seriously reduce unplanned pregnancy.

4. Provide free vasectomies & tubal ligations.

I disagree with all three of these. Number 2 is a problem because you have the government or some other outside force determining who can and cannot have large families. That is not their place nor their right to intrude.

Number 3 is more an issue of how effective is the education really going to be? Abstinence is a valid choice, and if practiced is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, STD's and other issues relating to sexual relationships outside of a relationship. However, I don't believe that it is the only thing out there. Condoms, however, should not be promoted as a free pass to have sex with anyone at any time. They are not always effective, and there is more to sex than just the exchange of bodily fluids.

Number 4 is simply a way to prevent pregnancy. It does not deal with the issue surrounding the lack of compassion. Number 3 also falls in this category somewhat without proper education.

Quote:
Your primary mistake is that you think I devalue life. That's so far off base it's not even funny. I value life much, much more than any Christian or religious nut (your words) out there because I don't live in this fantasy world where I pretend there's more life after we die. Life is incredibly precious. We should treat it as such--take care of our planet, push to the stars, and until we can make the breakthroughs to food, clothe, and shelter every single living human on this planet, reproduce responsibly.


I had no right to speak to your frame of mind and as such have apologized publicly. If one places any monetary or material value on life or uses such to make a case to end it, then I see that as lessening the value of life. Your argument came across as such and I responded.

Quote:
Also, it's kind of a laugh riot for a conservative to tell a socialist the conservative's the one who gives a shit about life. I'm the one who says we should have free healthcare for everyone. I'm the one who says no matter how lazy or useless the person is, he shouldn't starve or have to live on the streets. Yet I'm the one who somehow doesn't care.

I agree that those are noble ideals and if they could be achieved they should be. However, I believe they need to be done so in a framework of personal responsibility. All people should put back into the system that they take out of to the level of their ability. It is difficult however to see how such a system would actually be implemented when compassion for ones fellow man rides so low on the importance scale. Reality has a way of killing Utopian visions.
NoahJ
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." - Mahatma Gandhi
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NoahJ
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." - Mahatma Gandhi
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post #229 of 308
2/7/11 at 1:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mj1970 View Post

the count is at 4.

+4 ft
-2 mj#
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #230 of 308
2/7/11 at 5:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

+4 ft
-2 mj#

The count is at 5.

The state is nothing more than a criminal gang writ large.

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The state is nothing more than a criminal gang writ large.

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post #231 of 308
2/7/11 at 12:38pm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=60429

http://www.apta.com/mc/past/2010/201...il-US-Page.pdf
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #232 of 308
2/7/11 at 12:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FineTunes View Post

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=60429

http://www.apta.com/mc/past/2010/201...il-US-Page.pdf

Is this your answer?

I'm only asking because it's not entirely clear and I'd like to know before I spend the time to address this editorial and presentation (at the American Public Transportation Association Rail Conference) by a consultancy specializing in trying to bring government and the private sector together.

The state is nothing more than a criminal gang writ large.

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The state is nothing more than a criminal gang writ large.

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post #233 of 308
2/9/11 at 3:46am
Thread Starter 
With a rapidly growing demand for oil and oil production static, get ready to pay more to burn-

"The US fears that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, may not have enough reserves to prevent oil prices escalating, confidential cables from its embassy in Riyadh show.

The cables, released by WikiLeaks, urge Washington to take seriously a warning from a senior Saudi government oil executive that the kingdom's crude oil reserves may have been overstated by as much as 300bn barrels – nearly 40%.

The revelation comes as the oil price has soared in recent weeks to more than $100 a barrel on global demand and tensions in the Middle East. Many analysts expect that the Saudis and their Opec cartel partners would pump more oil if rising prices threatened to choke off demand.

However, Sadad al-Husseini, a geologist and former head of exploration at the Saudi oil monopoly Aramco, met the US consul general in Riyadh in November 2007 and told the US diplomat that Aramco's 12.5m barrel-a-day capacity needed to keep a lid on prices could not be reached.

According to the cables, which date between 2007-09, Husseini said Saudi Arabia might reach an output of 12m barrels a day in 10 years but before then – possibly as early as 2012 – global oil production would have hit its highest point. This crunch point is known as "peak oil"."
~ http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...ated-wikileaks

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #234 of 308
2/9/11 at 11:46am
We made it 6 pages without the peak oil chicanery coming up.
The politics of charisma is so Third World. Americans were never going to buy into it for long. - Foudad Ajami
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The politics of charisma is so Third World. Americans were never going to buy into it for long. - Foudad Ajami
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post #235 of 308
2/14/11 at 9:34am
Energy Security Leadership Council Transportation Plan
Quote:
WASHINGTON The Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a project of Securing Americas Future Energy (SAFE), today released Transportation Policies for Americas Future, a comprehensive suite of policy recommendations designed to transform the nations transportation policy and protect the nations economic and national security by contributing to reduced oil consumption. The policies would result in a more market-oriented model that would offer more consumer choices, and provide Americans a more efficient, more effective network of roads and rails.

