The broader energy issues you have been tackling in the past extend beyond the boundaries of specifics of technologies and the US as a “nation state” – they affect every nation state and the global community. who knows what technologies will “power” our futures but yesterday’s clean will almost certainly be tomorrow’s “dirty” for one reason or another.

In respect to your “obama holiday” – every new leader is due the benefit of the doubt, but the reality of “politics” is that in truth there are too many “idiots” or yes people in the “politic” globally (who are very near sighted – 3-4 year term). So the end result is little if any “absolute” longer term benefit to states or the globe.

Frankly my view is that unless we end up with a “smart/integrated” global energy and environment policy – with the big global consumers/producers of all kinds of energy aligned – we (the people of the universe) are all going to suffer (its just a matter of time and how bad it hurts – this is not an especially green view, many will simply not have the “power” for currently normally expected power use at reasonable costs). Sure some may benefit financially due to being aligned to the “insider” smart deals, but overall my sense is that everyone will be worse off.

me personally, i hope you and your friends keep up the “saw through the bone” analysis irrespective of “alliances”. there is too little “independent” comment available anywhere/anytime.

the reality, smart leaders will take the limbs out of the way (so they dont get sawed off). the dumb ones wont – the “market or its equivalent” will deal with them.

while we might not end up with “perfect” solutions, we are sure to end up with “better” ones. BUT – only if we have smart, non-aligned commentators and analysts who are the equal or betters of the company/govt appointed “spin doctors”

j