The Pickens Plan

We've all seen the commercials with T.Boone Pickens, talking about the need for alternative energy sources. Now he has a website that shows "The Pickens Plan." Interesting stuff, but I have to ask "What's in it for Boone?"

Earthquake Preparedness

This article from the San Francisco Chronicle made me think about earthquake preparedness. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have been told for years to have a basic disaster kit at home. Here we call them "earthquake kits". In other parts of the country I've heard them referred to as "tornado kits", "blizzard kits" and just plain "emergency kits". They all share similar uses and have much of the same materials. And for years, when it is in the forefront of attention, the kit is analysed, added to and brought up to snuff. Then as time goes by, items are removed and used, forgetten to be replaced, and basically the kit dwindles down to where it would be of dubious value in a disaster.

Such is the case when I checked my kit after reading the above noted article. So I am going to begin a series of posts where I will tell on myself, and as I bring the kit back up to snuff I will tell you what is in it.

Tomorrow, Item #1 - Water.

Will This Be the 2008 Campaign Cry?

Despite the fact that research on Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases is still ongoing, Democrat Presidential Candidate John Edwards is calling for caps on "greenhouse gas emissions." Read the article here.

If I sound like a skeptic on global warming, it is because I am. When I was in High School (mid 70s) the "cause de jour" was the coming ice age. We were told that a new ice age was coming and there was nothing that could be done to stop it. Then the shift started to global warming, only this time we are told that by massive restrictions on "greenhouse gas emissions" we can delay and/or stop it. Unless you follow the theory that says global warming is inevitable and will melt the polar ice caps and cause a massive increase in cloud cover (due to more moisture in the air), which will reflect the Sun's energy away from Earth and cause a new ice age.

Despite the claims of many, global warming is still a theory. But I feel it will become a focal point of the 2008 Presidential Campaign, a race that may be run on conflicting theorys of psuedo-science and used to deflect attention from real problems and possible solutions.

Check out these books on Global Warming

Warming to Hit DC

Former VP Al Gore is set to testify about "Global Warming" today before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. He is demanding special treatment (typical) but even after being granted waivers and exceptions to the rules, he is refusing to follow the special accords granted to him. Read more.

Regardless of when (or if) he submits his testimony, I think it will be a warm day inside the Senate EPW Committee.

Check out Books on Global Warming