Worthy News: Bush Admin. to Add Funds to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research -

[boblandis]

just because others dont do as much as us doesnt give us an excuse. Thats like saying they get to sin, why cant we?

We know better and have the capability to do better. So we should. Were the richest country yet sorely lacking compared to many others environmentally. There is no excuse.

Obviously you have never been to Europe or Asia.

[ted]

Obviously you have never been to Europe or Asia.

So true!

I don't know where people get this insane notion that we are behind the rest of the world in enviromental laws.

The truth is, we lead the world when it comes to EPA and OSHA type standards.

Stroll down the streets of an Asian or European nation and tell me they are doing better.

t.

[O'Dannyboy]

I have to admit, you are right, about the state of our environmental programs or lack thereof. I am simply not naive enough to think it's ALL president Bushes fault. If we indeed are so far behind, then we certainly cannot blame a president who has been in office for such a short time. Take a day off from slinging stones at our president and research how many environmental projects have been shot down by congress or senate. Don't be so quick to blame the president for every thing that goes wrong or doesn't meet your standards.

I too have been questioning why we are not as efficient as we should be. Look at the situation with Ford and GM. They have spent the last three decades making vehicles that are equally efficient as the ones before them. In the 70's vehicles got about 11 miles to the gallon, today the average is about 23. I would not call that much of an advancement. They have however, made them significantly more environmentaly friendly. I heard this morning as report on the radio where the president was asked what advice he would offer Ford and GM. He said "make a product that is relivent". I have to admit I share this sentiment. Look at how many gas gussling S.U.Vs are on the road and tell me they care about economy or the environment, its all about money. Perhaps if they concentrated less on profits and more on quality and efficiency they wouldn't be in such financial trouble.

There are plenty of pressing issues, some more pressing than others. None of which I would be willing to hold the president singularly responsible for.

[nebula]

I don't know where people get this insane notion that we are behind the rest of the world in enviromental laws.

The truth is, we lead the world when it comes to EPA and OSHA type standards.

Stroll down the streets of an Asian or European nation and tell me they are doing better.

My relatives went to China recently - the smog is so horrible it clouds everything - and not near any cities.

[O'Dannyboy]

the smog is so horrible it clouds everything - and not near any cities.

That sounds about right. Essentialy they are in the middle of their industrial revolution and have few ecological/environmental safegaurds. In time they too will realise what their greed is costing them. As I saw on television the other day, China is suffering from deforestation, like much of the world and has resorted to buying their wood from neighboring countries. Just think of the Industrial revolution in the U.S x20. Its not a pretty picture. I am not incline to believe that China is the exception. Japan and perhaps Taiwan are likely to have functioning and effective environmental programs but the rest are likely in the same boat as China.

[hmh]

the smog is so horrible it clouds everything - and not near any cities.

That sounds about right. Essentialy they are in the middle of their industrial revolution and have few ecological/environmental safegaurds. In time they too will realise what their greed is costing them. As I saw on television the other day, China is suffering from deforestation, like much of the world and has resorted to buying their wood from neighboring countries. Just think of the Industrial revolution in the U.S x20. Its not a pretty picture. I am not incline to believe that China is the exception. Japan and perhaps Taiwan are likely to have functioning and effective environmental programs but the rest are likely in the same boat as China.

That is the big reason most US manufacturing companies are moving off shore to such countries as China. Lax to nonexistant environmental laws, cheap labor, etc. Why pay someone here in the 15 dollars an hour plus benefits up to 40 hours and then overtime after that when you can pay someone 20 cents an hour and work them for 16 hours a day without overtime and benefits?