tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1232112655035482837.post392022988323250776..comments2024-02-11T00:20:16.619-08:00Comments on Robin Chapman News: Do Your Bit Against Middle East TyrantsRobin Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10503563386747084298noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1232112655035482837.post-80227959015077557152011-03-14T23:12:43.506-07:002011-03-14T23:12:43.506-07:00Robin, I don't recall anyone having mentioned ...Robin, I don't recall anyone having mentioned our own national fuel reserves, right here in America. In fact, California's San Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield, has enough petroleum to serve half the country. But that idea of brewing it in your own backyard isn't as far fetched as it may sound, really. The concept of homemade fuel is, in reality, being practiced by many environmentally minded, progressive thinking, concscientious individuals who are concerned by the political manipulation and environmental issues that fossil fuel consumption is having on the global community at large. But it's a grand idea to make it do double duty as a potent potable, too-- Whet you whistle and help the environment at the same time. That's a concept I'll drink to. Cheeers!Ken G.http://oregonized@q.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1232112655035482837.post-35795688122317737612011-03-14T21:11:15.967-07:002011-03-14T21:11:15.967-07:00Now if you could just get your VW to run on someth...Now if you could just get your VW to run on something you could produce from a still in your backyard ...Robin Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10503563386747084298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1232112655035482837.post-20234761545405917722011-03-14T19:52:54.685-07:002011-03-14T19:52:54.685-07:00As a post script to my previous comment, I forgot ...As a post script to my previous comment, I forgot to say that I personally drive a VW Jetta wagon that is powered by biodiesel. It is clean burning, fuel efficiency at it best, and my auto runs perfectly fine on a fuel source that is made from recycled vegetable oil discarded from restaurants, and corn that is grown in the good ol' USA. Other plant derived sources work equally well, By the way, my mileage is an enviable 49 mpg highway, with a combined city/highway mpg of 38. My car isn't going to burn rubber off the line, but it has plenty of low rpm torque--an advantage of the diesel engine design. Although there is no ill effect on the engine from burning biodiesel, as opposed to regular diesel, two local VW dealerships refused to service my car when they learned I was using biodiesel regularly. In fact, one mechanic from a dealership informed me that VW could void the automobile's warranty for my conscious decision not to use the standard diesel, as recommended. However, he applauded my decision and reasoning for switching to a renewable, energy efficient fuel source, and told me to take the car to an independent, certified mechanic to avoid potential problems from VW.Ken G.http://oregoniozed@q.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1232112655035482837.post-66417599602029128962011-03-14T08:25:42.986-07:002011-03-14T08:25:42.986-07:00The whole concept of electric cars is problematic ...The whole concept of electric cars is problematic to me because I have the same issues as Ken G: when you plug into the socket, where does all the power come from? I think in Israel's case (correct me somebody if I'm wrong) it is mostly nuclear power--but we won't likely be seeing more of that in the U.S. for a while now that the ones in Japan have gone China Syndrome on us. That's why I think someone will come up with something else one of these days, and in the meantime I suggest walking and biking as a way to thumb our noses at Mr. Gaddafi with his torture chambers and designer hats.Robin Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10503563386747084298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1232112655035482837.post-25788434644142949152011-03-14T05:28:57.734-07:002011-03-14T05:28:57.734-07:00I once proudly suggested to my 6th grade science c...I once proudly suggested to my 6th grade science class my idea of plugging in a person's automobile into an electric socket, letting it charge overnight, never needing gasoline. Of course, the entire class, including the teacher, laughed. Nobody is laughing now. Lithium-ion batteries are the wave of the future.peretzkleinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1232112655035482837.post-57231882853017286342011-03-14T00:12:05.775-07:002011-03-14T00:12:05.775-07:00Hooray, Robin. We Americans need a healthy dose of...Hooray, Robin. We Americans need a healthy dose of reality injected into our automobile obsessed veins. Now, if only our options were as rich and varied as our native language, we'd have it made. Oleaginous? Hmmm...I didn't even know that word existed. One thought, however, regarding Israel's attempt to convert to an all electric automobile mode. Even that thought, though noble in it's attempt, requires some source of power--be it electric or battery, and both sources open up a whole lot of environmaental concers.Ken G.http://oregonized@q.comnoreply@blogger.com