Transportation Policies for Americas Future
Quote:
The Energy Security Leadership Council believes that Americas energy security can be fundamentally improved through major reductions in oil demand. More stringent fuel efficiency standards and the rapid expansion in the use of alternative fuels are just two critical components of an overall strategy. The third is our surface transportation infrastructure itself. Our transportation network exists almost in a vacuum, with virtually no connection between how it is designed, how it is funded, and how American families and businesses use it every day. The result is an inefficient system in which system needs are out of alignment with investment, cost is out of alignment with usage, and congestion is threatening to undermine the potential gains associated with recent improvements in vehicle technology and fuel diversification. We require a system based more closely on a true supply and demand model, in which assets are allocated based on needs, and costs are aligned with use, helping to restore the mobility upon which our dynamic economy depends.
無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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無心 The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders., Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit__Edward Abbey
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post #236 of 308
2/14/11 at 4:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FloorJack View Post

I can't stand any rail system. What magic happens when you bolt a steel rail to the ground to run trains along it? The exact same thing can be done with road going vehicles for less money and more flexibility in town. Then out of town the ridership can never pay for the infrastructure costs. It's just government waste. It's a 100 year old solution for a modern day problem.

This is a good point, and deserves a serious answer. A 53 Billion-dollar national rail fantasy that is never going to be built is far worse than constructing cheaper bus right-of-ways and upgrading them only when and where the traffic actually warrants it.

Bus Rapid Transit provides more connections and flexibility, particularly to lower income groups who aren't mobile and can't afford airline rates. For an extreme example, remember Hurricane Katrina.

China's trying to move a billion people around, most of whom don't have a car. America's population is a fraction of that. The U.S. has a really high percentage of car ownership and already has a fully built airport system.

If the government wants to promote electrified travel powered by nuclear energy, that can be done via electric and hybrid buses.
The evil that we fight is but the shadow of the evil that we do.
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The evil that we fight is but the shadow of the evil that we do.
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post #237 of 308
2/14/11 at 6:15pm
Obama's obsession with this half-baked idea is simply the lowest common denominator of all big-government big-subsidy fantasies. It arises every time some fatass Washington bureaucrat returns from a taxpayer-funded vacation to Tokyo. Ooh look at the sleek bullet trains. We should have them

As great an idea it is for Japan, it's simply not justifiable in the US. Where are you going to build it? Between what cities? Why? The only place where high speed rail travel makes any sense at all is in the Northeast, from perhaps Washington to New York or Boston since that's the area with the highest concentration of potential passengers. But we already have Amtrak for that, and it already has its high speed Acela service. It's quite expensive, not very fast, but it does make money. Did I mention it was expensive? Yet Obama claims that 80% of Americans should be served by high speed rail in 25 years. As if we needed more proof he's a chowderhead.

Overall, Amtrak loses $32 per passenger, since most of the rest of the country just isn't as densely populated as the Northeast. Amtrak's conventional Northeast Regional rail service loses much less, but it still loses. Elsewhere, there's simply not enough demand for rail travel. Besides, if you're going to commute on a bullet train every day, perhaps you should consider relocating. After all, isn't the "greenest" way to travel... not to travel at all? Hey, greenies want people to not even exist.

Besides the Northeast Corridor's Acela, only two of Amtrak's 44 routes are profitable. Two! And Obama wants to dump $53,000 million into high speed rail... why? I'd rather use the money to send all of Congress to Fantasyland each year. They'd probably feel right at home.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank777 View Post

If the government wants to promote electrified travel powered by nuclear energy, that can be done via electric and hybrid buses.

Now that's an idea worth considering.

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/56132
A is A
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A is A
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post #238 of 308
2/20/11 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
God i hope they make this-
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/i...-looks-classy/

Been to busy to. Post but will be free again in a day or so, and will have 13 Air instead of iphone most of time so be prepared!

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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post #239 of 308
2/20/11 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hands Sandon View Post

God i hope they make this-
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/i...-looks-classy/

Looks gorgeous.

The state is nothing more than a criminal gang writ large.

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The state is nothing more than a criminal gang writ large.

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post #240 of 308
3/4/11 at 5:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ1970 View Post

Looks gorgeous.

It does, it's my "desktop" pic, but maybe one day...

"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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"If your enemies cannot find a flaw in your reasoning, they will find it in your reputation".

~ William Hazlitt

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