Even though Duncan has redeemed himself in my eyes somewhat by opposing the war, he's never been the brightest bulb and occupies his position due to his father just like some other politicians we know.

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson

It doesn't take an Einstein to know that a large truck or SUV gets half the gas mileage of a well-designed four door sedan. The .gov allowed this to happen by exemptions in the CAFE standard for small trucks and SUV's. The SUV craze was a combination of actual need, ego, and later fear. People thought SUV's were safer even though crash tests showed for many years SUV's were actually more dangerous.

However, this country has not built a refinery in decades. The Sierra Club has been very pleased by that. OPEC seems pleased also. We do need new refineries and increased domestic production. But we also need better CAFE standards. The American people are caught in the crossfire.

The idea that people will choose to live closer to work and ride a bike or walk is for the most part a bit of fantasy. The idea that hybrids and super efficient small cars will let us "conserve" our way out of this mess is not realistic.

This reminds me of what has happened to college tuitions. No one would have believed twenty years ago that college would become so expensive. But through a lack of foresight and planning colleges and universities played follow the leader and said, "everybody is raising tuitions", so we will too. But with student loans and state lottery scholarships, the problem was fix, right?

Bring on the new refineries, for the poor people, for the children.

"The environmental groups loudly complain about urban sprawl, yet their policies are leading to more urban sprawl as they continue to drive up these gas prices."

How do higher gas prices (making long commutes more expensive) lead to more urban sprawl?

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

Seems like every time I read something by Duncan I have to wonder if he's stupid or if he thinks we are.

*And when I wore Duckheads in college, they were made in Knoxville.

Probably your Levi's 501's, too.

____________________________

"It's gettin' so a businessman can't expect no return from a fixed fight. Now, if you can't trust a fix, what can you trust?"

I grew up without A/C in our house until high school or later--can't remember exactly when. I think I could take going back without A/C--I think we'd all be better off. But a weird product of our times, though, is that our houses are full of valuables that wouldn't handle the humidity well, I fear. Too much fancy electronics, nice furniture, etc. Not to mention the business workplace that couldn't exist w/o modern HVAC. Sadly.

I do think we could moderate our bodies, though, to do better than 75F minimum winter, 68F max. summer. I swear that's the way people seem to keep it. Makes no damn sense and makes us unhealthy. I like 68 winter, 78 (w/~55%RH) summer. It would be a big reduction in energy usage if everyone adopted that.

(I hardly ever use the A/C in my car. Mostly hate it but splurge on the rare hot day, sometimes more to keep the noise out.)

We all know that little Jimmy inherited his congressional job from his deceased father. The Republicans have held that seat for more than 75 years....don't you think its time for a change? Same old family...same old ideas....same old outcome. Rumor has it that Jimmy's son is now being groomed to take over for Daddy when the time comes to step down. I think Jimmy forgot a long time ago about where he came from. His mom and dad lived in the projects when Jimmy was born. Then they moved to Holston Hills....now he lives way down near Phil Fulmer. He has gone from rags to riches and, as far as I can tell, has never sponsored any major legislation. Ever wonder who his major contributors are? Ever wonder why no one wants to run against him? He and his father have managed to run either unopposed or with only token opposition throughout their careers. Is that because they've done such a wonderful job or is it because we hold onto him the way we keep that old comfortable arm chair? The chair is now rotten and smells of urine but, after all, it belonged to Daddy. Never mind that the frayed springs poke us in the ass every time we try to move.....we're used to being poked, huh?