Large Scale Central

Hillary in '08

General Discussion
#21

Yup, the average American has a short memory…:frowning: Gas hit $3 a gallon and you could not give away an SUV. It drops 50 cents and they are selling like hot cakes…stupid Americans…!!

But then again, today I read an article from Germany that really takes the cake. Seems they want to build a Farris wheel…can’t recall the city, but the darn tree huggers are trying to block it because they are afraid the rhino’s won’t breed in the neighboring zoo…!! Now THAT’S a crock :confused:

Steve, I agree with you we need to cut our dependence on oil as fast as we can. We should never let ourselves get in a position where another country has us by the gonads. But I don’t see that happening any time soon. Too many politicians (both parties) are on the take and they are not about to give up their gravy. Let another generation clean up the mess is their motto.

#22

Warren, if the tree huggers would stop with the frivolous law suits, we would have enough oil to get by until “cold fusion” (LOL) becomes economical. Or we find a way to not blow ourselves up with hydrogen power (fractionating water into H- and 02+). In other words, drill off-shore and in ANWAR, get oil out of shale in Colorado, use windmills, even in view of the Kennedy Compound, and so on, even bring back Nuc-u-lear (sic) power. Coal fired electrical plants. Anybody wanna build a modern Stanley Steamer?

We could even encourage some of the oil producers in this hemisphere to have more moderate, less corrupt governments, and if they won’t listen to the voice of reason, knock some sense into them! No, I did not say invade.

There are lots of things that can be done, if only we had the will and sense to do them. Without oil money, the radical Islamists will have to go back to tending their goats.

And, you can take my big pickup when you can pry the steering wheel from my cold, dead, fingers. :smiley:

madwolf

#23

The only way the West will be able to cohabit on this Planet with the radical Islamic states who supply most of the oil to the West, is when they need the West more than the West needs them.

In other words, when the cheap oil runs out. No that long to go now.

Incidentally I believe it is now estimated the Worlds supply of cheap oil and climate change point of no return will roughly coincide, and automatically solve atmospheric pollution problems that have accelerated since mankind started using fossil fuels.

#24
TonyWalsham said:
The only way the West will be able to cohabit on this Planet with the radical Islamic states who supply most of the oil to the West, is when they need the West more than the West needs them.

In other words, when the cheap oil runs out. No that long to go now.

Incidentally I believe it is now estimated the Worlds cheap oil and climate change point of no return will roughly coincide, and automatically solve atmospheric pollution problems that have accelerated since mankind started using fossil fuels.


Tony,

Will that be in our lifetime? :confused:

Of course that isn’t the only “problem”, looks like our happy scouring of the oceans will catch up with us in short order, too. Probably will be eating fish made of tofu or some other fine substance. The slogan will be “Tastes just like fish used to, but won’t go bad after … days!”

#25

We also need an administration that realizes there are more forms of transportation beyond the airplane and SUV. :confused: I’d suggest sending the tree huggers to Iraq or Afghanistan…except for one problem…they ain’t got enough trees…:frowning: Speaking of tree huggers in that neck of the woods, a bunch of them went to Kazakistan (or however you spell it) to try to get them to quit eating horses :lol: They wore bikinis made out of plastic lettuce leaves…!!

#26
Warren Mumpower said:
We also need an administration that realizes there are more forms of transportation beyond the airplane and SUV. :/ I'd suggest sending the tree huggers to Iraq or Afghanistan...except for one problem...they ain't got enough trees...:( Speaking of tree huggers in that neck of the woods, a bunch of them went to Kazakistan (or however you spell it) to try to get them to quit eating horses :lol: They wore bikinis made out of plastic lettuce leaves..!!
And which administration is that?

Airplanes & cars been around a while through many administrations.

#27

I’m not arguing that issue with you (which administration). We just need one (any one) that recognizes that rail is a viable form of transport. They have all been hacking at Amtrak for years…subsidize the airlines while stealing from the passenger rail service. Oh, they fund the NE corridor but if you come out West service is pitiful at best. I’ll admit I’m somewhat like Steve as far as the big badass pick’m up goes, but would damn sure drive it a lot less if I had public transit that I didn’t have to walk half way to where I need to go just to catch the darn bus and then spend 2 hours getting there after I’m on the bus. Light Rail is far down the road because the politicians here have botched that so bad that it’s a crime. No party knocking here either as our local city politicians have to run on an independent ticket.

#28
Warren Mumpower said:
I'm not arguing that issue with you (which administration). We just need one (any one) that recognizes that rail is a viable form of transport. They have all been hacking at Amtrak for years...subsidize the airlines while stealing from the passenger rail service. Oh, they fund the NE corridor but if you come out West service is pitiful at best. I'll admit I'm somewhat like Steve as far as the big badass pick'm up goes, but would damn sure drive it a lot less if I had public transit that I didn't have to walk half way to where I need to go just to catch the darn bus and then spend 2 hours getting there after I'm on the bus. Light Rail is far down the road because the politicians here have botched that so bad that it's a crime. No party knocking here either as our local city politicians have to run on an independent ticket.
Warren,

In the 1950s, there was a deal struck between several big companies (Airlines, Auto, Tire & Oil) to destroyed the mass transit rail system in the U.S. (There are several articles and books on the subject). Neither could grow without mass rail transit going away. The Interstate Highway System was developed, which used the German Autobahn built in the 1930s as a model, with taxpayer money to support the auto, tire & oil companies. Well they destroyed the Interurbans, Trolley Cars & Passenger Trains. These companies are still a major lobbying force with Congress in their pocket. Until the people force Congress to change…there will be no change.

