Posted on 12/08/2011 11:43:54 PM PST by Fred
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich‘s hobby, he says, is studying “dinosaurs and other fossils.” He openly mourned the death of Knut the polar bear.Gingrich believes it is a “false dichotomy” to group policies according to whether they deal with the country’s economic problems or protect the environment. Instead, he thinks government can incentivize the production of new energy technologies, which would consequently help the environment and the economy by making the country less dependent on foreign oil.
And he is not short on ideas of how to do it. “One generation’s science fiction is the next generation’s practical reality,” wrote Gingrich in “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less,” a book he co-authored in 2008 with Vince Haley.
Here’s a sampling of some of Gingrich’s more interesting environmental ideas:
1) Build “a large array of mirrors [that] could affect the earth’s climate,” to extend farmers’ growing season. He outlined this proposal in his book “A Contract with the Earth.”
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
He got the brilliant idea after watching a Tennessee Tuxedo and Chumley cartoon. This guy is going to give Joe Biden a run for his money in the stupid quotes sweepstakes.
Oh sheesh, it sounds like he read Stephenie Meyer's book, The Host.
Where are all the Ron Paul haters? Who is goofy now?
I’m all for using science to improve the environment. Legitimately reducing pollution, improving water quality, using resources more efficiently, and finding more effective means of power generation are laudable goals worthy of investment.
Where the line needs to be drawn is when dangerously misguided political agendas are substituted for science, poorly-understood technologies are introduced based on ideology instead of effectiveness and without regard for the consequences, and environmental regulations are imposed to promote social outcomes instead of solving legitimate environmental issues.
I fully support research into biodiesel and other alternative fuels, as well as solar and wind power. However, I recognize that all of these technologies are in their infancy, and therefore are far from being viable in the marketplace as of yet. I also support *proper* resource management, waste reduction, and environmental regulations. I don’t want factories dumping raw waste into waterways. I want to see methods of more efficiently using water. I want to see managed forests, as all of these things (eventually) benefit me and my family. I’d love to have the day come again when one could drink from a clear stream without worrying about getting sick from it.
Sounds like Newt could test his theory on MythBusters. Oh! Maybe not! If MythBusters can shoot cannon balls through people’s homes, think what they would do with a couple of mirrors!
Sheesh!
That is still possible IF you go to the head {beginning} of the spring. It has never been safe though to simply drink from a stream otherwise as wildlife, cattle, dogs, horses, etc use them as a bathroom. I have two springs on my place I trust because they head up on my property. I also have a 180' well I use that I would bet it more pure than any treated utility water. I don't treat the well water as it gets no surface run off whatsoever.
I do not know in what context Newt talks about the mirrors - I suppose it is mostly experimental - but among his main proposals for right now are:
“drill here, drill now, pay less”
and “ending the EPA”
and “increasing nuclear energy.”
Thinking outside the box, that is just what we need in DC. Engineers of course would need to evaluate the practicality. Newt, with this idea, invokes the first phase of a very successful creative problem solving paradigm: Spin out ideas uncritically, followed with the second phase, critical analysis of the spun thoughts.
Let’s hope Moochelle doesn’t look at the climate change mirrors. The whole country might get 7 years bad luck.
Daily Caller wants Mitt.
I think they would be deployed in earth orbit, little chance for any mortal to chance a look.
“think what they would do with a couple of mirrors!”
Okay...
http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/aluminization.html
You and I know that. I did a stint with a small engrg firm when solid modeling was new tied in with FEA and we had these round table idea sessions for customers products all the time.
The problem is our Public and our Culture IMHO won't want all the details, they want the Cliff Notes version. In that regard, Newt may burn out the American Public with his border line ADD thought process (His former chief of staff on CSPAN referred to him being this possibly)
IMHO this would be the greatest danger of a Newt Admin. his numbers would plumet unless he can keep this creative thought process as an internal function. For example, Mr. Newt should give us a coherent Energy Policy in a press conference, not in bit and drabs. If you want to refer back to the process and give tidbits of what worked and what was left in the drawing board waste-basket, that is fine, but keep it concise...
This is not free market capitalism!
JimRob...you really support this guy?
They didn’t call him Speaker Moonbeam because of his well tailored suits.
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