Politics/New Truck/Fuel Price Discussion

You mean the ones that are somehow curiously devoid of anything in German? :stuck_out_tongue:

Trust me, he wouldn’t be the first. :eek:

I’d heard about this several years ago but never saw any updates thereafter. Apparently the excess algae was a good source of protein as well.

hmmm, that sounds vaguely familiar…

Most fuel takes more energy to make it than energy we get from it.

Of course. Otherwise we’d all be members of the United Federation of Planets. :smiley:

Noted for future reference.

Amen. And it’s only going to unfunner in the meantime. Doubleplusungood. :rolleyes:

Say GR - would it make you feel better if I told you that I drive a scooter when it’s not winter? It gets 55-60mpg! We actually have 2 - one for me, 1 for hubby. We don’t drive things with 4 wheels much in good weather…

Oh, is it a Vespa? I saw those a lot in Italy and they’re really cute and there’s a certain Mediterranean lifestyle that’s always associated with scooters and Vespas in particular.

Armando, you wound my soul. I first tuned in at 14-15 and it has shaped my entire life. In a good way. Following politics = being an informed participant in society, even if you’re too young to vote.

Well that’s me: Armando, Wounder of Souls. BWAHAHAHAHA!

Seriously, I do think it’s absolutely essential for people to get tuned in and be informed about their government. That is precisely the biggest problem with our system here in the U.S. At the same time, I am really grateful that my father wouldn’t let us put up any political bumper stickers or the like because, well, little kids (I was about six when this happened) should be able to enjoy life without thinking about politics. Maybe it’s that I’m now a father myself, but part of me wants to protect young people from the cynicism that being aware of politics has brought me.

Honda Metropolitan, actually!

I went to city hall to help the political process work. One of the reserved spots had a scooter. I am not sure but I think one of our commissioners drove it. :slight_smile:

My scooter is technically a motorcyle - 125cc’s. I need that to haul my fat (sorry barb) up and down the hills here in town. Had to get a motorcycle license to drive it. Did you know that the drivers license folks get a huge kick out of giving the motorcycle driving test to someone riding a scooter? :slight_smile:

It all started with I got a new truck is is cool or what. I thought it just was a long multirant. :smiley:

As Eddie Izzard would say: “Ciao!” :slight_smile:

And another supervillain is born. :stuck_out_tongue:

Seriously, I do think it’s absolutely essential for people to get tuned in and be informed about their government. That is precisely the biggest problem with our system here in the U.S. At the same time, I am really grateful that my father wouldn’t let us put up any political bumper stickers or the like because, well, little kids (I was about six when this happened) should be able to enjoy life without thinking about politics. Maybe it’s that I’m now a father myself, but part of me wants to protect young people from the cynicism that being aware of politics has brought me.

Just being aware in general is enough to be cynical these days…

Are you sure about that?

Maybe it runs on guano. :smiley:

That could be a good alternative fuel. The bats also eat bugs so it would be doubly good since we would not need chemicals to kill the extra bugs. Write the President and suggest it!

maybe he should apply to the Evil League of Evil–they’re taking submissions :smiley:

The topic or rant all started with someone showing off his new truck. We then went to how to help save the world. So join in with ideas for alternative fuels or what you drive. If we do not save the world we can always feel better with a good rant. Who knows what will come out of this major thread drift.

But I can’t sing worth a damn. At least not enough to do it in public by myself.

And wear a cape and cowl in public. You up to that?

You ever heard of a German rock band called the “Guano Apes”? :eek:

[QUOTE=GalaxyRanger;65106]And wear a cape and cowl in public. You up to that?

If I could get better fuel I would consider it. I just do not know what my principal would say. :smiley:

I don’t own any vehicle. I walk and take buses. I occasionally lean on friends for a ride.

I’m lucky to live in a place that has inadequate but functional public transportation (there are entire parts of the city that are inaccessible…), so even though it takes longer and can be a pain in the behind, it’s still there. What we need to do is to improve public transport, be it through buses, subways, light-rail, whatever within cities. I also think that improving non-air transport between urban centers would also help cut down on car usage and hence, oil demand (and the pollution, though it depends what we replace them with…). I try to take the train places rather than fly if I can, though selling the tracks to the freight companies was a stupid idea, there is no way for the trains to be as reliable as the consumer expects if you have to let every other freight train go first.

That said, there will always be areas where public transport doesn’t reach, and there will be people who need certain types of vehicles for their work, I’m not negating that.

In terms of fuels, I’m not up on the current research, but I know ethanol has been a bit problematic for the US, at least. I know in Brazil Lula is really proud of having made the country energy-efficient (and they did something to most engines so they run on multiple fuels I think), though I’m not sure how sustainable that particular situation is.

His. HIS! Leah - maybe you need to double-check my profile. :smiley:

Edit: Shoot - no M/F listed in my profile. In any case, I’m F!

I formally apologize. I was to lazy to even look who started the thing with the truck. I remember a big red fancy truck and could not remember who posted it. So please accept my humble apology.

We have little to no mass-transit in my area. Orlando keeps trying to have a train for the outlying areas but it keeps getting voted down. So everyone who works in Orlando but lives outside of it has to drive. Everyone keeps saying that the train will be cheaper than more roads but no one is listening. They have however been building more apartments in the downtown area so you can live where you work.

Actually, it’s not really feasible on a large scale as a fuel (or fertilizer, which it’s also very useful for). The process of obtaining it disturbs the bats, which either flee the area or die, both of which prevent further “deposits”.

Ooh, good idea. So what kind of costume would the “Wounder of Souls” wear?

Bad Horse doesn’t sing. Neither did any of the other League members that we saw, other Dr. Horrible. All you really need is a heinous crime or a show of force. A murder would be nice, of course. :stuck_out_tongue:

I would have no problem with that.

You ever heard of a German rock band called the “Guano Apes”?

Scariest batarangs ever.

As Stephen Wright said: “Anywhere is walking distance, if you’ve got the time.” :slight_smile:

In terms of fuels, I’m not up on the current research, but I know ethanol has been a bit problematic for the US, at least. I know in Brazil Lula is really proud of having made the country energy-efficient (and they did something to most engines so they run on multiple fuels I think), though I’m not sure how sustainable that particular situation is.

Making ethanol from sugarcane (which is what Brazil uses) is fairly straightforward, so it’s much more efficient than using corn, starch from which has to be converted to sugars first before conversion to ethanol. It takes energy to do that, generally more energy than the ethanol itself provides, basically creating a net loss. The various processes between corn and ethanol also equal a higher carbon footprint than the petroleum products that they’re supposed to be replace, thereby negating any environmental benefit. Sugarcane, on the other hand, is ideal for ethanol production – except, of course, that the US produces very little, while we have lots of corn.

Is there a reason that gender isn’t an option on the profile? Not that we’d necessarily have to reveal it (like the way that birthday/age is handled), but would it be possible to include the option?

Not that Solai or Pike will ever see this, since they ignore my multi-quoted posts. :wink:

Not true…they aren’t ignored as much as they are impenetrable. I stick to my guns on this: I am impressed at the time you invest in putting these together, and when I can get through one your responses are consistently insightful and/or hysterical.