John McCain-Farmer and Alternative Energy=Bad...War in Iraq and Big Oil=Good

McCain supported alternative energy before Obama did. I think we have to do whatever it takes to end our dependence on oil, but I have not heard any really good ideas yet from either candidate or from anyone else.

Obama was in Lansing on August 4 saying he would put us all in hybrids. Most of us can't afford new hybids.

I will vote for McCain. He was right on the surge; if our leaders had listened to Obama, our soldiers would have lost and they would be at a disadvantage now. Obama's ideas and fanbase in foreign countries are Socialist and suspect.

I certainly don't always agree with Senator McCain and if Hillary Clinton were the Democratic nominee, I might be voting for her, but McCain is much more experienced than Obama; he is an American hero and in the senate he has always been a maverick which leads many repoublicans not to like him.

I am not a McCain person, but I agree with him about ethanol. Making it from corn was a terrible idea, but no matter what they make it from, I suspect it uses an amount of water that will become prohibitive. It also uses too much fossil fuel in the making.

Also, I am not convinced that McCain absolutely does not want to develop wind energy. I suspect he just puts too low a priority on it in favor of supporting whatever Big Oil companies want to do. He probably depends on them to support his campaign.

John McCain, the maverick, seems to have disappeared in favor of John McCain the Old Toady who echoes Bush's policies.

Ruth ethanol does NOT have to be made from corn. It can be made from sugar beets are insect waste.

Mary Ann...McCain is NOT a war hero. He is a war survivor. Eisenhower had never held a political office or been elected to anything prior to becoming president.

Jim I gotcha. But not all corn farmers sell to ethanol plants. That is why further experimentation is so vital.

Oops that should have said made from things like sugar beets or insect waste.

Teehee Jim makes sense to me:)

McCain supported alternative energy before Obama did

Mary Ann S., Aug 6, 2008, 10:00am EDT


And you base this on what Mary Ann?

McCain certainly doesn't support our Veterans. I saw that he got a "D" rating from one group and only supported bills that other veterans groups supported 20% of the time.

Can anyone confirm this or is it all a scam?

Good post, Lori. It's easy to see what the next 4 years with McCain as President would look like. Just look at the last 8 years. We can't afford it.

The recent surge in donations to McCain by oil companies should explain any questions.

Ethanol from any food source is a bad idea. I don't see ethanol as our answer anyway... takes too much energy to produce it. Wind, solar, and hydro need greater investment. Natural gas is a better shorter term solution than drilling more oil or ethanol. We have vaste supplies of it which could last until the greener solutions are ready to take over. I am steadfastly against more oil drilling... all it benefits is big oil. Our environment will suffer for and it will NOT bring down oil prices. We do not have enough refineries to handle more oil, they can't keep up now. We don't have a shortage of oil, we have a shortage of refining capacity.

Phyllis and where do you get the $10 a gallon from?

And look at the wonders Bush has done for us in the last 8 years.

Do you have some kind of proof of the $10 a gallon or are you just fear mongering again?

So many points; let’s address them all.

The “Surge” is currently working. In fact there is little between the “Stay the course” and the “withdraw on a strict timeline” choices of McCain and Obama other than the fact that McCain wants to sure that the Iraqi forces can handle things when we give it to them. Obama is so desperate for more troops to die in Afghanistan that he won’t care whether all hell will break loose because we withdrew a few days too early. McCain’s 100 year remark was about a presence; just like we have one in Japan and Germany. Unlike Japan and Germany, we’ve annoyed the Iraqi people more. Perhaps we shouldn’t stay.

The farm bill is basically welfare for the mega farms. It doesn’t help the small family owned farm, which should be considered an “endangered species.” The purpose of not growing is only to decrease supply and thus to raise the prices for all the remaining farmers. Given the current “demand” for corn based fuel this is just insult to injury.

Wind energy: (Excuse me a minute while I replace the gasket I’ve just blown … I feel much better now.) It has been the combination of environmentalists and the ultra rich (who happen to be Democrats) who have prevented viable wind energy systems off of Long Island and Massachusetts. NIMBY has prevented wind, not any decree from congress or a president.

