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:: Saturday, November 21st, 2009Mad Moderate
Passionately centrist. Immoderately moderate. Mad as hell at radicals, fascists, dimwits, hypocrites and liars on right and left. Strong views from the middle on science, god, environment and country.Please visit these local CapeCodToday sponsors:
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Yo Bobby - Nantucket Sound Ain't Yosemite
12/20/05 · 5:24 am :: posted by Mike Marks
Bobby, I grew up with Yosemite, I know Yosemite, Yosemite is a special place of mine. Bobby, Nantucket Sound is no Yosemite.
Portraying Nantucket Sound as untrammeled wilderness is a bald faced lie. It's pretty yes, just as pretty and virginal as Madonna. In the Yosemite back country visitors are annoyed by the appearance of a jet at 30,000 feet because that's the only intrusion into views that haven't changed since the glaciers retreated - there's not a single home or other evidence of development in sight. Anyone who can hike or ride a mule can see these truly unspoiled views. The magnificent views from Glacier Point and the Valley Floor are nearly as pristine and are available to anyone who can ride in a bus or a car.And then you wrapped the Cape Cod National Seashore into your argument... for those who don't know better you make it sound like the Wind Farm will be located in a National Park. Have you been taking lessons from Rush Limbaugh? Seriously now, there are some fair arguments to be made against the Wind Farm. But the "like Yosemite" argument you made is about as lame and deceitful as it gets. Nantucket Sound has as much commercial Traffic as I-95. Likewise your arguments about navigation, birds, and fishing. Lame, lame and lame again.
Windmills in Natucket Sound will be pretty during the day and at night... well... I admit that a runway full of red lights in what was once a mysterious sea of blackness will be unfortunate. But even that is weak tea for opposing the Wind Farm.
The best argument I'm aware of against the wind farm is that this allocation of sea bed for commercial development could open the door to a host of unintended and unfortunate consequences. That said, I think it's worth the risk.
The bottom line Bobby is that we need energy, lots of it, and all of the choices are ugly. Conservation will only go so far. Thus, we need to do a lot of things. I'm in favor of all of them to some degree...in conjunction with conservation we should impose a stiff carbon tax while aggressively pursuing nuclear energy, drilling in ANWAR and developing tidal geothermal and wind energy sources. We need conservation and more and better energy sources to accomplish two things that are critical to our local and national inerests: 1) true energy independence that diminishes income sources to radical islam and 2) aggressive action to mitigate global warming.
With regard to global warming, let me appeal to you as a selfish property owner (okay it's not yours but it might as well be) with beach front property just 10' above the high tide of Nantucket Sound. Cape Cod residents and especially people like you have a chance to set an example to take a position of true leadership against global warming. If you can't act in your own long term self interest, then how can we expect anyone else to do it.
28 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.
12/19/05 @ 8:32 pm
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Hey why don't we just pave over it and be done with it?! lol
[ Show all comments by this user ]
Monponsett [Member] writes:
One of us (whichever CCToday blogger has the tallest boat) should spray paint the Blog Chowder URL onto a few of the turbines.
climber [Visitor] writes:
I've climbed all the towers, soon after they are built. Any towers, any town, just to be first.
You know, to get a view. Yeah, that's it.
I can't wait until these new ones are up. I'll be up there baby!
what do you want me to paint?
You know, to get a view. Yeah, that's it.
I can't wait until these new ones are up. I'll be up there baby!
what do you want me to paint?
Joe [Visitor] writes:
Hey, Mike;
I can't help but think that picture on your blog looks familiar....
Is that your dad? Or is he the guy that comes into the 'Ho' to eat the menstrual chowder?
I can't help but think that picture on your blog looks familiar....
Is that your dad? Or is he the guy that comes into the 'Ho' to eat the menstrual chowder?
James Aach [Visitor] writes:
For those of you interested in energy issues, you might find the following worth a look -- a new techno-thriller novel about the American nuclear power industry, written by a longtime nuclear engineer (me). It is available on the net at no cost to readers. This book provides an entertaining and accurate portrait of the nuclear industry today and how a nuclear accident would be handled. The book is called “Rad Decision”, and is at http://RadDecision.blogspot.com.
