Comments on: Oil crisis? http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/ Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:27:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Wolfy http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-968 Wolfy Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:04:07 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-968 Sure, but where is the self-righteousness you speak of? Calling a douche a douche isn't self-righteousness. Neither is calling a retard a retard. (unless it's an actual retard, then it's mean) -M Sure, but where is the self-righteousness you speak of? Calling a douche a douche isn’t self-righteousness. Neither is calling a retard a retard. (unless it’s an actual retard, then it’s mean)

-M

]]> By: mrjerz http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-967 mrjerz Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:34:50 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-967 I get better mileage than you realize, but you're close. It just doesn't matter, though, as I know the consequences of my decision and budget for it. I laugh at the Suburban driver with nobody else in the car bitching about prices on the news. Retards. My point is that it's time to lose the self-righteousness and start praising people who are making the right decisions, regardless of the reason behind it. Maybe they'll like their new lifestyle is they get the right encouragement. I feel like we're both arguing similar points, though. I get better mileage than you realize, but you’re close. It just doesn’t matter, though, as I know the consequences of my decision and budget for it. I laugh at the Suburban driver with nobody else in the car bitching about prices on the news. Retards. My point is that it’s time to lose the self-righteousness and start praising people who are making the right decisions, regardless of the reason behind it. Maybe they’ll like their new lifestyle is they get the right encouragement.

I feel like we’re both arguing similar points, though.

]]> By: Wolfy http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-966 Wolfy Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:26:25 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-966 Jerz, It is worth the effort if you're seeking to advocate alternative transportation as i am But the equation has got to be changing even for you! That's $9.00 minimum per day for your commute. That's a lot of cash every year. When Smella started working in Carson the price of gas was under $2. as such the RTC Intercity bus was expensive. Not sure what the cost is now, but it's got to be cheaper now, but then you've got the time inconvenience. That's where the premium is paid. -M Jerz,

It is worth the effort if you’re seeking to advocate alternative transportation as i am

But the equation has got to be changing even for you! That’s $9.00 minimum per day for your commute. That’s a lot of cash every year. When Smella started working in Carson the price of gas was under $2. as such the RTC Intercity bus was expensive. Not sure what the cost is now, but it’s got to be cheaper now, but then you’ve got the time inconvenience. That’s where the premium is paid.

-M

]]> By: mrjerz http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-965 mrjerz Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:57:22 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-965 The reasons don't necessarily matter. My situation is this: I drive 30 miles each way to work and am not in the least bit concerned about prices. That's because I've always been conscientious about mileage and what I'd be able to afford going forward. To me if you change because it's costing you too much, that's perfectly fine and no worse than if you just feel like doing it because you care. It's how the free market works. I do wish we paid a much closer to real cost for gasoline, and would have no problem if prices continued to rise, as it might fuel (ha!) growth in alternative areas. You won't make people do it for the right reasons, but they do need to do it. So worrying over why isn't a good use of energy or brainpower. Just be happy that it might be shifting at all. The reasons don’t necessarily matter. My situation is this: I drive 30 miles each way to work and am not in the least bit concerned about prices. That’s because I’ve always been conscientious about mileage and what I’d be able to afford going forward. To me if you change because it’s costing you too much, that’s perfectly fine and no worse than if you just feel like doing it because you care. It’s how the free market works. I do wish we paid a much closer to real cost for gasoline, and would have no problem if prices continued to rise, as it might fuel (ha!) growth in alternative areas. You won’t make people do it for the right reasons, but they do need to do it. So worrying over why isn’t a good use of energy or brainpower. Just be happy that it might be shifting at all.

]]> By: Wolfy http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-964 Wolfy Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:54:07 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-964 <blockquote> WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Dick Cheney's office pushed for major deletions in congressional testimony on the public health consequences of climate change, fearing the presentation by a leading health official might make it harder to avoid regulating greenhouse gases, a former EPA officials maintains. </blockquote> http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/C/CHENEY_CLIMATE?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-07-08-10-33-05 -M

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Dick Cheney’s office pushed for major deletions in congressional testimony on the public health consequences of climate change, fearing the presentation by a leading health official might make it harder to avoid regulating greenhouse gases, a former EPA officials maintains.

http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/C/CHENEY_CLIMATE?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-07-08-10-33-05

-M

]]> By: carrieh http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-963 carrieh Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:54:49 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-963 I'm unfortunately (hopefully temporarily) in the position of driving everyday for my job. Even though my work pays for the gas, I made the decision to drive our hand-me-down Geo Storm instead of my beloved Forester. With un-tinted windows and an obnoxious squeak in the steering column, it is slightly less comfortable than the suv, but my gas mileage improved by at least 5 mpg over the Forester. Then my husband and I started encouraging each other to drive MORE SLOWLY and our mileage was improved by another 3 mpg! Just by changing our driving habits, we have been able to make a considerable impact on our family's fuel consumption. For me it's not about saving money, it's just about not being wasteful. I am encouraged to see so clearly the improvement by such small changes on my part, and find hope that if everyone adopted equally small changes we will finally be on the right path. I’m unfortunately (hopefully temporarily) in the position of driving everyday for my job. Even though my work pays for the gas, I made the decision to drive our hand-me-down Geo Storm instead of my beloved Forester. With un-tinted windows and an obnoxious squeak in the steering column, it is slightly less comfortable than the suv, but my gas mileage improved by at least 5 mpg over the Forester. Then my husband and I started encouraging each other to drive MORE SLOWLY and our mileage was improved by another 3 mpg! Just by changing our driving habits, we have been able to make a considerable impact on our family’s fuel consumption. For me it’s not about saving money, it’s just about not being wasteful. I am encouraged to see so clearly the improvement by such small changes on my part, and find hope that if everyone adopted equally small changes we will finally be on the right path.

