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ADigitalMan

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Join date
26-Sep-2004
Last activity
14-Jun-2025
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Post
#136956
Topic
Oil Storm
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136956/action/topic#136956
Time
Quote
Originally posted by: starkiller
She knows, just as Bill did, that you must talk the middle to be elected, then you can change to do what you want.

Almost. You have to be extreme to one side to win the party's nomination through the primaries, THEN shift to the middle for four months to win the swing votes, THEN try to make everybody happy for four years while you position yourself for re-election, THEN be yourself if you make it to the second term.
Post
#136935
Topic
What is your gas at?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136935/action/topic#136935
Time
Knowing that I'm all for alternative fuels and no friend to the Oil industry, it's imperative that we address the downsides of the current alternate fuel strategies, rather than cowing to the blanket response that the Oil cartels don't want us to switch. They don't, but until we can address the real flaws in the alternatives, we'll be a long way from bringing change.

Solar Power:
taken from here
Quote
The solar energy released by the sun may seem like the best source of energy for the world. It has many benefits: it is free, it does not pollute, is very reliable when the sun is shining, and it is very safe. With all of these benefits, it may seem odd that there are extremely few solar power plants on earth. The reasons that solar power plants do not power the world are summed up in two reasons: cost and reliability. Solar plants made of solar cells are extremely expensive to build. Thousands of square feet of solar cells are required to generate enough power for even a very small town. A large city simply doesn’t have enough room for a solar plant, or enough money. The second main reason is the unreliability of the plants. If the plant has a few cloudy days, there will be no electricity for the town. This is not an option for many towns or cities. In the modern age of today, we need to have power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, not only on sunny days, sometimes at night.

Although solar power has many downfalls, its future remains bright as we develop more efficient cells, and find better ways to use them. The world of the future may be powered by amazing hybrid solar cells, but we must continue to research this useful technology. Scientists are creating new ideas for this technology, but you must continue the search for others!


The statistic I recall hearing was that in order to power the US at its current demand (not accounting for future demand) would take a solar farm approximately the size of Nevada. Therefore, we must make solar panels smaller, more efficient, and less costly in order to see a net savings in energy cost.

That said, the startup cost of "solarizing" your home with roof panels is about $20,000.

My solution:
Houses should be solar equipped with traditional electrical supplies serving as a backup with uninterruptable switching that takes over when failure is reached. Solar panels should be standard equipment on all new construction and should be factored into the cost of the mortgage, amortizing the capital investment over the life of the traditional 30-year loan. The cost savings will be best returned to the consumer this way.

Wind:
taken from here.
Quote
Wind power is not used extensively for two main reasons. The first reason is that the power plants are not reliable enough for modern lives. If there are a few calm days, an entire city could be out of power. The second reason that wind generation is not popular is that the wind generation plants are extremely loud. The sounds of the turbines spinning and generators generating are too loud to be close to any city or town. Although this is an economical and safe means to generate electricity, there are many parts that need to be improved!


In short, this is a good supplemental source of energy, but it is only viable en masse in areas in the midwest where large tracts of open land are matched with regular windy conditions. Innovation is needed to make this a more reasonable source of energy.

Hydroelectric (Water):
Using our poster boy, the Hoover Dam as our best example, we must look at the generation compared to the cost, both economical and environmental:
Hoover generates about 4 billion kilowatt hours a year, enough to serve 1.3 million people (a fraction of one percent of the country). This took the damming of one of the country's biggest rivers, in a place where population was small enough to have minimal impact. Hoover cost $165 million in the 1930s. Adjusted for inflation, Hoover would cost $2,277,813,324, not including all the "new" expenses resulting from union wages and safety measures that would undoubtedly be required. This cost must be passed onto the consumers of the electricity. The initial capital cost of the energy is about $1,750 per customer before distribution begins or a single gross receipt is generated. It's doable, but it isn't cheap to get off the ground, and there are few rivers that offer the hydroelectric potential of the Colorado.

taken from here:
Quote
The second main downside of hydroelectric power plants is the fact that the dam, which is essential to the plant, destroys many habitats. A dam needs to hold a tremendous amount of water, and floods out surrounding forests, deserts, towns and anything else in its way. Lake Mead, supplying the Hoover Dam, has enough water to flood the entire state of Pennsylvania to a depth of 1 foot!


