The Real End To Terrorism

[fimbulwinter]

I will side with the liberals on this one:

The real way to end terrorism and remove power from those who hate us is to develop tangible alternative energy sources now. The US should use monies that would go to keeping "world war" style arms (battleships, fighter jets etc.) and build nuclear plants in the near future and massive offshore vestas-style windfarms like denmark etc. long term.

Remember the only reason the middle east holds any sway in the world is their control over energy. They contribute nothing to the world scientific or economic communities and would be unable to fund terrorist operations and the supporting infrastructure if it were not for them being awash in oil money.

fim

[bobman0330]

This plan makes little sense:
-Since when is "build nuclear power plants" a part of the liberal agenda?
-Most or all of the US Navy's battleships have long since been decommissioned
-What with the economic growth of China and the looming prospect of the de-democritization of Russia, might it not be prudent to maintain the capability to defend ourselves against future conventional threats?
-I had always understood liberal opinion to be that poverty and oppression were partially to blame for terrorism. Now you're saying that the middle east isn't poor enough?
-Developing alternative sources of electrical power is insufficient, as most demand for oil is for gasoline, jet fuel, etc. We would also need to develop PRACTICAL electrical or hydrogen cars (maybe we could dissolve a few infantry divisions to pay for that one).
-Is there any reason to believe that crushing the economy of these nations will prevent them from supporting terror? Afghanistan was very very poor, yet still managed to sponsor a great deal of terrorism. Likewise Syria. And the British suicide bombers were domestically supported.

[ACPlayer]

Your concept of finding solutions that we can implement is sound. Alternate energy policies is a good start.

[ QUOTE ]
They contribute nothing to the world scientific or economic communities

[/ QUOTE ]

Why do you think this is so? I am sure that Pepsi would love to sell in Tehran and McDonalds could have a branch there.

[BZ_Zorro]

Nuclear power is spot on. It's clean, cheap and infinitely sustainable. It solves the greenhouse problem. IMO it is the only viable solution to the world's energy crisis in the next 50 years, baring some major breakthrough. Wind, solar, tidal power are not really viable options for mainstream energy production for the needs of the U.S.. They're good as an extra.

And yeah, oil is part of the reason this region has corrupt governments and sick societies. Money without work has always done that. So I agree 100%.

[HtotheNootch]

[ QUOTE ]
This plan makes little sense:
-Since when is "build nuclear power plants" a part of the liberal agenda?

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually according to an article in Wired, the author of "The Gaia Hypothesis" is now pro-nuclear. I think the winds are shifting on this one.

[ QUOTE ]
-Most or all of the US Navy's battleships have long since been decommissioned

[/ QUOTE ]

True, although strangely enough, some WWII style weapons including battleships are just what's needed in the current conflict.

[slickpoppa]

Ending reliance on fossil fuels is certainly a good long term goal, but barring a miracle, it will do nothing to proetct us from terrorism in the next 20 years. The fact is that the US economy is so dependent on fossil fuels that even if we reduced our demand drastically, we would still be dependent on foreign oil.

[ptmusic]

[ QUOTE ]
Ending reliance on fossil fuels is certainly a good long term goal, but barring a miracle, it will do nothing to proetct us from terrorism in the next 20 years. The fact is that the US economy is so dependent on fossil fuels that even if we reduced our demand drastically, we would still be dependent on foreign oil.

[/ QUOTE ]

All true. And exactly why we need to decrease our dependence on oil as much as possible, as soon as possible. To decrease our dependence, we need to decrease our demand. To decrease our demand we need to increase the cost.

The current rise in gas prices is a pain in the arse, but in the long run, it is a GOOD thing. I even think we should put a massive tax (flame away) on oil in order to force us to other sources of energy faster. Otherwise, we will be riding the oil train as long as we can, and we will continue to bear the brunt of the negative consequences.

-ptmusic

[andyfox]

I'm not sure if all your sentiments are liberal ones, but the main point is a good one: our energy "policy" is a disgrace. We should have been rid of our dependency on foreign oil by now, and have plans to reduce massively the use of oil of any kind. The political, economic, and environmental implications of continuing as we are have already been disastrous and will undoubtedly get worse.

[slickpoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
We should have been rid of our dependency on foreign oil by now

[/ QUOTE ]

I completely agree that energy independence is an important goal, but there is absolutely no energy policy that could have posibly ended our dependence on foreign oil by now.

[tylerdurden]

[ QUOTE ]
True, although strangely enough, some WWII style weapons including battleships are just what's needed in the current conflict.

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh? A battleship must be the absolute least effective weapon against a distributed enemy. A Yugo full of guys with AK-47s would be about 100x more effective.