I don’t know if anyone misunderstood me, so I will be frank. This country is the best country that has existed in recent history. I say that because we have kicked the entire world’s ass and occupy nobody. This country has bailed out the world and we don’t even require the ones we have saved to like us. (Check your encyclopedia under “France”.) And if you think we are occupying Iraq, fighting this war for oil, why are we paying the prices we are paying? And not to George Bush. I can’t believe how stupid some people are. That is why I wish Al Gore’s internet was never born. It gives the stupid a voice. Wake up, folks. Just because you saw it on the internet doesn’t mean it is true. (where was I???) oh….

I don’t give 2 sh**s about the American auto industry. If YOU are worried about YOUR job, YOU are self-centered. IF the American auto industry deserves to be preserved, then it should be because the American auto industry makes a superior product, sells it cheaper, and supports it better than anyone else in the world. (please don’t tell me you think this is the case). …our manufacturing capacity…. geez, lady, you give me gas. I just wish I could put it in my tank.

America! You are still the best country. I firmly believe that. But, it is not because your union wages are the highest in the world. I heard ages ago that the reason America will fail is because technology has been used to make money, not to improve the quality of life. And now, I am afraid it is true. Take another attitude, give a lesser person, or country, a leg up. Quit worrying about your personal situation. IF you are thinking globally, (you yuppie putz), then let the third world country win one. Who cares if Kia sells more cars than Ford, if they are ‘better’ cars? (I know the answer, it is the UAW and Ford employees. SCORE!!!).

Be honest with yourself, and hope you can still vote secretly. Go get ‘em, brothers!!!

Sincerely, and please respond with more venom.

Duke

Considering the extreme fallout from failure of the auto industry has caused me to review history for similar cataclysms from the past. Thank goodness we didn’t allow these two major strongholds of American consumerism to fall by the wayside in preference for movement forward.

The slide rule industry. With the unfair competition imposed by the nerds of society, the slide rule unions are calling ‘FOUL!’. Quotes from union pickets in front of upstart companies Sierra Online and MicroSoft range from “You can’t send a man to the moon using a keyboard! Ridiculous! You have to have a slide rule. Just take a look at the movie Apollo 13!” to “If we keep buying computers, what will our kids cipher on?” And this gem, “Google? Nobody could ever count that high, anyway!”

The Buggy Whip industry. There are more and more disturbing sightings of the so-called ‘horseless carriage’ these days. The idea that a refined gentleman would prefer transport in one of those hideous contraptions instead of a carriage? Preposterous! Robert Ezekiel, local steward of IBOB (International Brotherhood Of Buggywhipmakers) stated that the demise of the buggy whip manufacturing complex would spell doom for the entire livelihood of the whole world. States IBOB’s Bob, “Without buggy whips, the horses will not move, paralyzing completely the economy of America. Without buggy whips, there is no reason for leather, thus there is simply no reason to raise cattle. America cannot be expected to wear enough shoes to absorb the excess.” (editor’s note: the steward of the cattle-for-beef union remains in a coma from a random act of violence and could not be revived for comment on this article).

Clearly, if either of these industries is allowed to fail, it will spell certain doom for all of America. Please, learn from history. And don’t forget what $4 per gallon gasoline felt like.

Well, at least the three that I wrote to. I think Baron Hill has the most favorable response. At least his letter felt less like a ‘form letter’ than the others. But, it was not recently written, as he is still referring to ‘current gas prices’. I also believe he does the best job at sitting on the fence because of his unwavering non-commitment to the Picken’s Plan. Note the second paragraph in his response. I will post the Picken’s Pledge for those who did not learn it during our recent $4 per gallon gasoline crisis.

Source: http://www.pickensplan.com/thepledge

T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Independence Pledge
We will no longer stand by and watch as America’s national security and economy become
more dependent on the unstable foreign nations that we rely on for nearly 70% of the oil we
use each day.
We spend nearly $700 billion every year buying foreign oil, which represents the greatest
transfer of wealth in the history of mankind.
President‐elect Obama and the 111th Congress need to enact an energy plan that reduces our
foreign oil dependence by at least 30% within ten years.
This plan must include proven American technology and resources; the development of new
energy sources; and the expansion and modernization of the national electrical grid to
transport renewable energy to homes and businesses.
Delaying any further means tacit support for continuing America’s addiction to foreign oil.
I join with T. Boone Pickens and his army of supporters in calling for an
Energy Independence Plan to be enacted within the first 100 days of the
Obama Administration.
__________________________________________________________
Signature Date
__________________________________________________________
Name (Please Print) Organization
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Email Address Phone Number
__________________________________________________________
Address
__________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code
Comments:
Please fax to (888) 2829754
Paid for by Pickens Plan • PO Box 12123, Dallas, TX 75225 • (877) 872‐3247 • PickensPlan.com

Now read Baron Hill’s response. This is an email paid for by the American taxpayer, and as such, should be public domain. I have removed some line breaks. Source: My Mailbox…

Dear Mr. Green,

Thank you for contacting me about T. Boone Pickens’ energy pledge. I appreciate hearing your concerns on this matter.

