Shawn, don't forget they also drop bombs on Canadians

 

I'm impressed at such dialogue on this forum. Could it be the karma of Hiroshima affecting the Protege owners? Some things to consider: I feel the main impetus of US interference around the globe is controlled by the consumptive nature of this country. We are involved in the Mid East for Oil. Afghanistan's neighbors (Kyrgistan, etc) are strategically located for oil pipelines from the Caspian sea reserves. We supported South Africa for many years because of chrome, diamonds and gold. Etc., etc. - the list could continue ad naseum.

Truly, to break this cycle, we need to develop new technology and alternative energy sources. This would not only diminish the need to control other nations but alo likely be profitable for our country as well. New jobs would most certainly follow, though this would cut into the pofiteering of the petro-chemical industry which has pratically bought every politician in office.

Furthermore, simple conservation (something WE can do) would reduce the demand for such products. this too would likely result in more disposable income for he citizens of the US.

Our war on terrorism has been at a high cost of our individual rights and liberties. Is it possible the all of us now are being monitored for merely posting these responses? I am happy to see a bunch of sake'-sipping motorheads get political. Do remember, for what it's worth - VOTE! (And I still think the next invasion should be the tyrannical State of Florida - perhaps a Protege rally "In Search of Chad")

Hell if I wanted a bomb or to support those involved, I would have bought a Ford (Another player in the industrial-military complex that we call "Business") Fact is, the #1 US export is weapons and munitions. Kinda makes it hard to reconcile the lip-service made towards "Promoting Peace"

 

Fossil boy, you do know about the Mazda/Ford kinky action going on right? You picked a bad example on that one.

 

true, true Arl(?). yep Ford got 40 % of the profit, but at least i don't think the car is a bomb. Something about the Japanese design and build that comforts me... (I Could always go kamikaze, though). Kudos for nailing my bad example; it's nice to know folks read the rantings of raving retards such as myself.

 

very good post up there fossil boy.

I'd love to live in Switzerland (sp?). They always avoid wars and conflicts and their economy is based on tourism and chocolates hehe.

 

thanks Makaveli! Insofar as switzerland, let's go! I'll get my boots and hit the Alps. Who knows, we may even find Osama hanging out in a cave, yodeling.

 

I personally think we should avoid situations like Afganastan. For the simple reason its a waste of our time, money, and life. They don't want our help and after we leave its going to go back to the same way it was before. Some warload will grap power and rule just like the Tailiban did. Thats all they know.
Our sole reason for being there should have been to rermove OBl and his leaders and we should of left.
As for using bombs instead of troops. The more US soliders that die over there the less support the goverment has. The US can't continue a war without the suport of the people

 

Obviously, menace, YOU are not a scientist. While some in research community are participating in alternate energy sources, please realize that science/technology requires $$. Public funding from NSF, DOE etc., has not kept pace with mere inflation much less recieved any boost in this specific area. The new administration of "W" has only increased funding for new and better ways to extract coal (Good bye windy roads of West Virginia, where the Protege can play!), or develop gas and oil fields in sensitive areas. There is little or no incentive for "scientists" pursue research unless funding is available.

This funding comes about when the granting agencies have decided, basically, what the general focus of research should be. If you, as a scientist, have a proposal which fits into their need, well then, you have a mere 25 % chance of getting funded. Unless you have some private source of cash, the likelihood of pursuing science for the pleasure of learning is quite remote. As it stands, most university research is of the band-wagon mentality where everyone waits for the "Calls for proposals" which identifies the main areas of research which will be funded for the next cycle. Then the mad rush begins as folks submit proposals tailored to the needs of the granting agency. This is not a creative atmosphere!

Insofar as fusion, it is still much more fantasy than fact and in the end will be profitable only to those in the nuclear community (i.e. the ones who already bought and paid for the politicians - which is why this sector receives funding). Solar panels have been around for several decades though I haven't seen any on top of Federal Buildings or Universities for that matter.

The strength is with the people, however, and we do have a choice in what we buy and how much we consume. Thus conservation is the key here.

I'll leave the development of the newest sexual device to Doc Johnson. But, getting back to the original post, perhaps in way if all the leaders of the world weren't quite so impotent then it would be a more peaceful world. Remember how happy Bob Dole looked when he was pushing Viagra ?

 

Menace, I don't know if I would use fusion as a feasible energy source, at least not for a long time. So far, even the most optimistic scientists say it will be at least 20 years before it becomes plausible to create electricity from fusion. And in terms of money devoted to alternative forms of energy, let's not kid ourselves, the money devoted by the government and energy companies (bp - ) is a drop in the bucket compared to the money funnelled towards improved oil extraction techniques. 1 billion dollars from the States, a large amount, but not in comparison to the cash going to other spending.

 

pop sci and pop mech, that was a good one! I honestly don't think there are too many new energy sources in the works, other than trying to get fuel cells up and coming, and I really don't think the government or business is encouraging growth.

 

You are not serious about using those as resources are you? Those don't make my list of legit mags, though they are entertaining for gadgets, hence the "Popular" designation.

 

Thats not the biggest problem of fusion of melting things when trying to heat up the atoms enough to make them combine into one big one. The biggest problem is it takes more enery to heat up the atoms enough to make them one, than there is enery produced.

 

Its funny how War brings up things like economy, fossil fuels, etc. This thread is probably the best Ive read on this board, ever .

Anyway, I would like to see an alcohol burning engine. Aparently they are working on one but there is something with the gaskets. I think they are melting or something, not sure. I love Internal Combustion engines I dont want to see them go away. If they could get an alcohol burning engine that would be awesome. It burns hotter, making more energy, and cleaner, doing away with emission crap. The best part is Alcohol can be made from almost ANYTHING, corn for Pete's sake. Oh well, just wanted to throw that out.

 

^^^ Hahaha, you're like Homer, fantasizing about a car that runs on beer..... (at a gas station).... a bit for you, a bit for me, a bit for you, a bit for me hehehe

What about the engines that run on hydrogen fuel cells? We had a couple of buses up here in Van-city that tried it.

 

I cant remember, maybe its both, one of these two companies has a hydrogen powered car running aroun Europe. Seriously though... they are working on Alcohol Burning engines... it would be beautiful , just buy a bottle of Jack and your set for a week! hahahAHAHA