Just wanted to let you know that I’ve updated my article predicting the Supreme Court’s striking down EPA powers to regulate CO2, etc. If you want to understand how it works and what the stakes are, it’s all updated:
Yep, instead of the EPA regulating CO2, we now have the real CO2 experts on the job - who have always been - the fossil fuel industry; what could possibly go wrong with that? Not only that, we can now expect that the SCOTUS will effectively emasculate the EPA in all areas in deference to Big Oil, Big Coal and Big Natural Gas.
I work in oil, and we've LED international industry in 'going green". We had to in order to be allowed to bid in certain markets. What you might find interesting is those markets are mostly small tropical countries. They know that cheap fossil fuels are CRITICAL to eliminating fossil fuels, so they make sure those fossil fuels are extracted at 99% reduction of environmental impact.
Anyway, each time we added another "green feature", profits went up, proving that going green is good business.
Next year, we will have our test ships running on zero pollution ammonia. This allows us to switch existing diesels to ammonia and end use of fossil fuels, but we must have fossil fuels to keep the world economy running while we change.
Thom, I am a real supporter of your POV, though my take is as a non-American. As you say, this act "lit our planet on fire". But so too has Trumpism, so too has the reversal of Roe v. Wade, so too is the diminishment of America's institutions. Which is all to say that the threat to democracy is global and systemic. It - and all of the many pressing existential issues that demand democratic leadership - can thus only be addressed globally and systemically. We need a Plan B. Does this resonate with you? https://www.boombigideas.com/p/do-you-think-the-world-needs-a-plan
Bob, good post, but it's not just the USA. About a dozen countries have been "going fascist" for a while, though after 40 years, the USA is probably "leading the world". Many are now turning back to freedom and democracy. My point is that the USA is no longer driving things, which makes it easier for both the Nazis to put in someone like TrumPutin, and for the freedom fighters to win back their freedom.
So, you know that ancient Chinese curse - we are living it!
Here is an interesting article, the first article of fall 2022 on this topic. Have a read of this link.
Here is my summary: Manchin is claiming that infrastructure permitting is onerous. It is, I know, and I know why. When I run a highway through your back yard, clearly I need to buy your back yard, but what about a wetland that the highway could affect critical water flows, and what about a marble mine 5 miles from your back yard that will see marble damage from vibration, and what about a bear whose territory we cut in half. It's not just about making permits fast and easy. If that's the goal, the real goal is eliminating permits.
If we empower Mancin and other politicians whose only focus is bribes, one morning the bulldozers will be in your back yard and nobody will know why.
"This scenario isn’t just plausible: it’s probable." Terrifying indeed. But not just for America. As a Canadian, I can promise you that as America goes, so go all other democracies. This article speaks to the reality that WE can't continue to rely ALONE on very fragile institutions that are clearly insufficient to the times we find ourselves in. The choices are not that we keep doing what we are doing, or that the system collapses into revolution. There is a middle way - a Plan B.
2. Educate citizens so they understand the issues.
3. Make all government positions except President civil service jobs, highest test score. President - we strip all but ceremonial power, train up a dozen or two celebrities so they can jump in as needed, and when we need one, we call down the list until someone says yes. We can match celebrity to celebrity. For example, have Steven King meet any Royalty.
Congress just holds a poll to see what we care about, then researches and proposes solutions, including cost, for us to vote on. If we approve a solution, they start on the next listed issue.
The SCOTUS must have all powers removed except one. Congress can send them legal questions and they can respond, then congress can toss it or post it and we citizens vote on it.
We also make it a minimum 20 years in prison for anyone who pays or approves a bribe to politicians larger than normal people can give. I'm fine with Boeing having the same power as I have.
How, could this possibly be good for anybody. Thom always ahead of the curb on this coming down the pike. All the evidence of climate crisis I guess isn’t enough for these people. Thank you Thom you get it right again.
You definitely called it weeks ago. This radical SCOTUS is getting completely out of hand.
