BeanCounterGrad'03

I have to disagree with you on this to a point. Ethanol is not the only answer and any evironmental scientist worth his pocket protector will tell you that in order for the US energy needs to become self sustaining, it will take a combination of solutions: ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, solar, wind, geothermal, etc., etc. But, from the research I've done, ethanol and biodiesel are the closest right now to providing a reasonable alternative to petroleum for our transportation needs. Hydrogen has a ways to go (at least 20-30 years by some estimates) until it is cheap and efficient enough to be a viable alternative. Until that time comes, ethanol might fill a key role. Switchgrass is a very common plant that can be grown almost anywhere and does not require alot of water, so you wouldn't have to really touch any current farm land if the logistics were planned out and controlled properly (which is difficult in a free market economy). I recently read an MIT article about bacteria that are being developed to be able to turn plastics and rubber (trash) into ethanol. Here is the link for anyone interested...alot of geekspeak thrown around, very interesting: Tires and trash into fuel? Bottom line is that none of alternatives have been able to match petroleum...yet. But its great that a big push is being made after almost a century of relative inactivity in non-petroleum transportation research. I fully agree with you on this!

Yea! Kinda like that.

From the news releases I'm seeing (I work in the agriculture industry), cellulosic (sp?) ethanol will solve many of the problem with conflicts in food shortages because its made from switchgrass, trash, and any other kind of waste biomass. The only conflict it would have with the food industry if all ethanol is transition to this type of production is land for growing switchgrass on (doesn't require very fertile soil like corn) and the use of cornstalks and hay that would otherwise be used to feed cattle. I've seen varying reports saying that the energy units produced to energy units used in the production of switchgrass ethanol is anywhere from 4:1 to 10:1. Corn ethanol's ratio is 1.3:1. As far as more refineries, that might be a blessing in disguise because if a shut down happens at one refinery, it really won't affect the price much (if at all) nationwide; only in the area the refinery is located because they'd have to truck in the fuel. Of course, I'm a Bean Counter, not an Engineer. So, I may be wrong.

Aren't most batteries recycleable (is that even a word?)?

As I look at this, I'm wondering if there won't be another parking lot or two around the stadium. Anybody know if this is true?

Personally, I trust him because I believe he thinks for himself and has his own opinions of which some may differ from his former pastor...I know I don't agree with everything that all of my former and current pastors have said, some of which I've been very close to. Granted, none of them are as firey as Mr. Wright.

I'm thinking of making the 8 hour drive from Denver. Nothing definite yet, though.

If I'm not mistaken, schools in most European countries require kids to learn at least one second language, which would indirectly be the government. Regardless, its more of a necessity because of the dozen or so different languages widely used in Europe as opposed to the three used in North America. I wonder if the European Union will ever adopt a uniform language.

I trust a seminary president's deeper research and examination of the pastor's sermons and ministry much more than a media report dictating quotes from 2 or 3 of his sermons. That being said, before taking a stedfast, unchanging, and strong opinion on issues of this nature (race relations, US foreign policy, etc.), one should do further research on their own terms rather than being spoon-fed it from the media (left or right-wing slanted). I personally have not had the time to do this because of work, family, and church obligations and I'm sure the same goes for a large majority of other Americans. This can lead to "blind" development of opinions based on what is being repeated on the news or on what you want to hear/believe, which I believe is a huge problem for American society. [steps off soap-box] Just my opinion and random thoughts on a sloooooooow Wednesday morning. God! I can't wait for football season!

At least the crook was nice enough to take him to the hospital after the beating.

In 20/20 hindsight, maybe Houston should have been added to this list. Can I do a write in vote? I must disclose that I have been a lifelong Rockets (and all other things Houston) fan.

No disrespect intended, but really?!? Toy-yoda had a V-8 pick up and SUV out on the market for about 5 years now. Nissan's had them too for about that long, but I don't believe they race in Nascar (not much of a race fan unless I'm the one doing the racing ).

Speaking of pirates... What's a pirate's favorite restaurant? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRBY's!!!

It was in Vito's blog. Here's the link: Jones and LSU?

I know there isn't anything funny about this situation, but its a little funny that this statement is probably true

Where can I find these magical pixies that you speak of?

Ding Ding Ding!

I'm surprised nobody's brought this up (too busy fearing the dark side I guess), but switchgrass ethanol is almost as efficient as sugar ethanol and it wouldn't affect our food supply. From what I understand, it doesn't take much (fertilizer and water) to grow the crop and it can grow in several more regions than just corn. Just google "switchgrass ethanol" and you'll get a ton of info on it. I do disagree with the subsidizing of corn ethanol as it is just not very efficient to make it. That lobby has just got to many Washington connections right now (wish lobbyists could be done away with all together, but that's a topic for another thread). Ethanol, hydrogen, plug-in hybrids, biodeisel, and even biogas (I work for an ag company here in Colorado and got a newswire the other day that researches at NC State have developed this new non-petroleum fuel that almost matches the molecular make up of petroleum gas...exciting stuff!) are all viable alternatives to petroleum fuel. The people that push these alternatives are idiots sometimes, but that does not mean we should just dismiss all the ideas and go on pertending that we can just keep sucking oil out of the ground forever. Signed, A tree hugging hippie

I've got the DVD, but I'm in Colorado. So I just chimed in with a worthless post. You've given me a good idea of what the wife and I could do tonight...I could show her J Mo's highlights and then show her my highlights

Well that's not fair.

Yea beer!

wonky???

Wow! That's one of the funniest/weirdest beginnings of a post that I've ever seen.

Well, thank you! Score one for the ponies! (man that make feel weird to be saying that)