At the top of the blog, links to the two candidates giving speeches on the subject of energy policy have been added.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Check out the videos just added to the blog!
At the top of the blog, links to the two candidates giving speeches on the subject of energy policy have been added.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Commentary
While searching for the presidential candidates' stance on energy independence I came across an article on CNN.com. This article was in the commentary section and was written by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., author of the book Crimes Against Nature; How George W. Bush and hos corporate pals are plundering the country and hijacking our democracy.
While I knew that the commentary would be highly in favor of Obama I decided that it would be interesting to analyze his opinion.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/25/kennedy.energy/
In the article, Kennedy begins by comparing Obama and his campaign to Kennedy's father and uncles campaigns. He states that Obama incites a sense of excitement in Americans that has been absent for a long time. When speaking about Obama's plan, Kennedy states that "It will sharpen our competitiveness by reducing our energy costs, dramatically reduce our national debt, stimulate our economy far more effectively than tax cuts by putting conservation savings in the hands of every American, and be the engine for creating millions of green-collar jobs that cannot be outsourced."
The commentary also talks about all the things other countries have done to reduce carbon and oil dependence in comparison to the United States. Unfortunately, when it comes down to it, the U.S. has been left in the dust. We have been focusing so much energy and time on oil drilling that we have forgotten the other forms of energy at our disposal. Personally, I agree with Kennedy's take on the two plans and their implications.
If you still have questions:
See McCain and Obama energy plans
While I knew that the commentary would be highly in favor of Obama I decided that it would be interesting to analyze his opinion.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/25/kennedy.energy/
In the article, Kennedy begins by comparing Obama and his campaign to Kennedy's father and uncles campaigns. He states that Obama incites a sense of excitement in Americans that has been absent for a long time. When speaking about Obama's plan, Kennedy states that "It will sharpen our competitiveness by reducing our energy costs, dramatically reduce our national debt, stimulate our economy far more effectively than tax cuts by putting conservation savings in the hands of every American, and be the engine for creating millions of green-collar jobs that cannot be outsourced."
The commentary also talks about all the things other countries have done to reduce carbon and oil dependence in comparison to the United States. Unfortunately, when it comes down to it, the U.S. has been left in the dust. We have been focusing so much energy and time on oil drilling that we have forgotten the other forms of energy at our disposal. Personally, I agree with Kennedy's take on the two plans and their implications.
If you still have questions:
See McCain and Obama energy plans
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Week #1, Item #1: McCain's Conflicted Views on Energy
Senator John McCain's proposal to rectify the energy crisis and create energy self sufficiency in the United States consists of short-term remedies to a long-term problem. His plans to increase offshore drilling are in direct conflict with his desire to decrease emissions by offering incentives to create more environmentally friendly vehicles.
McCain, who was initially opposed to offshore drilling, is now in favor of it as a means of decreasing American's reliance on foriegn oil. He is also a proponent of constructing numerous nuclear power plants to supply the growing population of the United States with the energy they need to sustain themselves. Ironically, McCain is interested in the development of a battery powered vehicle and in using flex-fuel, such as ethanol, instead of gas. If he is so interested in decreasing emissions with innovative and environmentally friendly vehicles, then why is he an advocate of offshore drilling?
There is not an infinate supply of oil to be drilled; the supply will run out. It may take a relatively long time, but we will only continue to damage the planet as we continue using oil to power our vehicles. As the population increases the consumption of oil will increase. Flex fuel is a great alternative to gas; however, there is no current supply available that would meet the needs of the United States.
Like offshore drilling, the nuclear power plants McCain proposes be built present a potential, but very serious risk to people and the environment. Senator McCain's views on energy seem short sighted and confusing. He should look at some alternate energy sources that are safer, practical and more environmentally friendly. First however, McCain needs to make up his mind on where he really stands on the issue of energy and the environment.
Fiona Bowie
McCain, who was initially opposed to offshore drilling, is now in favor of it as a means of decreasing American's reliance on foriegn oil. He is also a proponent of constructing numerous nuclear power plants to supply the growing population of the United States with the energy they need to sustain themselves. Ironically, McCain is interested in the development of a battery powered vehicle and in using flex-fuel, such as ethanol, instead of gas. If he is so interested in decreasing emissions with innovative and environmentally friendly vehicles, then why is he an advocate of offshore drilling?
