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T. Boone Pickens Plugs His Energy Plan at the Democratic Convention

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T. Boone Pickens' plan is half good, half foolish. The idea that we can switch over to NG as a gasoline replacement has potentially disastrous consequences. The ethanol boom which caused us to funnel much of our corn grain into ethanol production had the unintended consequence of increasing food prices worldwide. What do you think will happen to heating and cooking costs when we start using NG in automobiles? Even if the bottom line for drivers is a modest savings, for millions of others it will be a significant utilities cost increase.

Chris Allen Thomas of PA 12:10AM September 24, 2008

OBAMA IF PRESIDENT WOULD TRY AND PULL TROOPS OUT IN 16 MOUNTS WHILE CONSIDERING THE GENERALS' ON THE GROUNDS ADVICE TO PROTECT U.S. TROOPS IF NEEDED! HE SAID HE WOULD CONSIDER REMOVING TROOPS RESPONSIBLELY. MCCAIN HAS DISTORTED ISSUES AS HE DID WITH THE STUPID TIME HORIZON AND PASSING OUT OBAMA'S TIRE GAUGES. SAME OLD POLITICS TO DO WHAT EVER IS NEEDED TO BE DONE EVEN IF ITS A LAME ATTEMPT TO BE AGENTS OF CHANGE WHICH I GUESS IT MEANS AGENTS OF BIG OIL AND GAS. I BASE THIS ON INFORMATION LISTED FURTHER DOWN ON THIS EMAIL. MCCAIN AND PALIN'S POLITICAL GAME IS LIKE A AEROSMITH'S SONG WHICH SAYS, "THE SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE MY FRIENDS."
IS IT REALLY A SURPRISE THAT MCCAIN WOULD WANT TO STAY IN IRAQ LONGER THEN BUSH'S TIME LINE OF 2011? MCCAIN SET A TIME LINE OF 2013, BUT THAT IS ONLY IF THE GENERALS SAY ITS SAFE. MCCAIN WILL STAY IN IRAQ UNTIL THE WAR IS WON WHICH IS TOUGH WITH ALL THE VARIOUS TRIBAL AND RELIGOUS GROUP THROUGH OUT IRAQ. BEFORE OR AFTER THE SURGE THERE WAS THE SONS OF IRAQ SAME AS TRIBAL AWAKENING AND AWAKENING COUNCIL CREATED FROM LOCAL TRIBAL GROUPS. I BELIEVE THERE WERE 100,000 TRIBAL PERSONEL.
DID MCCAIN GO AFTER HILLARY'S VOTERS BY CHOOSING PALIN EVEN IF SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE NEEDED SKILLS TO BE PRESIDENT? BEING A MAYOR DOES NOT BRING POTENTIAL PRESIDENTAL TRAINING INTO HER RESUME. HOW MANY MAYORS COULD BECOME PRESIDENT; HANDLE A DEPRESSED ECONOMY; SUPPORT TWO WARS AND TENSION BUILDING UP BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST?
PALIN IS A PENTACOSTAL BELIEVEING SHE SPEAKS TO GOD AND THE U.S. IS DOING GOD'S WORK IN WARS. MY MOM'S BOY FRIEND WAS IN THE NAVY FOR 20 YEARS AND A MAYOR, BUT HE SAYS THAT WOULD NOT GIVE HIM ENOUGH EXPERIENCE TO RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY! BEING A GOVERNOR WOULD BRING IN SOME GOOD SKILLS. I DID PAYROLL; PAID PAYROLL TAXES; OVER SAW A/R & A/P AND PAID CORP. WORK COMP. INSURACE. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME READY TO BE PRESIDENT.
