Invention and innovation take money. It also takes companies willing to use the copyrights and patents they hold instead of keeping them in a vault in order to protect the status quo. Ethical companies that would like to innovate are forced to maintain a supply of capital in order to protect themselves from hostile takeovers. Others whose research comes up with a new invention find they can’t patent it because the patent is already held by a company that won’t use it. When a man invented a derringer in the 1980’s or 90’s that looked like a pager (it carried 2 9mm bullets) the news briefly mentioned a law that made it a crime to patent certain things AND to make the discussion of certain patent ideas illegal. I can’t find info on that, but I did find where Mr. Reid of Nevada blocked patent reform legislation last year. Ostensibly because it had other provisions he did not want to see passed, but let’s face it, he could have rewritten the bill and sent it back to Congress. Maybe there is a 100mpg fuel system sitting in some oil company’s safe; maybe the cure for cancer is languishing in a pharmaceutical company’s vault; maybe the ultimate solar/wind power generating system is in a file in a box in a warehouse in a third world country. Until our tribal minded, greedy, self serving legislators are replaced with men and women willing to set aside the impossible issues and work together on the necessary ones, our nation will continue to stagnate and fall behind nations who used to be in our shadow. As far as the Keystone Pipeline goes, it will employ around 10k ppl for several years counting any US companies who might get to produce pipes and equipment. After that, it is projected by independent organizations that fewer than 50 ppl will get full time employment and that the goo containing the oil will go overseas instead of being sold in North America. No long term benefits, and many long term concerns from shoddy construction of sabotage resulting in leaks and damage to lands and communities. It would be better to move water from flood prone areas to drought prone areas.Respectfully,C.
Shouldn’t the Keystone XL pipeline be a big boulder in the road, rather than any part of the solution at all? After all, it’s for shipping the oil overseas, not for using it here.Excellent play on “Keystone”, though.
The keystone pipeline has nothing to do with energy independence because the product flowing through it will be refined and sold abroad. The comment about patents is interesting, but essentially works on sort of a conspiracy theory about corporate intentions. Maybe that’s the case, but I sort of doubt it. It’s more likely that there will be new technologies, or refinements of existing technologies to push the US into energy independence. Just look at oil and gas. It would be optimal for the federal government to sponsor a lot more pure research into energy. While pure research is not politically popular, it is effective in fundamental discovery. Build 10-20 supercolliders and see what the scientists come up with. Attract Indians, Chinese, Russian and other top mathematicians and physicists to come to the U.S. to work with our existing scientists. Give every one of them citizenship and turn the loose to investigate the fundamental forces of the universe and see what happens. That’s the way to achieve energy independence.
Keystone Pipeline will greatly contribute to “energy independence from OPEC and our oil dollars funding Global Jihad!”-And for homes and offices wanting more “independence” from the electric utilities, I just read about an Israeli company, Sologic, founded 6 years ago and now testing 3 sizes of electricity output in Israel, Nice, France and Shanghai. It is the “eTree” you can place on your patio, using special shaped solar panels, using sun-power. The largest model with 7 panels provides communication, device chargers, water cooling and shade. Mass production no doubt will bring future cost savings.-But for driving long distances in the USA, cars, trucks, we will continue to need crude oil for motor fuels. And in my 82 years, the “known reserves” have grown and grown so that we now have more than the Saudis in reserves! God provides!
@Jase99because the entire Western world needs oil that is produced in the Western world. For national security and to stop funding Mideast producers who use the money the West pays for their oil to fund terrorism against the West.-Trade is a WORLD thingey, Jase. Divided between our “modern” culture and the 6th century culture that used oil wealth against us.- The Westerners were kind to Arabs to teach them from step one to full production, and they “thanked” us by using the sales income to try to destroy our entire culture. Jihadists always make it plain and clear that in Israel, no Jew will be allowed to live under the new world Caliphate, and no Christian will be tolerated. Look at Africa and the mass murders of African Christians and Jews!-Last week Boko Haram in Nigeria decimated and slaughtered a town of 2,000 people. That is only one mass murder. They have committed hundreds, all around this earth. They seem to think that Allah will let them float into Paradise on a river of innocent blood they have shed in obedience to His command!“Religion of Peace” indeed!
