85% Say Economy Over Global Warming

[rightwinger]

See not that far apart after all, it's my opinion that too much focus is put on the cause and very little effort is made on this nations future solutions. Right-winger you know of course as we have debated this issue many times that as far as solutions go, most Americans seem to be a little closer than some are willing to admit. I for one think that to explore every technology to rid our nation of its need to finance middle eastern and south american tin pots can not happen soon enough. However in my opnion to spend billions of taxpayer money to help other nations conform to a set of standards based on IPCC conclusions is not taking this nations best interest at heart.

____

You are quite correct - greater expansion of natural gas, nuclear, and cleaner-coal energy alone would greatly reduce our dependence on foreign oil - and yet through restrictive regulation and crippling tax structure, these industries are always fighting for survival.

Natural gas in particular is a great option - we could run vehicles as well as heat homes with it. (the latter of course being done already) It burns more cleanly than coal, or wood, we have huge reserves of it, and the use-technology is already there.

And yet this current president and the Democrat leadership rarely mentions it.

Why?????

It comes down to political clout and lobbyists. The oil companies are still our most powerful energy lobby so we get ...drill baby drill. Coal is still king in many states. Solar and wind are still niche energy sources and can help but not solve our energy problems. Nuclear is still the boogy man and is ignored. The biggest savings is in energy conservation but nobody makes money off that so it is ignored
We need a BIPARTISAN energy commision to develop a comprehensive energy plan for the next 50 years not what is good for the next 5 years

 

[Navy1960]

The problem with that is the only way your EVER going to get a BI-Partisan group to do that especially an elected one is to elect people that have not been there before and say here , this is your job and your not a republican or democrat but an AMERICAN~~~~. Oil, Natural Gas, Coal, Solar, Wind, Nuclear, etc. all those this nation has the capability and resources to turn into a reality for our energy uses and do so with the environment in mind. Listen a lot of effort is spent making villans out of some of these oil companies, but what I find as interesting is that these same oil companies are also supporting climate change legislation. It's the same with large companies that have a vested interest in Solar and wind they deal with a different set of environmental litigation and being labeled as villans. In short our nation spends a lot of time worrying about the feelings of a very very small number of individuals at the expense of the good of the rest of the nation. I for one think our nation is better than that, and to assume we cannot drill, cannot come up with energy solutions that meet our needs and at the same time do so in an environmentally friendly manner assumes that we as a nation have little capability. I for one choose to think otherwise.

 

[Claudette]

See not that far apart after all, it's my opinion that too much focus is put on the cause and very little effort is made on this nations future solutions. Right-winger you know of course as we have debated this issue many times that as far as solutions go, most Americans seem to be a little closer than some are willing to admit. I for one think that to explore every technology to rid our nation of its need to finance middle eastern and south american tin pots can not happen soon enough. However in my opnion to spend billions of taxpayer money to help other nations conform to a set of standards based on IPCC conclusions is not taking this nations best interest at heart.

I tend to agree with your statement. I was watching Kavuto yesterday and he had an interesting conversation with the former PM of Austrailia who was advocatiing much the same. Technology, i.e. Nuclear power and ways to clean coal emissions. This would go a long way toward cutting down on emissions from our country.

 

[Navy1960]

See not that far apart after all, it's my opinion that too much focus is put on the cause and very little effort is made on this nations future solutions. Right-winger you know of course as we have debated this issue many times that as far as solutions go, most Americans seem to be a little closer than some are willing to admit. I for one think that to explore every technology to rid our nation of its need to finance middle eastern and south american tin pots can not happen soon enough. However in my opnion to spend billions of taxpayer money to help other nations conform to a set of standards based on IPCC conclusions is not taking this nations best interest at heart.

I tend to agree with your statement. I was watching Kavuto yesterday and he had an interesting conversation with the former PM of Austrailia who was advocatiing much the same. Technology, i.e. Nuclear power and ways to clean coal emissions. This would go a long way toward cutting down on emissions from our country.