I WATCHED A DEBATE ON CNN TODAY ABOUT BUSH'S REASONING TO GO TO WAR IN IRAQ VS CONCENTRATING ON AFGANISTAN AL QUEADA. THEY WERE SAYING IT WAS TO ATTACK AL QUEADA. DID I MISS SOMETHING? I WAS TOLD BY THE MEDIA THAT BUSH WENT TO WAR WITH IRAQ BECAUSE OF ALLEGED WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. I GUESS ON BOTH ISSUES IT SHOWS THAT REPUBLICANS WILL SAY WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO WIN THE PRESIDENCY.
IF GEORGIA FIRED ON S. OSSETIA'S TROOPS FIRST AS THEY SAID ON STUDIO B, WOULDN'T MCCAINS TOUGH REMARKS BEEN OUT OF LINE? I BELIEVE RUSSIA WAS WANTING A REASON TO BREAK UP GEORGIA AND ATTACK GAVE RUSSIA A GREEN LIGHT TO DO JUST THAT.
HAS ANY ONE READ AL JAZEERA.NET STORY ABOUT PALIN HAVING CONTACTS WITH BIG OIL MAYBE EVEN MORE THEN MCCAIN? CHECK IT OUT!
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/09/200893225527640103.html
IraqMcCain emphasizes the 'success' of the surge pointing to a decrease in violence as evidence of the surge's success. However, he fails to acknowledge the agreement made between Maqtada al-Sadr and the Iraqi government. Al-Sadr is the most powerful cleric in Baghdad. But for the agreement between al-Sadr and the Iraqi government, there would still be major violence. In fact, after the surge had been harolded a victory, there was a spike in violence as the Sadr-Iraqi agreement dissolved. Sadr's Mahqti army restarted their attacks. It was only after al-Sadr and the Iraqi government restarted negotiations that the violence was once more subsided. McCain only understands military force. His narrow mindedness is reflective of Bush's approach to resolving issues. Even a religious cleric like al-Sadr is capable of understanding the usefulness of negotiations. It's sad McCain-iacs are too psychophatically violent to think rationally. McCain is very misleading.U.S. SecurityHow is Iraq a threat to U.S. security again? Oh, al-Qaeda will take over the Iraqi government if the U.S. leaves? For real? Did Patreus say that? Whatever govenment exists after the U.S. leaves will most likely despise America. I doubt it will be al-Qaeda. The most likely ruler of Iraq will be someone like al-Sadr--If you don't know who al-Sadr is, please do some research. Even if it isn't al-Sadr, the next government will be anti-American. I imagine the citizens of a country that was unjustly invaded by another country, consequently causing the death of over one hundred thousand of its citizens due to the disstabilization of the government, will abhor the invading country. That's a natural reaction. And if the Iraqi government in place after the U.S. leaves reflects the desires of Iraqis, the Iraqi government will hate America. It won't be al-Qaeda. I wish McCain would stop saying that.
Original Message Follows: ------------------------
Al Jazeera.Net
MICHAEL (MICHAELWE6942@YAHOO.COM) wants you to see following article
Palin's connection to 'big oil'
( http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/09/200893225527640103.html )
Also he/she attached you the following message:
PALIN

