biofuels are bad?
biofuels are bad?Today's news report (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114055974) stating the likelihood of biofuel laws actually causing higher levels of global warming or climate change is just one more example of how we humans still haven't managed to get a grip on managing our occupancy of this planet.Specifically, we continue to consume disproportionately compared to our ability to renew and replenish. Haven't we learned anything from over-hunting, over-fishing, over-building... and oh yea, over polluting?My blog post on Jan 27th speaks to much of this, as it relates to biofuels production/usage in Bolivia. Notably, I make mention of de

conversations on health insurance and "health care" system reform- try a dose of common se
each state mandates drivers have liability insurance coverage on their car. additionally, lenders require full coverage if they hold a lien on a vehicle. but it's our choice of whether or not we even want to buy insurance based on our decision to be a driver, and/or take a loan to buy a car. if we don't drive, or don't buy cars we can't afford to pay in full up front, we aren't forced to buy one insurance or the other.when we buy a house, lenders require we pay PMI if we don't have 20% equity. but again, it's our choice of whether or not to pay PMI simply by renting instead of buying, or waiting until we have 20% down payment before taking the plunge. it's all our choice.

first cost vs. lifecycle cost analysis
so i get an email today from an old friend who passes along some thoughts composed by who i can only imagine is a kool-aid drinking, right wing nut job. after reading it a couple times, i felt compelled to draft a rebuttal. see the below exchange:Original email>> I guess I must be on the wrong page on this "clunker" stuff ...> A vehicle at 15 mpg and 12,000 miles per year uses 800 gallons a year of gasoline.> A vehicle at 25 mpg and 12,000 miles per year uses 480 gallons a year.> The average clunker transaction will reduce US gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.>> They claim 700,000 vehicles – so that