US Congress Approves Keystone XL

[TurkeyOnRye]

Congress has approved the Keystone XL bill, but the Obama administration has promised to give it the veto.

Senate Approves Keystone XL Bill; White House Reaffirms Veto Threat

 

[metis]

The House and Senate version don't match, so a joint committee will try and iron out the differences, and then there'll be another vote before going to the POTUS. There are pros and cons to Keystone, so I do have mixed reactions. This is heavy oil, and if it spills and gets into a river or aquifer, there'll be hell to pay. We had such a spill with that kind of oil here in Michigan on the Kalamazoo River, and it's been over two years and still hasn't been successfully cleaned up the last time I heard.

 

[Quintessence]

Future generations will be writing essays on the following question:

"Why did our parents ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence of global climate change and continue to invest in dirty energy?

 

[metis]

Future generations will be writing essays on the following question:

"Why did our parents ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence of global climate change and continue to invest in dirty energy?

My snarky response to your question: Because the pseudo-conservatives value money and political power as being more important than science and truth.

 

[Quintessence]

My snarky response to your question: Because the pseudo-conservatives value money and political power as being more important than science and truth.

It has also been argued that the fundamental problem is capitalism itself. That system is not designed to serve the greater good - it focuses on short-term profit and tends to exploit resources (both non-human and human) to get there.

 

[Revoltingest]

Future generations will be writing essays on the following question:

"Why did our parents ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence of global climate change and continue to invest in dirty energy?

We're investing in dirty energy whether Keystone happens or not. The trick isn't to hinder access to oil, but rather to address consumption & better alternatives. I favor high fuel taxes, conservation friendly building codes, & environmental quality regulation.

 

[Lusius Fire]

It has also been argued that the fundamental problem is capitalism itself. That system is not designed to serve the greater good - it focuses on short-term profit and tends to exploit resources (both non-human and human) to get there.

Wow, so poignant and succinct. You said it. "Free market" capitalism is ruining this world. (Free to ruin life for everybody.)

 

[metis]

It has also been argued that the fundamental problem is capitalism itself. That system is not designed to serve the greater good - it focuses on short-term profit and tends to exploit resources (both non-human and human) to get there.

Especially at the corporate level since in most cases the only common denominator between the investors is to make money. A private business owner can have a company that reflects the morality of the owner(s), otoh. Let me give two example of the latter.

I saw an elderly lady putting fruit into her purse at a local fruit market close to where I live, so I pointed her out to a manger. He whispered that she's quite poor, and even though she comes in pretty much daily to do the same thing, they just ignore it.

In another case, a close friend of mine and his brother and sister owned a garden center, and they choose to not be open on Sunday for religious reasons. But if they were involved as investors in a corporation that owned the garden center, I doubt very much that their religious desires would be met.

 

[Revoltingest]

Wow, so poignant and succinct. You said it. "Free market" capitalism is ruining this world. (Free to ruin life for everybody.)

A high fuel tax is as free market a solution as possible. Consumers would then decide how much to drive, what cars/trucks to buy, & what alternatives are viable. Think of capitalism as your friend (lover?) instead of the enemy (ex-wife?).

 

[metis]

A high fuel tax is as free market a solution as possible. Consumers would then decide how much to drive, what cars/trucks to buy, & what alternatives are viable.

Wow, you and I agree on something, thus a tell-tale sign this world must be coming to an end.

 

[Revoltingest]

Wow, you and I agree on something, thus a tell-tale sign this world must be coming to an end.

The world will end. The sun will exhaust its hydrogen, & become a red giant whose diameter encompasses Earth's orbit. But even if we survived that, the universe will die of heat death in less than a trillion years. We're doomed!

 

[metis]

The world will end. The sun will exhaust its hydrogen, & become a red giant whose diameter encompasses Earth's orbit. But even if we survived that, the universe will die of heat death in less than a trillion years. We're doomed!

But with the heat from the red giant we can at least barbeque. I'll bring the marshmallows and I'd appreciate it if you bring the beer.

 

[Revoltingest]

But with the heat from the red giant we can at least barbeque. I'll bring the marshmallows and I'd appreciate it if you bring the beer.

If you're OK with the dark stuff.

 

[metis]

If you're OK with the dark stuff.

Dos Equis Amber is my favorite, but a Leinenkugel Red will do just fine. Hey, I even like Guinness.

 

[Revoltingest]

Dos Equis Amber is my favorite, but a Leinenkugel Red will do just fine. Hey, I even like Guinness.

Guinness, Watneys, McEwans or the like.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

It has also been argued that the fundamental problem is capitalism itself. That system is not designed to serve the greater good - it focuses on short-term profit and tends to exploit resources (both non-human and human) to get there.

Another way to look at it is that there is a selective component that determines who gets into positions of power. There's evidence to show that many CEOs, CFOs etc. are psychopaths. Because profit is the sole means by which a company survives, highly-manipulative un-empathetic individuals tend to float to the top of the chain. The problem seems to be the profit = survival model that is capitalism.

 

[Revoltingest]

Another way to look at it is that there is a selective component that determines who gets into positions of power. There's evidence to show that many CEOs, CFOs etc. are psychopaths. Because profit is the sole means by which a company survives, highly-manipulative un-empathetic individuals tend to float to the top of the chain. The problem seems to be the profit = survival model that is capitalism.

This contrasts with politicians, who rise to power for their sincerity, magnanimity, honesty, &.....<snicker>....high ethical stand......<guffaw!>... competen...<milk shoots out nose>.....I just can't keep this up!

 

[Sleeppy]

Future generations will be writing essays on the following question:

"Why did our parents ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence of global climate change and continue to invest in dirty energy?

If either they or these schooling institutions exist.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Good work on the part of the Senate. It's about time.

 

[Twilight Hue]

This contrasts with politicians, who rise to power for their sincerity, magnanimity, honesty, &.....<snicker>....high ethical stand......<guffaw!>... competen...<milk shoots out nose>.....I just can't keep this up!

Lol. Yes the high standards of our fearless leaders. A cut above the rest.


A really really big cut.