Yep, instead of the EPA regulating CO2, we now have the real CO2 experts on the job - who have always been - the fossil fuel industry; what could possibly go wrong with that? Not only that, we can now expect that the SCOTUS will effectively emasculate the EPA in all areas in deference to Big Oil, Big Coal and Big Natural Gas.
....and welcome to the Pyrocene, courtesy Big Oil via The Supremely Injudicious Court of the United States.
I work in oil, and we've LED international industry in 'going green". We had to in order to be allowed to bid in certain markets. What you might find interesting is those markets are mostly small tropical countries. They know that cheap fossil fuels are CRITICAL to eliminating fossil fuels, so they make sure those fossil fuels are extracted at 99% reduction of environmental impact.
Anyway, each time we added another "green feature", profits went up, proving that going green is good business.
Next year, we will have our test ships running on zero pollution ammonia. This allows us to switch existing diesels to ammonia and end use of fossil fuels, but we must have fossil fuels to keep the world economy running while we change.
Thom, I am a real supporter of your POV, though my take is as a non-American. As you say, this act "lit our planet on fire". But so too has Trumpism, so too has the reversal of Roe v. Wade, so too is the diminishment of America's institutions. Which is all to say that the threat to democracy is global and systemic. It - and all of the many pressing existential issues that demand democratic leadership - can thus only be addressed globally and systemically. We need a Plan B. Does this resonate with you? https://www.boombigideas.com/p/do-you-think-the-world-needs-a-plan
Bob, good post, but it's not just the USA. About a dozen countries have been "going fascist" for a while, though after 40 years, the USA is probably "leading the world". Many are now turning back to freedom and democracy. My point is that the USA is no longer driving things, which makes it easier for both the Nazis to put in someone like TrumPutin, and for the freedom fighters to win back their freedom.
So, you know that ancient Chinese curse - we are living it!
Here is an interesting article, the first article of fall 2022 on this topic. Have a read of this link.
Here is my summary: Manchin is claiming that infrastructure permitting is onerous. It is, I know, and I know why. When I run a highway through your back yard, clearly I need to buy your back yard, but what about a wetland that the highway could affect critical water flows, and what about a marble mine 5 miles from your back yard that will see marble damage from vibration, and what about a bear whose territory we cut in half. It's not just about making permits fast and easy. If that's the goal, the real goal is eliminating permits.
If we empower Mancin and other politicians whose only focus is bribes, one morning the bulldozers will be in your back yard and nobody will know why.
https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/government/article/14283214/manchin-unveils-details-of-proposed-permitting-reform-for-energy-infrastructure?utm_source=OGJ+Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS220922040&o_eid=1873D5212956B6F&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C1873D5212956B6F&oly_enc_id=1873D5212956B6F
"This scenario isn’t just plausible: it’s probable." Terrifying indeed. But not just for America. As a Canadian, I can promise you that as America goes, so go all other democracies. This article speaks to the reality that WE can't continue to rely ALONE on very fragile institutions that are clearly insufficient to the times we find ourselves in. The choices are not that we keep doing what we are doing, or that the system collapses into revolution. There is a middle way - a Plan B.
https://www.boombigideas.com/p/do-you-think-the-world-needs-a-plan
My plan B is stolen from my wife.
1. Eliminate all elected positions.
2. Educate citizens so they understand the issues.
3. Make all government positions except President civil service jobs, highest test score. President - we strip all but ceremonial power, train up a dozen or two celebrities so they can jump in as needed, and when we need one, we call down the list until someone says yes. We can match celebrity to celebrity. For example, have Steven King meet any Royalty.
Congress just holds a poll to see what we care about, then researches and proposes solutions, including cost, for us to vote on. If we approve a solution, they start on the next listed issue.
The SCOTUS must have all powers removed except one. Congress can send them legal questions and they can respond, then congress can toss it or post it and we citizens vote on it.
We also make it a minimum 20 years in prison for anyone who pays or approves a bribe to politicians larger than normal people can give. I'm fine with Boeing having the same power as I have.
This makes a TRULY representative government.
How, could this possibly be good for anybody. Thom always ahead of the curb on this coming down the pike. All the evidence of climate crisis I guess isn’t enough for these people. Thank you Thom you get it right again.