Comments econpolyeco has made

  • Bush speech

    Historians will indeed look back with awe at the Bush administration, however I doubt it will have anything to do with "foresight and right minded policies".  Bush not only had the opportunity to, but promised during his campaign in 2000 to address this early in his administration.  He didn't.  He lied.  Now that he is on his way out and his private little wars haven't gone as planned he needs something positive to hang his hat on.  This will not be it.  Bush making this speech now is an insult to every rational, thinking American.  I would say that this is too little too late but that would also be an insult to everyone reading these comments.     On Bush's unambitious climate speech bashed by other major economies posted 1 year, 7 months ago 8 Responses

  • FutureGen

    In response to the comments regarding futuregen not being clean, your right it isn't clean, however it is CLEANER than the current coal fired power plants it would potentially replace.  I think we can all agree that the US needs to fundamentally change the way it currently produces energy, and most of us would agree that nuclear is not the way to go.  That leaves us with natural gas (we're rapidly running out), hydroelectric (anyone here a big fan of damns?), wind/solar ( which I lump together as they are both a product of the suns input) and coal.  Now I am the first person to say that wind/solar is the way to go now and in the future but without an rapid developement of a massive system of energy storage for the days when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing that leads us back to coal.  We have tremendous domestic coal reserves and if we would actually spend the money to research cleaner ways of utilizing this coal (I'm looking at you DOE)then perhaps it could be a viable energy source.  Sure FutureGen has some serious flaws, but at least it's a step towards cleaner energy production.  Now if only we didn't have to mine the stuff........On A look at Barack Obama's environmental platform and record posted 1 year, 9 months ago 11 Responses

  • Put you money where your big dumb mouth is!

    I think Huckabee should start with his own campaign.  Zero energy comsumption going forward in the race for the White House.  

    I can't wait to hear him try to dance his way out of this one.  On Notable quotable posted 1 year, 11 months ago 5 Responses

  • Great List!

    What a great list that Grist provided and some really excellent suggestions from readers!  It really could have been the Top 50 since there are so many schools out there moving in the right direction.
    I am not an alum but I am very surprised Prescott College didn't make the list.  On 15 Green Colleges and Universities posted 2 years ago 62 Responses

  • It's true

    While Kenbros comments about cable boxes taking 20 minutes to reprogram each time they are powered back up after being off is true( mine takes 30) and the same is true for cable modems, you can work around this by plugging the cable box and cable modem into an traditional hot outlet, and placing everything else on the power strip.

    Example: the TV.  Follow the directions for the cable box listed above.  Then plug the TV, dvd player, any sound system and (gasp!) video games into the power strip.  You WILL notice the savings on your next bill.  Any additional power strips you buy will likely be paid for within a year.On Umbra on power strips posted 2 years ago 13 Responses

  • What a waste of time.

    Why does the Bush administration waste their time and our money coming out with these long documents that thousands of hours of work went into to say "business as usual folks".  Your tax dollars at work.  Love it!

    Hmmm Chevy Volts for all.  From an energy use standpoint it's got some merit.  One question.  Where do we get the $$$ to build the necessary infastructure to accomidate all the extra cars on the road that Chevy Volts for all would necessitate?  The roads, the parking lots and garages, ect?  What do we do with the existing mass transit system infastructure?  Also since you just destroyed the traditional auto industry( not a bad thing in and of itself) what are you going to do about the resulting unemployment and massive economic downturn?On White House warns Democrats of energy bill veto posted 2 years, 1 month ago 5 Responses

  • Thank you

    As a college student in an urban area I see this all the time and now I can be more effective when trying to convince people to stop doing this.  Thanks Umbra and posters , you've done it again!On Umbra on tossing food waste posted 2 years, 1 month ago 23 Responses

  • You mean I have to put forth effort??

    Thank you to both Umbra and to Wiscidea for their comments regarding planting native non-invasive plant species in a yard type setting.  It is very heartening to hear of so many people around the country buying into this as not only a means of attracting desirable wildlife, but also for practical reasons such as water conservation and decreased need for fertilizers and herbicides/pesticides.  

    This is not a difficult project to get off the ground, but it will require considerable research prior to implementation.  Be mindful of variation within geographic regions that other posts have mentioned ( coasts, elevation, precipitation extremes), as well as potential problems like the Emerald Ash borer and Dutch Elm disease.

    To ballroom16 I would say be very very careful trying to use exotic plants species to accomplish the above goals.  See Wiscidea's first comment for just a few reasons why this is a bad idea.

    Happy planting!  On Umbra on attracting wildlife posted 2 years, 3 months ago 14 Responses

  • Take a deep breath

    Ok folks before we start a holy way here over the bunny on the cross comment, lets all take a deep cleansing breath.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.  Feel better?  I thought you might.  Now what Sarah was trying to point out was the hilarity of what Easter has become.  Easter used to be about how Christ died for our sins and then rose again, the celebration of a miracle.  Easter is now about fluffy marshmellow peeps, Cadbury eggs, and artificially colored eggs most people throw away rather than eating.  So what Sarah was trying to do was point out how a simple religious observance has been turned into yet another corperate holiday, much in the same way that Christmas is now centered around Santa, presents and bonuses at work.  It's up to you to decide if her pointing out this irony is in good taste or not, but it is a matter of personal opinion.  I think it is hilarious!!  I spent many hours in church on Sunday and am not the least bit offended.  On From Martha to McConaughey posted 2 years, 7 months ago 5 Responses

  • Ugh

    I think I'm going to be sick.  This is what happens when there is no fear of punishment.  Just spout a few "I don't recall Senators" at your hearing then sit back and wait for the book deal.On You have to read this to believe it posted 2 years, 8 months ago 5 Responses