Maggie's FarmWe are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for. |
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Monday, March 27. 2023Monday morning links
Re-writing Agatha Christie Audubon-NYC’s name change is cowardly way to avoid facing its heritage Why Birdwatching Is Good for You: All About the “Profound” Mental Health Benefits of the Avian Pastime Another outstanding school takes a hit for equity Civils rights class cancelled after student feels "discomfort" The disgraceful scenes at Stanford are a flawless embodiment of how diversity doctrine distorts academic life and constrains decision-making. Why Did States Require Blood Tests for Marriage Licenses? Eminent Oxford Scientist Says Wind Power "Fails On Every Count" Ban AC in DC Yes, some American blacks were slave owners
National Archives just torpedoed Joe Biden's 'I know nothing' defense The Trump of Waco, Texas Is Very Different From the Trump Who Came Down the Escalator in 2015 Unfortunately Recent Airstrikes Are Our Periodic Reminder That We're Fighting a War in Syria. Four years after IS was officially defeated, the U.S. continues to keep hundreds of troops in Syria to fight the vanquished terrorist group. ChiComs Colonize Argentina Trackbacks
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I'm glad Trump is different. When Mr. Trump Came to Washington, he tried to work with every Republican and everyone. Many of them played along, only to stab him in the back. He spoke truth in Waco - either the Marxist Deep State must be destroyed, or it will destroy America.
I admit I was skimming, but I went 4 layers deep into the Audubon name-change story, right down to the original one, and I still didn't find the name that they're changing it to
"“NYC Audubon’s Board of Directors has today announced its decision to change the organization’s name, dropping ‘Audubon'." So.....They're changing their name to New York City??? It seems our country is being led by either incompetents, nincompoops, or cowards. And all of them have an inordinate access to power and influence. The Trump of Waco:
Probably true. But just an excuse to dis him. Trump is the only viable non-swamp creature running for president. All the other candidates and 90% of those in congress simply want to destroy our country for personal gain. Trump is the only candidate who would reverse that. He proved it with the things he did and the things he tried to do. If we wait fir the perfect gentleman candidate we will simply be destroyed by our enemies. Re: Eminent Oxford Scientist Says Wind Power "Fails On Every Count"
Not enough people understand that wind and solar power generation currently and in the foreseeable future only serves to raise the price of energy since they are only viable at all because they are backed up by traditional power generation and at the same time they are even more expensive in terms of the devastation of wildlife and land usage. The ironic thing is that very small scale wind power and solar are practical. I am referring to the kind of things you might find in older copies of Mother Earth News. It still has all of the problems that commercial wind and solar power has but the user in this case is wiser in how they use that technology. They simply adjust their demand to the availability.
Most commercial wind and solar is a money making scam where huge up front subsidies reward the builder installer and huge continuing subsidies make it appear that the system is practical. Remove those massive subsidies and the truth is exposed. Yes, when the use is intermittent and/or batteries can be recharged practically, solar, especially, is useful. We often see electric signs or battery chargers powered by solar cells but running a building much less a city becomes a very different proposition.
We are always waiting for the next revolution in batteries that are made of commonly available materials (and thus economical), are efficient with the ability to be recharged over long periods, and are safe but so far they are still coming "real soon now." Even should such a battery be available, you can't get around the huge expanse of land required for the solar and wind facilities and the damage and expense those facilities impose. When should we start to consider the expense of upgrading the electrical grid for all the extra electrical use? You're close to the mark there: Wind and solar are completely viable options when they are economically competitive with the alternative of bringing in the utilities, which can be sometimes very costly. If I were building a remote cabin, I would have them - plus a gas-fired generator, plus a woodstove for heating and cooking. The technology has come quite a long ways, especially for solar with battery banks - the controller packages are modular and pretty much self-regulated. But not necessarily cheap.
mudbug: Not enough people understand that wind and solar power generation currently and in the foreseeable future only serves to raise the price of energy since they are only viable at all because they are backed up by traditional power generation
Hybrid systems can be cheaper in the long run, depending on the cost of fossil fuels—even when ignoring the damage due to carbon pollution. While wind and solar still require backup systems, meaning higher capital costs, they can reduce the amount of fossil fuels required to meet demand. mudbug: Re: Eminent Oxford Scientist Says Wind Power "Fails On Every Count" By the way, an appeal to authority is weakened when the expert is speaking outside his area of expertise. "By the way, an appeal to authority is weakened when the expert is speaking outside his area of expertise."
In this case, however, he is mathematician and physicist and knows enough. In any case has made his argument, not on the basis of authority, but "Professor Allison has done his sums based on basic physics and freely available information." So if you disagree with the math presented, let us see YOUR work so we can comment. eeyore: In this case, however, he is mathematician and physicist and knows enough.
Wade Allison is not an expert in the field, a field which is closer to economics than nuclear physics. That doesn't make his argument wrong, just that the appeal to authority is misplaced. The study itself was published by a climate denialist group funded by dark money, further undermining the appeal to authority. Consider the article as if the headline read, "Some Person Says Wind Power 'Fails On Every Count'." We did address the substance in our previous comment. Does your area of expertise embed with the Dismissal of Experts? Please share your credentials.
#5.2.1.1.1
Aggie
on
2023-03-27 15:44
(Reply)
But you pose as an expert on everything.
#5.2.1.1.2
DeGaulle
on
2023-03-27 16:02
(Reply)
DeGaulle: But you pose as an expert on everything.
We never appeal to our own expertise or authority.
#5.2.1.1.3
Zachriel
on
2023-03-27 16:12
(Reply)
"We never appeal to our own expertise or authority."
Yes you do. Rather constantly.
#5.2.1.1.3.1
eeyore
on
2023-03-28 07:54
(Reply)
You're appealing to it in this reply.
#5.2.1.1.3.2
DeGaulle
on
2023-03-28 08:04
(Reply)
DeGaulle: You're appealing to it in this reply.
That's not an appeal to authority. eeyore: Yes you do. Rather constantly. Please provide a specific example.
#5.2.1.1.3.3
Zachriel
on
2023-03-28 08:58
(Reply)
Let try this:
Z: The sky is blue because Zachriel says so. An appeal to personal authority. Z: The sky is blue. A claim. No support is provided. The claim could be wrong, but it's not an appeal to authority. Z: The sky is blue due to Rayleigh scattering per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, noted authorities on atmospheric phenomena. A valid appeal to authority. That doesn't mean the authority is correct or infalliable. Z: Look up! You can see the sky is blue today. An appeal to the evidence.
#5.2.1.1.3.4
Zachriel
on
2023-03-28 10:35
(Reply)
Z: The sky is blue because an eminent Oxford nephrologist says so.
An invalid appeal to authority. Z: "The sky is so blue today after so many rainy days," said the distinguished Cambridge theologian. "God is good." Anecdote.
#5.2.1.1.3.5
Zachriel
on
2023-03-28 10:53
(Reply)
"We did address the substance in our previous comment."
No. You did not.
#5.2.1.1.4
eeyore
on
2023-03-28 07:53
(Reply)
eeyore: No. You did not.
Claim: “Wind power fails on every count." Z: Hybrid systems can be cheaper in the long run, depending on the cost of fossil fuels—even when ignoring the damage due to carbon pollution. While wind and solar still require backup systems, meaning higher capital costs, they can reduce the amount of fossil fuels required to meet demand.
#5.2.1.1.4.1
Zachriel
on
2023-03-28 08:55
(Reply)
Z: Hybrid systems can be cheaper in the long run, depending on the cost of fossil fuels—even when ignoring the damage due to carbon pollution. While wind and solar still require backup systems, meaning higher capital costs, they can reduce the amount of fossil fuels required to meet demand.
So if the winds stops or the clouds cover the sun, a fossil fuel power plant can start up and take over? If a fossil fuel power plant takes over mustn't it be able to generate the same amount of energy? In that case, you have two separate systems that generate the same amount of energy but only one system is in use at one time (the previous fossil fuel system that was in place before the wind and solar came on line and the new wind and solar). How exactly is that economical? Z: By the way, an appeal to authority is weakened when the expert is speaking outside his area of expertise. Plenty of "experts" who were speaking inside their area of expertise have, especially recently, have shown themselves to be totally unreliable. What a person says and how he substantiates his claims is a lot more important than what his credentials are. mudbug: So if the winds stops or the clouds cover the sun, a fossil fuel power plant can start up and take over?
Yes, that's how it generally works now. mudbug: If a fossil fuel power plant takes over mustn't it be able to generate the same amount of energy? Modern gas-powered plants are very flexible and can ramp up or down relatively quickly to whatever level is required to keep the system in balance. The disadvantage are the high capital costs, and that there are still significant albeit reduced emissions. The advantage is that the solar and wind can be added incrementally, while improvements can be made to the system as more is learned. mudbug: Plenty of "experts" who were speaking inside their area of expertise have, especially recently, have shown themselves to be totally unreliable. Experts are often wrong, but experts are more likely to be right when speaking to a consensus within their area of expertise than someone who is not an expert in the field. Then again, a dishwasher could have an important insight on gravitational lensing. mudbug: What a person says and how he substantiates his claims is a lot more important than what his credentials are. An appeal to the evidence is always a valid response to an appeal to authority. Keep in mind that we only mentioned the appeal to authority as an aside ("By the way"), after having address the substance of the claim. It is ironic how the right-wing echochamber always denigrates elite opinion—except when it confirms their prejudices. Then they trumpet, "Eminent Oxford Scientist!" mudbug: If a fossil fuel power plant takes over mustn't it be able to generate the same amount of energy?
Dispatchable source of electricity QUOTE: mudbug: So if the winds stops or the clouds cover the sun, a fossil fuel power plant can start up and take over? Yes, that's how it generally works now. Actually, that's not the way it works now as evidenced by article at the link you cite lists only two sources of secondary electricity that are available in seconds. Capacitors and hydroelectric. Neither are fossil fuel generators. Hydroelectric generators are only available in certain locations. Maybe you can provide an example where capacitors are used to backup wind and solar (I doubt it) but you can't provide an example where fossil fuel generators backup wind and solar in real time unless they are running all the time. In those cases, those hybrid systems are not less expensive than fossil fuel alone.
#5.2.2.2.1
mudbug
on
2023-03-27 19:55
(Reply)
mudbug: Actually, that's not the way it works now as evidenced by article at the link you cite lists only two sources of secondary electricity that are available in seconds.
As the citation noted, gas plants can ramp up in minutes, which is more than sufficient for most purposes. Ramp rates continue to improve. General Electric has a new gas turbine plant with a ramp rate of 88MW per minute.
#5.2.2.2.1.1
Zachriel
on
2023-03-27 21:42
(Reply)
And when the plant is running, it has to be able to provide the same amount of energy as the wind and solar facilities did.
You still haven’t provided an example where your scheme is being used successfully.
#5.2.2.2.1.1.1
mudbug
on
2023-03-28 10:46
(Reply)
mudbug: And when the plant is running, it has to be able to provide the same amount of energy as the wind and solar facilities did.
It has to provide the difference. If solar is running at half power, then that is how much it has to ramp up power. If it is night, it has to make up all the difference from solar. During the sunniest times, it may not need to provide much if any power. mudbug: You still haven’t provided an example where your scheme is being used successfully. Everywhere solar and wind are used. Think about it. Solar doesn't work at night, but houses still have power. The solution is to ramp up conventional power at night while cutting back on conventional power during the day. This saves on fossil fuel costs and reduces greenhouse emissions. General Electric and Wärtsilä, among others, specialize in fossil fuel plants to balance solar and wind.
#5.2.2.2.1.1.1.1
Zachriel
on
2023-03-28 11:08
(Reply)
Let's try this simple example:
Consider a town that has a gas turbine power plant that generates all its electricity. The town decides to invest in a solar plant and a few wind turbines. There's a high capital investment, but the maintenance is very low, and it doesn't require buying a constant supply of gas. The solar plant provides much of the daytime power, while the wind turbines provide much of the nighttime power. That means the gas turbine power plant can run at reduced capacity, and that means reduced cost for gas (which can fluctuate for reasons out of the control of the town) and lower emissions.
#5.2.2.2.1.1.1.2
Zachriel
on
2023-03-28 14:32
(Reply)
Universities in the news. Mediocre and cowardly administration make radical student disruption of campus life the usual outcome.
Black slave owners were the least problem. It was the black slaver chiefs selling blacks into the slave market that was the real problem. Their counterparty was the British slavers selling the Irish into the slave markets. But it is not in the interest of academia to mention either one to students nor in their interest to show that north Africans continue the slave tradition today. indyjonesouthere: It was the black slaver chiefs selling blacks into the slave market that was the real problem.
While black tribes were certainly part of the Transatlantic slave trade, the slave trade was largely fueled by high capitalist demand from European colonial powers who wanted the free labor to produce raw materials for manufacturing. The triangular trade was primarily guns for slaves to produce sugar for rum (later cotton for the manufacture of fabrics). The result was the demographic, political, and cultural implosion of the African interior. There is a movement for African tribes to acknowledge and admit their role in the slave trade. But that doesn't absolve the European slavers from their own responsibility. By the way, the hugely popular TV miniseries Roots showed Africans capturing slaves, including the protagonist of the story, Kunta Kinte. indyjonesouthere: But it is not in the interest of academia to mention either one to students nor in their interest to show that north Africans continue the slave tradition today. American history students tend to learn more about American slavery than, say, Ottoman slavery. However, both Turks and Americans (as seen here) try to avoid responsibility. It takes a peculiar kind of misanthropy to attempt to blame people for events that occurred long before they were even born.
By that putative logic, a baby born in a hospital in Dortmund just 15 minutes ago is responsible for the Holocaust. JJM: It takes a peculiar kind of misanthropy to attempt to blame people for events that occurred long before they were even born.
Who's blaming individuals? The question was the role of European colonialists and African tribes in the Transatlantic slave trade. Are you suggesting the children of Germany should not be taught about the Holocaust? Do Americans deserve the credit for standing up to fascism? "The question was the role of European colonialists and African tribes in the Transatlantic slave trade."
You left out the Muslim slave traders. They were the middlemen, there would have been no African slaves in the new world without them. They were the ones on the ground buying the slaves from African tribes,
#6.1.1.1.1
JustMe
on
2023-03-27 17:11
(Reply)
JustMe: You left out the Muslim slave traders.
No, we didn't.
#6.1.1.1.1.1
Zachriel
on
2023-03-27 17:25
(Reply)
"Who's blaming individuals?"
So now you're blaming entire population groups for things that happened before they were born? Nice. "Are you suggesting the children of Germany should not be taught about the Holocaust?" And now you're being a weasel by attempting to deflect the discussion further. Even nicer! You should have quit while you were ahead.
#6.1.1.1.2
JJM
on
2023-03-27 20:01
(Reply)
JJM: So now you're blaming entire population groups for things that happened before they were born?
Individuals are only liable for what they do. Similarly, institutions are only liable for what they do. Even then, justice might best be tempered with mercy. But try to answer these questions: Do Americans deserve credit for standing up to fascism? Is it reasonable for someone to feel pride in their grandfather’s heroism? Should a culture draw strength from the knowledge of the accomplishments of the past?
#6.1.1.1.2.1
Zachriel
on
2023-03-27 21:28
(Reply)
And it is academics and democrats that framed slavery to suit their race baiting and race subsidies for black voter support. And continue to live in gated communities and the hell away from the diversity they lecture about.
indyjonesouthere: And it is academics and democrats that framed slavery to suit their race baiting and race subsidies for black voter support.
You made the same mistake previously. Historians are very aware of the role of African tribes in the slave trade. (As noted, it is even depicted in Roots.) And, once again, rather than admitting your mistake, you deflect. The fact is that millions of Americans have their family roots in the slave experience. It's as important to them as having ancestors on the Mayflower is important to others. If slavery had been the end of it, the pain would probably have receded into the past. Instead, Blacks experienced—in defiance of the 14th Amendment—another century of racialized oppression. QUOTE: And, once again, rather than admitting your mistake, you deflect. That’s the modus operandi of the Quibble-DickZ. There was no mistake. It is the mistake of academics who teach victimization and radicalism. And that is done in the public school monopoly and at the university. Then media plays it up for ratings or censors it for protection of the narrative. It shows up in crime statistics and welfare statistics. And what does academia, democrats, Zach or the media do about todays larger slave numbers? Not a damn thing. You're too busy polishing your progressive merit badges.
indyjonesouthere: There was no mistake.
