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Comment Re:Railway crossing? (Score -1) 423

I believe the government's data shouldn't be ignored based on its cold weather operation recommendation. In North Dakota where the monthly average temperature is -2F, I owned and used daily a 1996 Mecury Sable for 13 years and ran it to 250k mi (I then sold the car in working condition). I did not employ any kind of warm-up procedure during those 13 years even on the coldest of days. I never replaced any engine components, nor have I on any of the other 6 vehicles I have owned in ND. "Warming the engine" is no longer a required procedure for engine longevity and spews more noxious gases into our atmosphere than we need.

BTW, drive any newish automobile and you'll find that the temperature gauge indicates nothing other than that your engine's not on fire.

Comment Re:Railway crossing? (Score -1) 423

You raise interesting points, but as you say, you've only speculated. If you had done a Google search for "shutting off engine," you would have found http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html provided to us by the state in which all things cause cancer CA and where emissions laws like those in North Dakota, where I'm from, might as well be viewed as permissive of pouring-gasoline-on-the-ground-and-lighting-it-aflame (no one checks our vehicle emissions). Long story short, CA found that 10 seconds is all it takes to get a return on your investment. The article also notes that not all gas is burned at idle. This is true and causes a non-stoichiometric reaction producing extra CO and unburned hydrocarbons. So apart from the decreased gasoline consumption, you spew out less gas too! As a side note, I do this routinely and don't find it a great inconvenience.
Power

Energy Secretary Chu Endorses "Clean Coal" 464

DesScorp writes "The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Energy Secretary Steven Chu is endorsing 'clean coal' technology and research, and is taking a pragmatic approach to coal as an energy supply. '"It absolutely is worthwhile to invest in carbon capture and storage because we are not in a vacuum," Mr. Chu told reporters Tuesday following an appearance at an Energy Information Administration conference. "Even if the United States or Europe turns its back on coal, India and China will not," he said. Mr. Chu added that "quite frankly I doubt if the United States will turn its back on coal. We are generating over 50% of our electrical energy from coal."' The United States has the world's largest reserves of coal. Secretary Chu has reversed his positions on coal and nuclear power, previously opposing them, and once calling coal 'My worst nightmare.'"

Comment Re:hilarious (Score -1) 1297

It seems that you're using the word "average" to legitimize your use of a stereotype. The truth is, no "egotistical macho jackoff" poll has ever been staged to determine if the "average" soldier is an "egotistical macho jackoff." You really have no clue what the "average" soldier is like. I actually know a plethora of really intelligent, selfless soldiers whose moral standards are much above this kind of behavior. While I agree entirely that there is no place for this behavior in imprisonment, I am quite surprised by it.

In regard to the reply which says

Soldiers are still human beings, and by criticizing them when they err, we keep them honest and preserve both their honor and the honor of our country.

I am again in agreement but there is no need to generalize soldiers as people who have very low moral standards. They simply generally aren't.

NASA

NASA Funding Boost, But No Shuttle Extension in Obama Budget 133

adeelarshad82 writes to point out that details have been provided for President Obama's proposed $18.7 billion in funding for NASA in 2010 (up from $17.2 billion in 2008). Quoting: "The budget calls on NASA to complete International Space Station construction, as well as continue its Earth science missions and aviation research. Yet it also remains fixed to former President George W. Bush's plan to retire the space shuttle fleet by 2010 and replace them with the new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, which would fly astronauts to the space station and return them to the moon by 2020. The outline does make room for an extra shuttle flight beyond the nine currently remaining on NASA's schedule, but only if it is deemed safe and can be flown before the end of 2010."

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