Switch Grass Ethanol: Would you please stand up? No I mean stand up, raise your hand and get media attention. One article on NPR a year ago isn’t going to cut it. But all kidding aside when we talk about ethanol we are talking about corn based ethanol. The environmental implications of turning wild land into switch grass ethanol fields haven’t been even considered by the mainstream media much less the attention of the American people.

It makes me wonder who you support. I’m sick and tired of the bullshit method of making straw-men out of misquoted statements. If this keeps up I’m going to write in Paris Hilton to spite everyone.

"McCain has vowed to "Stay the Course" in Iraq even if it takes 100 years. At $12 Billion dollars a month. You do the math."

We have had a presence in every country that we have ever been to war with to this day . That does not mean we will have combat troops there for 100 years.

"Mary Ann...McCain is NOT a war hero"

That is a matter of opinion. Although I am not sure that is the word I would use she is still entitled to her opinion without being told otherwise.

"if our leaders had listened to Obama, our soldiers would have lost and they would be at a disadvantage now. "

If our leaders had listened to Obama, we wouldn't be in Iraq at all.

McCain supported alternative energy before Obama did

Mary Ann S., Aug 6, 2008, 10:00am EDT

And you base this on what Mary Ann?
Lori F., Aug 6, 2008, 10:09am EDT

Because McCain was around when the main source of power was the water wheel.

As long as many hold to fast and silly arguments as I see here I know our future remains bleak. What gives anyone the idea Obama is desperate for more troops to die in Afghanistan?

"Obama is so desperate for more troops to die in Afghanistan that he won’t care whether all hell will break loose because we withdrew a few days too early."

Look at that statement. It is sick.

Your arguments reek of sickness in many ways. When I think back about all the insane arguments I have read about dems and republicans I can't help but wonder where were you and all those others who think like you when for six years congress was controlled by republicans with the presence of a republican president? What did we gain? Where is the benefit for the citizens? Lets see here we got a wonderful invasion on a country who was about as dangerous to us as an insect bite. We received numerous companies who operated with wild abandonment from all rules and conditions which promoted a good business while they screwed the people with an administration always at te ready to hand them more of our money for their failures. Lets see here we got a larger more bureacratic government from those who you always say hate big government. They spent money at a faster and more wasteful pace than ever n history. And to top that off they have borrowed our future so deep away till our great grand kids will be paying for it. We received an adminstration which was so independent of the other branches of government till it found arguments to prevent any over sight what so ever. they basically told th eworld they were above the law. But you loved them to extreme. You cheered them on with the flag and spoke of how patriotic they were even while they were sucking some of our basic rights away. That is what you embraced.

Now another person comes along with contrasting ideas and you spend so much effort trashing him. What are you afraid of? What gives you the right to even show your face in the face of the sickness you have embraced and held on to and I must ask how in God's name can you look your self in the mirror with the folly which you have openly supported. If we elect a blind person who can't hear nor speak he would be far better for the people than the mickey mouse group who have gone so far to ruin this country financially and destroyed our once congenial image in the world for the last seven years.

And no one has to take things out of context to find fear. It is right in front of your face if you would only for once look past your party crap and see with citizen eyes for a change. Take a look at whats there as an American and not a party stooge. Take a look using parental eyes without interjecting party affiliation for once. You might see the horrific shape this country is in.

Chris, Any time we have a base in any country we have combat troops there. All of our troops are combat troops regardless of the position they hold. It is part of their training and every single soldier is subject to enter combat at any time.

Obama'a plan is fairly good but why not a commbintation? Drill in the areas off shore, especially in the gulf where other countrys have platforms and are sucking oil out of a good supply that we need to exploit as well. Build more Wind turbines, more hydroelectric dams, more research into bio fuels.

More and cheaper ways to convert existing engines into burning natural gas or hydrogen is a great idea. Back in the 70s a lot of big companies converted to natural gas and or propane because of the gas shortage. Industral Hemp would be a good source of bio fuel and thousands of other products. It would probably be a lot cheaper to refine from the hemp plant and it is not a food product.

