The overdependence on any one type of energy makes us vulnerable. Even if you disregard all the other issues surrounding fossil fuels, their domination of the market has to end. Will our corporate masters and their politician puppets be allowed to keep blocking our national interests?
I am on your side here. This country has needed a hard reset on energy for a long time. Just thought I would bring the lithium issue into the equation.
Things Get Uncomfortable On Russian TV After A Veteran Gets Too Real About The Losses Incurred During The Invasion Of Ukraine "This is the rebirth of Russia!"
Sorry, I didn't mean to be dismissive, it's just I've heard these used as reasons to keep using fossil fuels so many times, I fall back to my default responses.
Natural gas imo is a reasonable source of energy like and cost effective. It burns fairly clean and it is a natural resource that can be managed. I don't believe we will ever be totally non fossil fuel ,we just need to not use it where there are viable cost effective alternatives. Battery power is great and innovative but there are heavy duty applications where its not cost effective or possible as yet. My feeling is rather than politically declaring war against fossil fuels, the message to the public should be a reasonable cost transition to battery and promote the hell out of the positives. Answer the "So What" to the consumer meaning how is it not only good for environment but as a consumer it benefits you these areas. If the lumberjack in the NW cant be provided a reasonable power to weight for an alternative commercial saw dont accuse him of being a Nazi for wanting to use 2 0r 4 cycle large saws. If you you show him light weight hand held super saw that will save him money and cost, now you got something. Timber Joey fires up that 2 cycle saw for every goal in front of the Timber Army and I would bet most of them dont mind that at all.
I am mostly fine with using natural gas as a fuel as long as we aren't doing destructive drilling for it. But you could power any angine on biofuels or hydrogen without any loss of power. Also, using natural gas is a fantastic way to create hydrogen. I think that's actually how most hydrogen is made today. And this process can be done without combustion.
US official warns Israel: ‘Don’t be last haven for dirty money fueling Putin’s war’ Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland calls on Israel to join Western sanctions, as Jerusalem’s attempt to publicly stay in a neutral position becomes increasingly precarious The US warned Israel on Friday against taking in “dirty money” from Russia and called on Jerusalem to join Western sanctions to punish the Kremlin for its invasion of Ukraine. Israel has avoided sanctions or strident criticism against Russia and President Vladimir Putin as it seeks to balance its warm ties with both Kyiv and Moscow. Western countries and companies have enacted crippling sanctions against Russia’s economy, its oligarchs, and some officials, including Putin, since the start of the invasion. However, Israel has not joined the efforts, including not taking action against Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich who has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and Canada. In addition, a number of private jets have reportedly traveled from Russia to Israel in recent days. The US Under Secretary of state for political affairs, Victoria Nuland, told Israel’s Channel 12 news on Friday that Israel should get onboard with Western sanctions, and bar Russian oligarchs. “You don’t want to become the last haven for dirty money that’s fueling Putin’s wars,” Nuland said. “So whatever Israel is able to do, Ukrainians would welcome and the international coalition in support of Ukraine would welcome.” Asked about Israel joining the Biden administration’s sanctions, Nuland said, “What we are asking among other things is for every democracy around the world to join us in the financial and export control sanctions that we have put on Putin. We have to squeeze the regime, we have to deny it the income that it needs.” “We squeeze the oligarchs around him, we squeeze its economy. So in that context, we’re asking as many countries as we can to join us. We’re asking that of Israel as well,” she said. As for whether Israel should provide military aid to Ukraine, Nuland said that was in the hands of the Israeli government. “That’s a sovereign decision for Israel to make. Many, many democracies around the world are stepping out of their comfort zone to supply security and military support to Ukraine. But what’s most important from our point of view right now is [for Israel] to join the financial sanctions,” she said. Israel has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including medical equipment and generators for a hospital. However, it has refused to send military equipment, including defense gear such as flak jackets and helmets. As Israel avoids imposing sanctions, flight traffic has suggested that some wealthy Russians are seeking refuge in Israel. Channel 12 reported Friday that in the last 10 days, 14 private jets that took off from St. Petersburg landed at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport. Last week, the outlet reported that an unusual number of rented private jets have been flying from Russia to Israel since the invasion of Ukraine, a possible indication that some rich Russians are looking at ways to slip around sanctions. Israel has attempted to walk a tightrope between Kyiv and Moscow, and sought to use its relations with the two countries to mediate between them, so far unsuccessfully. Israel is also fearful of angering Russia due to its powerful presence in Syria, where Israel carries out strikes against Iran-linked targets. Israel’s attempt to remain neutral has become increasingly fraught in recent days, as Russia’s onslaught intensifies, exacting a staggering humanitarian toll against its neighbor. Ukraine has repeatedly pressed Israel to take a stronger stance against Russia, and is reportedly growing exasperated with Jerusalem’s reluctance to take a side. Friday reports said that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to take up an offer from Putin, which Zelensky rejected. Bennett’s office denied the report. Zelensky, who is Jewish and a declared admirer of Israel, is hoping to broadcast a speech to the Knesset plenum as he has done in other parliaments around the world, but the plans for the speech remain unclear. Israel has instead proposed that he hold a less formal Zoom session with all MKs invited, Walla reported. Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy said Thursday that Zelensky will speak to lawmakers via Zoom in the coming days. Zelensky was reportedly initially uninterested in a Zoom talk, and has considered a speech to Yad Vashem, but the details are murky. On Friday, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said that he has told Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel that any speech made by Zelensky to Israelis could be broadcast on screens in a major square in the city. Bennett traveled to Moscow to meet with Putin on Saturday, becoming the first foreign leader to sit down with the Russian president since he invaded his neighbor. He spoke to Zelensky before and after the meeting. Israel’s refugee policy has also caused tensions, as some incoming Ukrainians have been left for days with amenities at Ben Gurion airport, and Israel has been reluctant to accept non-Jewish refugees. A Friday report said Israel, while taking in some 3,000 Ukrainians since the Russian invasion began, has turned away around 200. https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-of...ast-haven-for-dirty-money-fueling-putins-war/
Interesting. Here's another piece on the matter, as well. Jerusalem CNN — In Israel, when someone is trying to tread carefully, it is said that they are “walking between the raindrops” – trying not to get wet. For several weeks now, Israel has been walking between the raindrops as Russia wages war on Ukraine. On the one hand is Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who regularly condemns Russia’s invasion. Shortly after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, Lapid said: “There is no justification for violating Ukrainian sovereignty and killing innocent civilians.” On the other hand is Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Although he has called for a ceasefire, is sending humanitarian aid and has personally welcomed Ukrainian refugees landing in Israel, he has barely mentioned Russia or its President Vladimir Putin in public speeches. The reason is complicated and down to a combination of economic, cultural, political and, most importantly, security considerations. And while the pressure has been building on Israel internationally and domestically to do more to help Ukraine and push back against Russia, Israel is arguing it should use its unique position as one of the few Western-allied countries that has an open channel of communication with both Ukraine and Russia. Bennett is in regular contact with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin, attempting to broker negotiations. An observant Jew, he broke Shabbat on Saturday to fly to Moscow for an unannounced meeting with Putin. On Shabbat, the Jewish sabbath, work and the use of electrical objects is forbidden from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday for those who observe it. But there’s a caveat in Jewish law that a rule can be broken if it saves a life............(CONTINUED)
