<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Et tu, Al? Franken gulps the ethanol-spiked Kool-Aid]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by chrisbrandow http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:33:02 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/1 it seems to me that the fundamental problem with regards to corn ethanol is that farmers are already growing, processors are already processing it and distributors are already distributing it.  That represents a lot of individuals capital, jobs and interests.  This would not be a problem if there were any other viable biofuel option that could produce on the same level as corn ethanol, but there is not.  lots of potential ways, but nothing else "works" yet.  so, the political pressure which comes from lots and lots of individuals as well as "big ag" will remain.  it is frustrating, but i can't be too cynical about it.

]]> it seems to me that the fundamental problem with regards to corn ethanol is that farmers are already growing, processors are already processing it and distributors are already distributing it.  That represents a lot of individuals capital, jobs and interests.  This would not be a problem if there were any other viable biofuel option that could produce on the same level as corn ethanol, but there is not.  lots of potential ways, but nothing else "works" yet.  so, the political pressure which comes from lots and lots of individuals as well as "big ag" will remain.  it is frustrating, but i can't be too cynical about it.

]]> Comment #2 by Tyler Durden http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:31:21 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/2 Al Franken is nowhere near as progressive as progressives fantasize that he is.  He is slightly to the left of the average Democrat and that's it.  So we'll see a lot of crap like this from him, be prepared.

]]> Al Franken is nowhere near as progressive as progressives fantasize that he is.  He is slightly to the left of the average Democrat and that's it.  So we'll see a lot of crap like this from him, be prepared.

]]> Comment #3 by Bob Perry http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:31:36 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/3 The answer is mass transit not more fuel of anykind.  In my humble city of Lexington, KY of around 250,000 light rail and street cars would take 75% of the traffic off the road.  Most cities of any size used to have street cars, but the auto, oil and tire industries bought them and shut them down.  Time to bring them back.  I would much rather spend my hour commute reading than driving.

]]> The answer is mass transit not more fuel of anykind.  In my humble city of Lexington, KY of around 250,000 light rail and street cars would take 75% of the traffic off the road.  Most cities of any size used to have street cars, but the auto, oil and tire industries bought them and shut them down.  Time to bring them back.  I would much rather spend my hour commute reading than driving.

]]> Comment #4 by Biodiversivist http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:11:56 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/4 I hate it when celebrities who have no idea what they are talking about get involved in complex issues. Remever Willy Nelson and his Biowilly? America has become a celebritocracy.

]]> I hate it when celebrities who have no idea what they are talking about get involved in complex issues. Remever Willy Nelson and his Biowilly? America has become a celebritocracy.

]]> Comment #5 by F James Handley http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/ Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:44:28 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-02-franklin-ethanol-kool-aid/5 See "The Ethanol subsidy is worse than you can imagine" at http://www.slate.com/id/2122961/.  

Guess big Ag is paying Al F's legal bills off.   Bad start.

-  jh

]]> See "The Ethanol subsidy is worse than you can imagine" at http://www.slate.com/id/2122961/.  

Guess big Ag is paying Al F's legal bills off.   Bad start.

-  jh

]]>