Letters posted here are associated with the following Salon Premium Member:

Tyler_Mason

Published Letters: 522
Editor's Choice: 41

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 02:01 PM
Original article: Norway's moon shot

not as scary

At first, I thought they were doing "deep ocean" sequestration. Luckily, they are shoving it a kilometer under the sea bed.

The deep sea plan, where deep ocean waters absorb the CO2 really worries me. The reason isn't that we get carbonated sea water. It's that we get acid.

My own back of the envelope calculations show that the best carbon sequestration scheme is to leave it in the ground. Taking it out and putting it back in another form is a loser. The only time putting it back really makes sense for anyone is when CO2 injection increases the yield of nearby oil/gas wells.

If I were a policy maker, I'd defund exploring sequestration and put it into renewables. It is much smarter to leave as much carbon (oil, coal, and gas) underground as possible. We can worry about sequestering past decades' excess after we quit disturbing the stuff that was stored millions of years ago.

Thursday, March 6, 2008 06:55 PM

close, but no

It's amazing that Novak thinks she knows what manliness is. Displays of strength can be an expression of manliness, but don't necessarily lead to feeling manly.

What we like is spoiling our honey and being appreciated for it. It really is that simple. It isn't opening the jar, it's what comes after. The smile, pat on the arm, or peck on the cheek is where the action is.

Thursday, March 6, 2008 07:44 PM

And the lesson is ...

Don't invest in companies with these sorts of compensation packages. As an investor, it is your money that is being handed to these guys. If they don't bring value, don't buy.

On a similar note, consider the effect of executive compensation on the price/quality of goods. Honda and Toyota put their money into engineering and product quality. GM and Ford subsidized their execs snorting coke off a hooker's ass. So, how is it that foreign automakers are taking over the world markets?

Someone asked "Why do they pay these guys so much?" There are a couple of reasons. Cronyism is a factor, but I think botique shopping is the main one. The boards of really big important companies want really big and important CEOs. So, they pay a massive premium for the biggestest and importantest CEO they can get.

It's kinda like car buyers going to boutique brands. They cost a lot, have relatively poor reliability, and usually middling performance when they do work - but damn it makes a statement. Wow, Bill got a jag! He can really afford to piss away money!

Sadly, CEOs can't be kept in the garage and occasionally paraded about. They are actually daily drivers and, as expected, leave you stranded with alarming regularity.

Monday, March 10, 2008 02:30 PM

depth

It's always a shock when someone transforms from being one dimensional into a full 3-D person. Heroes should always strive to stay slightly out of focus.

So - Spitzer is a whoring, crime fighting, governor. The new findings do not diminish what he accomplished. They do, however, show that Spitzer shouldn't be trusted. Regardless of the rationality of outlawing prostitution, it is illegal. It isn't OK cause it is just a little law. Bush co. say the same thing about FISA etc. It doesn't make them right either.

We need public officials who obey the law. Spitzer needs to go.

Monday, March 10, 2008 03:10 PM

@brightstar65

You ask: what is he guilty of exactly?

In NY, Articles 230.02 - 230.07 cover patronizing a prostitute.

In DC, DC Code 22-2701 covers engaging in and soliciting prostitution.

It is the law regardless of whether you approve of the law. If you don't like it, get the law changed. If you think people should pick and choose the laws to obey, then you must be a fan of our current president.

Monday, March 10, 2008 03:25 PM

@KitchenGirl

Regarding civil disobedience.

Are you implying that acts of civil disobedience go unpunished? I've seen that notion put forth many many times and don't understand where it came from. Civil disobedience is about doing something that is against the law with the full knowledge that you can be punished. Acts of civil disobedience are acts of great courage.

If you are implying that Spitzer could still be a hero, although a bit of an outlaw, for committing acts of civil disobedience, then I agree. Spitzer screwing a hooker, however, doesn't rise to the level of Rosa Parks.

Monday, March 10, 2008 03:59 PM

@wstander

A prostitution ring is simply a group of people who jointly act to further acts of prostitution. It includes whores, clients, and intermediaries.

Prostitution is illegal in almost every U.S. jurisdiction because of the laws of those jurisdictions.

It is newsworthy because it is titillating, because it has a certain schadenfreude, and because us americans love to tear down people after building them up.

Prostitution is worse than adultery in most places because adultery is largely either legal or is defined by statute as a lower level crime.

Note: I am note endorsing these vice laws, I'm reporting them. As long as they are the law, breaking them is illegal.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:10 AM

hypocracy

I don't recall GG defending Larry Craig or Vitter. Suddenly, we need to just lay off of spitzer because other people ignored those other guys. Those other people or hypocrites. So what does that make GG and spitzer's other defenders? At least those who joined the dog pile on craig and vitter.

Is this just a case of realpolitik? THAT I can buy.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:21 AM
Original article: Introducing 5 Things!

ibid

Not an auspicious introduction to the new feature. K-fed on broadway really matters to most of us. Right Now!

Most Active Letters Threads

725

The commendably missing element from Obama's speech

There was no pretense that human rights is our goal, or the likely outcome, in escalating the war
688

Obama's exceedingly familiar justifications for escalation

The "new" approach to Afghanistan touted by White House officials seems quite old
440

The face of rotted Washington

Evan Bayh demands more debt-financed war - fought by others - while boasting that he's a stern "deficit hawk."
329

Yes, it's Obama's war now

An uninspiring speech sells a dubious policy, but progressives who feel betrayed have only themselves to blame
255

America's regression

It's almost impossible to find a nation with as many torture advocates as the U.S. has.

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon