Renewable energy

One of the big obstacles to using more renewable energy is power storage.  Battery technology isn’t anywhere near good enough to do the job of storing power on such a massive scale, and the production of batteries come with their own environmental problems. This article discusses an alternative way to store energy using water and gravity.  However, the scale of construction required to make this a really good way to store such energy and the variability of water supplies in some areas (i.e. California) make me skeptical that it could to be made to work on a large scale.  But, it is an interesting concept.

Advertisements

Tragedy

The slowly unfolding man-made tragedy that is Venezuela is horrible.  Sadly, I get the impression that many of the people in Venezuela are waiting for someone to come rescue them.  While I have no problem with the US providing logistical support to those Venezuelans looking to overthrow their current government, I do not want to see the US become directly involved.  We’ve got to stop going out and rescuing people who’ve gotten themselves into these types of situations.

Wise quote of the day

You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.

I don’t believe it

Story here.  Frankly, I have noticed a number of these stories in the last 6 months.  The Defense Department and the defense industries aren’t above pushing stories like these to get increased appropriations.  IMHO, the military is will funded, but the funds are wastefully spent.

More Venezuela news

As protests continue, this story highlights some of the human cost of socialism.  BUT, never forget, a majority of the Venezuelans brought this on themselves by buying into all the promises socialists made. Promises of an easier life and a guaranty that the government would take care of them.  They always promise this.  They never deliver.

Taxes, how do they work?

If a state has high income taxes, and the federal government stops subsidizing them by limiting the federal deductibility of SALT taxes, comedy ensues.

 

Boeing

I think Boeing is an amazingly well-run company.  I think their decision not to compete with the A380 and instead develop the 787 was strategic genius.  However, I doubt the wisdom of developing a supersonic business jet.  I am just not sure the market is big enough to justify the investment.

Revolution?

Things are developing quickly in Venezuela.  It is unclear if this is the beginning of the end of Maduro or if he can hold onto power.  I hope the former.

Jamaica news

Jamaica had the best performing stock market in the world last year.  Interesting to see the turn around in the Jamaican economy.

Heart-wrenching

Just heart-wrenching.  How many times does man need to learn the lesson of socialism’s failures?