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Post by Diogenes on Oct 27, 2001 8:20:09 GMT -5
The forces who want to open up the Alaskan wilderness to oil drilling are using the current war as an excuse. They are claiming that the US needs to ween itself from foreign oil sources.
Wouldn't it better to ween ourselves of oil altogether? The estimated reserves in Alaska aren't going to make that much of a difference in the total oil supply picture for us anyway.
Why aren't the oil companies instead stressing the need to develop alternative energy sources? Doing so would be good for the environment AND decrease our dependence on foreign sources of energy. The answer as to why not seems to be short term thinking and greed, at least as I see it.
Thoughts, comments, flames?
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Post by DiabloRex on Oct 27, 2001 11:10:47 GMT -5
Why aren't the oil companies instead stressing the need to develop alternative energy sources? Doing so would be good for the environment AND decrease our dependence on foreign sources of energy. The answer as to why not seems to be short term thinking and greed, at least as I see it. I agree that we should investigate in alternative energi instead, but you are asking the oil companies to do that? not going to happen, since that means that what they live for is no longer needed/wanted |
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Post by Diogenes on Oct 27, 2001 12:26:22 GMT -5
I agree that we should investigate in alternative energi instead, but you are asking the oil companies to do that? not going to happen, since that means that what they live for is no longer needed/wanted Oh, I agree with you. The oil companies aren't going to change anything, out of pure self interest. Unfortunately, their interests are not the same as the rest of us, but they happen to have a powerful influence in government. People in positions of power like, say, George Bush, have close ties to the oil industry. |
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Post by pedro2112 on Oct 28, 2001 21:01:34 GMT -5
*Yawn!
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Post by Nachtrafe-Tyrant Jr on Oct 28, 2001 23:23:04 GMT -5
*Agreed* This one has been beaten to death already. |
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Post by Diogenes on Oct 30, 2001 14:06:24 GMT -5
Hmmm . . . well, some of us aren't up to date on what has or has not been "beaten to death" at MH.
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Post by Silmarillion on Oct 30, 2001 14:13:24 GMT -5
The US needs to ween itself off oil in general. It would do this country and the environment good if we found ourselves in an oil shortage. Maybe then people would start using alternative means of fuel.
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Post by Diogenes on Oct 30, 2001 14:30:01 GMT -5
It would do this country and the environment good if we found ourselves in an oil shortage. Maybe then people would start using alternative means of fuel. I agree. The price of gasoline in the US is artificially low. On my recent trip to Britain, I faced the fact that gas prices there are 3 times the cost in the US (I had rented a car). After i got over my initial shock, I concluded that such was actually a good thing. Too often, the price of something like gasoline does not reflect its true cost. There are hidden costs passed onto the public at large, in the case of gasoline to the environment and our long term health. I am all for additional taxes on such things, like in Britain, to account for these hidden costs. |
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Post by Nachtrafe-Tyrant Jr on Oct 30, 2001 14:43:46 GMT -5
Hmmm . . . well, some of us aren't up to date on what has or has not been "beaten to death" at MH. <br> Sorry Dio...I *had* forgotten. MH was flogging all of these topics the same as IW. Just with less whining about people being 'mean'. |
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Post by Nachtrafe-Tyrant Jr on Oct 30, 2001 14:51:00 GMT -5
I agree. The price of gasoline in the US is artificially low. <br> On my recent trip to Britain, I faced the fact that gas prices there are 3 times the cost in the US (I had rented a car). After i got over my initial shock, I concluded that such was actually a good thing. Too often, the price of something like gasoline does not reflect its true cost. There are hidden costs passed onto the public at large, in the case of gasoline to the environment and our long term health. <br> I am all for additional taxes on such things, like in Britain, to account for these hidden costs. <br> This is kind of a sticky topic. There are several alternative fuel sources/means of transportation available. Hybrid cars, electric cars, Ethanol burning engines, fuel cells, etc. And if any of these sources ever become popular enough, market forces will demand that that is what we will move to(well, that and cost...most alternative sources are several time smore expensive than their counterparts). Until them, at least in America, people still want their SUV's and big, powerful trucks(I'm one of them). Give me a 4x4 that is just as powerful as the current models, that uses one of these alternatives, and doesn't cost 3 to 5 times more, and I'll look into it. Until then...VROOOOOMMMM!!! I'll keep my V-8 thanks. (Yeah yeah, I know...I can hear it already. I'm an ignorant consumer who doesn't care about the long term. BLAH BLAH BLAH! I'm perfectly well informed, and I know the world isn't as bad off as all the hysteria driven types try to pretend it is.) Flame Away! ;D |
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Post by Diogenes on Oct 30, 2001 14:55:05 GMT -5
Touche'Sorry Dio...I *had* forgotten. MH was flogging all of these topics the same as IW. Just with less whining about people being 'mean'. Yes, I have noticed the difference right away. I must say it is refreshing to be posting in a place where people can speak openly and frankly, without having to worry about walking on eggshells lest you offend somebody. Ug. |
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Post by Diogenes on Oct 30, 2001 14:58:32 GMT -5
I'm perfectly well informed, and I know the world isn't as bad off as all the hysteria driven types try to pretend it is.) Hmmm . . . well, I am not a type normally driven by "hysteria", but I think the arguments for developing cleaner energy sources are weighty and deserve to prevail. |
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Post by Nachtrafe-Tyrant Jr on Oct 30, 2001 15:32:30 GMT -5
Hmmm . . . well, I am not a type normally driven by "hysteria", but I think the arguments for developing cleaner energy sources are weighty and deserve to prevail. <br> LOL...True Dio...but a lot of people are. But, the arguements aren't as weighty as you think. And no, I dont want to get into a digression about the environment. Suffice it to say that for every study supporting your version, I can find one supporting mine. So conclusive proof is hard to find. But, that's not the point of this debate. I *DO* agree that we should work on alternative fuel sources. If for no other reason than reducing our dependance on foreign fuel sources. That, to me, is a very good arguement and an excellent reason. If it makes those with a 'green agenda' happy, great. At least it gives them one less thing to scream at conservatives about. Now, an example of what I was saying about alternative sources. At a local college, a group of students built an SUV that is fully as powerful as current models. It uses a hybrid engine, and gets over 100 miles per gallon of fuel(it uses an ethanol based fuel, almost pure grain alcohol). The problem is, actually putting this machine in production would be incredibly expensive and the finished product would run just shy of $45,000 US. So, until and unless the price of something like this can come down, its not going to happen. At least, not en masse. |
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&&&&In seeking wisdom thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it, thou art a fool.&&&&