Comments on Tad Gage's articles RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/author/tad-gage/articles http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-565170 565170 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:46:36 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-521901 521901 Thu, 28 May 2009 16:39:44 -0400 e3bank.com]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-520352 520352 Wed, 27 May 2009 18:53:41 -0400
As to the carbon credits, Hazel, you make a great point. Sustainability makes all the sense in the world, but taxation of carbon usage without some kind of trading or credit incentive seems like the stick without a carrot. What consumer is willing to pay 2x their current electricity bill because their utilities have no viable way to offset their carbon footprint taxation. Simply put, it's bad business.

What corporation is going to be incentivized by more taxation without some way to balance their losses? That mentality just runs contrary to good business sense, as nobody is dumb enough to be in net-positive polluting businesses, and get taxed for it, without some light at the end of the tunnel. That's why I think the carbon credit and trade makes sense. What do you guys think?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-520139 520139 Wed, 27 May 2009 16:38:26 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-520133 520133 Wed, 27 May 2009 16:31:07 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-519745 519745 Wed, 27 May 2009 12:34:13 -0400 1) journalism - those who will come to expose the inherent frauds involved in these schemes,
and
2) ambitious prosecutors, who will imprison the miscreants as stepping stones to power.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-519678 519678 Wed, 27 May 2009 12:05:41 -0400
Modern Pyrolysis of biomass is a process for Carbon Negative Bio fuels, massive Carbon sequestration,10X Lower Methane & N2O soil emissions, and 3X Fertility Too.
Every 1 ton of Biomass yields 1/3 ton Charcoal for soil Sequestration, Bio-Gas & Bio-oil fuels, so is a totally virtuous, carbon negative energy cycle.

This is what I try to get across to Farmers, as to how I feel about the act of returning carbon to the soil. An act of pertinence and thankfulness for the civilization we have created. Farmers are the Soil Sink Bankers, once carbon has a price, they will be laughing all the way to it.

NASA's Dr. James Hansen Global warming solutions paper and letter to the G-8 conference, placing Biochar / Land management the central technology for carbon negative energy systems.
arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/pa...

The Soil Carbon Sequestration Standards Committee.
Hosted by Monsanto, this group of diverse interests has been hammering out issues of definition, validation and protocol. The past week, this group have been pressing soil sequestration's roll for climate legislation to congress.
www.novecta.com/docume...

Along these lines internationally, the work of the IBI fostering the application by 13 countries for UN recognition of soil carbon as a sink with biochar as a clean development mechanism will open the door for programs across the globe.
www.biochar-internatio....


Reports:
This new Congressional Research Service report (by analyst Kelsi Bracmort) is the best short summary I have seen so far - both technical and policy oriented.
assets.opencrs.com/rpt... .

This is the single most comprehensive report to date, covering more of the Asian and Australian work;
www.csiro.au/files/fil...

Given the current "Crisis" atmosphere concerning energy, soil sustainability, food vs. Biofuels, and Climate Change what other subject addresses them all?

Biochar data base; TP-REPP
terrapreta.bioenergyli...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-519597 519597 Wed, 27 May 2009 11:30:50 -0400 Certainly not America's hard working middle class, they will simply pay higher energy taxes.
Consumers will also suffer price inflation on basic goods produced with the NEW POLITICALLY CORRECT and EXPENSIVE energy provided with gov tax subsidy.
You wrote the wrong article, I wrote the right comment, from me to you, for the great American working class. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-519580 519580 Wed, 27 May 2009 11:23:31 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/139761-carbon-cap-and-trade-s-possible-winners?source=feed#comment-519479 519479 Wed, 27 May 2009 10:34:08 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/110061-why-our-society-needs-real-journalists?source=feed#comment-507249 507249 Sun, 17 May 2009 12:06:52 -0400
The Extinction of Investigative Journalism

Has the internet done to true professional investigative journalist what nature did to the Dodo? Am I wrong in contending that sound bites, two minute stories, opinion pieces and what I term “internet-echo” seem to be the norm for news reporting? We’ve all seen it lately, during the lead up to the presidential election; stories would break only to find out (later) the journalist didn’t do their home work and verify key facts but in a fever to be able to say “you heard it here first” – ran with the story. Is that journalism or a salaried position as a twitter with a journalism degree? Sadly for newspapers, journalism and the American public, it appears to be the latter.

I’m not sure if investigative journalism is dead but I do know that very few journalists are looking for the ‘scoop’. Many journalist have become so politically correct that they will not ask tough questions and when presented with a possible ‘block buster’ of a story they sit idly by waiting for the story to come to them instead of going out and breaking the story as Woodward and Bernstein did . It’s certainly true that breaking stories are now birth on websites like seekingalpha and blogs where people like you and me do the tough investigative work, ask the hard questions and draw attention to actions we see as unjust.

But you see, we (the average Joe’s) often get it wrong – we get emotionally tied to our causes. We get blinded by the forest and that’s why we need the return of the professional spirit and drive that existed in two reporters in their late twenties who broke the Watergate story at the Washington Post – we’re missing the ‘professional’ truth seekers and the way this nation is going – we need them now more than ever.

I once wrote in a story that there are “versions of truth – pointing out that truth is nothing more than an assertion. An outcome that isn’t testable, provable until it has passed and subjects itself to scrutiny.” And that’s where our new-age journalists are dropping the ball – the scrutiny, the digging, the verifying.

I started this piece with a question, has the internet done to true professional investigative journalist what nature did to the Dodo? Maybe not yet, but American society performs in much the same way as nature does, we weed out the weak, lazy professionals (regardless of career) and they in effect become extinct and replaced.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/111604-investing-in-clean-may-yield-more-green?source=feed#comment-458404 458404 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:59:27 -0400
I can be a lot louder,uglier,and will grow the worst
looking beard I have ever seen.

Looks like the boy is gonna pose up for a loggers
contest.........Big Money Billy is more like it !!!!!!!! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-334215 334215 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:41:39 -0500
Here are a couple of "radical" ideas to help the Big 3

1) As mentioned many times, the legacy costs and union benefits are killing the industry. For anything to work, the UAW is going to have to make MAJOR concessions - not the window dressing stuff that has been mentioned over the last few weeks. I suggest that pensions go away and replace them with a 401K system with some matching money from the companies (like most of the rest of us have). Of course, the companies would have to continue to pay the pensions of those already retired and those who will soon retire but for those who are 15 plus years from retirement and all new employees the pensions should be eliminated.
2) Wages - the wages should be reduced significantly but add a profit sharing program so the more profitable the company is, the more money the workers make. Taken to a greater extreme, turn the companies into competely employee owned companies so the workers enjoy high pay in the good times but have to make hard decisions in the bad times. I think this would also reign in on the rediculous demands from the UAW as workers would understand what the companies could and could not afford with respect to benefits and job security

Just some thoughts.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110061-why-our-society-needs-real-journalists?source=feed#comment-326509 326509 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:19:31 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/110061-why-our-society-needs-real-journalists?source=feed#comment-326055 326055 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:17:20 -0500
in the end, it is obvious the print media's days are numbered. with smart phones and the internet, news delivery is destined to be electronic.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110061-why-our-society-needs-real-journalists?source=feed#comment-325571 325571 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:42:58 -0500 A terrific artical.