There are a few selfish reasons to do that too, and the best reason is to not enrich these Middle Eastern nations any longer with money they use to fund terrorist operations worldwide. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies when it comes to that, we fund through our thirst for foreign oil nations that have little interest in our long term health. The same can be said for any nation that depends on OPEC for it's oil resources. Personally, t's my opinion that the more these alternate sources of energy are developed the more available domestic sources of energy are available, and the less the need to depend on sources of energy from nations that will cause you harm. The real problem is that you have small groups that hold hostage take you pick who those groups are, the large majority of those that want to proceed with freeing themselves from those foreign sources. I personally have a little more faith that we can develop energy sources in an environmentally sensitive way without the need to focus on making sure it meets the needs of select groups, but making sure it benefits everyone.

 

[drsmith1072]

Looks like this president's priorities remain very much out of the mainstream of the American public. He flies to Copenhagen while jobless claims rose once again for a second straight week.
____

Most back a treaty on global warming - USATODAY.com

Jobless claims rise for second straight week - MarketWatch

But I thought that the market was self correcting and will fix itself?? At least that is the argument that the right gave when they were trying to argue against obama trying to bail it out in the past? So if this is true and it is self correcting then what would you want obama to do?? LOL

 

[Maple]

Looks like this president's priorities remain very much out of the mainstream of the American public. He flies to Copenhagen while jobless claims rose once again for a second straight week.
____

Most back a treaty on global warming - USATODAY.com

Jobless claims rise for second straight week - MarketWatch

I think it would be an excellent idea that instead of our politicians going on all these junkets over-seas to get on a bus and travel America. They could see first hand the suffering that's going on right under their noses with the high unemployment.

 

[Sinatra]

Looks like this president's priorities remain very much out of the mainstream of the American public. He flies to Copenhagen while jobless claims rose once again for a second straight week.
____

Most back a treaty on global warming - USATODAY.com

Jobless claims rise for second straight week - MarketWatch

I think it would be an excellent idea that instead of our politicians going on all these junkets over-seas to get on a bus and travel America. They could see first hand the suffering that's going on right under their noses with the high unemployment.

I think many of those DC politicians fear real America - they are so removed from the reality of this nation, that avoid accessing it.

 

[rightwinger]

Looks like this president's priorities remain very much out of the mainstream of the American public. He flies to Copenhagen while jobless claims rose once again for a second straight week.
____

Most back a treaty on global warming - USATODAY.com

Jobless claims rise for second straight week - MarketWatch

I think it would be an excellent idea that instead of our politicians going on all these junkets over-seas to get on a bus and travel America. They could see first hand the suffering that's going on right under their noses with the high unemployment.

I think many of those DC politicians fear real America - they are so removed from the reality of this nation, that avoid accessing it.

Is "real America" a three bedroom colonial on Main Street or a third story walk-up in the ghetto?

 

[nodoginnafight]

OP is perpetuating an amatuerish spin job here.
Nothing in the posted article/poll suggests that Americans favor ditching climate legislation - on the contrary - a solid majority FAVORS it. Simply stating that a majority feels the economy should be a bigger priority is NOT saying that the two are mutually exclusive.

If the climate change deniers could stop making such ignorant arguments, they'd stand a much better chance of winning converts to their side of the issue.

 

[rightwinger]

OP is perpetuating an amatuerish spin job here.
Nothing in the posted article/poll suggests that Americans favor ditching climate legislation - on the contrary - a solid majority FAVORS it. Simply stating that a majority feels the economy should be a bigger priority is NOT saying that the two are mutually exclusive.

If the climate change deniers could stop making such ignorant arguments, they'd stand a much better chance of winning converts to their side of the issue.

There is never an economically "good" time to enforce environmental laws. It is always cheaper to dump your waste in a river or burn it into the air. Making companies do the right thing will always hurt their profit....but that is just too bad

 

[nodoginnafight]

Several misunderstandings going on here.
1) Myth: Nuclear, clean-coal, natural gas suffer under "restrictive regulation and crippling tax structure." Simply made-up crap.
Truth: There are no tax penalties for any of these fuel sources. On the contrary, there are tax incentives for clean coal and natural gas. The regulation on nuclear pertains to safety which is pretty darn important in that industry.
2) Myth:

Natural gas in particular is a great option - we could run vehicles as well as heat homes with it. (the latter of course being done already) It burns more cleanly than coal, or wood, we have huge reserves of it, and the use-technology is already there. And yet this current president and the Democrat leadership rarely mentions it.

