The thread about the latest bill being filled with pork was almost derailed because a nudnick like me took it towards fossil fuels vs greener energy. In fairness I didn't start it but it is refreshing to see folks that have not been concerned about the budget as of late are now concerned about the budget and spending. I don't want to derail that. It's a good thing. Thus a new thread.

I am interested in folks take on fuel sources. Not global warming, evil AOC, evil Trump, great pipelines, evil pipelines or all the trivial stuff on the fringes. We already know where everyone falls on those things and it really isn't interesting anymore.

Here is what I mean. I believe fossil fuels are a finite commodity, you may not. I believe at some point they will be more scarce or we will run out. It could be a very long way off, or shorter than we think, but sooner or later it will happen. Scarcity = higher cost, depletion without replacement brings larger problems.

As for scarcity, I always liked that we had a huge reserve and used middle eastern oil when it is cheap. Sure we had the OPEC crap during the Carter and Reagan administrations but we sort of resolved that by building our reserves. It gave us leverage that we didn't need to use in my mind. In a perfect world I would love to keep our reserves, use their cheaper oil until it is depleted then switch to ours and ream them. That may be too simplistic however and wouldn't work if they switch to renewable fuels first.

Recently we have chosen to tap our reserves. I don't feel strongly about it but it is counter to my original thinking. It does have positive short term effects which we are realizing but I worry about the long term. I think politics takes the short view even when the long view is better for the country. I'm not singling out either party. Being conservative I tend to take the long view but recognize I don't know this topic as well as some in here and maybe I'm wrong about the long view. I'm often called a fencepost because I don't take a side and dig in. I will listen to folks that know more than me and change my mind if presented with a better argument or facts I don't know.

Which brings me to renewable sources and green energy. I think we must go down that path because of the finite nature of our current sources. The question to me is not if but when and at what pace and what cost. I said in the other thread I find liberals on this issue (and most) to be spastic overreactors and tend to want to do it all now even if that means costing more and doing more damage. I expect conservatives to take a longer view and more reasonable approach but am often disappointed when it simply becomes an antiliberal argument and renewable fuels become the bad guy with no merit or the cause of all problems.

Fencepost says there is a balance. Something in the middle. We will go towards renewable energy. It will happen. No sense desperately clinging to the past as the band plays on the deck of the titanic. There is also no reason to purposely sink the titanic faster than it inevitably will go down. So what is the balance?

I have no agenda and no strong feelings here. I shared my thoughts but they can be changed. Many of you know more than I. I would love to hear your thoughts if you choose to share them. I just grow weary of the stagnant old conversation about the green new deal, certain politicians and the evil of windmills etc. What's really in your noggin?

Man not even a pity post? Ok lets talk about how AOC sucks and the dems are evil.

The best thing to do right now, is to conserve energy.

There is a crap ton of energy consumed by inefficient processes. Conservation would get us the most savings, the fastest and the cheapest, until abundant and reliable alternatives are brought on line.

However, it's not going to happen, conservation isn't sexy and does not have the political partners (criminal politicians) to get legislation in their favor.

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As battery technology evolves so will alternatives to fossil fueled vehicles etc. Frequently there is little discussion about the NET difference as generation of electricity to recharge the batteries often eludes the conversations. We have a large windfarm in our county now. Ugly unless it's on your property and you get the rent check. The number of turbines was reduced here as a larger solar installation is planned in another part of our county. I think that is more promising but what do I know. Oh, and you're right about AOC.

I've stated here on a number of occasions I was against all the "stimulus" bills. Even when Trump was doing it. Printing money we ain't got when it'd be better to let people go back to work.

Dude that is for the other thread. Cross thread outrage!

The stimulus packages were highly effective at propping up large companies while Covid restrictions killed small businesses.

Cross-dressing outrage!!!
Who put those fancy threads on you???

YO MAMMA

BOFE YOUR DADDIES...

Bingo.

Cross thread outrage dumb asses

I'm a smartass, not a dumbass...

I think you need more self reflection

Ya, sure. The lockdowners, face diaperer's and social distancers say you just want people to die.[-x
The counterfeiters say we own it to ourselves to print unlimited pallets of cash.

so tw, has anyone changed your mind yet?

Modern problem need modern solutions, try 100 percent renewable Soylent Green Gasoline.

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soylent green is peoples.... 😟

I think he’s still on the fence.

I heard Victor broke his phone while attempting to mount a stalagmite.... 😟