Oh, and you answered the question about whether to drill or not quite nicely. We already have enough oil drilling going on, so we don’t need any more. Thank you. Haven’t you heard about the oil field we’ve found in the Gulf. It’s bigger than anything the Arabs have, but so far it’s way too deep to tap.

As far as global cooling, I wrote a blog and an editorial that global cooling is global warming by the same title. It’s in archives for May, 2008.

You’re doing your part to reduce your consumption. It’s been said that just a little by everyone will make a big dent in consumption. Try a little harder and it actually becomes fun trying to get that utility bill down. Last summer I got mine down to $115.00 gas/electric combined. Considering I have a pool, pole barn, and a little over 1500 sq. ft., that’s good. I just used overhead fans, utilized my windows/shades, changed all my bulbs to cfl, and used a clothesline. I’ve got a garden too, and fruit trees, raspberries, grapes, herbs, etc. I did great in the winter also with 12 ft of south exposed windows. I shut off my heat for at least 4 hours every sunny day. The sun heated the entire front of my house. I think we had more sun then compared to now.

You’re on the right track. Watch some of the green programs on TV to stay informed. They will actually cheer you up because you’ll see American ingenuity firsthand and it’s remarkable. Watch the Science Channel or go to their website for really current sources of info as far as what’s in store for the future.

There is a plethora of ideas out there. Not everyone will pick the same conservative things to do. The goal is to pick one or two you can comfortably live with and hey, you’re helping out. Happy fishing. Eat only the small ones. Soak up Mother Nature while you’re out there, and thanks.

Can you imagine the hysteria that all these “experts” would have caused during the 1930’s during the “Dust Bowl” era? It was only 20 years ago this year that we suffered through one of the worst blizzards in the country, and county’s history. Back then they were worried about a new ice age around the corner.

As far as drilling goes, I think a lot of people need to wake up and smell the coffee, there already is drilling going on folks. We just aren’t the people doing the drilling. Right now Michigan is missing out on large natural gas reserves under the Great Lakes. Something that the Canadians are taking advantage of by slant drilling. Right now in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of California drilling is taking place, just not by the United States. Would drilling in the artic make a difference? Ten years ago they had the same debate. Now they say it would take 10 years to reach the refineries if they drilled now. If action was taken 10 years ago, I guess we would know for certain.

We do have an alternate fuel source available, but because it would come from the conversion of coal to fuel, it gets a bad rap. The governors in Montanna and I believe the Dakota’s are trying to get people to listen, but the scientific community has deaf ears. Is it a viable source of fuel? It is if you consider that Hitler’s Germany conquered Europe, brought England and the USSR to brink of collapse, with a war machine largely fueled by coal oil.

For now I believe we need to stick with what we know works; drill and build refineries to handle the increase in crude. If you want a real alternative, stick the companies ( and I dont mean just oil) with timetables for developement of some. No more research with no means at the end, but something that will work. Don’t punish people with higher prices, because of nothing being done all these years. We surely do not need to BS the people into believing “Wind Farms” will solve the problems like Governor Granholm’s commercials. Not even Teddy Kennedy belives in it.

I have no problem with doing more at home, but those energy saving bulbs may cut back on usage, but they don’t last like the old ones, where is the savings there? You are better off remembering to shut them off when you leave the room, or turing the computer off when not in use. I have doubled the size of my garden this year to save a few bucks at the grocery store, going to need it when I go fishing this summer!