Around The Sphere June 4, 2006
Our periodic linkfest to introduce readers to a WIDE VARIETY of views from all over the ‘Sphere. We do NOT restrict mentioned links to one viewpoint — and views do not necessary reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice.
Is Global Warming A Factor In Hurricanes? Some suggest it isn’t and some want them fired.
What’s REALLY Going On With George Bush, The GOP And Gay Marriage? John Cole has some ideas. So does Da Weatha Man Journalist. Meanwhile, Classical Values offers some other perspectives.
Rethinking The FBI Raid On A Lawmaker’s Office: Dean Esmay was at first highly critical of Congressional criticism of the FBI but is rethinking the issue.
Are The Democrats Missing A Hot Issue For 2006? Here’s an argument that they are and could determine the debate agenda.
Is The Media Downplaying The Fact That The Aspiring Canadian Terrorists Were Muslim? Some on both sides think so.
GOOD NEWS ON THE ENERGY FRONT: Ethanol production is really booming. TMV can remember WAY BACK when there was talk about how Ethanol was going to be the wave of the future. It proved — until now — to be just that. More talk about great things to come that never got here. Now we have no choice. And it’s seemingly coming…
Garage Chemistry Used To Be Fun And Actually Glamorous but now it can get you a raid or visit from government agents.
The Swift Boat Controversy Continues on both sides (just visit blogs on the right and left and Google it). Here’s one perspective from the lively progressive blog Crooks And Liars on why it matters.
Publishing For A Niche Audience Can Be Successful: Really..
A Famous Friend Visits Israel: Definitely famous…definitely a friend.
China And The Internet: It looks like China banned Google again.
Did Gawkier Cross The Line? Did a recent post show bigotry?
We Mentioned The BBC Starting Up 24 Hour News but its history also has some less illustrious moments such as this. (But, then, we — and we’re sure you — have had our own less illustrious moments, too..)
Barry Bonds: Should everyone just leave him alone?
Having Fun In College Dept: Yes, Virginia, (or whatever the hell your name is) some students are doing Global Warming Beach Parties to show just how silly the idea of Global Warming is. Oh.
Some Say Bush Has Been In A Bubble, others say that has changed but others aren’t so sure.
The Estate Tax AKA The Death Tax: A windfall for the rich or vital? One view is HERE.
Texas Hunkers Down Against Illegal Immigration and its tools include electric eyes…and the public’s eyes..
What’s The Difference Between A Liberal Hawk And A Neocon? You can start your consideration of that question HERE.
Has A Serious Courting For The Black Vote Begun? We link, you decide…
Why, Oh, Why Is Everyone Dumping On The Deparment Of Homeland Security? They’re merely thinking outside the box.
Some Want The Rotary Phone Back and here’s why.
The SAD END of The Naked Guy
5 Responses to “Around The Sphere June 4, 2006”
Just a note on the whole Ethanol thing.
It’s beginning to look like its just another boondoggle at tax payers expense. It has potential, but currently it’s just a inefficient way to convert fossil fuel into liquid fuel.
Check out these two links:
Lessons from Brazil
E85: Spinning Our Wheels
From the second link:
“According to the previously mentioned USDA study, it takes 77,228 BTUs of fossil fuel inputs to make 83,961 BTUs of “green, renewable” ethanol. “
Not saying there aren’t other more promising alternatives or that it can’t be improved (I believe there are big improvements in the future of ethanol) but producing 108.7 BTUs of fuel for every 100 BTUs of fossil fuels doesn’t seem all that inefficient. In fact, if this is developed, we could use 100 BTUs of ethanol to produce 108.7 BTUs of new ethanol. Again, improvements are needed but is this a bad start for a so far underdeveloped energy source?
The main problem is US citizens will not give up their SUV’s or car’s/trucks. And most of these bloated vehicles aren’t used wisely to offset the size they are, so we are even more wasteful than we are worth.
If this is a sign of capitalism, and prosperity to out do your neighbor by having an even more bloated sense of self worth through choice of car we are going to be extinct economically in the near future lest we finally figure out frugality on the open road. Or our gov. will have to step in soon, because fuel for military/gov use will trump private citizens use wether we like it or not we will all be on mopeds/motorcycles/public trans in the next 20 years.
Bob, I agree with your comments completely.
I keep wondering why hydrogen isn’t being developed as a fuel for mass usage just for auto fuel alone.
If the NHRA, USAC, and NASCAR can develop a race car that uses high octane racing fuel or alcohol that can smack into a concrete wall at 200+ MPH and the drivers (usually) walking away…they can develop a hydrogen fuel cell that will not rupture and or explode in a controlled highway speed accident for family/business autos.
The excuses and lies being told about hydrogen fuel use in autos (and other purposes) are not plausable. The same non plausable excuses and lies for not developing solar energy apply. If the government would grant license for the big energy companies to sell sunlight you can bet your butt there would be solar panels on every house, building, and field in two years.
Then there is the biggest I wonder why not of all.
The most powerful energy source on the planet is deep ocean currents.
And there are no plausible excuses or any excuse at all for not developing energy from the seas and oceans.
There already exists manmade machines, manned submarines, that are capable of going to depths in excess of 1500 feet and safey rise back up to sea level.
It would be realitively easy to develop unmanned stationarily positioned, computer controlled, easy to maintain at dry dock submersibles; hundreds or thousands of them, each equipped with multiple electric power generators driven by outside craft gear reduction paddle wheels (if nothing else can be found) to produce electric power through submerged power cables back to land.
Think outside the box here I’m not going to draw a map or plan how to do it.
PING:
TITLE: Ethanol Vehicles: An Overview
BLOG NAME: Ford Parts Information
Another effort being exerted by Ford to uphold environmental concern is the development of Ethanol vehicles. These AFVs (alternative fuel vehicles) make use of alcohol fuel made from corn. The use of ethanol is no longer a surprise to us. There are s…