Bits and Pieces

NATO Expansion: Russian shenanigans have rattled Finland, Norway and Sweden for years. Flyovers by Russian MIGs have threatened the peace more than once. They have bullied these nations to stay out of NATO. Seems to me, the lesson learned is not working. Instead, these nations are now seriously thinking of joining NATO to better secure their nations in the face of Russia’s bully mentality.

Oh sure, Russia has nukes. But if they use them, they will quickly lose the advantage. I don’t think Russia is stupid enough to use their nukes. Like most bullies, there is a limit to their tactics before they turn tail and run.

Putin has seriously overplayed his game. Instead of appearing as a bold leader, he has donned the fool’s costume. For all to see. And remember.

Middle East’s Influence: with the demise of the gasoline auto engine, middle eastern oil products will be left high and dry. American knowhow and generosity taught the middle eastern nations the value of their oil reserves. We taught them how to find those deposits. We taught them how to drill and extract the oil. We even taught them how to refine the oil and produce a wide variety of valuable products. We even built the refineries to do this. Then we engineered their distribution and delivery systems. While at it we developed the markets for them making their oil pure gold.

What did they do with these blessings? They turned it into a political chess board power game. They diddled with international power, and internal intrigue as well. They have turned their fiefdoms into international pariahs of social discrimination and religious abuse. In short, their riches went to their head and like drunken fools, damaged their societies and history for a very long time. Sad. Pitiful.

With technological change we can only hope that their oil reserves turn out to be meaningless in the long run. Already, engineering advancements have improved energy efficiency, energy alternatives and products that do not rely on oil products at all.

Electric Vehicles: about time. This has been coming for years but the auto industry has been slow to adapt. Only competition from people like Elon Musk pushed them to do the right thing. Climate change alone should have been cause enough. Before that? dwindling supplies of fossil fuels and growing expense of same. Add to that the political and ideological divides that are wrapped up in fossil fuel supply and demand. And protection of special interests.

Yes, electric vehicles are the answer to so many problems. There are problems, however. The cost and ecological damage from batteries large enough for the task remains a challenge to overcome. Rare metals and minerals are needed for the batteries. Perhaps new technologies will be created to obviate the pollution?

We had a hybrid vehicle once and loved it. The acceleration was breathtaking, and I wondered why auto enthusiasts didn’t rally around this feature all along! And the silence. The comfort. Yes, electric vehicles are very attractive.

It is fun to watch GM and Chrysler juggle for space in this competitive industry. They have come to the party so very, very late. All the while there has been people preaching electric cars. Why didn’t they listen and act sooner?

April 26, 2022

 

 

 

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