Still Hating America.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
You said I mentioned him first. So I quote you mentioning him first, and I'm the dishonest one And my dishonesty is quoting you too much? Bite me.



I gave you a link to his bio. The choice to remain ignorant was yours.

You're still in a hole. Just keep digging.

Ask Burger how. He knows.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I'm not familiar with the "carbon credits" markets that are at issue here, but the idea of creating markets in the right to pollute has been around for a while, and has been implemented effectively. Once you create the market, those who invest in the cleaner technology then have an incentive to ensure the integrity and efficacy of the enforcement regime, which makes the whole scheme self-perpetuating. Creating financial incentives in this way to invest in cleaner technology can be effective, and is not a concept invented to make rich people feel less hypocritical.

there is a big difference between requiring a manufacturing company to pay for the pollution it creates and making Al feel good about his 80 room mansion. And you know this. You can't call spanky out in 1 post then try to argue this point in the next.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
The guy is saying the average person should sacrifice. I didn't read the stuff on the screen while the hot chick* was singing his song, but I caught a little. He is suggesting turning down temps, turning off lights etc. Meanwhile, he is burning 8 times what the average person burns. That he can afford "carbon credits" and argues that this makes him sanctified is really quite gross. First, he is burning 8 times what I do. He should stop it. Does he really need all 80 rooms heated? Close a wing. That he buys "carbon credits" misses the point.

If he bought "carbon credits" AND closed a wing, he would actually be helping under his definition. Shouldn't a leader lead?

But of course what is most absurd is that he alleges he is trying to save the planet. That means show the masses how to change their lives to reduce the emissions. The masses are struggling to pay rent this month. they can't buy "carbon credits." The whole concept is something invented to make rich people feel less hypocritical while they preach.

He could do even more. He could sell the house, or better yet, tear it down and build a much smaller house on part of the land and devote the remainder to more eco-friendly pursuits or to provide affordable housing for others.

I own a fairly small home. I could afford a larger one. In fact, given where I live, I could afford about twice the square footage. But I don't need it. And it costs a lot more to maintain unused space.

I'm not suggesting we all need to turn into Ed Begley. But if you live with less, you waste less.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
there is a big difference between requiring a manufacturing company to pay for the pollution it creates and making Al feel good about his 80 room mansion. And you know this. You can't call spanky out in 1 post then try to argue this point in the next.

You'll notice that I did not respond to the parts of your post accusing Al of hypocrisy. I am, however, interested in the idea of carbon credit markets. Without knowing much about them, I have a hard time understanding how you could reliably know that the party you'd purchased a credit from was going to make the net difference you're hoping for. E.g., if the idea is that someone is going to plant a bunch of trees to suck up the carbon you're freeing by lighting your manse, how do you know that those additional tree plantings won't just lead the government in that area, wherever it is, to plant some trees itself.

Maybe Burger will come along and explain.

[Adder]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
The guy is saying the average person should sacrifice. I didn't read the stuff on the screen while the hot chick* was singing his song, but I caught a little. He is suggesting turning down temps, turning off lights etc.

Turning off lights and turning down temps is "sacrifice??"

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Adder
Turning off lights and turning down temps is "sacrifice??"

yes. one that Al at least is unwilling to make.

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by taxwonk
He could do even more. He could sell the house, or better yet, tear it down and build a much smaller house on part of the land and devote the remainder to more eco-friendly pursuits or to provide affordable housing for others.

I own a fairly small home. I could afford a larger one. In fact, given where I live, I could afford about twice the square footage. But I don't need it. And it costs a lot more to maintain unused space.

I'm not suggesting we all need to turn into Ed Begley. But if you live with less, you waste less.

You are not serious with the tearing down suggestion, are you?

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
You are not serious with the tearing down suggestion, are you?

You're not seriously asking are you?

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by taxwonk
You're not seriously asking are you?

Your second and third paragraphs seemed serious, so I wasn't entirely sure.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Your second and third paragraphs seemed serious, so I wasn't entirely sure.

he was serious, but he didn't think any girls were looking, so now he's trying to seem deep or sometihng.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
You'll notice that I did not respond to the parts of your post accusing Al of hypocrisy. I am, however, interested in the idea of carbon credit markets. Without knowing much about them, I have a hard time understanding how you could reliably know that the party you'd purchased a credit from was going to make the net difference you're hoping for. E.g., if the idea is that someone is going to plant a bunch of trees to suck up the carbon you're freeing by lighting your manse, how do you know that those additional tree plantings won't just lead the government in that area, wherever it is, to plant some trees itself.

Maybe Burger will come along and explain.

Dude. I am Harvard educated. Why not just trust me?

Hank Chinaski
'88 Law '91

[SlaveNoMore]

Hank Chinaski
That he can afford "carbon credits" and argues that this makes him sanctified is really quite gross. ...

The masses are struggling to pay rent this month. they can't buy "carbon credits." The whole concept is something invented to make rich people feel less hypocritical while they preach.

Maybe Gore hasn't listened to Edwards' "Two Americas" stump speech?

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Your second and third paragraphs seemed serious, so I wasn't entirely sure.

The first paragraph was for Hank's benefit. He's big on pointing out the hypocrisy in people he doesn't like without burdening himself by thinking through the implications of what he's saying.

The second two paragraphs were addressed to the actual issue at hand.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
he was serious, but he didn't think any girls were looking, so now he's trying to seem deep or sometihng.

Yep. I confess. I'm all about the babes and shit. All this "politics" and "ecology" stuff is way above my head.

[SlaveNoMore]

Originally posted by taxwonk
I'm not suggesting we all need to turn into Ed Begley. But if you live with less, you waste less.

Pithy quote of the day:

"I don't have my kilowatt totals handy, but I can see in Quicken what I paid in January. Our electric and water bill was $79.68 and our natural gas bill was $75.72. Gore is using roughly 2000% of the energy of our family of four in a house that's roughly 600% bigger, so basically three times as much energy even after adjusting for square footage.

Does he have a 24 hour disco or something?"

some dude