MICHAEL WERNER of CA 12:04AM September 08, 2008

I am tired of the same rhetoric, us against them, he against her, we are better than they are, they don't know more than we do. The liberals against the republicans while the indepedents watch. The Clintons mad because the Obamas beat them out. The right against the left. The you're a great american, no you're a great american. Let me pat you on the back then you can pat me on the back. No we should drill, yes we should drill but only on weekdays and not in my back yard. And to think our country still survives after all this internal conflict.
As the two candidates throw mud back and forth to try and win the seat either of them ever acknowlege we are all living in the same country. And no matter who wins or loses, they still have to live in the same country. And if our country falls, then we all fall. Let's take responsibility and act like Americans.
I don't know about you, but I love this country. I like waking up, going to work to make an honest living. I love the weekends. I like driving from one place to another without restriction. I like to buy things for my wife and daughter and plan for the future, if there is one. Lately however it's been harder to get a loan, money i've invested and entrusted in others to manage has dwindled. Stores we've shopped at for years are going bankrupt. Institutions that made this nation are going belly up. Why? All because some just can't get enough. I understand we all like to make and spend money. But how much is enough? Obviously, too much is not enough.
Why do the Chinese own so much of the american pie? Why is Europe gaining strength against us? Russia is pushing it's weight around, again, and we can't do a damn thing. After 9/11 the world shook in terror as how the US would respond. Now it is laughed off. The dollar used to be the symbol of strength and prosperity, now a symbol of uncertainty. An we keep losing credibility.
As far as energy is concerned, the car was commercialized in the early 1900's. Thus fossil fuels had begun it's evolution. Nuclear energy began in the early 1900's as well. Everyone cried about nuclear power in the 60's and 70's. Imagine how much further we would have been if pursued and perfected as much as the vehicle. My point is enough time has passed. The T.Boone Pickens idea is not a bad one. I know he is not perfect and probably wants to make more money but at least its a step in the right direction. Can you think of a better one? Maybe you can but you'll never get past the hawks. The recent jump in gas prices was the 3rd wakeup call for America. The nation immediately shifted thinking from large to compact. Now that gas prices have come down somewhat, should we just go back to the status quo? I think I'll go out, get a loan from IndyMac and buy a Yukon from GMAC with the "pay what employees pay" gimmick. Keep sucking it up. There will be more. Maybe it was a test from Opec, Iran, China and Russia to see how we would react.
Enough rambling. I hope you get the message. I know that some of you will start up with the same b.s. as dictated by your party of choice. And that your choice or your parties choice is the right one. The bottom line is we all live and breath in the same country. Keep up the status quo and let's see what happens in the next ten years. It probably won't take that long. Again, I love my country and will do what it takes to keep it alive. Even from changing parties as some of you freaks would rather see your party survive more than the country you live in. Keep an eye on your elected and put the squeeze on them. After all they put the squeeze on you.

J Garcia of CA 4:59PM September 07, 2008

We all know the Pickens plan is not perfect, no plan will ever be perfect. Had we started on an alternative energy source plan back in the "scare of the 70's", we wouldn't now be using the excuse that it would be 10 years before reaching any real goals. Let's stride forward (in 10 years we will be better for it). Let's show the future generations that we had the warewithall to take a step out of our present comfort zone in an effort to make energy options for them, a real option. We HAVE to take the first step. The ripple effect of research, education, and a renewed work environment for us as Americans will last for generations to come. This will be a source that cannot be outsourced to other counrtys for reasons of greed - this will truly be MADE IN THE USA - forever. If we keep an "ALL AMERICAN" policy in educating and hiring the workers for this new direction - our children truly will have something to hand down to thier grandchildren. Wind, the powers of the ocean, natural gas, and clean coal sources; and other natural resources, were given to us by our maker. Let us humbly be thankful and use these resources in a responsible matter.
Stop paying the terrorists to terrorize the world.
If all nations were self suffieient in their energy - this would slow thier unending cashflow and the stranglehold terrorists have on the world economy. Every barrel we buy simply gives terrorists more power than they should have. We give them the capability to dictate who gets the next barrel of oil the world has come so dependant on.
Mr. Pickens plan may not be perfect - but it does move the U.S. in a forward, and positive, and economically resurecting direction fr the American people.
The use of not one single energy source - but the use of all of Americas own resources, is the right choice. Democrat or Republican: Let's do it for AMERICANS.

JB of SC 9:04AM September 04, 2008

I am not an educated man but it is very easy for me to understand that every dollar we spend off shore is a dollar lost from our economy. We must break our dependence on foreign oil and keep those dollars here in the USA. If somebody has a better way of meeting this end goal in the same amount of time or faster, by all means step up to the plate and lets hear it. Meanwhile let's support TBP's plan and get our goverment off it's you know what!

