This is good news. Anything that reduces reliance away from imported oil is a very good thing. It does depend on a domestic source of electricity to become fully energy independent and nuclear would be my first choice. Here is how it works. GM shifts workers to speed fuel-cell car production
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The most-recently unveiled version of the Chevy Volt concept car, a leading candidate for the next big thing in fuel-saving technology, took a step closer to reality when General Motors Corp. said Friday,Jun 15, 2007, it will move 500 engineers from the drawing boards out to where cars are actually being built.
The Detroit giant (GM :34.66, +1.06, +3.2% ) announced that more than 400 fuel-cell engineers will report to GM's powertrain group while another 100 will transfer to the global product development divisions to start integrating fuel cells into future vehicles.
At least 150 fuel-cell scientists and other employees will stay in GM's research and development center to continue work on hydrogen storage and fuel cells.
"Eight years ago we said that hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle technology could make a major contribution to solving the energy and environmental challenges facing the automobile industry," Larry Burns, head of research and development at GM, said in a statement.
"Today's announcement signals another important milestone as we move fuel cell vehicles closer to future production," he added.
At the big auto show in Detroit earlier this year, GM took the wraps off its Chevy Volt, an electric car capable of running 600 miles even after the battery runs out, thanks to an auxiliary engine that would kick in and recharge the battery. The power in that engine can come from several sources, including gasoline, ethanol, diesel and hydrogen.
GM lifted the curtains on the fuel-cell powered version of the Volt in Shanghai back in April, and Friday's announcement supports the company's vision that the vehicle will be sold to the public sooner rather than later.
"Fuel-cell power has been a chronically delayed technology, and GM is taking a leap of faith in hopes they can discover what's necessary to bring these cars to market," said Phil Reed, an analyst at car-buying research Web site Edmunds.com. "Reaching that goal is the kind of event that could change the momentum for GM as well as the American manufacturers."
Fuel-cell cars, which emit only water, use hydrogen to produce electricity to power the engine. GM's hydrogen Sequel has already proven capable of logging 300 miles on one charge, with officials having driven it that far across public streets in New York recently.
But GM still has to cut production costs before the Sequel is ready for the assembly lines. Other hurdles facing hydrogen-powered vehicles include the lack of a sufficient fueling station network and the need for improved storage capacity. GM is also looking to place 100 models of its fuel-cell Chevy Equinox within the next two years.
The industry's consensus target for putting such hydrogen vehicles on the road in substantial numbers seems to be more than decade out, although Burns and the rest of GM's engineers are focusing on moving up that timeline.
"GM is sticking its neck out here," Reed said. "It's surprising and encouraging."
Shawn Langlois is a reporter for MarketWatch, and the editor of its community message boards.
THIS ONE is, basically, ready now; and, the infrastructure is in place. All we have to do is add the Stainless Steel Tanks to store the ethanol.
ReplyDeleteSaab (which GM owns) is, also, selling their kick-ass Saab Biopower in Europe, and Brazil. It has a Flex-fuel engine with a variable boost turbocharger that gives it Super performance with a minimum of cubic inches (Indy Car.) Why they're not selling this car in the U.S., yet, is anybody's guess.
ReplyDeleteBTW, a lot of really smart people think that the intermediate future is a car running on a fuel cell that's powered by bio-gas (think natural gas, but from a bio source. Corn, Grass, forestry products, etc.)
ReplyDeleteA fuel cell is much more efficient than an internal combustion engine, and biogas looks to be cheaper, and more available than hydrogen. Indeed, it's more energy efficient to burn the ethanol that hydrogen will be derived from than it is to convert it to hydrogen, and, then, burn it.
I like the idea that GM is putting a priority on this.
ReplyDeleteAs for electricity - A lot of us think that there are very few counties in the U.S. (or the world) that could not be self-sufficient in electricity.
ReplyDeleteTHIS is how we'll get a lot of our electricity.
ReplyDeleteRufus: BTW, a lot of really smart people think that the intermediate future is a car running on a fuel cell that's powered by bio-gas (think natural gas, but from a bio source.
ReplyDeleteIn the Philippines you get bio-diesel at the pump, and it's cheaper than the fossil stuff. They don't have Big Oil leaning on their legislative house over there.
You're right, T; there's no reason on God's Green Earth why the Philippines would EVER burn a drop of oil. Between Solar, Bio, Wave, and Wind they could supply all of the Pacific and half of China with Energy.
ReplyDeleteBTW, those Coconut Palms that are inigenous to the islands are just about the best source of Biodiesel in the world. They'll produce about the 8 times the biodiesel/acre that Soy Beans will.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful day, mom & dad are still alive, well into their seventies, so is my son & daughter.
ReplyDeleteGood news for me, all the way around.
Thanks to my father and all the previous fathers in the family tree, through the generations.
trish mentioned 1701 as a measure of success for Israels' Lebanon War, last year.
Today two rockets hit northern Israel, fired from Lebanon.
That is a gift to be treasured, a measure of past successes.
A testament to 1701 and the way forward in this brave new world.
The next time you're over there buy yourself a couple of thousand acres suitable for growing coconut (or oil) palms. Your Grandchildren will thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe Chinese and JAPANESE are starting to Pour Money into the Philippine Countryside. I read about another new 3 or 4 biofuel refineries going up almost every day.
Going "Green" is not "all there". It has mucho problemos!
ReplyDelete'Green' Energy Source a Major Polluter - Ethanol
Hope everyone has a Happy Pops Day!
Just the talk of ethanol guarentees high gasoline prices.
ReplyDeleteWASHINGTON - With Congress and the White House pushing to increases the use of ethanol, the oil industry is scaling back its plans to expand refineries — which could keep gasoline prices high, possibly for years to come.
President Bush has called for a 20 percent decline in gasoline use by 2017 and the Senate is debating legislation for huge increases in the use of ethanol as a motor fuel. So, oil companies see a growing uncertainty about future gasoline demand and less need to increase refinery capacity to make more gasoline.
Will the Standard be VHS or Beta?
ReplyDeleteBeta provides a higher quality picture, but VHS is cheaper.
Oh, wait one moment, DVDs have killed them both.
None of those formats required much infrastructure, unlike fuel delivery systems.
Buy a hydrogen car, hope you can find the hydrogen.
Can hydrogen fit in a jerry can?
Tiger,
ReplyDeleteFrom your article:
"Some of the older plants that have been around for a decade or longer were built at a time when the regulatory regime for these types of facilities wasn't completely ironed out," he explained. "Some of those older plants are having to do some things to get up to code."
Cooper said any problems with pollution are offset by the environmental benefits of renewable fuels being used in U.S. vehicles.
Look, ain't nothin "Dead Solid Perfect," but biofuels are getting closer, and closer. The Technology is advancing at a breakneck pace. Take that water problem. For a few dollars more, they can be like "Pacific Ethanol" and close the water loop.
In any case, they're going to be a thousand percent cleaner than the cleanest oil refinery ever dreamed of being.
And, happy Pops Day to you, too.
The oil industry has been cutting back on the Number of Refineries for 30 years. They are, however, adding about 17,000 bpd every year through the more efficient process of expanding existing refineries.
ReplyDeleteIn the fall when there is a glut of ethanol the states (like Minnesota) that have a plenitude of E85 pumps will exhibit lower gasoline prices than the states that don't.
Everything else being somewhat equal - Competition will Always lead to lower prices.
Soccer Roundup
ReplyDeleteU.S. Edges Panama to Reach Semifinals
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 17, 2007
Landon Donovan scored another big goal. Now it is time for the United States soccer team to work on its defense.
The Americans defeated Panama, 2-1, yesterday in Foxborough, Mass., to advance to the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals despite some sloppy defense late in the game that led to a goal in the 84th minute.
“They scored and made the last two minutes crazy,” said Bob Bradley, the United States coach. “That’s something we certainly will talk about.”
Those discussions will take place before Thursday’s semifinal at Soldier Field in Chicago against Canada, which was impressive in beating Guatemala, 3-0, in yesterday’s first quarterfinal at Gillette Stadium. Ali Gerba scored twice for Canada.
In today’s quarterfinals in Houston, Honduras plays Guadeloupe and Mexico meets Costa Rica.
The toy maker RC2 Corporation pulled a number of its Thomas & Friends trains and accessory parts off the shelves yesterday after learning that the red and yellow paint used to decorate more than 1.5 million of the toys contained lead.
ReplyDelete...
The affected Thomas toys were manufactured in China, which has come under fire recently for exporting a variety of goods, from pet food to toothpaste, that may pose safety or health hazards. “These are not cheap, plastic McDonald’s toys,” said Marian Goldstein of Maplewood, N.J., who spent more than $1,000 on her son’s Thomas collection, for toys that can cost $10 to $70 apiece. “But these are what is supposed to be a high-quality children’s toy.”
...
Ms. Goldstein said she wondered who would pay for testing her son for lead poisoning if her insurance did not cover it.
Kabul - A bomb attack tore though an Afghan police bus in Kabul Sunday, killing at least 35 people and wounding dozens, including five foreign nationals, officials said.
ReplyDeleteThe attack - the deadliest since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001 - left 35 people, including two Japanese, one South Korean, and two Pakistani nationals wounded.
The foreign nationals were driving in another mini-bus and passing the area at the time of blast. They were working with Ashiana, an organization which provides accommodation and education for homeless children in the Afghan capital, police said.
At least 20 of the dead were confirmed to be police officers and trainers who were on their way to a police academy in the city, Alishah Paktiawal, Chief of the Criminal Branch of Kabul Police, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
Condoleezza, Abdullah, Israelis Living in Virtual Realities
ReplyDeleteWritten by Malcolm Lowe
Published Sunday, June 17, 2007
Why, it is often asked, is the Arab-Israel conflict so intractable? Part of the reason is that the various protagonists live each in a mental framework that ignores fundamental facts. Mostly these facts have been reported in the public media. But their significance is overlooked because it lies outside the virtual realities that those protagonists have created for themselves over long years.
Thus it is that the Hamas victory in Gaza has left the "international community" flummoxed. Once again, the inevitable arrived to everyone's surprise.
IRBIL, Iraq -- Iraqi border police believe neighboring Turkey has amassed 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers along its southern border with Iraq. Turkish helicopters have flown into Iraqi airspace to conduct missions against Kurdish rebels in the mountainous region, and Turkish mortar shells regularly crash down on Iraqi soil, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials.
ReplyDeleteAbout two weeks ago, a team of Turkish special forces soldiers was discovered in the city of Sulaymaniyah, about 115 miles into Iraqi territory.
The view from northern Iraq of the growing Turkish military presence and escalating conflict with separatist rebels is of increasing concern to Iraqi border officials and their U.S. military counterparts who monitor the 200-mile border. Drawing another country into the maelstrom of Iraq would represent a serious blow to an already unstable political situation and put Americans in a precarious position between two supporters: the Turks, who are NATO allies, and the Kurds, who are close partners in Iraq.
But in interviews last week in the Kurdish semiautonomous region in Iraq, officials responsible for the border said they did not expect a major Turkish incursion and hoped the tensions would dissipate with diplomatic negotiations.
"I can't believe that the Turkish people would attack Kurdistan. I just can't believe that," said Brig. Gen. Muhsen Abdul Hasan Lazem, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official who leads the border force. "All this staging is a show of force, but I don't think they're going to do anything. They are passing a message to the Kurdistan government that they are serious."
Today, as U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Crocker is confronting a mess that makes Lebanon look simple by comparison. His mission is to deal with the political piece of the Iraq puzzle in tandem with Gen. David Petraeus, commander of multinational forces in Iraq, who oversees military efforts.
ReplyDelete...
"You cannot focus on the political piece, and have leaders who will work across communal lines, if you have widespread sectarian violence," the ambassador said.
Crocker is not a man of illusions. He said bluntly: "It is not reasonable to think Iraqis will have turned themselves into a functioning polity by September" - the date when he and Petraeus will be reporting on Iraq progress to Congress.
Nor will Iraqis have security forces by then that are capable of maintaining the peace.
"Two years is a more reasonable amount of time" for such advances, he said. More ominously - as the point man in nascent U.S. talks with Iran over Iraq - Crocker is doubtful that Iran is ready to stop its destabilizing role in the country.
1701 and the insertion of a new peacekeeping force is what Olmert wanted, Rat. 1701 is what Olmert got.
ReplyDeleteAnd just about everyone "knew" that there would soon be a mulligan on lebanon, directly involving Syria. And just about everyone was wrong.
Pays to be a contrarian sometimes, Rat. In the matter of the West Bank, it's one of those times.
I 'm not sure what the future of the West Bank holds, but it's not "Peace".
ReplyDeleteNot soon.
Perhaps Mr Olmert desired French & Russian soldiers on his northern frontier.
Their presence will keep Israel from entering Lebanon in the future, but obviously their presence will not stop future rocket attacks on Israel nor security and stabilization in Lebanon.
Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it.
Crocker joins in the chorus of "realistic expectations," helping to lay the groundwork for September.
ReplyDeleteIf we hadn't seen this show five times already, it'd be riveting.
USGP on NOW..FOX ...a "Tiger Woods" legend is developing in the figure of Brit Lewis Hamilton...22 years old and leading the World Championship...
ReplyDeleteI 'm not sure what the future of the West Bank holds, but it's not "Peace".
ReplyDelete- Rat
Nor a Hamas takeover.
And, Happy Father's Day to Me!
ReplyDeleteRomney's Mormonism Attracts More Scrutiny . . . and a Whisper Campaign
ReplyDeleteBy Chris Cillizza And Shailagh Murray
Sunday, June 17, 2007; Page A02
Mitt Romney's Mormonism isn't something his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination talk much about in public, but his faith appears to have stoked a whisper campaign, engineered by an Iowa staffer for Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.).
In an e-mail obtained by The Fix, former state representative Emma Nemecek, the southeastern Iowa field director for Brownback's presidential campaign, asked a group of Iowa Republican leaders to help her fact-check a series of statements about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including one that says: "Theologically, the only thing Christianity and the LDS church has in common is the name of Jesus Christ, and the LDS Jesus is not the same Jesus of the Christian faith."
If you call a tail a leg, how many legs does a dog have?
Mr Lincoln said four, that calling a tail a leg does not make it so.
What's in a name?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1701 and the insertion of a new peacekeeping force is what Olmert wanted.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
No, Trish. 1701 is what the French and the Gucci Lebanese wanted. And they used Bush who then used Olmert who then used the IDF to deliver. I've yet to see the US deliver on the promises they made to Sharon, let alone that idiot Olmert.
The Christ of the LDS had a whole bunch of adventures that the mainline Christians deny occurred.
ReplyDeleteSo, obviously the LDS Christ is different than mainline Christians.
That is not worthy of whispers, but shouts from the roof tops, if one believes in the New Testament to be truth incarnate.
Something like this could possibly be damaging the day before the caucus, but having it take place now is probably a Good Thing for Romney. It looks like the more he gets to talk about his religion the better he does.
ReplyDeleteSome Christians read their bible and go find some rattlesnakes to play with. Other Christians say they're nuts. Have you ever heard a bunch of old Pentecostal women try to "talk in tongues?"
ReplyDeleteDon't you ever get tired of the poor, captive Israel line, mat?
ReplyDeleteI know I do.
panama ed,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Malcolm Lowe link.
While I seldom seek validation, it is, nevertheless, gratifying to find. Mr. Lowe apparently holds Dr. Rice is the same esteem as I.
___“Condoleezza's benchmarks for the Palestinians were never attainable…”
___ “Her directives to the Israeli government, however, were not merely products of fantasy but outright dangerous…”
___ “To be continued. As long as politicians, diplomats and journalists continue to create and feed each other virtual realities, the inevitable will arrive unexpected.”
Condoleezza, Abdullah, Israelis Living in Virtual Realities
Mr. Lowe’s views on the Franco-American UNSC Resolution 1701 would be of interest.
trish,
Yesterday, you asked what grounds could be used to impeach Mr. Bush. Sadly, fatigue clouded my thinking. In short, the Founders left impeachment in the hands of the House, which can impeach upon ANY grounds thought, at the time by the members, to constitute high crimes and MISDEMEANORS.
The Catholics swing little lamps and chant in Latin. They put on their pretty little silk robes and kiss their scarves, and what-all.
ReplyDeleteThe Baptists say you'll go to hell for "dancing," and drinking whiskey; then, they go out of town and go "Dancin" and "Drinkin."
rufus,
ReplyDeleteOr Valentine's Day or whatever!!!!
Exactly, rufus, Mr Romney not only flip flopped on abortion, immigration but on his Religion's core beliefs.
ReplyDeleteIt serves him well, when discussing his "beliefs" to those ignorant of his Church and its doctrines.
They like it when his speaks of "Christ", projecting their version of belief in Christ onto Mr Romney, when he invokes his name.
Just as so many believed the US was/is at War with Islam, that there is a "Clash of Civilizations" despite the fact that every Federal official, from the President on down, denies it.
It's time for the Republican Party to tell Browndick that he won't be needed at the next debate.
ReplyDeleteDR,
ReplyDeletere: the real Jesus and Mitt
There are something in excess of 500 Protestant denominations. Each and everyone exists because of a schizm, having its focal point at who or what was the REAL Jesus. If the Protestant Christian denominations manage to find unity on the issue of Mormon orthodoxy, it will be the first agreed upon unifying theme in Christianity in 2,000 years.
Well I'm glad we've got that cleared up, allen.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is if "HE" says it's the same JC, who am I to say it isn't? Or Sen Browndick?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnd, THEN, we can go to work figuring out the Jews, Right?
ReplyDeleteNo, Trish. I never tire of looking reality in its ugly face, and perceiving it for what it as it is.
ReplyDeleteJust makes the show all the more interesting.
ReplyDeleteMr Romney, a 2nd generation professional politico, presents an interesting act, to be sure.
Mr Fred Thompson, he best understands that it's theater.
In that regard he is best qualified for the nomination. While his resume is awfully thin of exective experience, it is full of acting the part.
If, rufus, Mr Romney believed that the dog had five legs, who are we to disagree?
ReplyDeleteEveryone is allowed their own version of truth, are they not?
ReplyDeleteJews are descendent from apes and pigs?
If that belief is closely held, it must true, who are we to disagree?
If the US is thought to be the cause of poverty and genocide around the world, who are we to disagree?
How can we judge the truth of the beliefs held by others?
By your standard, we cannot.
Talk about relativism
If Mr Romney lies about the doctrines of his Religion, what else will he lie about?
ReplyDeleteIf he does not believe the Doctrines of his Church, why be a memeber of that Sect?
Oral fixation? Sure. But, nobody is perfect.
ReplyDeleteA wisp of time
Sexy or Not?
Cigars, Whiskey, and [Women]
Women, Power, and Cigars
rufus,
ReplyDeletere: And, THEN, we can go to work figuring out the Jews, Right?
Good luck with that!
DR,
ReplyDeletere: By your standard, we cannot.
Who is the "you" in "your"?
ReplyDelete***
Somebody help me out here. God knows, I could care less about which side of the cloud this politician believes the magic man sits on as opposed to that politician. I consider it all, nonsense.
ReplyDeleteBut, having said that; Don't the Mormons consider their Jesus the same as the other Jesus? I know they interpret the Trilogy deal a little differently, believing that JC was simply a man - the son of God - BUT, they do believe it's the SAME JC, right?
"No, Trish. I never tire of looking reality in its ugly face, and perceiving it for what it as it is."
ReplyDeleteSorry, mat. That's an awfully hard line to buy from the "taqiyya generals" guy.
The rufus standard of 2:01, allen
ReplyDeleteWhy, Trish? How does one contradict the other?
ReplyDeleteRomney will have problems not because he is a Mormon but because he is a RINO. Like the junior senator from MA, Romney carries a laundry list of things he was against before he was for, and vice versa. Does anyone seriously think Hillary's people have missed this?
ReplyDeleteThis.Doesn't.Inspire.Confidence:
ReplyDeleteResponding to a question from a woman who asked why many Republican candidates seem to be avoiding the president "like the plague" because of the war, Romney said Americans are going to have to "get our mind-set out of just Iraq." He called President Bush a statesman who has shored up the nation's economy, expanded renewable energy capabilities and chosen appropriate U.S. Supreme Court justices.
"Everything he does, he does from the standpoint of what is best for the American people," Romney said.
I think those "adjustments" are more problematic in the Primaries than the General Election, Allen. The vast majority of the country is ambivalent about abortion in the first trimester. And, most people do support stem cell research to some extent.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually a pretty good proxy for the middle sixty percent, or so; and, I'm much more interested in his stance toward immigration, defense (missile defense, etc.) taxes, and trade than I am whether he made truce with the pro-choice crowd to get elected Gov. of Mass.
And, most people don't consider "changing one's mind," to be necessarily the same as "Flip-flopping."
ReplyDeleteI mean, hell, we've all changed our minds about things.
That was a focus-grouped response. Also, just good salesmanship 101. The Base voted for Dubya. They don't want to be told they're Stupid. They want Iraq fixed, and immigration scrapped, but they don't want to hear their president being trashed in the process.
ReplyDeletetrish, (02:52 PM)
ReplyDeleteThat Romney response was so shallow.
Lightweight
Heavyweight
One is electable; the other is not.
"They don't want to be told they're Stupid."
ReplyDeleteMight do some good, though, rufus.
I'm still betting Romney will be the nominee.
That Giuliani/Clinton smackfest in't gonna happen.
rufus,
ReplyDeleteLittle has been made of abortion here. However, evangelical Christians are going to hard to persuade. Since, they makeup more than 1/3 of the Republican base, Romney etal will have problems.
As you recall, Gephardt tried this number in '84(?).
I'll be honest; I'm not betting. I kind of hope it's Romney, although Giuliani might be the only one that can keep Bloomberg out of the race. And, if Bloomberg comes in, it's "Helloo Hillary."
ReplyDeleteAllen, Evangelicals are hypocritical shits just like all the rest of us. He'll tell them what they want to hear ("I've Been Converted,") and they'll "forgive/vote" for him.
ReplyDeleteHe's a hell of a salesman. He can sell a "Conversion."
Most of us do not change our minds, in conjunction with election cycles, depending upon the job we are seeking.
ReplyDeleteIs it not interesting, rufus, how the Clintons find billionaires to come to their electoral rescue?
ReplyDeleteThis is so typical. In retaliate for an unprovoked rocket/mortar attack on Israel from southern Lebanon, Israel pummels Lebanese mountain rubble. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteEhud to the rescue
Pounding sand, are they not.
ReplyDeleterufus,
ReplyDeletere: He's a hell of a salesman. He can sell a "Conversion."
Rufus, I wondered if anyone else were as cynical as I. Thanks;-D
Most of us do not change our minds, in conjunction with election cycles, depending upon the job we are seeking.
ReplyDeleteNO, But I would if Given The Chance. :)
They are "Pretty" Whores with mighty sweet poontang. They WILL find a "Sugar" Daddy.
ReplyDeleteDR,
ReplyDeletere: sand pounding
Back in the bad old days, when someone kept doing delusional stuff, we used to give them massive doses of drugs and send them off to custodial care. Now, we elect them to high office and make them our custodians. Can catastrophe be far behind?
They are "Pretty" Whores with mighty sweet poontang. They WILL find a "Sugar" Daddy.
ReplyDelete- rufus
As Rat says, "Aye."
Quiz
ReplyDeleteTo get the discussion back on topic, check out
ReplyDeleteReally interesting stff, relative to carbon swaps and stuff
I gotta take a nap. I did get all the way past the second paragraph, though.
ReplyDeleteWell, Looky here. Right on time, and On Topic.
ReplyDeleteNot so fast, Rufus:
ReplyDeleteFirst you gotta tell us, or link us, at least to the Coconut Oil Extraction Cycle:
Sounds like a bit more trouble than harvesting corn and fermenting it.
---
Romney did something smart as Gov with Sheriff Joe.
I'll look it up sometime.
Hypocrisy of a high order not prerequisite for the Christians to justify voting for someone who hands down has led a more "Godly" life.
Me, I'm still waiting for Patton 2, til then Rudy will have to do.
Damned, rufus, I didn't mean to put you to sleep with duece's other blog site.
ReplyDeleteDry stuff, I know, but ...
Doug, admittedly, at present, you need a whole bunch of little brown-skinned people to make the coconut oil thing work; but, an acre of coconut trees will produce about 8 or 9 times as much biodiesel as soybeans.
ReplyDeleteProbably a few years in the future the coconut/palm oil business will become more mechanized.
It was just an excuse, Rat. It was either take a nap or go paint trim. It was a no-brainer.
ReplyDeleteShit was dry, though; wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteWell, the World just happens to HAVE a whole bunch of little brown skinned people!
ReplyDelete(although Ms T probly don't think much of the appellation!)
---
The most destructive crop on earth
It says they're short and scrubby.
ReplyDeleteGotta check em out I guess.
Couldn't picture climbing OUR palms for Fuel!
I wish Giuliani was a bit more 2nd amendment, positive, Doug; but, I guess we've got enough pro-gun Congressmen, right now, to allow us the luxury of a Giuliani.
ReplyDeleteI like Rudy; and, I can support him easily. I just think Mitt is a bit sharper tack.
And, I could be "Dead Wrong" about that. The sharper tack part, I mean.
ReplyDeleteI guess my Greatest Fear is that Rudy will get the nomination and along about Sept of 08' we'll find out his cancer's come back. The same fear holds for Fred.
ReplyDeleteNapalm derives its name from naphthenic acid,
ReplyDeletepalmitic acid and pyrotechnics or simply from a recipe using naphtha and palm oil.
Cute little thing:
ReplyDeleteOil Palm
Well, rufus, check out the Mass gun laws, mot exactly an open carry State.
ReplyDeletePermits to buy long guns, rifles and shot guns required.
Gotta have Government permission to buy a gun, in Massachusetts.
Then, even long guns, gotta have license to own one, even if you do not buy it, there.
Here
So Mr Romney is no staunch defender of the 2nd Admenment, no more or less so than Rudy.
Ah, Doug; it's the Guardian.
ReplyDeleteMonbiot is a Moonbat.
Anything can be done badly, but, that doesn't mean it has to be that way.
As for those numbers - four centuries worth of biomass every year. That's nonsense. Nobody in the whole wide world thinks he's within 400 years of the truth. I must have misread that, somehow.
Anyway, I'm sure they'll save the urangutang, and all of that other stuff is basically just raving and shit.
BTW, Doug, those coconut palms that are native to Hawaii, and the Philippines are almost as potent as the oil palms.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but they're 6 stories High!
ReplyDeleteI think that biomass thing could be correct, but it Does NOT mean it would take that much Biomass to make that much energy.
ReplyDelete...ie I bet a lot of the Biomass that made Oil made a lot of other goo too (and gas) in the process.
I didn't figure he was, Rat. I doubt if any of them are just downright "ate up" with passion for gun rights. It seems that when they advance beyond election every two years they become too "Elite" for such considerations.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, NO Way! not the whole Frigging World of plants and Dinos:
ReplyDeleteWhat percent of the world's plants went into making Oil?
Not too much, I'll bet.
Yeah, but they're 6 stories High!
ReplyDeleteThat's YOUR problem, Bubba. I working on getting my biojuice from kudzu, and water mocassins.
Rudy's been married more times than Mitt's gone varmit hunting.
ReplyDelete- Harry Reid.
The man that finds a useful use for Kudzu will be a rich man, indeed!
ReplyDeleteWhale oil, that's the ticket, back to the future!
ReplyDeleteWe can breed those whales, then feed them the little red shrimp that have invaded the Great Lakes.
Two problems solved
We'll turn it into biofuel (probably fast pyrolysis oil) Doug, Honest Injun.
ReplyDeleteMy Japanese neighbors will think that's a grand idea, 'Rat:
ReplyDelete...although I think they get a kick out of taking them in the Wild, just to piss everybody off.
Back date me some options in Switchgrass and Kudzu refineries after they've been up and running for 5 years, 'K?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the Water Moc's.
ReplyDeleteI can't bring myself to bein a part of Killin em!
ReplyDeletePoor Babies.
ReplyDeleteSAVE THE WATER MOCS!
ReplyDeleteThat whale they took the other day has been dodging the Japanese for well over a hundred years, it seems.
ReplyDeleteAmerica's Bad Deal With Musharraf, Going Down in Flames
ReplyDeleteThis fellow, Ahmed Rashid says US policy is going to hell in a hand basket, directed by Mr Cheney's office.
I do not know about the Cheney part, but Pakistan is going south faster than I had imagined.
Remember buddy telling US not to fret, the money men were sure Pakistan was safe and secure, just like Batista's Cuba or Samosa's Nicoland.
That's a whale of a story:
ReplyDeleteHate to admit my ignorance of it.
That ain't the half of it, 'Rat:
ReplyDeleteBush is gonna let Paki Trucks and Black Dog Hound Buses roam free on our freeways.
GlobalMania.
What if we, of the EB, go on a Jihad to liberate Jimmah's Nobel?
ReplyDeleteInspired by Hamas.
ReplyDeleteI got dibs on the Peanut Butter Churn!
ReplyDeleteWeapon dates Bowhead Whale to over 130 years old.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Ahmad Rashad in the NFL?
ReplyDeleteThe Japs aren't implicated in that story:
ReplyDeleteMaybe our guys?
Japanese shouldn't be takin our Whales!
"when federal Reconstruction troops withdrew from the South and when Thomas Edison unveiled his newest invention, the phonograph."
ReplyDelete---
You guys probly blasted Metallica Day and Night until they retreated.
Ms T get's Rosalyn's Hats.
ReplyDeleteI'll take that last case of Billie Beer
ReplyDeleteI'll bequeath my son with Jimma's prize Claw Hammer and Commemerative Golden Sixteen Penny Nail.
ReplyDeleteThat's fine, doug, just get some ice before we head out.
ReplyDeleteFor PR purposes, we should call it part of the
ReplyDelete"Nobel Peace Process"
instead of Jihad.
PBUEB
Bush and Lott are meeting secretly, hatchin a plan requiring Whit and Deuce to open up an Elephant Barrio Annex.
ReplyDeleteI am in AWE!
ReplyDeleteThe most Brilliant Scientific Proposal of this Century, or any other.
Just Frreak'in Brilliant.
Orrin Hatch will Christen it w/a Dream Act.
