Seems like Republicans and some of their supporters here are more interested in winning points than helping people. http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1829354,00.html The Tire-Gauge Solution: No Joke How out of touch is Barack Obama? He's so out of touch that he suggested that if all Americans inflated their tires properly and took their cars for regular tune-ups, they could save as much oil as new offshore drilling would produce. Gleeful Republicans have made this their daily talking point, Rush Limbaugh is having a field day, and the Republican National Committee is sending tire gauges labeled "Barack Obama's Energy Plan" to Washington reporters. But who's really out of touch? The Bush administration estimates that expanded offshore drilling could increase oil production by 200,000 barrels per day by 2030. We use about 20 million barrels per day, so that would meet about 1% of our demand two decades from now. Meanwhile, efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can improve gas mileage by 3%, and regular maintenance can add another 4%. Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone else did, we could reduce demand several percentage points immediately. In other words: Obama is right. Politics ain't beanbag, and Obama has defended himself against worse smears. The real problem with the attacks on his tire-gauge plan is that efforts to improve conservation and efficiency happen to be the best approaches to dealing with the energy crisis — the cheapest, cleanest, quickest and easiest ways to ease our addiction to oil, reduce our pain at the pump and address global warming. It's a pretty simple concept: if our use of fossil fuels is increasing our reliance on Middle Eastern dictators while destroying the planet, maybe we ought to use less. The RNC is trying to make the tire gauge a symbol of unseriousness, as if only the fatuous believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil without doing the bidding of Big Oil. But the tire gauge is really a symbol of a very serious piece of good news: We can use significantly less energy without significantly changing our lifestyle. The energy guru Amory Lovins has shown that investment in "nega-watts" — reduced electricity use through efficiency improvements — is much more cost-effective than investment in new megawatts, and the same is clearly true of nega-barrels. It might not fit the worldviews of right-wing global-warming denyers who insist that reducing emissions would destroy our economy, or left-wing earth-firsters who insist that maintaining our creature comforts would destroy the world, but there's a lot of simple things we can do on the demand side before we start rushing to ratchet up supply. We can use those twisty carbon fluorescent light bulbs. We can unplug our televisions, computers and phone chargers when we're not using them. We can seal our windows, install more insulation and adjust our thermostats so that we waste less heat and air conditioning. We can use more efficient appliances, build more efficient homes and drive more efficient cars, preferably with government assistance. And yes, we can inflate our tires and tune our engines, as Republican governors Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Charlie Crist of Florida have urged, apparently without consulting the RNC. While we're at it, we can cut down on idling, which can improve fuel economy another 5%, and cut down on speeding and unnecessary acceleration, which can increase mileage as much as 20%. And that's just the low-hanging fruit. There are other ways to reduce demand for oil — more public transportation, more carpooling, more telecommuting, more recycling, less exurban sprawl, fewer unnecessary car trips, buying less stuff and eating less meat — that would require at least some lifestyle changes. But things like tire gauges can reduce gas bills and carbon emissions now, with little pain and little cost, and without the ecological problems and oil-addiction problems associated with offshore drilling. They're the proverbial win-win-win solutions, reducing the pain of $100 trips to the gas station by reducing trips to the gas station. And Americans are already starting to adopt them, ditching SUV's, buying hybrids, reducing overall gas consumption. It's hard to see why anyone who isn't affiliated with the oil industry would discourage them. Of course, in recent years, the Republican Party has been affiliated with the oil industry. It was the oilman Dick Cheney who dismissed conservation as a mere sign of "personal virtue," not a basis for energy policy. It was the oilman George W. Bush who resisted efforts to regulate carbon emissions. And most congressional Republicans have been even more reliable water-carriers for the industry's interests. John McCain has been a notable exception. He is not an oilman, he has pushed to regulate carbon emissions, and he opposed Bush's pork-stuffed energy bill, which Obama supported. He also opposed efforts to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and until recently opposed new offshore drilling. But now that gas prices have spiked, McCain is running for President on a drill-first platform, and polls suggest that most Americans agree with him. It's sad to see his campaign adopting the politics of the tire gauge, promoting the fallacy that Americans are powerless to address their own energy problems. Because the truth is: Yes, we can. We already are.
Wow - that's amazing. So basically inflating tires will have the impact of 3 times of drilling??? Shows that the republicans really are full of air - so to speak.