Kevin L. Cundiff of SC 2:09PM September 01, 2008

The people of the United States deserve a coherent energy policy that will offer them a future free from dangerous dependence on foreign oil. About 60% of our oil comes from abroad at a cost of nearly $700 billion a year. This vast outflow of money weakens our currency, our economy and our country.
Absurdly, Americans are told that achieving true energy independence is either impossible, too costly or impractical. All that's really missing is a logical plan to begin in earnest, today, and the leadership to see a plan through to completion.
Such a plan has recently been proposed by T. Boone Pickens. The Pickens Plan focuses on two natural resources: wind and natural gas - wind as a source of electrical energy, natural gas as a source of transportation fuel. The Department of Energy reports that 20% of America 's electricity could be produced by wind, freeing up natural gas to run fleet vehicles cleanly and cheaply.
From a larger perspective...taking a look at the history of civilization it's plain to see that each wave of advancement brought an increased need for and use of energy. A 5000 year old historical pattern means that for the foreseeable future America (and the world) will always need more total energy. A couple of other points:
1)Increased use of nuclear energy and coal are fine. Boone is FOR them and anything else American. Neither can fill up and run an automobile however.
2)You wouldn't have gas or electricity today, roads and highways either, unless eminent domain had been invoked in the past.
3)Trinidad and Tobago provided 58% of our LNG imports in 2007, not Russia or Iran. Check it out on the EIA website (www.tonto.eia.doe.gov) website. There you will also see that US natural gas reserves are going up every year, not down like our oil reserves are. This is a key point that Boone makes and that no one is disputing. Someone mentioned Iran: Iran, the world's fourth largest producer of oil, is switching to CNG for their transportation needs! “Iranian car manufacturers, including the country’s number one automaker Iran Khodro, have increased production of cars that utilize both gasoline and CNG by about 20-fold over the past two years.” So they can do it, but American ingenuity can't? Actually, US car manufacturers already make nineteen different models of natural gas vehicles, all of which are sold overseas however- none sold here. Are you starting to see a pattern? With these facts as a backdrop, it's surprising there aren't more Pickens Plan detractors around...I guess they are saving their powder for Congress – that's where they usually blow the American Dream sky high.
4)Opening up all American resources to development is exactly what Boone is promoting. But, let's start with the most promising and practical options first. With 5.7 million natural gas vehicles on the road worldwide today, common sense says that the CNG vehicle part of Pickens Plan is eminently practical and highly achievable today.

Philip McQuillan of NJ 7:42PM August 30, 2008

Who cares if someone makes money developing renewable energy sources! Huge profits stimulate the economy, encourage investment, and may actually make the concept of renewable energy a reality. I wouldn't care if the likes of T. Boone Pickens were to double or triple his fortune, if it meant that America were to become energy independent!
I believe that the Pickens plan has much merit, even though I don't fully agree with all the strategies in their entirety. I don't think that the conversion of ICE (Internal Combustion Engines) is necessarily cost effective; but new CNG vehicles should be readily available, at competitive prices. Perhaps ICE vehicles should be phased out over time. Conversion of vehicles to CNG should likewise be encouraged. He (Pickens) has stated that "30 percent of motor fuel is used by trucks, and that big truck fleets turn over every two-and-a-half years, all big trucks could be using natural gas in a short time." In the west coast ports of Oakland, Los Angeles, and Seattle, pollution from trucks is an enormous problem, CNG could make a huge difference.
Natural gas is still only a finite resource, it's a short-term solution, a stop-gap. Additional off-shore drilling is no better. No one in this discussion seems to be talking much about another aspect of the Pickens Plan; solar energy. The American Southwest is rich with this energy source; but continued un-checked consumption of fossil fuels threatens the blot out the sun with particulate matter (air pollution), potentially reducing the efficiency of solar energy in the future.
Perhaps we should think about the many other applications of the oil we use; it's not just to propel our cars and trucks. It's petro-chemicals. Plastics, synthetic fibers, all of this other stuff that we take for granted, it all comes from oil. Conserve our oil for manufacturing the materials we use everyday, and drive our cars, trucks, planes, and trains on renewable fuels, including bio-fuels (from cellulose, left-overs from harvesting crops, not corn).
Nuclear power is great for submarines and aircraft carriers, but beyond that, we should avoid it like the plague. Realistically, there is no means for the safe disposal of the spent fuel. Continued use or widespread expansion of nuclear power is irresponsible; we should not continue to knowingly, intentionally, contaminate the planet for future generations.
The wind will always continue to blow, the sun will shine, long after we're gone.