I can’t help but think that, by being the conduit for Canadian oil destined for China, we are nothing more than a vassal state. Maybe we should be, just so there’s no more deceit about being “exceptional”.
chazandru over 9 years ago
Invention and innovation take money. It also takes companies willing to use the copyrights and patents they hold instead of keeping them in a vault in order to protect the status quo. Ethical companies that would like to innovate are forced to maintain a supply of capital in order to protect themselves from hostile takeovers. Others whose research comes up with a new invention find they can’t patent it because the patent is already held by a company that won’t use it. When a man invented a derringer in the 1980’s or 90’s that looked like a pager (it carried 2 9mm bullets) the news briefly mentioned a law that made it a crime to patent certain things AND to make the discussion of certain patent ideas illegal. I can’t find info on that, but I did find where Mr. Reid of Nevada blocked patent reform legislation last year. Ostensibly because it had other provisions he did not want to see passed, but let’s face it, he could have rewritten the bill and sent it back to Congress. Maybe there is a 100mpg fuel system sitting in some oil company’s safe; maybe the cure for cancer is languishing in a pharmaceutical company’s vault; maybe the ultimate solar/wind power generating system is in a file in a box in a warehouse in a third world country. Until our tribal minded, greedy, self serving legislators are replaced with men and women willing to set aside the impossible issues and work together on the necessary ones, our nation will continue to stagnate and fall behind nations who used to be in our shadow. As far as the Keystone Pipeline goes, it will employ around 10k ppl for several years counting any US companies who might get to produce pipes and equipment. After that, it is projected by independent organizations that fewer than 50 ppl will get full time employment and that the goo containing the oil will go overseas instead of being sold in North America. No long term benefits, and many long term concerns from shoddy construction of sabotage resulting in leaks and damage to lands and communities. It would be better to move water from flood prone areas to drought prone areas.Respectfully,C.
meetinthemiddle over 9 years ago
With the crash in the price of oil, are the tar sands still economically viable? Is the pipeline already moot?
Cerabooge over 9 years ago
Shouldn’t the Keystone XL pipeline be a big boulder in the road, rather than any part of the solution at all? After all, it’s for shipping the oil overseas, not for using it here.Excellent play on “Keystone”, though.
meetinthemiddle: I fervently hope so.
twclix over 9 years ago
The keystone pipeline has nothing to do with energy independence because the product flowing through it will be refined and sold abroad. The comment about patents is interesting, but essentially works on sort of a conspiracy theory about corporate intentions. Maybe that’s the case, but I sort of doubt it. It’s more likely that there will be new technologies, or refinements of existing technologies to push the US into energy independence. Just look at oil and gas. It would be optimal for the federal government to sponsor a lot more pure research into energy. While pure research is not politically popular, it is effective in fundamental discovery. Build 10-20 supercolliders and see what the scientists come up with. Attract Indians, Chinese, Russian and other top mathematicians and physicists to come to the U.S. to work with our existing scientists. Give every one of them citizenship and turn the loose to investigate the fundamental forces of the universe and see what happens. That’s the way to achieve energy independence.
griffthegreat2 over 9 years ago
Pure Stupidity…
oneoldhat over 9 years ago
major problem with federal hiway trust fund is that it is being raided for hiking trails ,to maintain subways , etc
kline0800 over 9 years ago
Keystone Pipeline will greatly contribute to “energy independence from OPEC and our oil dollars funding Global Jihad!”-And for homes and offices wanting more “independence” from the electric utilities, I just read about an Israeli company, Sologic, founded 6 years ago and now testing 3 sizes of electricity output in Israel, Nice, France and Shanghai. It is the “eTree” you can place on your patio, using special shaped solar panels, using sun-power. The largest model with 7 panels provides communication, device chargers, water cooling and shade. Mass production no doubt will bring future cost savings.-But for driving long distances in the USA, cars, trucks, we will continue to need crude oil for motor fuels. And in my 82 years, the “known reserves” have grown and grown so that we now have more than the Saudis in reserves! God provides!
oneoldhat over 9 years ago
note to 99 it will be Canada refined oil being exported instead of USA refined oil
kline0800 over 9 years ago
@Jase99because the entire Western world needs oil that is produced in the Western world. For national security and to stop funding Mideast producers who use the money the West pays for their oil to fund terrorism against the West.-Trade is a WORLD thingey, Jase. Divided between our “modern” culture and the 6th century culture that used oil wealth against us.- The Westerners were kind to Arabs to teach them from step one to full production, and they “thanked” us by using the sales income to try to destroy our entire culture. Jihadists always make it plain and clear that in Israel, no Jew will be allowed to live under the new world Caliphate, and no Christian will be tolerated. Look at Africa and the mass murders of African Christians and Jews!-Last week Boko Haram in Nigeria decimated and slaughtered a town of 2,000 people. That is only one mass murder. They have committed hundreds, all around this earth. They seem to think that Allah will let them float into Paradise on a river of innocent blood they have shed in obedience to His command!“Religion of Peace” indeed!
kaffekup over 9 years ago
I can’t help but think that, by being the conduit for Canadian oil destined for China, we are nothing more than a vassal state. Maybe we should be, just so there’s no more deceit about being “exceptional”.