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Bush: U.S. on Verge of Energy Breakthrough?

Posted: 21 Feb 2006, 09:36
by rpjmartin1971
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060220/D8FT3GH02.html

Hi all

Is this just more Bushian PR to support his visit to an energy research lab or could he actually be hinting at some tech he has been briefed on and is about to be unveiled?

"MILWAUKEE (AP) - Saying the nation is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that would "startle" most Americans, President Bush on Monday outlined his energy proposals to help wean the country off foreign oil."

Rich

Posted: 21 Feb 2006, 09:53
by RevdTess
Oooh I hope it's cold fusion :D

Re: Bush: U.S. on Verge of Energy Breakthrough?

Posted: 21 Feb 2006, 09:54
by MacG
rpjmartin1971 wrote:http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060220/D8FT3GH02.html

Hi all

Is this just more Bushian PR to support his visit to an energy research lab or could he actually be hinting at some tech he has been briefed on and is about to be unveiled?

"MILWAUKEE (AP) - Saying the nation is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that would "startle" most Americans, President Bush on Monday outlined his energy proposals to help wean the country off foreign oil."

Rich
My immediate association went to Hitlers last days in the bunker, when he hunkered down hoping for the V2 to win the war for him.

Posted: 21 Feb 2006, 12:32
by snow hope
Lets hope they do have something. :idea:

Posted: 21 Feb 2006, 15:14
by mikepepler
That article is full of daft mistakes, I'm not sure they really understand what they're talking about. For example:
Less than half the crude oil used by refineries is produced in the United States, while 60 percent comes from foreign nations
Isn't that saying the same thing twice?
proposals to speed the development of biofuels such as "cellulosic" ethanol made from wood chips or sawgrass.
Shouldn't that be "switchgrass"
Bush checked out two Ford Escapes - one with a nickel-metal-hybrid battery, the kind that powers most hybrid-electric vehicles, and one with a lithium-ion battery
Hmm, doesn't he mean a "nickel-metal-HYDRIDE" battery?

I realise I'm picking holes, but when people write stuff like this I just can't respect it at all.

Posted: 21 Feb 2006, 16:53
by MacG
mikepepler wrote:
proposals to speed the development of biofuels such as "cellulosic" ethanol made from wood chips or sawgrass.
Shouldn't that be "switchgrass"
Switchdust maybe? :)

Posted: 21 Feb 2006, 16:56
by mikepepler
MacG wrote:
mikepepler wrote:
proposals to speed the development of biofuels such as "cellulosic" ethanol made from wood chips or sawgrass.
Shouldn't that be "switchgrass"
Switchdust maybe? :)
Or maybe he should have been thinking of biogas, then it could have been bullsh*t :)

Posted: 22 Feb 2006, 10:04
by rpjmartin1971
Hi Mike

When reading articles like this, I always keep in mind that most journalists are not subject specialists and have to research topics quickly. Yes, they can often get their facts wrong. Bush is also well-known for his verbal gaffes so its probably a combination of the two. Its all new territory to me as well!

Regards
Rich

Posted: 22 Feb 2006, 13:30
by mikepepler
rpjmartin1971 wrote:When reading articles like this, I always keep in mind that most journalists are not subject specialists and have to research topics quickly. Yes, they can often get their facts wrong. Bush is also well-known for his verbal gaffes so its probably a combination of the two. Its all new territory to me as well!
True on both counts, and we all misunderstand things some of the time. Still, it makes me read something with caution, as there's a risk of a case of "chinese whispers" developing if the person doing the reporting doesn't fully understand what they're writing about, and they're quoting someone else who probably didn't quite get it themselves either... :)

Posted: 22 Feb 2006, 15:59
by rpjmartin1971
I'm still none the wiser as to what startling breakthrough Bush was referring to. Solar panels don't fit the bill.

Rich