Convergence of Relevant Stuff

McLaren, a company synonymous with Formula 1 and famous for the F1 supercar, is looking for a hybrid drivetrain engineer, fueling speculation that it is working on a gas-electric road car.

More on this story from Wired

General Motors  is set to ask for even more stimulus  money and may be poised to lay off an additional 47,000 people if they do not get it. Weigh in on how you feel about this after  you read this article.

By now many people have seen the T. Boone Pickens’ ad. What you think about it is important. Given the state of the economy and the rising gas prices that we face, it  most certainly will elicit much needed debate. That is not a bad thing. Good honest debate about anything is good. Are we as a nation ready to listen to T. Boone Pickens ideas about alternative energy?  Do we feel that Mr. Pickens may have an agenda? Do we care if he does?

The most pressing issue on our plates is the rising gas prices that are taking a huge toll on our country. Energy cost are rising as well; so debate and discussion is not only fruitful, but needed.  Of course anytime you have a debate there are people for the implementation of an idea, and nearly always there are detractors. But given the state of our economy and the rising cost of fuel, debate is more than needed.

In many communities across America there are more than just passing conversation regarding alternative energy. European energy companies who are already  providing natural energy  in Europe, or trying desperately to buy exisiting utilities in the United States in the face of staunch and unwavering opposition.

This is occuring in  States that can ill afford to turn down overtures.  So we have to lend an ear to the discussion and an open mind. Only through innovative and thoughtful discussion can we climb out of the deep energy hole that we have dug ourselves into.

The National highway traffic administration has recently put on tougher enforceable standards on the auto industry in order to bring them in line with EPA standard and to raise the fuel economy from 26 mpg to 35 MPG by 2011. The auto industry is balking because of the high cost this will entail and the loss of revenue they will suffer by producing these cars and working to meet tougher standards. The is a difficult assignment given an auto industry that is suffering tremendous losses in the face of high gas prices and rising overhead cost.

While the consumer has no choice but to reign in spending to make ends meet, this has in effect left the auto industry reeling from unsold cars and double digit losses in sales from the previous year. This is in effect a crises of monumental proportions and flys in the face of the National Highway Traffic administration mandates. There is literally no end in sight. We were hit with high Gas prices, but no plan in place to deal with a slow down in automobile purchases in just about every town and major city in America.

Off shore drilling is not the answer at least not immediately. Dependence upon foreign oil will continue for the foreseeable future. We rode the tide of good times for way to long without having the foresight to prepare for the inevitable; the high jacking of the American Consumer with our continued dependence on foreign oil.