Quote of the day (for thinking & reflecting upon)

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"We have an unlimited supply. We just haven't found it." - House Majority Whip DeLay, responding today to a reporter's question about the finite supply of oil and gas in the United States.

-- TomK (tjk@cac.net), August 02, 2001

Answers

Im from the UK and i must point out that i dont know what the feeling is like in the USA but from a country which uses the most energy per person, to say that they have an energy shortage is mearly a showing that some americans will find it awfully hard to conserve a little energy. Now im not accusing all americans but the facts speak for themselves. The USA failure to comply and ratify the Kyoto agreement is just another example of being led by the blind. So far The president of the united states of america has proved himself only capable of one thing for the united states and that is pushing forward and increasingly isolationist stance to the rest of the world.

If you dont care about El Nino, or melting ice caps, or changing weather patterns maybe americans that refuse to lower there consumption will learn the hard way. By having there homes and lifestyles destroyed by freak weather storms, which they have contributed more than most.

I by no means wish bad things on the american that will stand with the rest of the world and help to solve a problem, The UN and EU gave the US government a further 3 months extra to come up with ideas of there own to sort out or replace Kyoto. Instead we still wait, the rest of the world has agreed yet america has not.

What next i hear the masses of the world call. Ohh well they are getting rid of the 1970 anti ballistic missle treaty, they are pushing to get rid of a germ warfare treaty, why?? i mean why would america want to do these things???

The answer lies in world dominance, they stood again imperialism of the old world and instead have replaced it with a 21st century american version of imperialism, featuring heavily on capitalism / Globalisation, Do you see the riots? yes they are increasing and more people join the ranks, why is canada so scared of the next G8 meeting? its because there are some subborn beaucrats that refuse to listen to the people.

other reasons america is for the scrapping of these ideas is because they want to gain a lead in Germ warfare, so that they can "combat" an enemy should it arise, why does it want to have a missle shield? it will get rid of the system of MAD (MUTUALLY ASSURED DISTRUCTION).

Its places up some shields to save america but says bye bye to the rest of the world. If pro-missle shield people read this then all i can say is your living in a fantasy world guys, because if you think im letting you guys biuld a massive radar station on to the ones you already got not to far away from my home, you got another thing coming. It wont benefit me so why should we have it to save americans lives?. You know why bother starting up another arms race the answer to this is because it would benefit the american economy (provide jobs and all) and would cripple other economies as they couldnt compete with them. So america retains its status as world power, well you can keep your world power status and the one name of world polluter/ and the one of "the nation that cant use too little".

So to get back to this quote, I dont blame americans but i blame who you guys have ruling over youi mean it shows that the american government is inept and is in its own fantasy world. I mean for god sake why not use cleaner fuels many homesteaders use clean fuels or renewables like wood and solar. Dont allow your country to get worse, I am all for america retaining its wealth but please for gods sake dont sacrifice the world for your short term economy. Lobby ur government and senators, dont allow them to destroy your nation. If sea levels rise by the 3 metres they are planned to rise should the CO2 output not go down and keep rising at this rate, about 1/3 of florida will be under water by 2035. Dont believe me? then check out a climate forcast model from any longterm weather centre.

Dont destroy treatys that benefit the planet and have kept it safe till now, thats make more treays not another arms race. And think of what your political representatives are saying, the majority are actually mocked by people who listen to them, sayings by Bush like "The best people to teach our children our our teachers" and "Over 50% of our imports come from abroad". And you may wonder why we actually couldnt believe that you still voted for him.

thanks, just my 2 cents.

-- Craig (Ruskie@absolutevodka.fsnet.co.uk), August 02, 2001.


Craig, There are many americians who feel the same way and I count myself among them. Bush has yet to come forward with an original program, as near as I can tell most every bill he has supported is a repackageing or a reinstatment of the Reagan/Bush presidentacys. Would you honestly expect a Texas oil millionaire to support energy reduction? Would a politition who might have to run for office again sign an agreement to further depress the Areo/Space industry in a state with one of the largest voting blocks in th U.S. (Calif) Do not expect anything worth while to come out of Washington for a while yet, the supporters have to get their payoff first. (the checks are in the mail) Just my two cents worth. Rog

-- Rog (rw285@isoc.net), August 02, 2001.

Add me to the list of those Americans who agree with you! I didn't vote for Bubba Dubya, and seem to find it more and more embarrassing to call myself an American these days! I love this country, but I despise the direction our government is taking. Hopefully, things will improve when Bubba's term is up. Surely, he can't steal two elections in a row?!?!?

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), August 02, 2001.

Craig, The President of the United States was very correct in not going along with the Kyoto treaty. It would penalize the US more than any other country. It would however not even affect countries like China, which will soon be the leading polluter in the world. It also does not address third world countries who will be growing and polluting at a much higher rate that the US, because they do not have the technology to clean up after themselves. Bush’s Kyoto policy has nothing to do with isolationism, merely looking out for his own country. Is this not what a president should do? He is not like the last president who sold us out to almost everyone in the world. That explains the reason that we truly need the missle defense. Our missle secrets were given to China, in exchange for campaign contributions. Now when Bush has to do something about, it all of a sudden he is a warmonger. Any country that does not defend itself is not worthy of asking someone else to help defend it. We have to protect ourselves, because who in the world will stand with us? The missle defense is not an aggressive system, but DEFENSIVE. What is it about defensive that people just don’t get? The best offense is always a strong defense.

