The unimportant news thread

[Ken B]

there could VERY dire times only a decade or two ahead.

We are living in the dire future of a decade or two ago.

[Todd]

there could VERY dire times only a decade or two ahead.

If this alarmist timeline were accurate, then there's no hope at all, since it will take more than one or two decades to scale up renewables to levels sufficient to replace oil and coal.  (This assumes that evil nuclear has no place in the energy generation mix of the more enlightened future.)

[bwv 1080]

Wasn't there news a few weeks ago that for one of the major prospective shale fields (in California?) the viable yields had been overestimated by a factor of 20?

There is only one way out of the energy crisis: use less (FAR less, the US uses five times the world average, Europe about three times) and get renewable (sun, wind etc.) going ASAP.
Europe is doing slightly better, but no way good enough; there could VERY dire times only a decade or two ahead.

No, f- that, we have  about a 100 year supply of natural gas that right now is far more economical than renewables

The major shales in production right now - Bakken, Eagleford, Marcellus, Permian - have been continually exceeding expectations

[Todd]

No, f- that, we have  about a 100 year supply of natural gas that right now is far more economical than renewables

And if ever natural gas hydrates become economically viable, then the supply is much larger than that.  Already, at least one green has said developing this source would be "game over" for the climate.

[Todd]

Justice is done!

(Anyone think the money will be forthcoming?  Or that the size of the award might in some way be tied to events that have transpired since last year?)

[bwv 1080]

Justice is done!

(Anyone think the money will be forthcoming?  Or that the size of the award might in some way be tied to events that have transpired since last year?)

There are assets outside of Russia that can be taken

[kishnevi]

I am reminded of what Andrew Jackson (I think) said in response to a decision by SCOTUS.  "Mr. Marshall has his decision.  Now let him enforce it."

[Karl Henning]

Once a Third Party, Unofficial Market Basket Web Master Sides With Employees

[Ken B]

I am reminded of what Andrew Jackson (I think) said in response to a decision by SCOTUS.  "Mr. Marshall has his decision.  Now let him enforce it."

Jackson and too damn many presidents since.

[jochanaan]

no, you are thinking of oil sands which are mined.  This is referring to shale formations that are miles underground and extracted through hydraulic fracturing (fracking)

Correction noted.  But there are indications that fracking isn't nearly as safe as the oil companies would like us to think.  Earthquakes and contamination of air and ground water have been linked to fracking.  Despite the oil companies' denial, I tend to think the evidence points to great danger.

[bwv 1080]

Warning: it is illegal to read or share this in Australia:

https://wikileaks.org/aus-suppression-order/

[Todd]

A touch of class.

[jochanaan]

Warning: it is illegal to read or share this in Australia:

https://wikileaks.org/aus-suppression-order/

So the companies rule there too.  I had fond hopes that Australia was still free...

[Ken B]

So the companies rule there too.  I had fond hopes that Australia was still free...

"The companies"? Looks like a raging case of confirmation bias. This seems more like a coverup for government officials. Why does that implicate all of "the companies" in Australia?

[ibanezmonster]

Companies, government... what's the difference nowadays?

[bwv 1080]

Companies, government... what's the difference nowadays?

government has more guns and prisons

[Karl Henning]

Companies, government... what's the difference nowadays?

Companies are run more efficiently.

[Ken B]

The homophone menace

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2014/07/31/the-homophone-menace/

[ibanezmonster]

government has more guns and prisons

Companies are run more efficiently.

lol, true. 

[North Star]

Companies are run more efficiently.

And it might be harder for a country to fire people..