#29

I can’t argue the point. The question is how do we get the people to realize where all this is going? As long as they have their comfy cars to drive, rail and mass transit will be ignored. Once they loose their cars…and it will eventually come to that…it will be too late. Short memories, no hind sight and no foresight. We’re screwed…!

#30

We are in agreement!

#31

If the Saudis get involved with Iraq, we could be very quickly in a crash “get whatever the hell isnt oil powered” re-energization program here in this country. Solar, coal, wind, biofuel, geothermal, nuke, will all be suddenly very much in vogue.

#32
Victor Smith said:
If the Saudis get involved with Iraq, we could be very quickly in a crash "get whatever the hell isnt oil powered" re-energization program here in this country. Solar, coal, wind, biofuel, geothermal, nuke, will all be suddenly very much in vogue.
And mules and horses for transportation might become more common.
#33

The problem, Vic, is that the crash program should have already been started…! Once Saudi Arabia enters Iraq make damn sure you have an extra pair of shoes because that is going to be your form of transportation. It would take our stumblebum politicians 20 years to pull their heads out and just begin. They would spend that time stabbing each other in the back and blaming each other for the mess to begin with. It may take a revolt of the people to put this country back on an even keel. But I can’t suggest that because I would be labeled a terrorist.

#34
Warren Mumpower said:
The problem, Vic, is that the crash program should have already been started..! Once Saudi Arabia enters Iraq make damn sure you have an extra pair of shoes because that is going to be your form of transportation. It would take our stumblebum politicians 20 years to pull their heads out and just begin. They would spend that time stabbing each other in the back and blaming each other for the mess to begin with. It may take a revolt of the people to put this country back on an even keel. But I can't suggest that because I would be labeled a terrorist.
Got 5 bicycles and it wouldnt be the first time I've ridden one to work, I can also take the light rail in, I've used it in the past also, takes about the same time as the bike. I'm carpooling now so thats why I'm still driving in, but I got a 35 MPG Scion Toaster now insted of my 19 MPG pickup. So I'm ready either way.
#35
Warren Mumpower said:
..................................

It may take a revolt of the people to put this country back on an even keel. But I can’t suggest that because I would be labeled a terrorist.


Fair bet … the Boston Tea Party would be classified as a terrorist attack.

But a bit of Politician Dunking wouldn’t hurt at all. :wink: :wink:

#36
Victor Smith said:
Warren Mumpower said:
The problem, Vic, is that the crash program should have already been started..! Once Saudi Arabia enters Iraq make damn sure you have an extra pair of shoes because that is going to be your form of transportation. It would take our stumblebum politicians 20 years to pull their heads out and just begin. They would spend that time stabbing each other in the back and blaming each other for the mess to begin with. It may take a revolt of the people to put this country back on an even keel. But I can't suggest that because I would be labeled a terrorist.
Got 5 bicycles and it wouldnt be the first time I've ridden one to work, I can also take the light rail in, I've used it in the past also, takes about the same time as the bike. I'm carpooling now so thats why I'm still driving in, but I got a 35 MPG Scion Toaster now insted of my 19 MPG pickup. So I'm ready either way.
Vic,

When I lived in San Diego and was stationed aboard a ship at 32nd Street, it took me 35 minutes to get to work by auto, door to brow, 45 - 50 by the San Diego Trolley, and 25 -26 minutes by bicycle, including a 50+ MPH free fall down a 10% grade that eventually became 8th St in National City. I was in the best shap of my life, then. It was great. The only down side was clawing my way back up that hill. It got harder after each deployment.

Now, I would have trouble even contemplating the though of doing that. But, I’d give it a try. Maybe ride to the trolley, they had bike boxes there. I did that once in a while just for variety.

Oh, for those who want to know, the odometer said 13.1 miles one way from my door to the pier. 26.2 mile round trip by bike.

madwolf

#37

The only problem I can see with me riding a bike now it that I’m a tad bit top heavy…kinda comes wth getting older… :frowning:

#38
Warren Mumpower said:
The only problem I can see with me riding a bike now it that I'm a tad bit top heavy..kinda comes wth getting older.. :(
You're top heavy?! My lovely bride painted a strip on me so she would know whether I was standing or laying down. :D
#39

The problem with the bike is the knees lifting the gut twice a revolution , gets last night’s beer into a speed wobble .

#40
Steve Featherkile said:
Warren Mumpower said:
The only problem I can see with me riding a bike now it that I'm a tad bit top heavy..kinda comes wth getting older.. :(
You're top heavy?! My lovely bride painted a strip on me so she would know whether I was standing or laying down. :D
Sounds like you both have a problem. :D :D :D

@ Steve

is it a strip or a stripe? how can she tell which side is up? :wink: :slight_smile: