If Israel can do it why not America?
CNN.com - New Israeli party lays out principles - Nov 28, 2005
Given the changes in the political landscape over the past few years in the US one must wonder where the future lies. Can the recent changes in the Israeli political structure offer any clues?
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I have thought for quite some time that the medium term answer to the coming end of cheap oil is to begin to rely more on alternative fuels especially those from renewable sources such as ethanol and biodiesel.
The problem with these fuels is that they are limited resources. The amount of crops that can be grown limits the amount that can be created in a given year. It is unlikely to be possible to grow sufficient fuel source crops to supply the worlds demand at present consumption much less projected increases.
However, when combined with plug in hybrid electric technology these fuels could become a much more promising alterative. A small ultra-efficient diesel engine running on biodiesel could potentially boost commuter type vehicles to above 200 miles per gallon on an average annual basis while retaining the utility of the standard automobile.
By Charles Krauthammer
Friday, November 11, 2005; Page A25
Thank God for $3.50 gasoline. True, we had it for only a brief, shining moment, and there is not much good to be said about the catastrophic hurricanes that caused it. But the price was already inexorably climbing as a result of 2.3 billion Chinese and Indians industrializing. Their increased demand is what brought us to the energy knife’s edge and makes us so acutely vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Pump Some Seriousness Into Energy Policy
O yes! At last a serious voice in the wilderness. More on this later when I am not so tired.
Below is the link to an essay I wrote in 2002 while studying sociolgy at Mercer University.
The Impact of Resource Depletion on Social Change in Post-Modern Society
Copyright 2002 John F. Kraus II
December 8 2002
While I don’t think drilling in ANWR is a good idea or neccessary I think it is inevitable at some point. I think that doing it before the need becomes critical will allow greater control over the process and will in the long run have less environmental impact then if it is done on a rush critical basis when the US is in a crisis mode.
Expatica’s French news in English: Damage done: riots have tarnished France’s image
More support for the position that France has no right to point the finger of disapproval at the U.S. or any other nation with a smug air of superiority. French society is just as biased and despicable as many others.
More background:
Discrimination
France keeps poor Muslims fed, housed and educated, but has not effectively addressed the social or political isolation they feel from job and housing discrimination.
Many young French Muslims find themselves questioning where they really belong. They have weaker ties than their parents did to their ancestral countries, but they are also discovering that, contrary to what they have been taught in school, they are not fully French.
Already, French-Arabs and French-Africans make up the majority of inmates in France’s prisons.
In April, Amnesty International singled out the violence and racism of the French police towards the non-white people of the suburbs for particular criticism.
Macon Telegraph | 11/10/2005 | Leak raises disturbing questions
This is a most interesting editorial.
The Telegraph on one hand supports the need for “secrecy” while also supporting a shield law that would prevent irresponsible journalists from being punished for leaking these secrets. It seems to me that the freedom of the press needs sane limitations much like freedom of speech and the right to keep and bear arms.
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