It scores high on the folksy scale, at least:
Matt comments here. Naturally, I'm curious about the Manzi take.
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The Pickens Plan
09 Jul 2008 03:06 pm
Comments (12)
Couldn't something like the Pickens plan also play a big part in the kind of new frontier, middle america revival that you and Reihan call for in GNP? There's a lot of hype, but also a lot of potential in a green economy and in "green collar" jobs for Sam's Club Americans.
He makes some good points about the potential for wind energy. (Though I have no idea how he generated that map. Does he really believe we have "more wind" than anybody?) But I laughed at his comment at the end about needing the "right leadership". Based on his donations in the past two elections, he apparently thinks the right leadership is an incompetent, lying dolt with a 23% approval who can't even figure out which country to invade. Does he really believe Bush and Cheney have provided good leadership on energy policy? Does he really belive McCain has anything to offer (or even a passing interest) in this? Yes, we need the right leadership, but it sure as hell isn't who Boone Pickens supports.
Make no mistake about it: T Boone Pickens is a Peak Oiler and has been for about the last two years. He was all for Cheney/Bush in the beginning because, and I'm paraphrasing only a little, they are oil men, he is an oil man and TBP knew that they would understand the oil market and turn a profit for him. Well, they delivered in spades. And TBR knows why they delivered in spades - because we have entered the era of scarcity and Cheney/Bush have not given any indication policy-wise that they recognize that. (Yes, Cheney did give an address about 10 years ago indicating that he recognizes that Peak Oil will be a problem, but ever since he went batshit insane after 9/11 he hasn't given any indication that he treats Peak Oil as anything but something to profit from).
TBR has figured that he has squeezed about as much money from the oil market that he can, so its time to squeeze money out of the Next Big Thing - alternative energy.
I am glad that someone who has exploited the petroleum crisis so profitably is at least plowing his gains into a socially responsible potential solution to the crisis period we are entering. You cant say that TBR doesn't know on which side his bread is buttered.
As John Cole said - at least SOMEONE has a plan.
It sure as shit ain't the dumbasses in the executive branch today.
I marvel at the venom, vitriol and hyperbole that anymore pass for political discourse. To be able to believe that the president is an "incompetent lying dolt" bespeaks a silliness that can in no way be constructive. History will treat the much maligned president better than the liberal press does today; but that isn't my point. We must somehow get beyond the name calling and character assassination that have become what now passes for argument if we are to address the problems that face the country. Mr. Pickens seems to have some worthy ideas. It is far easier (and less productive) to shoot down the idea of another than it is to come up with one of our own. All sides had better come out from behind their idological positions to get a plan moving for the good of the land we all love.
Pickens emphasized the need for the right leadership, yet, when supporting leaders, he backed the ones who OPPOSED alternative energy development and MOCKED conservation efforts. What have Bush and Cheney done to improve the energy situation in the last 7+ years, especially for development of alternate sources? Ultimately, Pickens clearly cares more about his marginal tax rate than he does about energy security. Sorry about the impolite name-calling, but when you factor in torture, expansion of executive power, damage to America's standing in the world, the increases in inequality, Katrina, and everything else, why shouldn't he be "much maligned"?
If Pickens wants to invest in wind development, he should have at it. It'll probably do some good. He obviously knows how to run a business. But if he's going to lecture us about leadership, he should decide what his priorities really are.
History will treat the much maligned president better than the liberal press does today; but that isn't my point.
No, it won't. And if it's not your point, then don't mention it in the first place. History will view him as an appalling president.
If you call anyone who doesn't think GW isn't a terrible president liberal or idiot, then it somewhat undermines the lovely message you have
We must somehow get beyond the name calling and character assassination that have become what now passes for argument if we are to address the problems that face the country.
Of course, when it's the right getting it stuck to them.
You didn't actually add anything to the matter at hand except "Mr. Pickens seems to have some worthy ideas".
So you're essentially saying Bush is great, everyone thinks otherwise is an idiot, but I don't think we should use names, blah blah blah.
Your name is so close to a perfect anagram, that's the only plus point I could get from it.
I hate to burst the TBP and his supporters bubble, but there are tens of millions of vehicles that run only on gasoline (from oil) and diesel (from oil). This fantasy that a hybrid car (or battery car) will soon supplant the internal combustion engine is--pure batshit insane. The cost of the owners of these vehicles to replace or modify will be staggering--crippling to an already wobbling economy. (Think of a family who's income is about $25,000 a year trying to afford these "marvelous upgrades" which aren't even on the assembly lines in any significant way.) EITHER DRILL FOR MORE OIL AND MINE MORE COAL (WHICH CAN BE MADE INTO GASOLINE) NOW -- OR LIVE IN YOUR DREAM WORLD--EXCEPT FOR A DOSE OF REALITY OF $5.00 A GALLON GAS BY THIS COMING LABOR DAY.
I hate to burst the TBP and his supporters bubble, but there are tens of millions of vehicles that run only on gasoline (from oil) and diesel (from oil). This fantasy that a hybrid car (or battery car) will soon supplant the internal combustion engine is--pure batshit insane. The cost of the owners of these vehicles to replace or modify will be staggering--crippling to an already wobbling economy. (Think of a family who's income is about $25,000 a year trying to afford these "marvelous upgrades" which aren't even on the assembly lines in any significant way.) EITHER DRILL FOR MORE OIL AND MINE MORE COAL (WHICH CAN BE MADE INTO GASOLINE) NOW -- OR LIVE IN YOUR DREAM WORLD--EXCEPT FOR A DOSE OF REALITY OF $5.00 A GALLON GAS BY THIS COMING LABOR DAY.
I hate to burst the TBP and his supporters bubble, but there are tens of millions of vehicles that run only on gasoline (from oil) and diesel (from oil). This fantasy that a hybrid car (or battery car) will soon supplant the internal combustion engine is--pure batshit insane. The cost of the owners of these vehicles to replace or modify will be staggering--crippling to an already wobbling economy. (Think of a family who's income is about $25,000 a year trying to afford these "marvelous upgrades" which aren't even on the assembly lines in any significant way.) EITHER DRILL FOR MORE OIL AND MINE MORE COAL (WHICH CAN BE MADE INTO GASOLINE) NOW -- OR LIVE IN YOUR DREAM WORLD--EXCEPT FOR A DOSE OF REALITY OF $5.00 A GALLON GAS BY THIS COMING LABOR DAY.
A "jack of all trades", i.e., carpenter-plumber-mechanic friend of mine cautioned that the trouble with wind-driven turbines is they are maintenance-intensive. The Altamont windmills in northern California are in constant need of repair; several can be found standing idle as you drive by. Just a thought.
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Not sure if I should consider T. Boone to be the 'smart money' on this issue, or if this is Michael Jordan trying out minor league baseball. I'm curious to follow news of his investment in wind energy, though.
Posted by Ferrell | July 9, 2008 11:55 PM