Approve more refineries. The only thing holding up more refineries is government red tape and environmentalists.

It would be so easy for the nation to become energy independant from all other nations but our government policys will not allow it. Let the oil companies develop their fields and let the energy companies put up their wind turbines. Let the price of installing a solar system for the home come down to a reasonable cost so people can afford it. Maybe a good subsidy for installing solar or wind for the home. Not a "tax rebate" an honest grant.

All of our troops are combat ready. They are not combat troops until they are in combat or serving in a war zone. At least that is what the Army always preached. You didn't dare ever say you were a combat troop unless you served in a combat zone. A few of my husbands fellow soldiers made that mistake once and boy did they get an earful from their superiors

Anyways what I meant was that we will always have a military presence even if we are not at war.

"if our leaders had listened to Obama, our soldiers would have lost and they would be at a disadvantage now. "

If our leaders had listened to Obama, we wouldn't be in Iraq at all.

Both statements are wrong. If our leaders listened to Obama they would still be in Iraq, he proposed a 10 year stay until he learned that he people wanted us out now.

Obama was not around when going into Iraq was debated.

Ron Paul Was there and Ron Paul advised against an unconstitution invasion of Iraq. Of course he gets no credit because he is no in the "good old boys club"

I worry about Obama mostly because he is a post turtle. I don't trust him because of it.

Chris, Combat ready and combat makes no difference they are all potentually combat troops. I am fully aware of the difference there. A military presence has a very big effect on the populace for a long time. Eventually they get used to the base and an industry grows up around it. There are countries that would yell and scream if we closed a base in their country because they depend on the "foreign aid" our soldiers spend and the lease of the base.

At this point in our history we need to close most bases overseas and keep the bases we have here. The government sees it the other way around but I doubt many in the Military see it that way.

I have to wonder. We have bases in 130 countries. How would we like it if those 130 countries put bases in our country?

Larry asked:
McCain certainly doesn't support our Veterans. I saw that he got a "D" rating from one group and only supported bills that other veterans groups supported 20% of the time.

Correct. Here are the links to the sites, where you can even see the data/methodology they used to assess the grades/ratings for Member of Congress:
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans give him a grade of "D" on veterans issues (while Obama got a B+) Disabled American Veterans give John McCain a rating of 20% on veteran's issues (Obama gets 80%).

As for ethanol - there are numerous alternative methods that don't use food crops. We have a new company here in Northwest Arkansas that is developing ethanol from garbage. It seems to be a "toofer" since it can produce fuel and stop the need for more landfills. Of course, we will have to see how well it works in practice, but it looks promising.

"I will vote for McCain. He was right on the surge"

No, he was certainly NOT right about the surge. Not only does he not know who are friends and enemies in Iraq are, he wasn't even aware that it was the Sunni Awakening, which began before the surge was even announced, that is largely responsible for a reduction of violence in Iraq.

As for where we'd be if we'd have listened to Obama, we certainly would not have been in Iraq. He was on public record as early as October of 2002, months before the illegal invasion, in protest to such military action. He has proven to not only have a far better grasp of the realities of the difficult issues of the day, but he's proven to have FAR better judgement than the very old senator from geriatric haven, Arizona.

"I have to wonder. We have bases in 130 countries. How would we like it if those 130 countries put bases in our country? "

I'm sure that if the end result was more profitability for the corporate masters, republicans would be 110% in support of it.

mclame can't be bothered to vote in the senate so how good a president would he be?

Probably spend his days napping and his nights at hooters.

Ada....your dsources for justifying "McCain doesn't support Veterans" are both OUTDATED. And they are both very partisan. Surely, you can do better than this. Oh, and for your efforts, you have earned a D- and a 10 percent rating.

Ivan: So here's your chance to refute it by giving links to the correct information. We will all be waiting with bated breath.

