Barak Obama's Speech on Energy Independence

[bklyn]

TGR political hacks - chime in on this one.
I think he makes some great points, but I'm sure you guys can poke holes in it.

http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/0609...endence_40.mp3

09.20.06 Energy Independence Speech - MoveOn Progressive Vision Series

Senator Obama delivered this speech to 700 students of Georgetown University today as part of the MoveOn Progressive Vision series.

"In the middle of the Cold War, we built a national highway system so we had a quick way to transport military equipment across the country. When we wanted to beat the Russians into space, we poured millions into a national education initiative that graduated thousands of new scientists and engineers. If we hope to strengthen our security and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, we can offer no less of a commitment to energy independence."

http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/

[Tippster]

Creating a "Manhattan Project" for alternative energy has been one of the issues that's polling really well, according to several think tanks here. I hope they do it, if merely to stop the brain-drain.

If the Democrats take both houses I hope one of the first things they do (after impeaching a certain someone) is to fully fund the NSF, especially its energy research arm.

[str8line]

He's right on.

I've listened to Barak several times on NPR and think he is incredible. I would vote for him for president for sure. This country NEEDS more politicians like him. His background is amazing.

[Shen]

He's right on.

I've listened to Barak several times on NPR and think he is incredible. I would vote for him for president for sure. This country NEEDS more politicians like him. His background is amazing.

As much as try to stay out of politics.....I would have to agree with this.

[BushwackerinPA]

He is an awesome public speaker that is more than just words. Like str8line said we need more people like him.

[bagtagley]

He is an awesome public speaker that is more than just words.

Is that the PC version of "He speaks so well"?

[RootSkier]

Fuck yeah. Obama in 08.

[BushwackerinPA]

Is that the PC version of "He speaks so well"?

you had to bring Dave Chappel into this didnt you, and no its not. He is very smart person black or white and yes I would vote for him.

[bklyn]

Is that the PC version of "He speaks so well"?

Nah, it's missing that element of condescending surprise.

[bagtagley]

you had to bring Dave Chappel into this didnt you, and no its not. He is very smart person black or white and yes I would vote for him.

Thought it was Chris Rock?

Anyway, I continue to be impressed by Obama. I'd vote for the guy in a heartbeat.

[P_McPoser]

young, entusiastic, and moderate. I give him 2 thumbs up!

[shamrockpow]

Thought it was Chris Rock?

So what you're really saying is that all black people look the same to you, don't they?

[skiing-in-jackson]

Making a speech is the easy part. Pols in Washington are good at it- they really are.

Getting something done...

Edit for content:

Variations of that speech are as old as...well they're pretty old.

The great achievements: WWII, Interstate Highway System (?!), Civil Rights, Man on Moon...

They are all over used metaphors.

[bagtagley]

So what you're really saying is that all black people look the same to you, don't they?

So correctly identifying the source of a quote makes me a racist? If so I'm in trouble cause I got a whole slew of stuff from Eddie Murphy.

[LegoSkier]

People, THERE ALREADY IS A MANHATTAN PROJECT FOR ENERGY INDEPENDANCE:

http://www.nano.gov/

http://genomicsgtl.energy.gov/

[stupendous man]

There may be a manhattan project, but it has no funding. bushies have reduced alternative energy funding at every possible opportunity.

I agree that obama says all the right things. let's see him get something done and then we'll talk. granted that will take some help from the electorate, and that's never good news.

[LegoSkier]

There may be a manhattan project, but it has no funding. bushies have reduced alternative energy funding at every possible opportunity.
.

True, there could be more funding. My basic point on this subject is however (and I am going to write an extensive peice on this soon), is that this challenge is fundamentally different than a "Manhattan" project or even a Human Genome project. It is not a single monolithic challenge. It is a challenge based on a systems view of the world where it is as much economic and social as it is technological. And the new technologies themselves are based on systems level knowledge where the work done for medical research for things like cancer is directly applicable to energy research. Where work done for an AIDS vaccene is directly applicable to ethanol. It can't be done seperatly because its not seperate knowledge. And as the technologies mature, it will require fundamental shifts in our concepts of value and wealth. Capra was a little ahead of his time in The Turning Point but now his vision is coming true.

[P_McPoser]

There really needs to be a centralization of research data for this to work, there are several well funded projects proceeding simultaneously with little or no cooperation.
Shit, there are even hydrogen fuel cell vehicles working in underground mines!

[Telenater]

There really needs to be a centralization of research data for this to work, there are several well funded projects proceeding simultaneously with little or no cooperation.

I agree that that's what's needed. However, I'm skeptical of it ever happening.

Science is too full of ego now, and there is no strong unifying goal behind alternative energy research to push every body in the same direction as there was with many of the other narrower goals mentioned previously.

"Energy Independance" is too broad a goal to be tacked in a single centrally managed effort. Some subsets can probably be approached in that manner though (ie net gain generation of energy from hydrogen as probably the most promising example).

The first step irrespective of funding is to completely overhaul the methods that scientists use to share data. Currently, independent scientists only share data after it's been through an extensive set of reviews and publishing. This is too slow for a major effort. We need to be able to share promising results without fear of compromising our positions within the industry of science. Once we overcome that fear and allow for the freer movement of ideas between scientists and industry we'll have accelerated our ability to apply knowledge.

Besides, I hate the process of publishing papers...

[P_McPoser]

Besides, I hate the process of publishing papers...

Once was enough for me. Fuck that ever again, heh.

[TJ.Brk]

He's right on.

I've listened to Barak several times on NPR and think he is incredible. I would vote for him for president for sure. This country NEEDS more politicians like him. His background is amazing.

So have I. I just hope that he keeps his political individuality and stays away from demo Howard Deans of his party. If he does this he stands a great chance of becoming President. Frankly if he declared it now I think he would win the nomination and the office.

For the first time since 1988 I might get to vote for someone other than Buggs Bunny for President.

Have you all noticed how he is staying out of the Bush/Clinton brewhaha that is going on now.

[truth]

Obama's the real deal. I'd love to see a Clinton / Obama ticket. That would potentially give us 16 years of competent presidency.

[Buster Highmen]

I like Dean, but am explicitly NOT enamoured of Hilary. In any case, it's really time to put aside that level of factionalism.

[bklyn]

I'd love to see a Clinton / Obama ticket.

Talk about a snowball's chance in hell...

[P_McPoser]

Clinton will be the death kneel of the democratic party.