I don't know what our energy future holds, but I'm sure we'll do a lot better job of deciding if we understand our energy present. (And from this insider's viewpoint, few do.) That is what Rad Decision is all about. Readers on both sides of the issue will find plenty to ponder.
"I'd like to see Rad Decision widely read." - Stewart Brand, founder of The Whole Earth Catalog
Incidentally, things I can say about our energy future: 1) Conservation, conservaton, conservation, 2) Do the math. A few kilowatts of clean power will not replace a few 1000 kilowatts of "dirty" power.
I hope you check out Rad Decision
I don't know what our energy future holds, but I'm sure we'll do a lot better job of deciding if we understand our energy present. (And from this insider's viewpoint, few do.) That is what Rad Decision is all about. Readers on both sides of the issue will find plenty to ponder.
"I'd like to see Rad Decision widely read." - Stewart Brand, founder of The Whole Earth Catalog
Incidentally, things I can say about our energy future: 1) Conservation, conservaton, conservation, 2) Do the math. A few kilowatts of clean power will not replace a few 1000 kilowatts of "dirty" power.
I hope you check out Rad Decision
simple math [Visitor] writes:
'Incidentally, things I can say about our energy future: 1) Conservation, conservaton, conservation, 2) Do the math. A few kilowatts of clean power will not replace a few 1000 kilowatts of "dirty" power'
gosh, that was easy, and significantly correct.
The one thing I don't understand, is our 'conservative' types here do not advocate, and see exactly this.
You would think conservative means all about conservation. Conservation is not radical, or left wing.
Who wants to make some money here?
Who benefits by 'Cape Wind'? The few?
or the many?
And why do we have no 'conservatives' against this rapacious plan?
thank you, James Aach.
gosh, that was easy, and significantly correct.
The one thing I don't understand, is our 'conservative' types here do not advocate, and see exactly this.
You would think conservative means all about conservation. Conservation is not radical, or left wing.
Who wants to make some money here?
Who benefits by 'Cape Wind'? The few?
or the many?
And why do we have no 'conservatives' against this rapacious plan?
thank you, James Aach.
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
James! What a breath of fresh air. Am getting so tired of the hot air. YES! Conservation! What is it about Conservation that people don't understand?
correct [Visitor] writes:
it is the easiest answer, of course. And all to obvious.
In light of the human energy being presently wasted in the middle east, I wish you would check this guy out.
He really has been there, and seen that. He does not parrot what he hears, he goes there and sees. We need this type of journalism there, and here, but mostly we get the spin.
And we believe it. This is frightening folks. As many Red Sox fans would lament; Why can't we get this guy on our team?
He is.
Robert Fisk.
And always will be.
http://www.robert-fisk.com/
In light of the human energy being presently wasted in the middle east, I wish you would check this guy out.
He really has been there, and seen that. He does not parrot what he hears, he goes there and sees. We need this type of journalism there, and here, but mostly we get the spin.
And we believe it. This is frightening folks. As many Red Sox fans would lament; Why can't we get this guy on our team?
He is.
Robert Fisk.
And always will be.
http://www.robert-fisk.com/
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Robert and James! We so need to hear your thoughts and voices here. Let me tell you it is HARD country!
Henry Hub [Visitor] writes:
Magical Eye - how's your conservation efforts going? Pull out your last electric bill - how many kilowatt hours did you consume last month? Thanks.
Drew [Member] writes:
"simple math,"
The attempts to make this into a political issue are so far in left field it is rather comical. I can assure you all that, unfortunately, there are FAR fewer "Conservatives" in support of Cape Wind than "Liberals."
Cape Wind, like conservation, is not something that should have to be advocated; it should be common sense. The sad part is that we are all, regardless of our politics, being forced to debate something that should be a no brainer.
The attempts to make this into a political issue are so far in left field it is rather comical. I can assure you all that, unfortunately, there are FAR fewer "Conservatives" in support of Cape Wind than "Liberals."