Truth: The current adminstration has actually ADDED incentives. I guess if you only watch Fox, that might be a secret to you. People who have a complete news source are well aware of it however.
3) Myth:

The biggest savings is in energy conservation but nobody makes money off that so it is ignored

Truth: There are a lot of energy efficiency efforts going on right now that are included in the recovery and reinvestment act. In fact, a lot of people are making a very concerted effort at conservation and increased efficiency.
4) Myth:

I think it would be an excellent idea that instead of our politicians going on all these junkets over-seas to get on a bus and travel America.

The isolationist idea that America can benefit from abdicating our position of leadership around the world is self-defeating. Trying to address a a global issue with nothing more than a local perspective is foolish.

 

[nodoginnafight]

OP is perpetuating an amatuerish spin job here.
Nothing in the posted article/poll suggests that Americans favor ditching climate legislation - on the contrary - a solid majority FAVORS it. Simply stating that a majority feels the economy should be a bigger priority is NOT saying that the two are mutually exclusive.

If the climate change deniers could stop making such ignorant arguments, they'd stand a much better chance of winning converts to their side of the issue.

There is never an economically "good" time to enforce environmental laws. It is always cheaper to dump your waste in a river or burn it into the air. Making companies do the right thing will always hurt their profit....but that is just too bad

That's very true - and that's why (imho) it is important to recognize WHO are the ones trying to muddy the climate change issue with noise that is simply aimed at protecting their status quo profit margin.

 

[LibocalypseNow]

Looks like more & more people are beginning to realize who it is behind this hysterical "Global Warming" fear mongering stuff. They are all silly extremist Leftists/Socialists for the most part. Once you understand who is behind this scam,it becomes a lot easier to understand that they're all full of Chit. Look at all those standing ovations they gave that Dictator buffoon Chavez the other day. Everyone cares about the Environment but this hysterical fear mongering stuff really has gotten out of hand. The Global Warming fanatics have turned real Science into a warped & cultish political movement at this point. I think most common sense thinking people are beginning to understand this now. It really is so perplexing to me that so many could follow a dunce who once boasted about creating the Internet. What a sad scam.

 

[rightwinger]

Looks like more & more people are beginning to realize who it is behind this hysterical "Global Warming" fear mongering stuff. They are all silly extremist Leftists/Socialists for the most part. Once you understand who is behind this scam,it becomes a lot easier to understand that they're all full of Chit. Look at all those standing ovations they gave that Dictator buffoon Chavez the other day. Everyone cares about the Environment but this hysterical fear mongering stuff really has gotten out of hand. The Global Warming fanatics have turned real Science into a warped & cultish political movement at this point. I think most common sense thinking people are beginning to understand this now. It really is so perplexing to me that so many could follow a dunce who once boasted about creating the Internet. What a sad scam.

Does this mean there is no Global Warming?

Thank god we have the right wing teach'n us proper science

 

[Navy1960]

NRC: NRC Regulations - Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations

Tha above reference link is for those so called easy regulations for getting a license to a nuclear power facility.

The nuclear power industry has also had some large and complex regulatory and
litigation cases. Each era of the industry has witnessed some sizeable cases, including the
Westinghouse uranium case in the 1970s, the contentious nuclear rate cases in the 1980s,
the steam generator litigation cases and the stranded cost proceedings of the 1990s, and
the ongoing issues with nuclear phase-out in Europe and the role of nuclear power in
global warming solutions. These cases are distinguished by the magnitude of the stakes
involved and the complexity of the issues. The current nuclear power resurgence will likely
mean a resurgence in legal and regulatory cases.
http://www.nera.com/image/AAG_Nuclear_Power_0709.pdf

Thats another link to one of those so called non-existant or easy regulations to construct a nuclear generating facility.

