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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability
Larry Shultz reacted to my post that began: At a certain point in U.S. history, it appeared that Americans had grasped what Rachel Carson said here.  For a brief period, it looked like our country was on a path towards rethinking its practices that are doing such great violence to the natural environment.
He wrote: We did not like the “Limits to Growth” study, thus we created predicaments rather than solution pathways.  Now our choices center around less severe predicaments today or more severe predicaments tomorrow depending upon our political and biological future discount rates.
Astute comment.  Like alcoholics and drug addicts, we have a huge discount rate.  We know what we’re doing is harmful, but we demand instant gratification regardless of the expense to the future.
In fact, our situation is even worse.  An alcoholic may be aware that his liver is giving out, and that he himself will one day have to suffer accordingly.  Conversely, the people who call the shots on this planet today really couldn’t care less about what happens here a generation or two hence.
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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

It is easy to understand that conservatives want to imbue our kids with their values, and, even though I don’t share those values, I don’t have a huge problem with that.

What I find objectionable about Mike Huckabee’s “Kids (sic) Guide To Fighting Socialism” is its amazingly brazen dishonesty. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

At a certain point in U.S. history, it appeared that Americans had grasped what Rachel Carson said here.  For a brief period, it looked like our country was on a path towards rethinking its practices that were doing violence to the natural environment.

But that was before the anti-vaxxers, the climate deniers, Fox News, the insurrection, the Big Lie, the resurgence of white supremacy, and all the other forms of ignorance and stupidity that have gained such a stranglehold on our nation.

To illustrate how far we’ve strayed, now we have Americans rooting for an authoritarian regime in its invasion of a neighboring democracy.  It’s not pretty.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

From this:

Colorado Republican Party chairperson Kristi Burton Brown and other party leaders issued a statement Wednesday calling on secretary of state candidate Tina Peters to suspend her campaign for secretary of state after being indicted by a grand jury on 10 criminal charges related to election tampering.

Yes, it’s painful to have to end a political campaign at any time.  Losing in a tightly contested race in the last few moments is one of them.  But being asked to resign by members of your own party, because you’re only a step away from prison, must hurt like a b****.

Tears.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

After Michael Flynn agreed to testify before the January 6 Committee, he  surprised no one by refusing to answer the questions he was asked, invoking his right against self-incrimination as protected by the Fifth Amendment. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Yes, there are issues where the two major U.S. political parties find themselves in bitter disagreement.

But can’t we agree that Americans should be on the side of a democracy when it is invaded by an authoritarian regime?

Hell no.

This would be funny if it weren’t so sickening.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business
A friend from the world of acting writes:
I am sincerely naive about stocks, international finance, etc. My life has been about art and human rights so please accept this in a truly non-political sense.
I don’t understand continuing subsidies to oil companies when profits seem to soar and execs get massive bonuses…especially when it seems tied to horrific human suffering. I’m open to sincere comments that can expand my understanding.

This is a point I’ve been making consistently over the 15 years I’ve been professionally associated with energy markets.  The fossil fuel industry is more than 100 years old, and it’s the wealthiest enterprise in human history. Oil, natural gas, and coal are what made the 20th Century what it was in terms of economic growth, but now it’s time to make the transition to energy resources that don’t have the issues like pollution, climate change, ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity, and, as you mentioned, war.

Subsidies are meant to bolster things that are good for society, and fossil fuels have long since ceased to be among them.

You mentioned a “non-political sense,” but there is no way to avoid the fact that the only force holding all this up is, in fact, politics.  Big Oil is doing everything in its considerable power to strong-arm Congress so as to remain embedded in our society, regardless of its ill-effects.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Wind Energy

It’s a very good thing for Trump that, when he opens his mouth, his supporters expect exactly zero in terms of coherent thinking.

Yesterday he was asked about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, specifically, how he thought it would end. He replied, and I’m not making this up:

“Well, and I said this a long time ago, we are playing right into their hands with the green energy,” Trump began. “The windmills. They don’t work. They’re too expensive. They kill all the birds. They ruin your landscapes. Yet, the environmentalists love the windmills. I’ve been preaching this for years. The windmills. I had them way down. The windmills are the most expensive energy you can have, and they don’t work. They last a period of 10 years and by the time they start rusting and rotting all over the place nobody ever takes them down. They just go onto the next piece of prairie or land and destroy that. It’s incredible.”

It wasn’t that long ago that a presidential candidate who rambles like a madman would find his hopes dashed.  Here, it seems to function as an advantage.

The pic above features the interviewer.  The young man can’t manage to keep the smile off his face.  Clever fellow too; he didn’t forget the beer.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

This could be the smoking gun.

Note to self:

Craig, committing felonies, especially treason, is not your style.  But if you wake up one morning with a totally different personality, and decide you’re going to try to overthrow the United States government, do not, under any circumstances, send emails admitting that you know what you’re doing is illegal.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Regardless of how poorly Trump’s state of intelligence, emotional stability, and character are regarded by those Republicans who know him best, he’s still the #1 GOP candidate in the 2024 election.

Keep in mind that all these observations were made before the former president attempted to overthrow the U.S. government.

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