Cape Wind, like conservation, is not something that should have to be advocated; it should be common sense. The sad part is that we are all, regardless of our politics, being forced to debate something that should be a no brainer.
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Henry Hub, I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours and everyone elses on this blog! Let's compare!
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Drew, lets face it, this IS a political issue. You want to reduce it down to conservatives vs. liberals but that is you not me. And frankly, I see that as yet another distraction to the real issue... the building of Cape Wind right smack in the middle of one of the Cape's most precious natural resources. And wow, Drew... you would put Cape Wind on such a pedestal, oh my!
Monponsett [Member] writes:
As long as the stay out of Jellystone Park, I won't have to kill tourists and steal their pic-a-nic baskets!
Drew [Visitor] writes:
Magical,
The conservative/liberal argument regarding this project has not been put forth by me anywhere... EVER. I was responding to the comments of "simple math" above. The most far out argument against this project I have heard yet are that this is a Conservative effort, and that the company should not be making profit from this venture.
The conservative/liberal argument regarding this project has not been put forth by me anywhere... EVER. I was responding to the comments of "simple math" above. The most far out argument against this project I have heard yet are that this is a Conservative effort, and that the company should not be making profit from this venture.
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Oh okay Drew, I hear you.
Great Gadfly [Visitor] writes:
General Comment,
If we assume that wind-generated electricity is econmoically feasible and must be part of an overall energy strategy for this country, whenever this we get around to crafting such a strategy, we should all be disturbed by what is happening.
1. The Army Corps did a poor DEIR. Even other federal agencies say so.
2. Gordon & Co. did little to prevent this although it was in their interest to get a clean cut at the ball in the first try.
3. The Alliance up until recently has been short in terms of effective publicity and reasoned argument. They have never given up and that is to their credit, but they needed a Vinnick two years ago. Sue Nickerson is great but she is too much of a lightening rod to be the front man.
4. Now the public debate, as seen here and elsewhere, is degenerating into verbal pratfalls and too much nasty blather.
This does not advance the cause of making Wind Power more viable, or an easier pill for folks to swallow. Vermont is now crafting tougher review. Why? There are valid issues to debate about the Natucket Schoals site.
If we assume that wind-generated electricity is econmoically feasible and must be part of an overall energy strategy for this country, whenever this we get around to crafting such a strategy, we should all be disturbed by what is happening.
1. The Army Corps did a poor DEIR. Even other federal agencies say so.
2. Gordon & Co. did little to prevent this although it was in their interest to get a clean cut at the ball in the first try.
3. The Alliance up until recently has been short in terms of effective publicity and reasoned argument. They have never given up and that is to their credit, but they needed a Vinnick two years ago. Sue Nickerson is great but she is too much of a lightening rod to be the front man.
4. Now the public debate, as seen here and elsewhere, is degenerating into verbal pratfalls and too much nasty blather.
This does not advance the cause of making Wind Power more viable, or an easier pill for folks to swallow. Vermont is now crafting tougher review. Why? There are valid issues to debate about the Natucket Schoals site.
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
Agreed, Gadfly, there are valid issues when it comes to building wind turbines on "Natucket Schoals." As there are for Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound, where Cape Wind wants to build its turbines.
Brian [Visitor] writes:
I admit it, I am a conservative and I am against the wind farm project. My reasons are simple, the wind farm will have no significant effect on pollution, energy needs or anything else of value. 400 megawatts on a windy day is nothing to be excited about considering a nuclear plant can produce 6 times that 365 days a year, cheap, and clean! The only effect the wind farm will have is the desecration of Nantucket Sound
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Well Brian at the rate these things are being pushed up all around the world, the desecration of all of nature seems to be inevitable. How ironic!
Peter Porcupine [Visitor] writes:
Brian - so where do you want this cheap, clean nuclear power plant sited?
Maybe the National Seashore, seeing as how it's so benign?
Maybe the National Seashore, seeing as how it's so benign?
