[Peakoil] Is Macfarlane clueless?

[Leigh Kite]

  Yeah, chill...

  Do we know if the minister spoke of "hydrogen fast fusion technology", or 
was this a misquote in the article?

  Perhaps we need to arrange an appointment with the minister to find out 
exactly what he knows and where he's at.

  That'ld probably be better than starting a big fire over his perceived 
cluelessness.  The question is how to go about it.

  Cheers,

  Leigh


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Alex P" <alex-po at trevbus.org>
  To: <peakoil at act-peakoil.org>
  Sent: Saturday, August 06, 2005 7:30 PM
  Subject: [Peakoil] Is Macfarlane clueless?


  > This is pretty disturbing.
  >
  > Federal Minister Macfarlane seems to be talking rubbish in attempt to
  > convince people we will live in an energy-plentiful future. Or else he 
is
  > utterly clueless. We citizens will have to save ourselves.
  >
  > Alex
  > O4O4873828
  >
  > ACT Peak Oil discussion list
  > http://act-peakoil.org
  >
  > ------------- Forwarded message follows -------------
  >
  > It seems that when Minister Macfarlane talked of "hydrogen fast fusion
  > technology" he really meant just plain old "fusion technology".
  > See reply below.
  >
  > Incidentally, www.pescu.net says  :
  > "Private Enterprise Space Company Unlimited
  > This is a space agency run by independent characters.
  > This site PESCU.net includes a great many things, including
  > List of space agencies and an Index of local Astronomical Societies ... 
"
  > and
  > "NEWS: in 2004 new scientist reported that fusion had reached the
  > breakeven level,
  > where it no longer uses more energy than it takes to start the 
reaction."
  > Huh ?
  >
  > insideout.rigb.org seems to be a children's science education site that
  > asks :
  > "Can scientists create a mini sun ?
  > Well, this might not exactly be true, but scientists are making use of
  > their knowledge of the way the sun creates heat energy for our own 
energy
  > needs! "
  >
  > It's a bit of a worry when the Minister gets mixed up between hydrogen
  > technology, fast breeders and fusion,
  > but when his Energy Advisor gets his information from kiddies science
  > pages on the web
  > then you KNOW we are in trouble.
  >
  > Any advice on how to proceed ?
  > Be imaginative - we want to cause maximum embarrassment here :-)
  >
  > Dave K
  >
  > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  > -----
  >
  >  ----- Original Message ----- 
  >  From: Fitzgerald, Michael
  >  To: dave.kimble at lizzy.com.au
  >  Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 4:00 PM
  >  Subject: Hydrogen
  >
  >
  >  Dear Mr Kimble
  >
  >
  >
  >  The Minister has referred your e-mail to me for reply.  His reference
  > was to the nuclear fusion technology of the future.  You may find the
  > following links useful:
  >
  >
  >
  >  http://www.pescu.net/fusion.htm
  >
  >  http://insideout.rigb.org/ri/energy/big_questions.html
  >
  >
  >
  >  Michael Fitzgerald
  >  Adviser (Energy)
  >  Office of the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP
  >  Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources
  >  Australian Government
  >
  >
  >  CBR  +612 6277 7580
  >
  >  MEL  +613 9268 7905
  >
  >  MOB +614 1280 9016
  >
  >
  > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  > ---
  >  Minister
  >
  >  A report at  http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,15830025-
  > 31037,00.html says :
  >  "In Brisbane for the Austmine Mining Innovation from Downunder
  > Conference, Mr Macfarlane said he believed hydrogen fast fusion
  > technology, under development in the United States, was the only viable
  > alternative energy source."
  >
  >  What is "hydrogen fast fusion" ?
  >  There is no mention of it on the internet other than your comments on
  > it, and people asking what it means.
  >
  >  Are you aware that hydrogen has to be manufactured from hydrogen-
  > containing compounds,
  >  and that the energy needed to liberate the hydrogen is always more than
  > the energy that can be obtained from the hydrogen ?
  >  Thus hydrogen is a net energy loss process, and in no way can be a
  > solution to our energy problems.
  >
  > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  > ---
  >  Dave Kimble
  >  11, Lindsay Road, Carmoo, 4852
  >  Queensland, Australia
  >  ph: (07) 40689270
  >  Dave.Kimble at Lizzy.com.au
  >  DK's web site
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
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