Re: Energy Independence
 

Muncle and SteveZ: As you used to say back in the day -- RIGHT ON

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Wow Golfpro, just a wild hair guess here, but are you a Republican? :o

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is that really the American way ("We worked hard" - "we want" - "I don't care" - "the way they want") thats right - the hell with everyone else - remember David and Goliath - with that kind of an attitude you wonder why there is terrorism and that is one war we may not win - i am sorry but i hate that kind of talk - WE will do what WE want when WE want and how WE want - sorry but thats the way i feel - for a country that uses far more energy per person then any other country when do we stop with the greed and start with conservation each and everyone of us - we have to change our attitude

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Nitehawk: I believe you are the insulting one. Since when did freedom of choice go out the window in America. Since when did freedom of speech go out the window in America. Since when does the government own and run America's way of life. Remember Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The energy 'crisis' in America is brought on by the 545. If you want to live in a Marxist country, MOVE to it. But don't use my country, America to put that agenda forward.

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See there you go again GolfPro. This not only YOUR country, this is OUR country as well. Everyone acknowledges that you have a right to your opinion. IMHO, it shows a mindset that is closed, unbending, greedy and self-centered. The is my opinion -- and I have a right to it also.

hmmm, closed, unbending, greedy, self-centered -- Hey! Is this George W. Bush in disguise? Come on fess up, fess up. ::)

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Golfpro, don't you get it. It is exactly the "power hungry" that has put us in the situation we find ourselves in. The "power hungry" got richer and more powerfull by selling us on the idea that everyone in this country needs a 4X4 vehicle that gets 10 miles to the gallon. And probably less than 1% of those owners have ever used 4 wheel drive. We can't live with our sporty little glitzy car that gets 14 miles to gallon. It's that same "power hungry" segment of our society that has sold us on the idea of becoming a throw away society. They continue to become richer and more powerful. Yes we do need change. Especially, when there are so many people in this country that don't really care about what happens after their gone. So, let's keep using as many plastic items, let's keep driving those gas hogs, let's keep filling up our land fill. Let's continue to be the ugly Americans that the rest of the world sees. Let's see how much waste we can accumulate and store away for our grandkids and their children.

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Well said Jim007

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Golgpro - I have reread what you have written, it is my feeling, and yes my feeling alone, that when a country is in trouble as we are now, it is important for us all to work together to resolve the problem.

I have no doubt that you worked hard to drive the car that you bought and the monies to pay for the gasoline it consumes. It sounds from the way you write, that your car uses a lot of gasoline. If I am wrong, I apologize - you did not state mpg usage of your car.

As I wrote above, I feel we must resolve this problem as a country - I can not help but think of more and more senior citizens and others who will now have to make another major decision in their lives - first it was prescribed medication or food, and now it is prescribed medication, food or freezing.

I am an American who believes differently than you. I believe in looking after and helping another American in ways that I can.

So as an American, these are my feelings. Yes, I do recall Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness but at whose expense? For me, the decision is an easy one.

HB

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Wonderfully said HB. I could hug you sweetie. And by the way, I love your Prius! :#1:

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I am pleased at most of the response to this very crucial subject (again) during a time (hopefully) when we can do something about it.

What is annoying in this post as in most in this forum segment, is the propensity by some, to CONTINUALLY, attempt to guide the discussion toward, partisan positioning, political referencing or incumbent/candidate bashing. All are entitled to their preferences and opinions. If we were in a quorum you would be kindly reminded....that is not the subject of this thread. It adds absolutely no value to the solution(s) and suggestions.
Whatever the belief or position or religion or race or political slant, the issue is what it is for years of neglect for the past 30 years and an attempt to place blame is like trying to step in the river in the same spot.

When one focusing on who said what or did what or not they miss the point....and we certainly would like that same cranial energy to contribute to the subject at hand....thank you.

BTK

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As just another reminder that we need to focus efforts on energy independence, please read today's announcement by the Chairman of GM. Looking at the cuts closely, it states that their plans include the following:

-Reducing U.S. and Canada salaried headcount in 2008
-Beginning in 2009, eliminating health care coverage for U.S. salaried retirees over 65, partially offset by pension increases

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...74&docid=47124

Because GM focused on short-term profits from SUV and truck sales, retiree benefits are now being cut. While GM is closing plants, Toyota is converting their truck plants in the US to small vehicle manufacturing facilities.

Unfortunately some people do not realize (or maybe care) what is happening till it hits home. I truly feel badly for the GM retirees who will be effected by these cost cuts.

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When HB was composing her first posting on this thread and asked me some questions about the specific energy improvements we'd done to our New York State home (we left out our boiler that burns 'good ole American coal'...), I told her that I hadn't even seen the thread. She sent me the link, and now I know why: I have NEVER opened or looked at the political forum. Reading through much of this thread, it validates my feeling of not wanting to spend time here....

There are undeniable facts about today's problems concerning inaction--and worse--during the past 35 years since the first energy crunch (yes, it was 1973); one that directly affected us personally was our having to rush to install our solar water system because all consideration of credits, grants, alternative forms of energy were done away with in the mid-1980s. This is not a political statement; this is a FACT. We took advantage of them and installed our system a week before the abolishing of this alternative energy focus.

Sometimes in content but more in attitude are posters' general political views obvious. For example, HB's comment that says more or less, 'We ourselves are managing but I'm concerned about those who will suddenly be facing more than double heating costs in just a few months.' For me over the years, based on my volunteer work with Hospice, it's been 'We personally have excellent health insurance but are extremely concerned about [i think it's up to] 47,000,000 million fellow Americans who have no coverage.' This is all well and good, but ...

... TODAY'S ENERGY ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN POLITICAL ISSUE!!! We can plainly see 'out there' and even here on TOTV that nothing gets accomplished by political posturing and bickering. To expect responsibility from the government doesn't mean that it has to be partisan political. Thank you, Travel, for the contact information of our elected officials; writing to them and expressing our views on the current energy problem is NOT political, as it makes no difference whom we actually voted for--these are OUR elected officials. Lifestyle issues are personal, whether it's choosing a car with better gas mileage for whatever reason (ranging from greater savings in the pocketbook to environmental concerns) or preferring a car with no regard for gas mileage but rather other considerations; or recycling soda cans and newspapers versus putting them out with the rest of the trash; or (those of us owning homes in cold winter areas) heating with foreign-supplied oil versus good old American wood and coal. Granted, our lifestyle choice may serve as 'power of example' to others, but the present problem is bigger than any one of us can take on individually.

Gasoline reached $4/gallon, and other than griping about it, as pointed out, nothing is being done about it. Boy, if there were a way to turn television off throughout the country for 72 hours, if I were a wagering person I'd bet that people would take to the streets! Sorry to sound cynical, but I say this IMHO....

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What is IMHO?

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In My Humble Opinion

HB

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Regardless of your polital or presidential preference, I'd like to share something that I find phenomenal. An oil billionair is putting his personal fortune on the line, betting on alternative energy. T Boone Pickens is trying to start a grass roots movement to help make America energy independent. Not with more oil, but with wind. Please check out his web site. Mr. Pickens is certainly no crack pot. He may be on to something. He's also no fool. He knows there is financial opportunity in alternative energy. How many of you would be willing to take your oil holdings and cash them in for alternative energy? Don't worry, that was just a rhetorical question. Please do go out and see what Mr. Pickens proposes. You might find it interesting as well.

http://www.pickensplan.com/