I have a moral problem growing food to fuel automobiles, when people are starving in the world.

I think the better result would be to put more work into using vegetable fiber, rather than food-corn.

I’m not a big ethanol fan, but anyone who cites Rolling Stone as a credible source or a voice of support on a question of science is even sillier than someone who thinks they’re cutting edge about music any more.

Is it okay to cite “Penn & Teller: Bullshit!” as a credible source?

*SNORK*

I’m not a big ethanol fan, but anyone who cites Rolling Stone as a credible source or a voice of support on a question of science is even sillier than someone who thinks they’re cutting edge about music any more.Why? Their investigative journalism is top-notch, their political reporting is excellent. Do you even read it, or do you just look at the pictures?

I agree, they do have some damn good investigative writers.

I have no faith in ethanol, other than as perhaps a transitional fuel to help us wean away from the oil tit. Even as that, I have reservations.

Yes, I do read a number of their articles. Their science articles are mainly highly sensationalized and ignore masses of contrary evidence.

other than as perhaps a transitional fuel to help us wean away from the oil tit. Even as that, I have reservations.

Agreed. Big corporate AgriBusiness is pushing ethanol — ADM, Monsanto, Cargill. Another corporate boondoggle.

. Their science articles are mainly highly sensationalized and ignore masses of contrary evidence.

Please name one. I thought the Kennedy piece on thermisol was excellent, and they are dilligent about running corrections or clarifications to keep the article as up to date as possible and address concerns.

Well, if by “excellent” you mean ignoring all the raw data and all the conclusions of every study done on the topic in the past 30 years.

Sugar Cane Ethanol is cheaper. The corn subsidies are stupid. The prohibition on sugar cane ethanol is more stupid.

But hey, what do we expect from this administration?

Corn ethanol is a scam.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-25,GGLJ:en&q=ethanol+scam

Sugar cane does work. Switchgrass may work. ADM is the cause of this. Just say no to corn ethanol.

Of course Pilot Oil and Bob Corker think corn ethanol is the greatest idea in the whole world. It may be a matter of perspective. And subsidies.

People are ignoring the obvious solution: what doesn’t require acres and acres of land, is a renewable resource, and powered the industrial revolution? Easy! Whale Oil! Once again, “Futurama” shows us the way.

I have no idea if RS’s investigative reporting is any good. I wrote them off forever when they declared London Calling” as the greatest album of all time.

*SNORK* again…

That is all.

#9:

I was just about to say that. Sugar cane burns faster and more efficient than corn, and is easier to produce ethanol from. BUT, then again, when it comes to efficiency, our Government is ignorant.
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Let’s all start growing sugar cane!

End the tariff on sugar ethanol from Brazil. Corn is found in many types of food, including feed fed to livestock. So basically, we increase the price of food, including meat, and money money in the pockets of agricorps so that we can “feel” good.

So basically, we increase the price of food, including meat, and money money in the pockets of agricorps so that we can “feel” good.

That is the problem. Science works better than feelings. Nothing wrong with taking pride for doing something good. But make sure it is good. I commend everyone that has seen through this corn ethanol fairy tale. Now if only the government would. Mr. Corker? Got your ears on?

Anyone and everyone with even the slightest inkling they might run for president has to say corn ethanol is the energy of the future or it bites them in the ass when they go to Iowa. I wouldn’t worry too much about any politician, much less the charisma-free Corker.
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Regarding Rolling Stone, yeah, their coverage is quite good. They’ve become a magazine that has a few articles on par with anything found in TIME sandwiched between a fashion article with questionable fashion sense (If you’re old enough to afford what they suggest, you probably have no business wearing it) and an interview with a rock star.

Corn ethanol is definitely a scam and politicians who support it are even bigger scam artists because on the one hand, they get credit for being “green” and “progressive,” but on the other hand, it’s not a good long-term solution and many oil companies will benefit from not only its production but its demise as well.

And I also agree that it’s silly to stick corn in your corn-guzzling car when there are people in the world who need to eat it.

People need to invent a car that runs on something gross, like lima beans, rather than something as delicious as corn.

I vote for cars that run on agave tequilana.

No, Ginger! There’s been an agave blight the past few years, and if we make it into fuel there won’t be none for drinkin’!

Gasp! Say it ain’t so!
I keed, I keed! I was thinking about the convenience of filling up your tank and filling up your bottle all in one easy step!

Some cars can already run on tequila. Or most alcohols, for that matter.

Well, now, that takes driving under the influence to a whole new level!

I’ll bet that’s expensive…hopefully they aren’t wasting the good stuff…that would be truly a waste indeed…tragic.

Guy Kawasaki (blog.guykawasaki.com) interviews a woman involved in the biotech industry that says there is a new process for developing ethanol that uses the cobs and stalks instead of the kernels (and harvesters separate these parts already, they just don’t save them presently), so there will be no impact on food in the future.

Ethanol is much less efficient than gas for making power in an engine, so switching to ethanol-based power means fewer miles per gallon.

says there is a new process for developing ethanol that uses the cobs and stalks instead of the kernels (and harvesters separate these parts already, they just don’t save them presently), so there will be no impact on food in the future.

Corn doesn’t have enough BTU’s to be viable. Sugar Cane does. Switchgrass may. It doesn’t surprise me that ADM is doing some damage control. They want to keep their subsidies.

From a marketing standpoint, when your vehicle gets 6 MPG less with Ethanol gas, how will you feel about that? This is really dumb.

I don’t care how many MPGs I can get with cornoline, so long as popcorn remains cheap and plentiful.