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A good energy strategy doesn't fit in a slogan

Washington Post -- It's much easier to look for a magic solution than it is to adapt to reality. Take energy, for instance. These days "clean energy," also known as "green energy," is being presented as the magic solution for global warming, our dependence on foreign oil, and the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe even for warts and bad breath. A typical example of the hype, from one of President Obama's speeches about BP: "The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean-energy future is now."
Embracing a future -- whatever that means -- isn't the same as solving a problem. That's a lesson I learned almost 40 years ago,

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Submitted Jul 30, 2010 By: AKmailman

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jeskibuff Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,611 Points:475,910 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 6:54:06 PM Ignore jeskibuff Report Abuse Italianman said: "We rely way too much on sound bites and slogans." Those fit the bill for people with very short attention spans.
jeskibuff Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,611 Points:475,910 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 6:52:01 PM Ignore jeskibuff Report Abuse BlueVanGroup said: "Gee, more taxes and wealth redistribution. What a surprise!" Yup, these mental midgets always rely on "solutions" that are proven failures. That's why we're still going the wrong way under Obozo's "leadership". Unemployment is rising... national debt is through the roof...at least Carter should be happy that he's getting edged out as The Worst President EVER!
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,275 Points:578,360 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 11:31:31 AM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse "[F]inish the Trans Alaska Pipeline, drill for more oil, beef up production of natural gas, step up nuclear power generation, apply technological wizardry to use our vast coal reserves to generate clean electricity, liquefy coal to reduce our need for petroleum. We wouldn't be dependent on foreigners (except maybe Canada, then as now our biggest outside oil source). It was all going to be great." Nope--can't do that. The author suggests instead: "You put a heavy tax on electricity, gasoline and other energy sources whose use you want to discourage. You make that tax refundable -- at least quarterly, maybe even monthly -- for people who can't afford it." Gee, more taxes and wealth redistribution. What a surprise!
BBopp Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,697 Points:1,129,360 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 11:23:34 AM Ignore BBopp Report Abuse I think it's time to finish or get off the toilet. We need action, we've needed action for many years.
us412 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:13,538 Points:1,460,920 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 8:48:48 AM Ignore us412 Report Abuse The 'snake oil' salesmen have always been with us and now the are cooking up the crises along with the magic solution cure, a real time case of wag the dog.
torn8owx Veteran Author Philadelphia Posts:298 Points:188,285 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 8:06:11 AM Ignore torn8owx Report Abuse Ah yes the secret is finally out, the Saudi Arabia of Lithium is Afghanistan. Here's another greatstable central government to rely upon
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,299 Points:884,050 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 1:42:43 AM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse You can praise, preach, and perhaps scream to embrace green/clean energy, but it's not here yet. It's not available. What is available is in infancy stages or far too expensive for a normal citizen as well as unproven. Technology has not evolved to the point of where logical solutions exist for common people. Green energy hasn't been ignored - it's simply absent. Punishing the country with cap & trade (cap & tax) will certainly not help matters in our struggling economy. These ideas and burdens also will not magically make solutions appear before your very eyes. You can read and post green articles till you turn blue. Still - it's not here, it's not realistic, it's a fantasy in the year 2010. Deal with it. [Edited by: Jeff4U at 7/31/2010 2:44:25 AM EST]
Italianman All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:961 Points:322,900 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 12:56:04 AM Ignore Italianman Report Abuse We rely way too much on sound bites and slogans.
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,458 Points:1,293,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 12:35:54 AM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse As snarky as guest columnist Allan Sloan is, his solutions aren't all that smart: "Of course, nothing like that is likely to happen. Because "Raise prices, support some energy research, but don't shove solutions such as compact fluorescent bulbs down consumers' throats" doesn't make for a good bumper sticker or sound bite. It's not magical. It's just right." Rather than tax the dirty energy, cap and trade makes more sense because it rewards with profit those industries that are using clean and renewable energy. Encouraging use of CF light bulbs is good policy, not necessarily pushing it down someone's throat. Using the carrot is more popular than the stick.Finally, research in new renewable sources of energy is always "right."
graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,288 Points:431,700 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:08:31 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse Need to act now.