Newspapers suffer because they have lost public confidence.It is not just the internet. They have failed in the past 15 years to inform the public thus protecting organisms that threaten our society. The Tribine got most of this issue right. Good for them]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110061-why-our-society-needs-real-journalists?source=feed#comment-325469 325469 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:09:04 -0500
Hearing that that rag has cleaned up its act almost makes me wish that I was back in Chicago. Almost.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110061-why-our-society-needs-real-journalists?source=feed#comment-325291 325291 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:53:41 -0500 boombustblog.com/index... and boombustblog.com/index... and a follow up that I will post today including your perspective as well as that of other journalists that have emailed me.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304786 304786 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:26:54 -0500 If I were GM or Ford's CEO I would go to the UAW and say that everyone is going to take a 25% paycut, I would work for the same wage as the average employee. And if we were able to survive this period, we will share the rewards! The union will respond if they know there is job preservation and equal sacrific. The fact Rick Wagoner has made nearly 17 million in the last eight years is amazing given the lack of leadership he has shown to date. Nationalization is not the anwser, just look at what been nationalized in the past and its record. I beleive the government even lost money in the bunny ranch business. Enough said!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304753 304753 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:47:08 -0500 Then get rid of CAFE and car vs truck fuel economy standards. Simply tax gas at a uniform rate and let the companies and consumers decide what to build, sell and buy. The incentives will at least ensure honest effort and innovation.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304677 304677 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:04:41 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304647 304647 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:10:14 -0500
Why not do something like this: Take all three companies, and smash them together. Create three separate companies:The first company would be responisble for all global truck manufacturing; the second company would be responsible for all international operations (where U.S. manufacturers actually have some traction); the third company would be a R&D company investing in next generation technology. Why does Ford, GM and Chrysler all need to seperately invest in next-gen technology (and the infrastructure that goes along with it)? Put 'em together and let the best employees of the three companies rise to the top of a combined R&D operation - you would probably be surprised how quickly things develop.

This set-up would still keep jobs (because it is not about cars it is about jobs), keep unions generally happy, and free up each newly created company to focus on making one thing better instead of each one trying to be all things to all people.

Note that there is nothing here about domestic cars. Forget it. You've lost the battle to the foreign companies. Move on.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304602 304602 I kept waiting for the punch line, and it never came. > > Truly a "Kumbaya" article. > > Maybe, the author could write another one about how to end child > abuse or how to end world hunger. No details, just good feelings.... Good point, but it would require a 500 page business plan to lay out the entire game plan. And that would also require access to they key executives at the Big Three. If you could arrange that, I would be willing to tackle it for a relatively modest consulting fee. What specifics would you be looking for? World hunger and child abuse are challenging issues. However, a business plan for auto makers based on ROIC is much easier. If a company can offer a cost-effective alternative fuel vehicle that you can take on a 1,000 mile road trip, or fuel up at your local gas station, it will sell bigtime. It has to be convenient and cost-effective. Americans would get behind that, I am quite sure. We are all capitalists. A fraction of the population would support higher cost alternative energy transportation, but if people were offered a cost-comparable alternative, I believe they would jump on it.]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:14:51 -0500

On Nov 12 07:12 AM IXLR8 wrote:

> I kept waiting for the punch line, and it never came.
>
> Truly a "Kumbaya" article.
>
> Maybe, the author could write another one about how to end child
> abuse or how to end world hunger. No details, just good feelings....

Good point, but it would require a 500 page business plan to lay out the entire game plan. And that would also require access to they key executives at the Big Three. If you could arrange that, I would be willing to tackle it for a relatively modest consulting fee. What specifics would you be looking for? World hunger and child abuse are challenging issues. However, a business plan for auto makers based on ROIC is much easier. If a company can offer a cost-effective alternative fuel vehicle that you can take on a 1,000 mile road trip, or fuel up at your local gas station, it will sell bigtime. It has to be convenient and cost-effective. Americans would get behind that, I am quite sure. We are all capitalists. A fraction of the population would support higher cost alternative energy transportation, but if people were offered a cost-comparable alternative, I believe they would jump on it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304588 304588 Nationalizing the industry is a radical idea, but the idea about > a bailout being designed to bridge the US automakers into developing > alternative fuel vehicles is the reality. They are already heading > in that direction. No, the infrastructure is not there yet for dropping > the traditional combustion engine completely, but things are going > in that direction. > The problem has been the American consumers' collective misconception > that these are poorly run companies with shoddy products. They have > made a huge turnaround in the last decade+ in quality, productivity, > and management, but the American consumers and so many people writing > article love to keep punishing them for past sins. > Before blindly bashing, please give a real look at the products that > are being produced today and educate yourself with the facts. Try > visiting http://gmfactsandfiction.com/about/ . Yes, it is compiled > by GM, but all the facts included are from third-party sources to > which links are provided. Dispel your misinformed misconceptions > about GM and the other domestic auto makers. > > Maybe you're right in saying that American companies won't be able > to compete in the traditional market, but that's not because they > can't produce quality, stylish, economic vehicles; it'll be because > consumers will continue to ignore the facts about those products > and continue the trend toward buying more foriegn vehicles. > Yes, legacy costs, and past labor agreements have hurt the financial > situation of the Big 3, but recent renegotiations were a big strp > in the right direction toward bringing operating costs down for the > future.]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:49:28 -0500

