BlogHer - energy - Comments

Oh thank YOU for being so respectful

Jill Miller Zimon — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:20:25 -0500

Yes - all of BlogHer is non-partisan. And I promise you, there are many conservatives around, plus, some of us go back and forth over the center, and then yes, there are those to the left. It's really not all that static and can depend upon the particularly post and even a single aspect of a larger issue, you know? (one of the best ways to find political bloggers and what side they cover is to check out the BlogHer widget for Political Bloggers - it's color-coded by political persuasion).

As for saying what you think is wrong, absolutely! BlogHer THRIVES on real discussion/debate - many of us come here to learn, really really learn and trust one another - both in what is written but that we'll challenge each other if something does not ring true for us.

Trust me - I know this community can seem a bit overwhelming in just how vast it is - it took me almost two years to finally start visiting and reading and then commenting regularly. I can really appreciate caution.

But by all means, chime in.

Also - I will share that just a week or two ago, someone I know locally told me that she is very unhappy with both camps because she doesn't feel that either one of them is dealing with the energy issue. I learned that there will be Obama and McCain surrogates coming to our area in a couple of weeks and forwarded the info to her and she will be going.

So - you know - BlogHer is a lot about being informed and engaging in a place where we feel comfortable and know we'll be respected. That doesn't mean we don't get snarky, cutesy, upset and so on. But our goal is always to keep conversation open.

So go ahead - pummel away. ;)

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

I can see clearly now

NCmommy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:12:36 -0500

As you can tell, I am new to blogher and honestly did not know that blogher was a non-partisan site…although I did sense a lot of lefties. Does this apply to the entire site or is it just for politics? I stumbled upon your posting, while trying to find info on being green and to me, being green isn’t about one side or the other.

With that being said, am I allowed to post what I see wrong in the Obama’s energy plan? Or are comments reserved for those who only agrees with the plan? I'm not trying to be sarcastic...just don't know the rules.

BTW, it was your posting that prompted me to read up on the energy plan, so thank you.

Thanks

Jill Miller Zimon — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:05:35 -0500

You asked, "if your true objective is to write about what our hopes are for future energy, you’re not being objective."

No, actually, that was not my objective. I'm a contributing editor who is a partisan (I'm center of left) and I will be voting for Barack Obama. I was asked to write about Obama's energy plan. I believe a conservative CE who supports McCain was also asked to blog about energy, but on behalf of McCain. I do not see such a post up yet and can check on when it's scheduled to appear.

Just FYI, BlogHer is non-partisan.

Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Not being objective

NCmommy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:52:57 -0500

Thank you for pointing me to Obama’s energy plan, but if your true objective is to write about what our hopes are for future energy, you’re not being objective. After reading, Obama’s plan, I visited McCain’s website to compare notes and learn that Obama and McCain support a lot of the same things. Here’s a list of initiatives that I thought were similar to McCain’s.

Cracking down on Excessive energy speculation
Implementing Cap and Trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
Making US the leader on climate change
Accelerating and investing in the production of both zero carbon emission and low carbon emission cars
Promoting the development of sustainable biofuels such as cellulosic
Enforcing a low carbon fuel standard
Promoting domestic production of oil and natural gas
Promoting the development of clean coal technology
Investing in a smart grid

If you haven't already read McCain's energy plan, I encourage you to read it yourself at: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/17671aa4-2fe8-4008-859f-0ef1468e96f4.htm

Thanks :)

Jill Miller Zimon — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:14:18 -0500

I'm very glad I got to stretch for this topic because it really IS so integral to everything else. I almost feel guilty that I learned as much or more than the readers might!

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

WOW!

Erin Kotecki Vest — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:27:22 -0500

Jill this is a great summary of the plan. Getting us OFF foreign oil in 10 years and having a plan for it is what really blows me away. A PLAN! Imagine that!

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Posted the Barack Obama Entry

Tacomamama — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:57:26 -0500

http://tinyurl.com/5xxtwf

Still no McCain supporters who want to talk.

Tacoma Mama

Kitchen Table Issues

Yes, I am planning on it.

Tacomamama — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:10:53 -0500

Tomorrow, I absolutely have to do some of the writing that I actually get paid for. Then if I have any brain cells left I will try to tackle it tomorrow afternoon, if not then some time this weekend. Obama's plan is already laid out nicely in bullet points, so I need to pick it apart and make sure I look at it critically.

I would also love to do a side by side comparison of their plans for veterans, but I'll have to see what I have time to do.

Tacoma Mama

Thank you!

bri_daisy — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:38:35 -0500

I'll admit this is the first presidential election that I have paid more than a passing attention to, and I really appreciate the way you presented the information. Would you be willing to do the same for Obama's plan? Or have you already?

Bri

Under the Arch

You can find me at www.stlouistravelphotos.blogspot.com

Obama or McCain

MiniHaHa — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:18:54 -0500

Socrates - If you want to see the "specifics" of Obama's plans on all the major issues that are, or should be, important to all Americans, all you have to do is check out his website. Look under "ISSUES". As for him not being competent to be the leader of the free world, you think McCain is? He doesn't even know that Spain is in Europe for crying out loud! He thinks it's in Latin America!!!

Wow, you really go through

shelleyp — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:23:41 -0500

Wow, you really did go through the plan, line by line. I'll be checking back to see what answers you get, and to see your breakdown on Obama's plan.

Obama's record does not inspire confidence

BackyardConservative — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:37:37 -0500

Hi Kim

Thanks for commenting

Renewable, alternative energy has never stimulated the economy since it relies largely on government subsidies (funded by taxes). We should develop it, yes, but the track record since the last big push in the 70's is very limited in success.

And yes, people don't believe Obama on this issue.

Drawing down the strategic petroleum reserve is a bad idea, leaving us vulnerable in case of a national security emergency, and would barely move the price.

Cap and trade is also a bad idea--it doesn't work, Europe has tried it and failed. And it would also make gas very expensive.

Sen. Obama in his first major energy speech did not embrace nuclear--for me that was a big disappointment.

I don't agree with Sen. McCain on the threat of global warming, that's true, but at least he is being responsive to the American people's pain at the pump with a realistic policy of drilling on the outer continental shelf.

Best

Anne

An interesting post that raises some questions

Kim Pearson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:07:02 -0500

Hi Anne,

I notice that in characterizing the differences between Obama and McCain's positions on energy, you linked to a poll about public perceptions of their programs, as opposed to the actual programs. I'm wondering why?

I wonder also what you think about the fact that Obama, who is from a high coal-producing state, supports "clean coal" and further work on the Alaska pipeline, according to his website. He also maintains that his emphasis on renewable technology will stimulate the economy. He also shifted his postion on off-shore drilling and the strategic petroleum reserves, for which he has been accused of "flip-flopping." So it sounds as if he casts his position as a balanced, pro-growth energy program. Now the polling data you cite may mean that some voters either don't get the message or don't believe him.

Also, given your skepticism about global warming, I wonder what you think about McCain's long record of activism on this subject? I note from their websites that both he and Obama support cap and trade.

I look forward to continuing the conversation. Peace.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|