I remember about 20+ years ago when the scientists were worrying about a new imminent ice age. What happened to that THEORY. Yes, global warming is only a theory, and a theory that the majority of scientists do NOT agree with. The numbers I read recently are about 3 to 1 against global warming. The ozone layer is another thing that has some worrying. I read about a year or so ago in Astronomy magazine, that the sun can change the ozone layer dramatically in a short period of time. The authors response was that humans are inconsequential in its’ demise if it happens. Another environmentalist I read about when in college was the Population Bomb by Paul Ehrlichman. He stated to the best of my recollection that by the year2000 there would be so many people in the world (6 billion) that we could not survive. He obviously was way off, yet he is still respected by the people who believe environmentalism. His books are required reading on some campuses. I guess what he says is not important, it is just that he cares. I say bull to that; show me the facts, not some computer extrapolated theory about what is possibly going to occur in the future.

You say to use clean fuels like solar and wood. I assume you get all your power from solar. I personally cannot afford the luxury of the cost of that technology. I am just a poor guy trying to make ends meet. I take you to task for recommending wood. It is far from clean and it cuts down all the trees that are needed to save the planet according to the environmentalists. Too bad you live in the UK or you could see the commercials out for the Arbor Day Foundation. (A group that promotes tree planting,) which I agree with, but when I watch the commercials it is like a religion, they are praying to mother earth. It goes WAY beyond tree planting. These people are apparently a little touched, at least the ones who made the commercials.

You mentioned the riots at G-8. You cannot tell me that these were just peaceful protesters objecting to what may be going on. Get real these people came with gas masks helmets, face masks and clubs. They were better protected than the police. They came to riot, pillage, and destroy. They are the anarchists of today. They prefer mob rule to civilization. If that is the type of people you wish to rule your country, maybe you will get your wish. I hope for your sake that you don’t.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), August 02, 2001.


Craig hate to be rude but I don't think the United States needs a lecture on defense and military from a citizen of a country who we had to go to war for twice in the 20th Century to save them from sure defeat.If it were not for the United States getting into world affairs you would be living in a German satielite state under Hitler's hand picked succesor.

-- Gary (burnett_gary@msn.com), August 03, 2001.


Add me to the list of those who did not vote for the guy. Sometimes I feel very embarrassed by his actions!! One person, one vote does not mean much! Many Americans ARE NOT very happy with the situation.

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), August 03, 2001.

To answer Bob and Gary coments firstly im sorry to say bob but every country in the world has reckonised global warming. Except the US government. Im all for americans who will help to push for cleaner fuels. Bob you covered a few issues and i will try to respond to them all, Firstly you stance on global warming and the greenhouse effect, happen to be based on no truth, otherwise you would have checked the atmospheric levels of Ozone in the Stratosphere over the atmosphere like the sounth and north poles both have and are gaining gaps due to CFC`s and HCFC`s.

China has the worlds biggest population but produces less than 1/3 of the pollution of the USA which produces almost 1/2 of the world`s total of CO2 in to the atmosphere. The Kyoto agreement wasnt going to punish any country at all, it was for pushing these ideas that you said about planting trees and reducing Gas emissions into the atmosphere. By 2010 almost 8% of the energy produced had to come from renewable resources, the EU and a few other countries have said they will up it too 10% in there own nations. So why cant America? as so many people have already stated, its because you have Oil corperations represented in government and not the people.

You speak of it damaging your economy how would it do that? with americas great industrial might couldnt it look at changing to new fuels? whats so wrong with trying to change things for the better? is america becoming a state stuck in the 1970`s and its policy of industrial might and cold war?, them times are over. The world looks to america for a lead as it has to other countries in past decades and centuries now its americas turn and its showing itself incapable of achieving a change a change towards that of a cleaner age, what happens when the oil runs out? or the middle east refuses to ship it to the US like it did in the 1970`s? what are you going to do declare war? come on people we must work for a more sustainable future.

I dont have solar power im not saying everyone should have it either i was putting forward ideas, ideas for using fuels that are on our doorsteps and using it would improve the world in which we live in, we are only on it for so long but what of the people to come later? what will they gain from our misuse. How many 3 mile islands do we need? how many PCB polluted lakes do we need (Great lakes (PCB lead to cancer thats why you shouldnt eat the fish from areas poluuted with PCB waste)). Why Increase CO2 levels?

There is a chart saying the rainforest will absorb the 3 billion tonnes surplus of CO2 we pump into the air every year for the next 20 years until we reach optimum growth of the rainforest then no more CO2 will be absorbed by net, it will be balanced by decay and respiration of the entire rainforest ecosystem. So why wait till then to change why not now?.