There is not an infinate supply of oil to be drilled; the supply will run out. It may take a relatively long time, but we will only continue to damage the planet as we continue using oil to power our vehicles. As the population increases the consumption of oil will increase. Flex fuel is a great alternative to gas; however, there is no current supply available that would meet the needs of the United States.
Like offshore drilling, the nuclear power plants McCain proposes be built present a potential, but very serious risk to people and the environment. Senator McCain's views on energy seem short sighted and confusing. He should look at some alternate energy sources that are safer, practical and more environmentally friendly. First however, McCain needs to make up his mind on where he really stands on the issue of energy and the environment.
Fiona Bowie
Campaign websites
Check out the following website:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy
It has great information on Obama's energy policy. It is a link within his campaign site.
John McCain also has a link in his site at:
http://www.johnmccain.com//Informing/Issues/17671aa4-2fe8-4008-859f-0ef1468e96f4.htm
One immediately apparent difference between the campaign sites is that McCain ties energy independence to security within the first sentence, while a compulsory look at Obama's site gives the impression that his greatest concern is growing green energy for job creation and environmental reasons, and reducing the cost of fuel for consumers.
McCain states in his opening paragraph that he believes our future national security and economic prosperity are dependent upon "producing more power, pushing technology to help free our transportation sector from its use of foreign oil, cleaning up our air and addressing climate change, and ensuring that Americans have dependable energy sources".
Obama's site does not have an opening paragraph - It is in outline form, and I was unable to find anywhere in the outlines that mentions security. However, right near the top, following the first outline, is a link to a narrative statement of the campaign's energy policy, which can be found at the following address:
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/factsheet_energy_speech_080308.pdf
The opening sentence is as follows: "America has always risen to great challenges, and our dependence on oil is one of the greatest we have ever faced. It’s a threat to our national security, our planet and our economy". Clearly, there is a connection made between energy independence and security.
So, both candidates appear to believe that energy dependence is a threat to our security and prosperity, though it's easier to find out that McCain feels that way than Obama.
It will be interesting over the next four weeks, as our Obama and McCain reporters sift through the articles and campaign sites, etc., and pin down specific policy ideas each candidate has, to see the similarities and differences that emerge.
Heather Wegan
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy
It has great information on Obama's energy policy. It is a link within his campaign site.
John McCain also has a link in his site at:
http://www.johnmccain.com//Informing/Issues/17671aa4-2fe8-4008-859f-0ef1468e96f4.htm
One immediately apparent difference between the campaign sites is that McCain ties energy independence to security within the first sentence, while a compulsory look at Obama's site gives the impression that his greatest concern is growing green energy for job creation and environmental reasons, and reducing the cost of fuel for consumers.
McCain states in his opening paragraph that he believes our future national security and economic prosperity are dependent upon "producing more power, pushing technology to help free our transportation sector from its use of foreign oil, cleaning up our air and addressing climate change, and ensuring that Americans have dependable energy sources".
Obama's site does not have an opening paragraph - It is in outline form, and I was unable to find anywhere in the outlines that mentions security. However, right near the top, following the first outline, is a link to a narrative statement of the campaign's energy policy, which can be found at the following address:
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/factsheet_energy_speech_080308.pdf
The opening sentence is as follows: "America has always risen to great challenges, and our dependence on oil is one of the greatest we have ever faced. It’s a threat to our national security, our planet and our economy". Clearly, there is a connection made between energy independence and security.
So, both candidates appear to believe that energy dependence is a threat to our security and prosperity, though it's easier to find out that McCain feels that way than Obama.
It will be interesting over the next four weeks, as our Obama and McCain reporters sift through the articles and campaign sites, etc., and pin down specific policy ideas each candidate has, to see the similarities and differences that emerge.
Heather Wegan
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Welcome to our Campaign '08 Energy Blog!
Be in the know this election - We can help!
Over the next four weeks, we will be presenting and comparing information from both Barack Obama's and John McCain's presidential campaigns regarding the issue of Energy Security and Independence. We look forward to input from contributors within the UW Tacoma community, as well as anyone outside of that community who has something relevant to add, whether it be information regarding the candidates' positions that we may have missed or not yet touched upon, or your own commentary.
To get the ball rolling, take a look at the following recent articles from MSNBC.com and The New York Times, respectively, which give some insight into the perspectives of each campaign:
Please, check back often - We will be posting many items each week over the next four weeks!
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