Note: Logisitcs aside, consider how many Hoovers could be built for the cost of the war in Iraq. Or Solar panels for that matter.

I'm tired of writing now.
Post
#136921
Topic
Oil Storm
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136921/action/topic#136921
Time
My previous comment was a bit tongue in cheek. I'm well versed in the Consitution and what it allows. Such that in the '90s I laughed at all the "Impeach Clinton" bumperstickers and the ignorant rednecks who put them on their vehicles from the day he took the oath. Impeachment is little more than an indictment, and must be followed by a conviction (removal) on the Senate's part for it to mean anything. Notice how quickly all those bumper stickers disappeared when he was impeached but not removed? Priceless.

Knowing that the term limit will take care of Bush for good in three years, and that right now America would fire his ass if it were constitutionally viable, the only alternative we DO have is impeachment. But when the same party that controls the White House also controls both houses of Congress, and with the Chief Justice (who presides over impeachment) dead, with a successor hand-picked by the President, you enter what we peons call a "Constitutional Crisis."

The only solution is to flood the DNC with cries for impeachment (on real grounds this time, not just lying about receiving a blow job). If the DNC has the balls, they'll stick together AND force the crossover votes from all these GOP talking heads who are equally pissed at the administration. It'll be harder to get a removal from the senate than an impeachment from Congress, but still, if public sentiment is there it can happen. Not likely, but it's better than waiting three years for the country to implode.
Post
#136918
Topic
What is your gas at?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136918/action/topic#136918
Time
The greatest problem to overcome is the amount of energy it takes to create energy sources. Ethanol (manufactured from corn) is the US' leading alternative fuel for automobiles. Unfortunately, it takes more energy to grow, harvest, convert and distribute it than can be generated by it. Therefore it's actually a wasteful fuel. When the goal is to produce energy, you simply cannot go into a negative position.

The Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) conversion on diesel engines I spoke about in the Oil Storm thread is one of the most interesting innovations. It won't scale for mass production, simply because as fat as we are, we don't eat THAT much greasy food. But it is a brilliant idea for the minority who will adopt it, mainly because it is re-using spent fuel that would otherwise pollute the ecosystem, because it can be found for free or on the cheap if you know where to look, and its mere existence gets enviro-newbies to think "you can do THIS with THAT?!?!?!?"

There is no silver bullet to solve the energy crisis, but we must get serious about two things:
1) Employing a variety of alternatives that don't take more energy to create than what is produced.
2) Adapting our refinery capacity to make use of Heavy Crude, which is spoiling in the ground while we barter life and limb for Light Crude. It won't last forever, but it can certainly get us through the next century while we figure out the long-term solution.

Once we figure out how to convert the moon into energy, then we'll have a limitless supply of energy. At least, until that limit is reached.
Post
#136909
Topic
katrina
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136909/action/topic#136909
Time
Quote
Originally posted by: ricarleite
If Barack Obama changes name to Sen. Bail Organa, which sounds similiar, there you have the next president of the United States.


The West Wing is going to beat the real world to the punch there, making Bail Organa president later this year. They're calling him Matthew Santos, but I recognize him without that goatee. My midichlorian count is high enough to resist that mind trick.

But back to the topic at hand, it is interesting to see Republicans falling over each other to lay blame everywhere within their own camp while the Democrats are holding their cocks saying things like "So, what do you think of this Roberts guy?" I mean, are these guys being perpetually neuralized or something? Geeze. The only thing that's saving the Republicans right now is the Democrats (or lack thereof).
Post
#136867
Topic
katrina
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136867/action/topic#136867
Time
I can't consider Bush a racist. He has way too close a relationship with Condoleeza for that. But he clearly doesn't have the mental game for the job he's in. This is the only President who will stay on vacation in the midst of a national emergency until the press howls for his blood, and THEN not get on the ground, but take an arial tour of the wreckage on his way back to DC. Bush AND his advisors screwed the pooch on this. Bush screwed the pooch putting Michael Brown in charge of FEMA, a man with no credentials for the job. Bush haters and supporters are calling for Brown's job, and rightfully so. For a good article on Brown's "qualifications" check out this article at the LA Times.
Post
#136609
Topic
katrina
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136609/action/topic#136609
Time
Chaltab gets my point. Yes it needs to be covered, but there is so much more that they can do than *just* cover while they're down there, or while they're getting down there. For example, pack the plane to the gills with bottled water and baby formula when flying into the region.

