Energy independence

[Tom Dunlap]

Rather than continuing the sidetrack in the other thread it seems better to start a new thread.

This speech was given in 1977.

http://tinyurl.com/4xau3

A bit about the myth:

http://tinyurl.com/3e3p5h

An historical analysis:

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0503-22.htm

Read about Arbusto Oil Company.

 

[jim454]

So.... How 'bout them Vikings !?

 

[Paul Biester]

Hey tom go to popular mechanics.com and click on the science tab!! very cool stuff about bio-fuels from algae.
I agree with the tenor Of Carter's speech but it did seem like he thought we would run out of oil in the 80's .I do not want to come off in defense of oil but there are still a multitude of untapped reserves!! Believe me ,I do not feel we should continue on oil. I do feel though that the very transition he spoke of in his speech should be done in a weaning fashion to allow the economy, the work sector, and infrastructure time to catch up!!

 

[treebing]

if we woulda listened to him then we might still be doing okay! now were screwed.

 

[treebing]

drill baby drill! thats gonna answer all our problems.

 

[treebing]

when you say it should be done in a weaning fashion what do you mean? right now, the petrol economy is kept afloat by artificial means, basically a huge subsidy so we can drive big cars. we dont pay half of what it costs to produce and ship that oil if you factor in what it takes to get it and clean up after it. what your asking for is bigger government intervention in order that we may lead wasteful oil gulping lives. thats why george's government is the largest government in history and from what it sounds like mcain wants to do, he will continue on that track.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Tai,

You're right...there are some predictions that didn't come true. Even at the time of the speech there were people who called him on his points about 'running out of oil' Taken as a whole though there are many points that were quite prescient. There are some things that were started during his administration that have proven successful. One thing that I never understood was why Reagan took off the solar collectors from the White House. As far as I can see they sure didn't change the architectural integrity of the house. there were some early solar systems that weren't engineered well and didn't work. This may have been the case but the symbolism of updating the installation with a newer one seemed to make sense.

Oh...down here in Cowtown I don't hear about the Vikes...except that they lost to Green Bay last week