Fertel said amendments to the tax code must be added to the legislation to ensure that nuclear plant ownership transfers do not create adverse tax consequences or unnecessarily increase decommissioning costs. "The ownership transfer of Three Mile Island Unit 1 from GPU Nuclear to AmerGen and of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant from Boston Edison to Entergy Corp., underscores the importance of allowing tax-free transfers of decommissioning trusts.
Nuclear Energy Institute - Administration’s Electricity Restructuring Bill Good First Step, But More Changes To Atomic Energy Act, Tax Code Needed

Theres another link to the myth of taxes on nuclear energy, frankly whoever thinks that building a nuclear facility in this nation is just a walk in the park is sadly mistaken. Those who wish to do so face a mountian of regulations, as well as litigation before, during and after the construction process. That also applies to any new coal fire facility as well, even more so, as coal fired plants are now more heavily regulated under the Clean Air Act.

Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as Amended in NUREG-0980
This Act is the fundamental U.S. law on both the civilian and the military uses of nuclear materials. On the civilian side, it provides for both the development and the regulation of the uses of nuclear materials and facilities in the United States, declaring the policy that "the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be directed so as to promote world peace, improve the general welfare, increase the standard of living, and strengthen free competition in private enterprise." The Act requires that civilian uses of nuclear materials and facilities be licensed, and it empowers the NRC to establish by rule or order, and to enforce, such standards to govern these uses as "the Commission may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect health and safety and minimize danger to life or property." Commission action under the Act must conform to the Act’s procedural requirements, which provide an opportunity for hearings and Federal judicial review in many instances.

NRC: Our Governing Legislation

Between 2000 and 2006, over 150 coal plant proposals were fielded by utilities in the United States. By the end of 2007, 10 of those proposed plants had been constructed, and an additional 25 plants were under construction. But during 2007 a large number of proposed plants were cancelled, abandoned, or put on hold: 59 according to the list below. Several conclusions can be drawn from this tally.

Climate concerns have begun to play a major role in plant abandonments and cancellations: Concerns about global warming played a major role in 15 cases. These included five proposed Florida plants (Glades, Taylor, Seminole, Polk, and Stanton), seven proposals in Western states that have newly implemented strict carbon regulations on coal (Avista's unnamed unit, Sunflower's Holcomb unit 3; Idaho Power's unnamed unit; Energy Northwest's Pacific Mountain Energy Center; PacifiCorp's Intermountain Power, Bridger IGCC demonstration, and Bridger expansion); and Sunflower's Holcomb units 1 and 2.

Coal plants cancelled in 2007 - SourceWatch

So tell me again how easy it is to build these types of plants here in this nation?

 

[beowolfe]

I can see it now....Americans have repaired their bank accounts and they are awash with cash, but there is no clean air or water; the oceans' are acidic, the seafood industry is caput, and wildlife is disappearing in front of our eyes............but WTF, we've got money!!!!

 

[nodoginnafight]

Never said there are no rules about building a nuclear power plant - there are. And there NEED to be rules. Characterizing common sense as "oppressive" is absurd. But I guess there are plenty of folks who just don't want to be "burdened" with it.

Right now, I believe nuclear electricity generation is our best option and there are things we need to do to make it easier to build new plants. But sidestepping safety is NOT one of them.

 

[nodoginnafight]

The majority of Americans WANT climate legislation AND a robust economy. And according to OP's quoted article Most Americans want it economy first and environment second. OP's big mistake was not recognizing that exactly reflects the order in which Obama approached the issues.

The economy is clearly recovering and some common-sense environmental reforms - not chicken little over-reactions - are in order.

 

[rightwinger]

The majority of Americans WANT climate legislation AND a robust economy. And according to OP's quoted article Most Americans want it economy first and environment second. OP's big mistake was not recognizing that exactly reflects the order in which Obama approached the issues.

The economy is clearly recovering and some common-sense environmental reforms - not chicken little over-reactions - are in order.

Good point. Nothing says the two are mutually exclusive. We need to start somewhere. Initiate some workable reductions then reassess in five years

 

[jeffrockit]

Is "real America" a three bedroom colonial on Main Street or a third story walk-up in the ghetto?

Both.