Nicole T. Philips of CA 3:49PM August 30, 2008

Sorry you folks are so worried about Pickens getting rich over this. He's the one that has the idea and the plan - what do you have? Just a bunch of partisan nonsense that will keep holding up this action. Finally some action! We've wasted so much time sitting on our rumps sucking up all that foreign oil. Oh and by the way - we don't need to convert 100,000,000 cars to natural gas. Let's start with trucks - the big gas hogs. That would be a good start. While we utilize natural gas we spend like crazy on technology for other renewable fuel sources for our vehicles for the future. And by reducing foreign oil consumption we will see inflation slow down because it will be cheaper to transport our goods coast to coast. Not only will it help reduce inflation but the money to buy natural gas stays inside our country and helps support good, hard working Americans like you and me. Of course Pickens will profit but so will America.

Pete of IL 12:46PM August 30, 2008

It doesn't matter which source of energy the country switches to, the change will most definitely lead to the raping of natural resources and the loss of land to get it. Whether it is wind or solar, coal or off shore drilling for oil, or some yet unknown source; the investment will be staggering, the impact on natural resources will be overwhelming, and the result will take decades before any change in energy use and consumption really becomes a reality to any segment of our economy.
Clearly, the energy industry must work with the manufacturers of transportation as well as residential and commercial heating in order to develop the energy source as well as the mechanism to use that source most efficiently. Unlike the recent unplanned hoopla to use corn as a source of fuel--only to force the price of food using corn products through the roof, secondary and tertiary market affects must be considered in the short and long term.
Personally, I think the plan needs to be directed first and foremost with the goal to revamp the trucking industry because of the extraordinary amount of goods that are shipped by that industry daily with vehicles that are the least energy efficient of all. If this industry could be re-tooled for an alternative fuel source, we could possibly slow down the growing cost of goods and services in the long term. Yet while many of us claim to know the solution, if we were that clever, we would not be posting on the internet because we would have other more pressing decisions on the corporate level demanding our attention.
No matter who the new President is, he will definitely need to surround himself with a cabinet and advisors with energy experienceas well as the ability to anticipate the secondary and teriary impact of any shift of energy on other markets. These decisions will mean that everything will need to be re-tooled: semi trucks, trains, automobiles; but also residential and commercial heating units; likely an increased need for nuclear power plants. This list is endless. The enormity of the project is staggering, but it is quite obvious that we are on the cusp of another Industrial Revolution.

John Galt of IL 2:08PM August 29, 2008

IT IS TIME FOR US AS AMERICANS TO RISE TO THE CHALENGE OF BECOMING ENERGY INDEPENDENT IN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE.
1-ASSEMBLE THE EXPERTS
2-DEVISE THE MOST FEASIBLE AND COST EFFECTIVE PLAN BASED ON CURRENTLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY.
3-SET AN APPROPRIATE,BUT CHALLENGING TIME PERIOD FOR ACHIEVING THIS TRANSITION USING EVERY RESOURCE AND TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE.
4-CONTACT YOUR POLITICAL LEADERS {SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM YOUR STATE}AND LET THEM KNOW WE MEAN BUSINESS IN ACHIEVING ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.USE YOUR "VOTE" TO GET RID OF THE STONEWALLERS REGARDLESS OF PARTY.WE ARE THE COUNTRY THAT PUT A MAN ON THE MOON IN RECORD TIME.THIS OBJECTIVE IS CERTAINLY MORE IMPORTANT.THE TIME FOR DOING NOTHING HAS PAST.IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF THOSE BRAVE SOULS WHO "STORMED THE COCKPIT" OF THE ONE 9/11 FLIGHT,"LET'S ROLL".

PATRICK MEEK of AZ 10:19PM August 28, 2008