Interesting. McCain's general ignorance/dishonesty on energy is really maddening. I'm watching one of his spokespeople on PBS talk about oil, and what she's saying flies in the face of what economists are saying. Of course, a lot of that is just a result of the fact that the smart policies usually aren't the popular ones, particularly when oil is involved. However, I expected better from someone who has shown as much personal courage as McCain, especially when Obama has shown a willingness to be right rather than take the easy route. (Yes, I am referring in large part to the gas tax)
so why don't you break down the math TJ like major did? or is it easier to just call it a lie and say libs will believe anything. By the way, McCain's campaign is further disaffecting me as a moderate and pushing me to the left. Can you believe that I at one time considered myself a moderate republican - that was 8 years ago.
lol @ T_J saying some people will believe anything. This is the same poster that promised us that Larry Sinclair was telling the truth about Barack Obama being a coke head who took limo rides with ample amounts of oral sex on the side. This is the same person who wholeheartedly believes that Michelle Obama is actually Angela Davis and will introduce "whitey" into our nomenclature. Some will believe anything, indeed. Thanks Colbert!
This is not news unless you are John McCain and don't read our own government websites. The EPA has always stated that proper tire inflation and maintenance will decrease fuel consumption. Not sure what McCain's beef is? -------------- Transportation consumes about 25 percent of the total energy used in the United States. Driving releases harmful chemicals and other air pollutants into the air. When, where, how, why and what you drive all play an important role in affecting air pollution. Here are some suggestions on how to be more environmentally friendly when you need to get somewhere. * Drive less, especially during peak traffic periods or hot days. * Use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike. * Shop by phone, mail or Internet. * Telecommute. Even one day a week will make a big difference. * Combine your errands into one trip. * Avoid revving or idling engine over 30 seconds. * Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in. * Accelerate gradually, maintain speed limit and use cruise control on the highway. * Follow your owner's manual on recommendations for maximum economic efficiency. * Use an energy-conserving (E.C.) grade of motor oil. * Minimize use of air conditioning if you can. * Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs). * Use EPA-certified facilities for air conditioner repair. * Find out if materials are recycled when you change your tires, "throw away" your car or change car fluids. Ask before your car is serviced and consider going to someone who is environmentally friendly. * Replace your car's air filter and oil regularly. For information of how to do this correctly and environmentally visit http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/recy-oil.pdf (PDF, 8 pp, 219 KB) . * Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. * Repair all vehicle leaks promptly. * Fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly. * Look for the most efficient, lowest-polluting model of vehicle. For more information visit the Green Vehicles Guide Web page - http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/ * Don't ignore the "check engine" or "service engine soon" light if it comes on. Make an appointment with your repair technician for diagnosis soon. For more information, read our fact sheet at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/obd-faq.htm. For additional information relating to driving and air pollution, please see these documents: * Fuel Economy Website * Your Car and Clean Air: What You Can Do to Reduce Pollution (PDF, 3 pp, 66KB) * Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage (PDF, 2 pp, 20KB) * Clean Cars for Clean Air: Inspection/Maintenance Programs (PDF, 5 pp, 71KB) * See EPA's EnergyStar site for more information about buying energy-efficient appliances and materials http://www.epa.gov/air/actions/drive_wise.html
I'm trying not to feed the trolls more than necessary. As you can see, I've limited myself to one line in dealing with T_J.
So how many of you are actually going to start watching your tire pressure? Are you guys using windmills and solar panels at your house too?
It's one thing to say that inflating your tires helps fuel efficiency... it's another to make it your solution to the energy crisis. That's what Obama did. He deserves to be pilloried. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pkytVjgn-Uc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pkytVjgn-Uc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Drilling offshore means less dollars go abroad for oil. It also sends the important signal to the market that the US is serious about increasing production. As we have learned, prices react to marginal production shifts. Prices react far more than the % change of supply. Again, the phenomenon is called queuing theory. I've explained it before. It also creates bonus bids, jobs, and tax revenues that inflating your tires (snicker) doesn't provide. Anyone with a brain can realize Obama's plan is ridiculous. Take it from someone who knows energy well -- Obama is clueless on energy. He does not know what he's talking about. Totally in over his head. You should hear people in the industry laugh about him when his name comes up. He's a total joke.
I'm sorry? Did anyone hear Obama say this was the solution to the energy crisis? (kudos for Jorge finally admitting a problem) I could swear this was only one idea in Obama's speech today. Uh! I'm tired proving you wrong all day Jorge. I'm going to make a drink. Good night.
T_J Firstly, Obamas energy plan is not tire gauges. It is to invest heavily into alternatives to oil Prices react to change in supply.. But they react even more to changes in DEMAND And we have the ability to change demand FAR MORE than we can supply. Oil will eventually run out. Its just a fact. Mccains plan is another finger in the dam, just like his Iraq plan.
If we apply that logic to McCain, than the republican nominee's health care plan can be summarized as to apply more sunblock!