You claimed that Africa tribes "was the real problem" that caused the Transatlantic slave trade. Rather, the demand was from colonial powers to produce the raw materials for their factories. The means were the guns provided by Europeans to some groups of Africans to attack other tribes for slaves. A merchant ALWAYS finds a suppy for any demand. The north African slave merchants still find a demand for African slaves. And what do you, media, academia, or democrat politicians do about it. NOTHING. There is more slavery than ever and you do nothing but try to leverage that for votes. The democratic party and planned parenthood are two practicing racist organizations that
#6.1.3.1.1
indyjonesouthere
on
2023-03-27 19:20
(Reply)
continued.
practiced eugenics. One made abortion legal and fed blacks into the abortion mills of planned parenthood. And they are still protesting and complaining about it becoming illegal.
#6.1.3.1.2
indyjonesouthere
on
2023-03-27 19:24
(Reply)
ondyjonesouthere: A merchant ALWAYS finds a suppy for any demand.
Correct. In the case of the Transatlantic slave trade, the demand was from factories needing raw materials, such as sugar for rum and cotton for fabrics. It was a triangular trade: guns and rum were traded for enslaved persons on the African coast. The enslaved people were taken to the Americas to produce the raw materials. Then, the raw materials were taken to European factories to produce finished products. Think you got it now.
#6.1.3.1.3
Zachriel
on
2023-03-27 21:51
(Reply)
And yourself, the media, the academe, and the democratic party are the purchasing agents for racism, hate, envy, and finally money to the black race in return for votes, political support and necessary thuggery to keep the narrative running for fun and profit.
What is ridiculous and criminal about all of this is that no one reading this blog ever owned a slave but the agents selling the narrative of race are keeping blacks on the progressive government plantation. Progressives have managed to keep blacks addicted to victimhood and the matriarchy rather than the family. And then progressives insist that black failure is RACISM. Progressives/marxists and Gramsci afficionados need race to maintain their lifestyle and political positions. You are a cancer on society.
#6.1.3.1.3.1
indyjonesouthere
on
2023-03-27 23:07
(Reply)
Well, you’ve apparently granted the point.
#6.1.3.1.3.1.1
Zachriel
on
2023-03-27 23:12
(Reply)
I grant nothing. You are a foremost maintainer and promoter of racism. You need the narrative to survive for your own wellbeing or you wouldn't be so desperate to keep it in the public view. It is your progressive/marxist theology that needs the race narrative to continue your assault on the republic.
#6.1.3.1.3.1.1.1
indyjonesouthere
on
2023-03-27 23:21
(Reply)
indyjonesouthere: I grant nothing.
Nor do you bother to address the point. The historical facts about the Transatlantic slave trade remain. Let us know when you want to address the topic.
#6.1.3.1.3.1.1.1.1
Zachriel
on
2023-03-28 07:03
(Reply)
I addressed the point that the only institutionalized racism today is that legislated by the prog/dems or instituted by the prog/dem courts. You can't admit your constant race baiting because it supports the prog/marxist victimization scam and the moral bankruptcy of the media, academy and democrat/planned parenthood eugenicists. You and those institutions actually practice racism to this day in order to maintain power and control.
#6.1.3.1.3.1.1.1.1.1
indyjonesouthere
on
2023-03-28 11:48
(Reply)
"Re-writing Agatha Christie"
If you change the language, then Agatha Christie didn't write it. You have an ersatz version on your hands. Such patronizing barbarisms always assume the population is composed of naïve fools who cannot be trusted to make adult decisions. And of course, how dare previous generations have held views not in consonance with modern notions! The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. His heart sank as he thought of the enormous power arrayed against him, the ease with which any Party intellectual would overthrow him in debate, the subtle arguments which he would not be able to understand, much less answer. And yet he was in the right! They were wrong and he was right.
George Orwell Re: Ac in DC
Shouldn't elected representatives set the example by ditching the gas stoves in the Congressional Surf N Turf dining halls, and AC in their premises? |