Perhaps the larger issue is that people are looking for alternative fuels as an all or nothing proposition. Ethanol as a substitute for gasoline is a loser for many reasons (read here: http://economicefficiency.blogspot.com/2008/07/adding-up-cost-of-ethanol.html) such as it takes 1.3 gallons of gas to make one gallon of ethanol. However, the addition of bio diesel to the existing supply of petroleum diesel is a good thing, as its production is usually the result of waste materials. Alternative fuels should be seen as a supplement to the existing hydrocarbon fuels, and not as a replacement. As such, the market will determine how much of the supplement it wants. If production of the supplement becomes cost neutral or less expensive than hydrocarbons, the supplement becomes the main fuel. The same is true for alternative energy. Base loads are most efficiently generated through nuclear and coal plants. Solar, wind, etc, should be seen as supplements and priced accordingly, i.e., no subsidies.

What Verizon wants to do is share the information between Verizon Communications, Verizon Wireless, and Verizon Business. If you have Verizon Wireless, but not Fios, Verizon the mother ship wants to market you Fios. While changes in privacy policies rightly raise red flags, in this instance, Verizon has to request customer authorization to share customer data between its corporate entities.

The popular vote does count, as spelled out by the Constitution and the Amendments. The Congress (House and Senate) are directly elected by the people. Elections below the federal level are all direct. The President is elected by the Electoral College to respect proportional representation, but at the same time giving weight to smaller states interests. My concern is that we are beginning to descend into lawlessness. The first sign was the White House asking for direct control of the census. That is a constitutionally mandated process and has no business being in the hands of the President. The Constitution is a brilliant document. Those who wish to change it can do so, but by the existing process.

Let's not forget that iron lungs and dialysis machines started this way. The liver is an amazing organ and has great regenerative properties. However, it can be easily damaged and transplants aren't very successful. It is sad that China, known for organ harvesting, has led the research on this.