ReplyDeleteOh, H/T to Tim Blair
ReplyDeleteIn November 2004, Senator Hatch also introduced S.2999, a senate bill "for the relief of Heilit Martinez."
ReplyDeleteA private relief bill is customarily introduced when all administrative and legal remedies have been exhausted.
Most relief bills deal with immigration and citizenship.
So who is Heilit Martinez and why would Senator Hatch seek immigration relief on her behalf?
Heilit Martinez describes herself as "the poster child" for the DREAM Act.
In an illuminating op-ed Suddenly, I was An Illegal Alien she explains. [Salt Lake Tribune 12/18/2004]
On a trip with school chums, Martinez, then a student at Utah State University, traveled into Juarez, Mexico through El Paso Texas. She offered these details of her re-entry debacle:
"[At the border]…When they asked if we were citizens, I was honest and said no. I had no passport (my father told me it had been delayed for the past 1 1/2 years in San Francisco) and had been told my green card was lost."
Important note: She said she knew she was not a U.S. citizen.
Just to challenge your knowledge of the law, see how many crimes you can identify in her explanation of the confusion:
"I had been living in the United States since I was 2 years old and my parents came for a temporary stay and ended up living here."
Crime number one…being an illegal alien.
"I went through public school in Utah and graduated from Kearns High School (Utah) in June 2003."
Not a crime (thanks to Plyler vs. Doe) but an interesting tax burden.
"I was registered throughout my school years with a falsely notarized birth certificate that my parents had given me. The false notary gave my birth date as Oct. 16, 1984. I found out later I was actually born Oct. 16, 1986."
Crime number two…using false documents.
Heilit Martinez’ friends, along with Utah State faculty, contacted the mayor of Salt Lake City who in turn contacted Senator Hatch’s office.
She continues:
"I was granted humanitarian parole. I am currently waiting for a bill to go out in my name in Washington. Sen. Hatch had previously tried to pass a bill called the DREAM Act in 2003."
She describes Hatch’s DREAM Act as a bill that would:
"…help illegal immigrants who were brought here as children by their parents and have graduated from a U.S. high school who now want to further their education by either attending college or serving in the military."
And, to cap it all off, she said:
"I am to be, in a sense, the poster child for this [DREAM Act]."
Isn’t that Special?
Outgoing
ReplyDeleteGlenn Reynolds writes:
MICHAEL YON EMAILS: "This is a very serious offensive kicking off in Iraq. The NYT realizes it's serious, but nobody that I am seeing realizes just how big this is. Relatively massive."
Mystery Solved
ReplyDeleteDuring the early morning of 03 May 2007, I made this audio in Baghdad.
Did you recognize this sound?
Please feel free to guess or view the video.
VIDEO
You can right click and save target video file
That's the sound of "Protection." Gatling gun/phalanx. Prob. anti-mortar.
ReplyDeleteC-RAM uses target acquisition sensors, including Firefinder and Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar, to detect and track fired rounds. The AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar system is produced by Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. Once a threat is detected, audio and visual alarms sound to warn exposed soldiers. A fire-control subsystem predicts the mortar's flight path, prioritizes targets, activates the warning system, and provides cueing data to defeat the mortar round while still in the air.
ReplyDeleteThe complete C-RAM system networks a ground-based version of Phalanx together with the Army's Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR) and Q-36 Target Acquisition Radar (AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Radar). Unlike the naval version, C-RAM does not fire solid tungsten penetrators. Instead, self-destructing explosive bullets are used, in order to reduce the risk of civilian and friendly casualties.
The fire-control subsystem Northrop Grumman Mission Systems provides for C-RAM uses software modified from FAAD C2, which ties together the sensors and weapons of the Army's short-range air-defense battalions. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for FAAD C2, which is operational throughout the world and has been especially critical to homeland security efforts in the Washington, DC area.
On August 09, 2006 Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $6,934,214 firm-fixed-price modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-5460) for land based phalanx weapon system ancillary equipment. This modification is for ancillary equipment for Army land based Phalanx weapon system, which is the Phalanx close-in weapon system in the land-based configuration for the Army’s counter-rocket, artillery, mortar program. Work will be performed in Louisville, Ky., and is expected to be completed by April 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
In September 2006, it was reported that the Israeli military expressed an interest in this weapon as well as in Skyshield, the land version of the Millennium system.
C-RAM
ReplyDeleteDeath or Glory Part III of IV
ReplyDeleteYon with the Brits and Bedouins.
Great Photos.