Food-for-fuel insanity
The insanity of using food for fuel has now been recognized by the experts.
For some wisdom on biofuels and our foolish corn-for-fuel program, please see “Green Dreams” in the October issue of National Geographic.
For example, and I quote: “Every biofuel also consumes crops that could be feeding a hungry globe.” The only way to reap the benefits of biofuels without squeezing the food supply is to take food out of the picture. Perhaps our subsidy for ethanol would be more wisely spent to subsidize “producing corn for food.”
Consumers need to just say no to E85 fuel and goodbye to those politicians who support this fleecing of America.
Bob Berling, Red Feather Lakes
Is Algore selling credits on biofuel? It will never be a viable source until he decrees it so.
Posted by clyde on October 17, 2007 12:57 AMSo Bob would rather continue to subsidies farmers for not growing anything rather then have then grow corn? This economically does not make sense.
I would rarther have the farmers grow corn then to have them sit on fertile unused land collecting a check of my tax money.
As for food for the needy. PHHHHHT. A vast majority of the food we send to these countries sits in buildings and rots do to local governments mismanagment of the gift.
Why is it always the responsibility of America to take care of the world? Maybe they, instead of trying to live in third world conditions force thier governments to institute programs that better their life. Like oh say create some jobs. Increase ranching production. Look to natural resources and develop them into international trade.
Oh wait I am talking about Mexico here. OOPS Sorry.
Posted by on October 17, 2007 06:30 AM
btw the corn used for dio fuel is not food grade.
and farm welfare should stop as the salazars and rathers of the world dont need the help but its the small mom and pop farms that could use it some years but they only get the left over that the corporate farms dont get
So, using 8,500 gallons of water needed to feed thirsty corn in order to yield 1 gallon of gasoline is a lousy trade off? Hmmmmmm.
Maybe the LA Times is right and the government should take a more active role in preventing us from eating more cows in order to control climate change--see today's "Killer Cow Emissions" in Carroll. That flatulence thing has gotten completely out of control, we are all doomed!
Posted by Hank on October 17, 2007 08:12 AMGood heavens, Hank! You've posted a sane and sensible response. What's come over you? And, you've even got me agreeing with you.
Careful there, old boy; you might wind up having to recognize that there is a great deal more to being 'liberal" than you usually seem to see.
But, on the other hand, isn't doing some THINKING about an issue a pleasant experience? Makes for a nice change anyway. Doesn't it?
Do keep it up. You don't have to stay on the level of "An American" and that claque.
Seriously, the point about water volume and ethanol production is a very good question, especially in this part of the country, after a long drought.
As to the cows . . . perhaps some of the effusions on this blog . . . ? Ah! Well! Better not start on that one.
Agreed that biofuel production is horribly inefficient right now. However, let's not forget that it's a relatively new technology, and that efficiencies will improve with innovation. Let's also remember that biofuel is a renewable resource, unlike petroleum.
Instead of demanding that we eliminate biofuel programs, I'd rather see the U.S. work to innovate and improve them.
Posted by Dan on October 17, 2007 10:47 AMif you all think that the government's demand that we use corn for fuel is such a bad idea, just wait until they tell the doctors who can receive which type of medical treatment, and the shabby way in which our congress treats the elderly (social security, medicaid/medicare, just do not be surprised when congress tells doctors that it is more financially stable to treat the young and let the seniors die.
Posted by on October 17, 2007 12:15 PMI think Clyde belongs in company with Hank, Keith, and An American.
Posted by Zillatron Superfly on October 17, 2007 01:06 PMWhat happened to ANWR, coastal California, the untouched 85% of the energy-rich outer-continental shelf, nuke power plants, crude oil refineries, coal gasification, the Roan and the Vermillion? What about our 250 year supply of coal? Is shale economic at $100 p/b?
They are all out of bounds? We don't do those things any more? We can't help ourselves? Does congress know what's going on, when did activities in public toilets become our #1 national priority? Does congress listen to Rush Limbaugh 24/7, preoccupied with his every word? Do we do anything else but try to harpoon battlefield generals? Have we become a nation of retarded imbeciles, morons and tin-foil-hat wearing, infantile moonbats? Congress, with its 11% approval rating, couldn't find its own ass in a shower!
Today we kissed $90 per b/b and are headed to $100. And America is screwing around with windmills, corn and cow flatulence?
Just wait for the screaming, pissing, moaning and compalining when we hit $7 p/b at the pump and our monthly house-heating bill comes in at $2,000! Then what?
PPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTT!
Posted by Hank on October 17, 2007 01:09 PM