I share T. Boone Pickens’ belief that we cannot continue to be dependant on unstable regimes to supply fuel for our citizens. There is no silver bullet to solving our energy problems, but there are a multitude of technologies and approaches that can reduce our need for energy, cleanly produce energy, and make more efficient use of our existing infrastructure. While I share the core assertions of the “Pickens Pledge,” I will not sign the pledge because I do not want to favor one particular energy source over another. During these tough times, I believe all options should be discussed to help our nation become more energy independent.

I am happy to report that during the 110th Congress I have supported several pieces of legislation that would help end our dependence on foreign oil and foster the continuing development of alternative and renewable fuels. The President signed H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act, into law on December 19, 2007. This legislation is designed to increase and expand domestic and renewable energy sources, as well as increase conservation. Long-term solutions must include a realistic and comprehensive national energy policy without the political partisanship that has plagued recent energy legislation. Many alternative fuels, such as corn-based and cellulosic ethanol, biomass fuels, and clean coal fuels, have the potential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In order to fulfill the potential of these new forms of fuel, we need to continue to fund research that helps bring these products to the market.

To that end, I supported H.R. 364 which creates an advanced research project agency focusing on transformational research in the energy field. This bill was included in the larger energy package that was signed into law last December. By passing H.R. 547, we will invest in research that will allow alternative fuels to be transported to delivery stations through our current fuel delivery infrastructure. Lowering the cost of switching to alternative fuels should encourage local businesses to make the switch. I have also cosponsored H.R. 635, which requires all gasoline sold to have 10% renewable fuel content by 2012. To address energy efficiency, I have introduced a bill with Representative McCaul (TX-R) to help create more energy efficient buildings.

Investing in new technologies will spur American innovation and business development and create thousands of new jobs. Recently, I supported H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008, which passed the House on May 21, 2008 by a vote of 263-160. H.R. 6049 would extend and expand tax incentives for renewable energy and close loopholes allowing U.S. corporations and executives to avoid U.S. taxes by shipping jobs and investment overseas. Additionally, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 6709, the National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act, which would provide tax extensions and tax deductions of 5 years or greater for solar, biodiesel, and plug-in hybrid cars. The bill also would create a fund that devotes resources to researching and developing wind, solar, and carbon capture and sequestration programs.

Current gas prices are a burdensome reminder of our dependence on an unstable energy supply. We must work together toward a future in which we have a stable, domestic supply of energy. Thank you again for contacting me about this critical issue. Please do not hesitate to write or call me at 202.225.5315 if I can ever help you in any way. If you would like periodic email updates on my Congressional activities, please visit http://baronhill.house.gov.

You will note that Picken’s Plan does not mention any specific form of energy except electricity, which could be produced by any number of economical sources. Now, the only reason I can think of that he would hedge on backing Picken’s Plan is that it doesn’t specifically mention ethanol. Remember, Indiana is a corn state, intent on making food into fuel, increased carbon footprint notwithstanding. Perhaps he is the last to know that the truth is out about ethanol. To wit, in my hometown, there are no less than 50 empty, brand new railroad tank cars being stored by the local rail company. These cars were intended for the boom in ethanol. They now sit idle, future unknown, except that they will probably never contain the food-become-fuel.

This post has gone on long enough. I have 2 other replies from Evan Bayh and Dick Lugar, both Senators from the corn state of Indiana. As they are obviously form letters, and not very up to date, I will save them for later Congress-bashing.

Don’t forget what $4 per gallon gasoline felt like. Make our deadbutt Congressmen (I know… there’s a woman banging the gavel) take action. Remember, they don’t give a rip. They don’t buy gasoline, you buy it for them.

Wishing for some Common Sense,

Duke Green

That stupid f***in news media. Had me all pumped up for another session of hand-wringing. They promised me, and all of America, that Black Friday would truly be black, in the vampirish sense of the word. But wait… Americans spent more money this year than last year. What gives? While the news talking heads keep looking for the black lining around the silver cloud, here’s an opinion. Bear with me a minute.

