Exxon Mobile Idiocy

You know those commercials where an Exxon-Mobile scientist talks earnestly about how committed s/he is to the environment? While they speak , complicated mathematical formulas and molecules swirl around, intending to convey the ideas (1) this is hard, (2) we are smart, (3) maybe you aren't, and so (4) don't even think about questioning us. Pretty typical corporate propaganda.

Well, a new commercial just came out that is simply idiotic and exposes the core deception. The 'scientist' says Exxon is committed to remove the carbon dioxide 'contaminant' from natural gas, and explicitly states their intention is to reduce greenhouse gasses. But 'pure' natural gas, when burned, produces nothing but carbon dioxide, and water. The primary constituent of natural gas is methane (CH4). It is simple in equation form:

CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O. [Bean counters: 1 C, 4 H, 4 O]

Worrying about the trace carbon dioxide 'contaminant' is like worrying about speeding at the Indy 500. It would be laughable if it weren't so deceptive, destructive, and worst of all, deeply, insultingly stupid.

Once and Once-future Veeps Go Into the Woods

Republicans might halve their troubles by encouraging Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney to go hunting, together. They will both have plenty of time now, in retirement. There can be only one Lord of the flies. My money is on lipstick over dead-eye.

Summer Solstice

You say "gut"...

Obama at Notre Dame

President Obama accepted an honorary doctorate and spoke at the Notre Dame commencement yesterday. 14,000 enthusiastic supporters far outnumbered a handful of rude protesters. As usual, he was graceful, witty, serious, and engaging in his comments, directly addressing the "elephant in the room" by calling for serious dialog and action on the shared goals of reducing the number of abortions and unwanted pregnancies. He echoed the valedictorian's call to challenge our preconceptions, maintain and raise our standards, and apply our ideals even if it is uncomfortable or risks failure. Despite the difference that the protesters highlighted, there was also evident a fundamentally similar world-view, insistence on civility, and mutual respect.

Put it on My Carbon Credit

“Cap and trade” is an approach to reducing greenhouse gasses, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), wherein the total amount released is capped and industries are allowed to trade the right to release them. If a company can reduce CO2 emissions, it can sell a carbon credit to another company to allow it to release more CO2. The idea is to assign a cost to releasing CO2 and impose marketplace discipline to reduce release. It may work, but why limit this to industry? Why should Exxon-Mobile and other massive polluters inherit a windfall of carbon credits that practically rewards them for their past misdeeds and inaction?

Shouldn't every human being have a certain carbon credit? We should credit commuters who take mass transit or walk or bike instead of driving to work. We should credit individuals whose carbon footprint is tiny. A Bangladeshi whose carbon footprint is nonexistent should have the credit to lend or sell to industrial polluters.

If you cap me, do I not breath? If you trade me, do I not drive? Carbon-based units unite! You have nothing to lose but your breath!

Euro Trash Talk

The G20 Summit meeting was a success, providing world leaders, especially the Europeans, a bigger stage to complain more loudly about Americans. The Euros take the world economic downturn as proof that the US is too free-market, too innovative, like these were bad things. Makes you wonder, if the Euros were so sober and responsible, then why are they suffering from the woes of AIG and the US banking system? In fact, they were near the front of the line to buy the risky financial 'products'. Lord, save me from temptation, but not just yet.

The real divergence on economic matters is not in regulation but openness. Compare the information available about companies on the NY Stock Exchange to those on the German DAX or the English FTSE or the French Bourse, etc. The US Securities and Exchange Commission ensures that the information is reliable, up-to-date, and not misleading. In contrast, most other world stock markets are obscure and much more biased in favor of insiders. Swiss banks specialize in protecting the privacy of tax cheats, drug lords, dictators, slavers, and arms merchants. Prescriber, heal thyself.

Though he was the newest leader at the meeting, President Obama, as usual, mastered the occasion by treating it as what it really is: a meet-and-greet, grip-and-grin among politicians for consumption by the home town papers. By reducing the tension, mastering 'detente', he won more leaders to his ideas on stimulating the economies and helping in Afghanistan.