Originally Posted by dlssmith

With all due respect, replacing oil is impossible with current technologies. There is nothing, absolutely nothing on the planet that can produce the btu energy of oil or coal. Nothing else is so portable, or mutable. Nothing else is as efficient. I'm talking big picture efficiency, ease of use, etc. There is no substance or technology that has been able to lift mankind as far away from the caves of our ancestors as oil (or coal). Everything you do, everything you are, is by and of these products. The food, medicine, clothing; everything. The very reason we enjoy the high standard of living today is because we've figured out how to deliver an almost unlimited supply of electrical energy to every home in the US and much of the world.

You say you don't want to be at the mercy of greedy oil empires, or under threat of war for oil, but have you stopped to consider that energy will be controlled by some one, no matter what the energy is made from? A giant solar energy cartel based in the earth's deserts is likely to emerge if we perfect that technology - you'll have to buy it from some one.

Your sound bites, all 10 or 11 of them, despite their passion, are lacking in logic. You could do much more for humanity by promoting the dissemination of current energy technology to everyone on the planet. What a goal, "An electric outlet in every home on earth within 10 years!!! Rather than world bank suppression of the construction of oil and coal fired power plants in the third world, because they "pollute". We live here in America, all electrically wired, amongst all this "pollution" - yet we live to an average age of 78?

A couple of years ago in France during a fairly common place heatwave, over 15,000 people died, mainly in their homes. Air conditioning would have saved most of them, but since the French government prices electricity so high, few can afford to operate an airconditioner. A couple of coal fired power plants would have saved 15000 people!!!! So much for passionate soundbites.

Originally Posted by justinperkins

We are dependent because oil companies, car companies all with the help of governments have guided us down the path of oil dependence over the last 100 years.

In the 1800's, the US used more hemp than oil. In the early 1900's, most US cities had very decent (respectable even by today's standards) electric rail systems. Where are they now? Who took them away?

Originally Posted by justinperkins

We are dependent because oil companies, car companies all with the help of governments have guided us down the path of oil dependence over the last 100 years.

In the 1800's, the US used more hemp than oil. In the early 1900's, most US cities had very decent (respectable even by today's standards) electric rail systems. Where are they now? Who took them away?

Originally Posted by aklim

We didn't want public transport. We wanted the independence of coming and going as we pleased. We didn't want to have to go out in the cold and wait for the rail car. We wanted to walk into the warm garage and get into the car, come and go as we pleased. Well this independence was given to you by the car. However this independence doesn't come free. As such, the rail car died. Do you have public transport? How much have you used? When traveling, do you take the Greyhound or do you drive your own car? What about in town? Do you take the bus or do you drive?

To answer your questions, go to the bathroom and look in the mirror. You didn't want them enough so they died out. It is not the car companies, oil companies or govt. It is all you, the consumer. You wanted it, you got it. Nobody led you anywheres. You didn't want to go out in the elements at the prescribed time. You wanted your privacy. You wanted your comfort. You got it all. Now you ***** and moan about something you haven't shown interest in for years. You sound just like a kid that complains because Mom threw away some of your old toys you haven't played with for years.

Originally Posted by LaRondo

So, now what !

What if ... Russia does the same in the Arctic, as the US did in the Mid East?