We have all heard about the email bombs. The endless email viruses that, apparently, are looking for the chink in the armor, so one day the death knell may be dealt. I wonder if this financial-sky-is-falling may be one of the same things, a hysteria bomb lobbed just to watch the reaction of Americans. The email bombs look for the best delivery system so that one day the perfect virus can be delivered. All the reactions to all of the latest threats are catalogued in the database of some anarchist organization, so when the time comes, the best one can be chosen for use. It is all automatic. When you train the news media to read only what comes up in the teleprompter, the rest is easy. The BubbleHeadedBleachBlonde (Ted Koppel), comes on at five, tells you ’bout a plane crash with a gleam in her (his) eye… The general pessimism that we all share is further fueled. Since we are waiting for the latest devastating financial report anyway, as trained by the talking heads, the stage is now set.

I can believe that Paulsen is part of the America-haters, or at least a crook. I can also believe (now) that Bush is an unwitting pawn. [For those of you that do not know me, I was a rabid Bush supporter. I truly believe that going after Saddam was necessary. The United Nations (joke) had 2 dozen resolutions slapping Saddam's hand, and Bush was the only one that had the gonads to take him on. Weapons of mass destruction? Quit saying there were none and start asking where they went. Saddam killed much of the eastern part of his country with chemical weapons, and the EIEIO (International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, otherwise known as the Keystone Cops), spent months trying to do inspections which were routinely thwarted, re-routed, postponed, and otherwise de-railed to look for suspected nuclear weapons, the development of which Saddam kept hidden. I do not think that they never existed, instead I think they have been hidden with the highest bidder. Don't take my word for it, look at the headlines of the late 90's. And, if you think we fought this war for oil, then why are we paying so much for gasoline?] I don’t believe Al Qaeda is a fundamentalist Islamic organization. I don’t think Allah ever enters their thoughts. They are simply an anarchist group, bent on mob rule and the destruction of America and Democracy, where ever it resides. Whatever it takes to stir up a s**tstrorm, that is what they will do. And, if some money can be made in the process, so be it.

Enter Paulsen and the pawn.

Paulsen may be a simpleton that looks at the indicators, then makes the call. The President hears his whimpers, figures WTF, I only have this job another few weeks, then makes the speech. Paulsen starts the printing presses and off we go. The thing I find unbelievable is that the rest of Congress is that dumb. But then, in Congress, it only takes a majority, and I do believe there are that many dumb ones, the Dreamgirl being chief. But then, she is so focused on providing a continuing welfare check for do-nothing Americans that she sees nothing else. Those folks and the tree-huggers are her only source of support. What a shame, there are that many uninformeds that have a voting right.

In case you missed it, our economic downturn is probably media-induced. It’s hard to see the sunshine when you’re looking for the rain. We have problems, but we are looking in the wrong direction. The policy makers have us all screwed up, people! They have mis-directed our thinking. Consider this:
How do you give a tax break to someone who does not pay taxes?
How do you support animal rights and human abortion at the same time?
How do you keep sending someone back to Washington that keeps doing all the wrong things?
Why do you buy a gallon of overpriced gasoline instead of walking or buying an electric car?
Why should someone on welfare be given a raise for birthing another child?
Why should the government care if you have a firearm?
Why should the term ‘illegal alien’ prompt a legal discussion?

If any of the above subjects cause you to stop for an instant and think, then you are ready to take on the government. Those elected officials are elected by US! It is a simple matter of common sense. I am tired of having my opinion told to me by CNN or FOX. But, it is not so much my opinion I am worried about, it is the opinion of those who will not take the time to form their own opinions. Whatever they hear on MTV, Oprah, South Park, Family Guy (wait, Peter is always right), seems to be what they will vote. I have strong feelings on all the subjects listed above, plus many others. I gotta think there are enough of us that can take the country back, it just ain’t right what is happening.

It is simple. A person goes to work, saves enough money to start a life. Maybe a banker looks at the person and believes an investment in this person will provide a return. The working person prospers and cares enough to provide some relief for those in need. Those in need who are capable go to work themselves, providing others in need with some relief. The banker soon has more people worthy of investment than he has funds for, ushering in another banker, in turn supplying more return on investment, in turn providing more relief for the needy, in turn going to work and providing others with relief….. Maybe we think we have gotten to the point that the worker is no longer necessary. Leaving us with only needy…. spiraling downward….. voting for whoever will give them a free ride. The Congressman doesn’t care, it will probably last her lifetime, anyway….

blip!

Just thought you might like to see what I sent to Washington. I know it will end up in the dead letter bin, but you have to try. I will post any reply I get.