Senator McCain didn't even show up for the vote to stop the 10% cut to TRICARE, nor did he show up for vote to override the veto, which obviously required the support of more than a few Republican Senators to manage the override. Perhaps you do not depend on TRICARE for medical coverage, but many of us do. Senator McCain will never get my vote, even if other Republicans, like my Congressman, do.

"your dsources for justifying "McCain doesn't support Veterans" are both OUTDATED. "

They are entirely factual, however, like it or not. McBush doesn't support our soldiers or our veterans. But, you go ahead and support him.

~~~Mc Cain supports wind power because he blows a lot of hot air. ~~~

LOL!

Ya, and it's bi-directional, comes out both ends.

"The recent surge in donations to McCain by oil companies should explain any questions."
Ron B., Aug 6, 2008, 10:16am EDT

So right, Ron, so,so, right on!

So here's your chance to refute it by giving links to the correct information....you should have done that from the start.

But Ivan, everyone is touting McCain's "experience," so how can any of his votes be considered "outdated"? In every case he has voted against veterans. G.I. Bill? No. Health care for veterans? NO. EXtra armor for soldiers? No.

Give them bullets and caskets and don't expect anything when you get back--if you get back. I'm really sick of these Vietnam era guys who have had all the beneifits trying to keep them away from our Iraq War vets. If it was good enough then, it's good enough now.

Wilma:
Actually the information is neither outdated nor partisan. Look at the actual sites and judge them for yourself.

The Far Right Wingnuts, like their counterparts the Far Left Wingnuts, are good at soundbites and at attacking anyone who does not agree with them. What they can't do,apparently, is provide solid information that backs up what they say. When asked directly to provide some back-up for their beliefs/assertions, they either won't or can't. All you will ever get is more bluster.

I have a handful of family members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The medical care at the local VA hospital is excellent, if you can get it. Unfortunately, the place is overwhelmed with war vets and the doctors are working to exhaustion. Meanwhile, Senator McCain and his buddies keep voting for cuts to the VA and against any money to fix dilapidated facilities at places like Walter Reed. None of the vets in my family are voting for Senator McCain, either.

Ok, not in every case, but in many.

Actually the information is neither outdated nor partisan. Look at the actual sites and judge them for yourself....I'm sorry, Ada. but the information at the links you provided are outdated. The lists of Senators and Representatives are from prior to the 2006 elections. They consist of people who no longer hold office or are currently in a different capacity. Look at them and you'll see. The "proof" is in the pudding.

Not partisan??? One Republican scores above 60% while only two Democrats score below 80%. Yep. Sounds bipartisan to me.

And one of them was John Kerry!!

So if you have more current data, let us see it. Don't ask me to do your research for you.

Ivan, I have checked out the sites and it appears that their last reference is for 2006. Is that your standard for outdated? If so, does that mean you will not consider anything prior to 2007 as being relevant?

With regards the different scores for Democrats and Republicans perhaps the scores reflect the support for Veterans that the two parties provide.

So far I would believe the pudding supports McCain's lack of support for veterans.

If we would take tarifs off ethanol imports from countries where it makes economic sense to produce ethanol we might increase the amount of fuels on the world market.

It makes no economic sense to push corn ethanol, but it makes no political sense to go against the corn growers so again, how can we expect leaders to engage in serious intelligent political debate or education.

We need to get the money out of politics and force all interest groups to start appealling to and educating the public in the open instead of trying to fool and bribe politicians in the dark.

McCain is nothing but another G.W. Bush. The thing that I'm sure of is that I don't like what's happening in the US and feel that we as a country need to change direction. McCain is just a Washington insider that has helped put us in the boat we are now in. Nothing more and nothing less.

I'm voting for Obama.

Um, in response to a comment about paying farmers to not plant, being a business ploy for keeping supply down, therfore prices up.

It's been known, for thousands of years that the land must lay fallow for awhile, otherwise the soil will be depleted, meaning it will turn into a desert. Think Ethiopia.

Or even the dust bowl, of the 30's.

Thanks for sharing

Jerry, that was quite funny!

Democrats are the Saudi Arabia of wind......