It's interesting seeing all the little ways people are trying to help. Kids setting up lemonade stands and sending the proceeds to Katrina Relief. Yard Sales to the same effect. eBay has set up a special thing where you can sell stuff and have the proceeds go to the relief effort.
Post
#136090
Topic
Brosnan is no longer Bond, Daniel Craig is now Bond.
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/136090/action/topic#136090
Time
I may get taken to school by some of our resident Brits, but here's my understanding.

Great Britain (a.k.a. The United Kingdom) = England, Wales, Scotland, & Northern Ireland

Connery = Scottish, therefore he is British as well (perhaps to the consternation of many Scots)
Lazenby = Australian (part of the Commonwealth, but British)
Moore = English, therefore British
Dalton = Welsh, therefore British
Brosnan = Irish (not Northern Ireland) therefore very, very, very NOT British. Though he did move to England at a very young age according to IMDB so he's quasi-British. Became an American Citizen on Sept 23, 2004 (maintaining dual citizenship with Ireland).

Any flaws in my deductions?

Any coincidence between Brosnan becoming American and being fired as Bond? Nobody's opening that kettle of fish, now are they?
Post
#135553
Topic
spider-man 3
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/135553/action/topic#135553
Time
Ziskin apparently gave Raimi the direction to "get it wrapped up in three films." I don't think they plan to do Spidey 4. Therefore I think they really are going to shoot their wad on villains. Of course, when there's money to be made ...

If Kirsten asks for more $$$ to do a Spidey 4 they should just recast her tired old behind. Was I alone in thinking that she looked like she needed about a week's sleep throughout Spidey 2?
Post
#135504
Topic
spider-man 3
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/135504/action/topic#135504
Time
I think we're going to see a movie version of the Sinister Six (i.e. Not necessarily the six from the comics but six nonetheless) with Harry putting it together. Three villains are already assembled at minimum. Maybe four. Harry as the Green Goblin. Dylan Baker is supposed to return as Dr. Conners so we may see the Lizard finally. Thomas Hayden Church and Topher Grace have been cast as unnamed villains, but I'm putting my money on Sandman and Venom.

Make the six happen. I'd like to see Ben Kingsley get cast as Vulture and (fill in the blank) as Electro.

Could be wall-to-wall action.
Post
#135508
Topic
Oil Storm
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/135508/action/topic#135508
Time
Getting back to topic, if California can have a recall election on their governor, we need to start pressuring Congress to let us have a recall election on the White House. That or impeach his ass. I mean, if you can get impeached for lying about getting a blow job, you have to be impeachable for manipulating data that leads us into an illegal war, only to profiteer from its results. You have to be impeachable for spending billions of dollars on preparing the US for disaster only to have zero ability to respond when the time comes. You have to be impeachable for sending so much of the National Guard to fight our war that they're not home to do their real job when they're needed.

It's time we start crying for Bush & Cheney's job on a platter. Yet, that means getting Hastert as President. Great solution that guy has ... just let New Orleans crumble and not bother rebuilding it at all.

The line of succession ain't pretty, fellas, but we reap what we've sown at the polls.

The only strategy left: Push your state legislatures for Electoral College Reform. Apportion the electoral votes by district. Then maybe the constitution AND the constituents will be served at the polls.

Seriously, you've all gotta write your state legislatures, you've gotta write Congress, and you've gotta vote out every incumbent on BOTH sides of the aisle if you want to see change. 'Cause Washington ain't listening anymore. They're all too comfortable not filling up their own tanks, not driving in standstill traffic, and not being accountable any more.