Wedge [Member] writes:
Brian, Come to Plymouth across the bay and take this 900 tons of high level nuclear waste back to your town. Nobody else wants it but it sounds like you have no problem with it. The Pilgrim Nuclear waste dump will be making 30 tons a year of this cheap stuff for the next 20 years so send your friends over for their share too.God help us if we have to look at windmills. I would much rather have "clean, cheap" nuclear power.
Mad Moderate [Visitor] writes:
Nuclear safety and waste are issues that need attention. Depending on what you read the proposal to store waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada is fine for at least 1,000 or 10,000 or 100,000 years but maybe not 1,000,000. Is it reasonable to suppose that in the next 1,000 years we'll find better ways to eliminate/handle nuclear waste? Given what's happened in technology in the past 100 years I would think so.
Likewise, nuclear safety is an issue that can be addressed if we have the will and are willing to pay for it.
I wouldn't want a Chernobyl style plant in my backyard but I'd welcome a new generation American/European style plant without hesitation.
Nuclear plants, when they go bad, have dramatic concsequences. But the good news is that they rarely go bad. Carbon based energy delivers bad consequences every minute of every day. I'm sure there are stats out there that would show that there are FAR MORE health and safety issues per capita from oil/coal than nuclear.
For those against nuclear power, please answer the question of what you propose instead?
Likewise, nuclear safety is an issue that can be addressed if we have the will and are willing to pay for it.
I wouldn't want a Chernobyl style plant in my backyard but I'd welcome a new generation American/European style plant without hesitation.
Nuclear plants, when they go bad, have dramatic concsequences. But the good news is that they rarely go bad. Carbon based energy delivers bad consequences every minute of every day. I'm sure there are stats out there that would show that there are FAR MORE health and safety issues per capita from oil/coal than nuclear.
For those against nuclear power, please answer the question of what you propose instead?
Wedge [Member] writes:
People opposed to nuclear power usually have a nuclear plant in their town. Before you make this waste figure out what to do with it. I think it's selfish to pass the problem on. I guess the same old things like conservation and alternatives would help. Teach the kids at school a little about energy use.Tufts has an incredible program teaching the kids and doing alterations on their campus to save energy. Put a solar panel on every roof for a start.We built our house to be efficient and it sure paid off.Sometimes people look to hard for basic answers.
msandre [Visitor] writes:
Are you sure you are a moderate? You sound almost right. I noticed you had to include a jab at Limbaugh though. It is nice to read some intelligent debate about energy. I do agree with you on the energy issue. In addition to what you suggested we need to open the continentle shelf to drilling aswell. Have you really fallen for the "global warming" crap? I noticed the other day that three ice cubes in my glass melted and amazingly the water never over flowed the glass. No, ihad not drunk anything from the glass. I also own property near the water. I am more worried about my property taxes going up, or will some wacko law maker make it imposible for me to drive my Dodge Ram 1500. By the way the Dodge Ram was ranked one of the most envirometly unfriendly vehiicles recently. It has great pick up though.
Mad Moderate [Visitor] writes:
Global Warming not a reality? Please take your head out of the sand. The glaciers on Greenland are melting much faster than previously thought and the consequences of ice that was on land going into the ocean will be higher sea levels. The melting freshwater ice from Greenland and the low salinity ice from the Arctic could well shut down the Gulf Stream in the next few decades. Global warming means more cold for N. Europe AND Cape Cod (lower ocean temps off the Cape). Brrrr. When the ice moves off Antarctica and into the ocean 90% of Cape Cod will be under water (but that's a few hundred years from now so why care?) The issue is NOT whether or not Global Warming is happening. It IS. The issue is what to do about it. And here the answers are tricky because no matter what we do it's going to continue and all we might be able to do is slow it down a little. But... and here's where right and left can come together... wind farms and nuclear energy benefit both the environment and our national interest.
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About This Blog
Born in Los Angeles in 1957 Mike Marks grew up with a love of California's beaches, deserts, mountains and big trees. After graduating in economics from UCLA Mike went on to become a commercial photographer in New York City. Today he lives on Cape Cod with his wife and two young daughters
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