You spoke of 6 billion people and that theory, that came from a scientist that lived in the 18th century, and was out moded by the late 1960- early 1970`s. You know if you refuse to adapt you die out, thats what happens to organisms, look at civilisations that were conquered its because they didnt adapt to the situation in many cases (not all but in many cases).

You speak of your missle defense shield as defensive not offensive, You didnt refer to the treaty of 1970 banning this system like star wars, why because it was against MAD, yet you didnt speak of that why ? respond to that if you have any answer to it, explain why the world shouldnt fear it? for its gets rid of the Mutually assured destruction i spoke of before but you didnt responde, is it because you see $$$ signs before you see what these actions will cause? is it because you fail to understand why th world is against it.

How many countries are for it?

And why should i make myself and my homeland a big target to keep america safe? you wouldnt do it for me would you?

In response to the other person that spoke out against Britain (UK) all i can say is that i dont want to get involved in a stupid arguement over who did what and when because if you want to take about who got there arses kicked i can think of a few where america got its arse kicked and fairly badly by the sounds of it, I dont have to say anymore because not getting beat by a powerful European Nation doesnt compare with getting beat by a third world nation consisting of Jungle. Get the Gist? Im not going to say anything further on the issue because its a petty line of arguement which doesnt whole an ounce of respect to all those that gave there lives on boths sides and in all conflicts because everyone stands by the nations and to refer to another countries war dead with such a sicking line of approach to an arguement doesnt deserve a response from people who respect those that gave there lives for what they believed in.

A final note is to say only this, even your own people who have spoken here have voiced there votes and from a country that believes in democracy (thats how i was brough up believing america is such a country like that), that if you work out whos for and against what you will find that the riots are peoples anger at being left of of the decisions and as a Famous american leader unfortunately killed once said,

"A country that denies peaceful revolution makes a violent one inevitable".

What can i say are you preventing or ignoring what the masses are saying once supplied with the truth and not lied to by the media, they say dont believe everything you read in the papers.

thanks.

p.s **nice to hear everyones opinion, and i look forward to there response those that stood against***

-- Craig (ruskie@absolutevodka.fsnet.co.uk), August 03, 2001.


I will say you're right about one thing we were beat in Nam not that our military was beat the politicians Republicans and Democrats both were to blame Kennedy,Johnson and Nixon all were responsible.That will not happen again just ask Iraq how they think the United States military performs.There are some real dangerous characters in the world today who the United States had rather confront on their ground rather than wait for them to come to us.The United States is the only super power in the world,we got their because we have rejected the "sky is falling crowd" and have rejected full scale socialism which Great Britian has embraced by electing Clinton wannabe Tony Blair. Also the United States is NOT a Demoracy we are a Republic which gives us protection from the "emergency of the month" crowd.

-- Gary (burnett_gary@msn.com), August 03, 2001.

I could say the same thing about both world wars. Im not critising americans only those that cant actually see the facts. Socialism, is ok depending upon how much you adopt, we havent got a socialist govt as such as it occupies the centre right of the political system, the partyis new labour not old labour otherwise i would have agreed with you.

The thing about socialism is that its like what you have in the states, benefits for the sick and unemployed to get them back to work. Housing for the poor, and a free health service for all. Free education for all as well up to university where the poor dont have to pay anymore in the UK (in scotland you dont have to pay at all).

These things benefit the UK because it means we can look after our needy instead of just rejecting them onto the unwanted heap. In the states from what i have heard, people are compassionate about there fellow man.

Just because one endorse`s State socialism doesnt mean we are communist, infact it gives us an extra weight against them as people are afraid to lose what they have already got but those that have nothing will risk everything, for they have nothing to lose. therefore we turn the far left into a side not worth joining.

The democrats in the USA arent the bad people here either, i mean look at your records? They brought around the greatest economic climb in USA economic history ever. and thats not forget that the democrats did have the most votes in the election by 1 million it was only because of the boundaries that the republicans won!

***if you dont believe me on this check the results for yourself***

As for wars and countries being powerful and all that. it isnt a nations military strength that is respected, its there ability to listen and co-operate that brings the most from other countries.

IRAQ, you said thinks america bashed it silly? when? if you refering to 1991 Gulf war wouldnt it be better to say the coalition won the war?

Who got rid of the scud problem in the gulf war which almost split the coalition forces and create a regional war if israel joined?, i think you will find it was the "SAS". Our fine chaps. Anyway i dont want to get into an arguement over my nation is this and my country is that, because i have spoken to mean people like that before and i get sick of it because well what can i say.. i can look back on all nations and say they did something positive and something negative even IRAQ which helped the United States for 10 years as her allies.

America u say doesnt follow the rest of the world and its policy of something like falling our of the sky i dont know what you mean by that but all i can say is that if america doesnt follow or lead with the rest of the world it can only become more and more isolationist.

Not good for a republic or democracy. I think you will find even republics can be wrong!

-- Craig (ruskie@absolutevodka.fsnet.co.uk), August 04, 2001.


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