]]> By: lowco2 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-962 lowco2 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:41:09 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-962 Great post, Wolfy, thanks. Since we've just past the 4th of July and one of my favorite parts of that is listening to NPR read the entire text of the Declaration of Independence without comment, I will quote from that: ...accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government." Replace "government" with "mode of transportation" and you have your answer. No one will change until forced to submit to despotism; even then only a small fraction will. Are we not there already? You know when I meet people who say they don't believe in global climate change I make two arguments: First, I say don't believe in gravity (I don't) but that doesn't mean it's not there. The second thing I say is why do they insist on funding terrorists. Face it, oil is a global and fungible commodity and, like it or not, some fraction of the money (in the trillions of increasingly worthless dollars) goes to terrorism. That has and will lead us directly to despotism, both from within (can you say PATRIOT act?) and without. This is why I argue against adding roads, and suggest we reduce them, force people to slow down and generally make it a pain in the ass to drive. All the more likely people won't. Making those evils un-sufferable is the only way out. No one (present company excepted) will change because they "should" -- only when they are forced to either economically or practically (when its faster on a bike). Cheers, --J Great post, Wolfy, thanks. Since we’ve just past the 4th of July and one of my favorite parts of that is listening to NPR read the entire text of the Declaration of Independence without comment, I will quote from that:
…accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government.”
Replace “government” with “mode of transportation” and you have your answer. No one will change until forced to submit to despotism; even then only a small fraction will. Are we not there already? You know when I meet people who say they don’t believe in global climate change I make two arguments: First, I say don’t believe in gravity (I don’t) but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. The second thing I say is why do they insist on funding terrorists. Face it, oil is a global and fungible commodity and, like it or not, some fraction of the money (in the trillions of increasingly worthless dollars) goes to terrorism. That has and will lead us directly to despotism, both from within (can you say PATRIOT act?) and without.
This is why I argue against adding roads, and suggest we reduce them, force people to slow down and generally make it a pain in the ass to drive. All the more likely people won’t. Making those evils un-sufferable is the only way out. No one (present company excepted) will change because they “should” — only when they are forced to either economically or practically (when its faster on a bike).
Cheers,
–J

]]> By: Wolfy http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-961 Wolfy Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:50:24 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-961 Yeah. I know I go out on a limb saying that last bit. What does a 2003 Forester with stickers and bike racks that looks like a locker room / dog house inside say about me? I think whatever it says it's spot freaking on. At the same time I think my commuter bike says a lot about me too: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamindisposed/2646676776/" title="Bianchi san jose commuter by i am indisposed, on Flickr" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2646676776_2916b825a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bianchi san jose commuter" /></a> -M Yeah. I know I go out on a limb saying that last bit. What does a 2003 Forester with stickers and bike racks that looks like a locker room / dog house inside say about me? I think whatever it says it’s spot freaking on.

At the same time I think my commuter bike says a lot about me too:
Bianchi san jose commuter

-M

]]> By: Jeff http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-960 Jeff Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:42:57 +0000 http://www.teambaconstrip.com/2008/07/07/oil-crisis/#comment-960 Thanks for the link and taking the subject for a while. I touched a couple nerves when I wrote my post, and I didn't even use an angry tone! I think any threat to our current way of life will be met with resistance. We do have it pretty good. Some people think I'm just trying to be green or politically correct, but I believe that riding bikes more will be a necessity down the road. Now is the time to practice! I also like your statement, "closely tied to their self image". I've heard a similar statement recently, and I think that's another topic that needs to be explored. For most Americans, a car shows people "who you are" when you're out in public; for example, a Porsche says, "I'm successful and have lots of money. I like to go fast and take risks.". How will people project their self image without a car? It'd take way more than a Chris King headset to turn heads. Will lawyers be riding Italian race bikes? And if so, will people care? Thanks for the link and taking the subject for a while. I touched a couple nerves when I wrote my post, and I didn’t even use an angry tone! I think any threat to our current way of life will be met with resistance. We do have it pretty good. Some people think I’m just trying to be green or politically correct, but I believe that riding bikes more will be a necessity down the road. Now is the time to practice!

I also like your statement, “closely tied to their self image”. I’ve heard a similar statement recently, and I think that’s another topic that needs to be explored. For most Americans, a car shows people “who you are” when you’re out in public; for example, a Porsche says, “I’m successful and have lots of money. I like to go fast and take risks.”. How will people project their self image without a car? It’d take way more than a Chris King headset to turn heads. Will lawyers be riding Italian race bikes? And if so, will people care?

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