Dear Deadbutts (I didn’t include this line in the letter)

I know you have the world by the tail right now, but I don’t believe you will do anything with it. You have had the last 2 years with the dreamgirl at the helm, and have managed to screw up the nation worse than at anytime in recent history. Lucky for you it can be blamed on Bush. You don’t have to kiss my tail for a vote, I don’t vote for incumbents. But for the sake of the country, listen to what I say.

We just got a taste of how easily this country can be destroyed. I think we will recover from this current crisis, for a while. BUT, please get to work on this energy situation. Without a plan, this will happen again. Jimmy Carter made the same mistake, 30 years ago. What did you learn from that? What will Democratic Senator from Indiana 2038 learn from your actions? I predict nothing. But please prove me wrong. I know there is not a soul in Congress that has a plan. There are too many distractions to be coherent in Washington. What a bunch of deadbutts. Sorry, I will try to behave. Since there is not a functioning brain in Washington, look outside.

Start with Picken’s Plan. It makes good sense. Do what is right for America NOW. Drill, Wind, Solar, Nuclear, and most of all, increase infrastructure in natural gas. I don’t pretend to know what sort of games you are currently playing with all the bailouts, but why not put some money into making energy the last worry America has? Encourage the development of more efficient solar cells. Support the addition of many more wind generators. Support something we have never thought of, but the 12 year old down the street will invent. Show some vision. Be a Senator we could get behind.

If you want to know my views on why I believe America should prosper, I will be glad to share them with you. If you ever get the time to interact with real America, I will be glad to contribute. But for now, Please Don’t Forget What $4 per Gallon Gasoline Felt Like.

Sincerely and because I love America,

Duke Green

Life is back to good now. Bush is out, No-Experience is in. Personally, I have stopped listening to the news, so things are quite fine. Just remember, the media has predicted 27 out of the last 2 recessions. Screw ‘em all. Let the advertising dry up and the ‘news’ programs be cancelled. What will CNN do? Probably slip into reality programming. Or FOX? Geraldo needs more empty tombs to open.

Anyway, not what I wanted to talk about. If you remember (internet memory is far too short), gasoline was the hot topic a couple of months ago. Much hand-wringing about energy costs, but the smart people (both of us) were excited about the prospect of new technology coming to the forefront. Surely, there was someone that had a new idea about using something besides gasoline. But, those damn oil companies did it to us again and lowered the cost of a gallon of gas to below the bitch level for mindless America, bringing the contentment factor back to the numb level. Something has to be said about ’staying the course’ when it comes to alternative energy. And PLEASE, use your own head when it comes to deciding what makes sense. We almost let Congress (see definition under Deadbutts) talk us into making ethanol the latest saving grace. Never mind the Wall Street Journal let the story slip that it actually takes more energy (and carbon emissions) to make ethanol than normal gasoline. And, for the record, the Oil and Gas Journal said the same thing years before. But don’t listen to those folks, they actually know something about energy.

Anyway, not what I wanted to talk about. We are on the endthebailouts site, after all. For the record, again, if the Detroit auto industry gets a blank check like Congress got, I will never buy another American car. If those bloated fatcats really wanted to be on top in auto sales, they would have marketed a car that people would have wanted to buy. The auto industry seems to run in a cycle. Cars are crappy for a few years, Japan gets ahead, Detroit management decides to bust a few heads and the quality improves, then Japan loses a few points, union gets a raise. Repeat.

Anyway, not what I wanted to talk about. Refer to the title of this article. Today, an energy-efficient car is less than satisfying to own or drive. But, it doesn’t always have to be that way. Fast-forward a couple of decades. You know we will be driving some technology that nobody thought of today. Why not do it today?  I will tell you why. Because as long as it is cheaper to burn a barrel of oil, that is what we will do. How many of you have even thought about the price of gasoline since it dropped to less than $2? I see no hands. There are a few doing something out there, but they will crash and burn if oil stays cheap. And the rest of you will contribute to the crash and burn as long as you take the cheaper route.

OK, time to wax positive. Go to www.lincvolt.com. It is Neil Young’s website in which he is attempting to power a large car using only electricity. Now Neil Young knows nothing about technology, but he does know how to carry a cause. Just look at the anti-war stance that the ‘group in which he is mentioned last’ has historically taken. (Wonder how they view America’s involvement in the war to defeat Hitler?) They can definitely carry a cause. I have no doubt that Neil Young has the ability to champion a youngster that has a radical idea that may take us away from the path of oil. But it will take a few of us to spend a few dollars more to fill a tank with a new substance, to pay a bit more to shingle our house with solar cells, to ride in a smaller conveyance, to lower the thermostat in winter and raise it in summer, to minmize trips in the car, etc. Back to the title…

Please don’t forget what $4 dollar per gallon gasoline felt like.