On Nov 12 09:44 AM Repper wrote:

> Nationalizing the industry is a radical idea, but the idea about
> a bailout being designed to bridge the US automakers into developing
> alternative fuel vehicles is the reality. They are already heading
> in that direction. No, the infrastructure is not there yet for dropping
> the traditional combustion engine completely, but things are going
> in that direction.
> The problem has been the American consumers' collective misconception
> that these are poorly run companies with shoddy products. They have
> made a huge turnaround in the last decade+ in quality, productivity,
> and management, but the American consumers and so many people writing
> article love to keep punishing them for past sins.
> Before blindly bashing, please give a real look at the products that
> are being produced today and educate yourself with the facts. Try
> visiting gmfactsandfiction.com/.../ . Yes, it is compiled
> by GM, but all the facts included are from third-party sources to
> which links are provided. Dispel your misinformed misconceptions
> about GM and the other domestic auto makers.
>
> Maybe you're right in saying that American companies won't be able
> to compete in the traditional market, but that's not because they
> can't produce quality, stylish, economic vehicles; it'll be because
> consumers will continue to ignore the facts about those products
> and continue the trend toward buying more foriegn vehicles.
> Yes, legacy costs, and past labor agreements have hurt the financial
> situation of the Big 3, but recent renegotiations were a big strp
> in the right direction toward bringing operating costs down for the
> future.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304579 304579 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:44:05 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304547 304547 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:47:31 -0500 muddlinginvestor.blogs...

Any project like proposed would be another case of government waste. Governments of the world already spent hundreds of billions of dollars on alt energy and it's mostly waste. You are just proposing to waste several trillions more.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304512 304512 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:06:39 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-304272 304272 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:35:44 -0500
The breakthrough may already be within sight, in the form of the Chevy Volt, and other similar plug-in hybrids. Perhaps this vehicle alone justifies a loan to get them over the hump.

GM once held 50% of the market. Since, our open markets have seen a veritable onslaught of competing foreign brands-Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Hyundai, Diahatsu, Daewoo, Kia, Vokswagen, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Audi, need I go on? Perhaps the miracle is that GM has actually HELD ON to 23%, and is actually leading all of the above in Russia and China, gaining fast in India and South America.

American auto manufacturers are sick, perhaps terminally, but high gas prices and the credit crunch, both now seemingly headed in the right direction, made a huge contribution to where they happen to be. Should we nationalize real estate and banking? ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-303957 303957 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:44:12 -0500 The problem has been the American consumers' collective misconception that these are poorly run companies with shoddy products. They have made a huge turnaround in the last decade+ in quality, productivity, and management, but the American consumers and so many people writing article love to keep punishing them for past sins.
Before blindly bashing, please give a real look at the products that are being produced today and educate yourself with the facts. Try visiting gmfactsandfiction.com/.../ . Yes, it is compiled by GM, but all the facts included are from third-party sources to which links are provided. Dispel your misinformed misconceptions about GM and the other domestic auto makers.

Maybe you're right in saying that American companies won't be able to compete in the traditional market, but that's not because they can't produce quality, stylish, economic vehicles; it'll be because consumers will continue to ignore the facts about those products and continue the trend toward buying more foriegn vehicles.
Yes, legacy costs, and past labor agreements have hurt the financial situation of the Big 3, but recent renegotiations were a big strp in the right direction toward bringing operating costs down for the future.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105517-a-radical-solution-for-u-s-automakers?source=feed#comment-303938 303938 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:29:30 -0500
Fortunately, the solution is right in front of us. We can fuel our nation's cars and trucks with LNG and CNG right NOW. This is a no-brainer, which, of course, makes it unlikely that Detroit and the Feds will ever figure it out.
]]>