Posted on August 24 at 9:32 p.m.

We know that corn ethanol is not the only way. This is why we are researching cellulosic ethanol as the next form of biofuel along with biodiesel from algae and other oil crops, and also hydrogen - these are becoming our next sources of transportation energy in combination with electric motors (hybrid prius or chevy volt concept) hopefully running on solar, wind or other renewable power. Corn ethanol is only in the interim, but gets a bad rap - it is still about twice as good as gasoline in terms of efficiency - 1.4 energy units out per energy unit in - gasoline is only 0.8 and needlessly emits fossil CO2 to the atmosphere -we should be using the last bit of petroleum for valuable products - not senselessly burning this valuable resource away into the atmosphere.
Also the price of corn has been mainly affected by rising oil prices and many other factors, not corn ethanol - see USDA economic analysis mentioned in http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/... and UM site http://www.mda.state.mn.us/renewable/....
Yes, ethanol has 67% of the energy value of gasoline since 1/3 of the molecule is oxygen, but is thermodynamically better yielding nearly 80% of the fuel mileage of gasoline and also oxygenates the fuel aiding in the drastic reduction in emissions. Ethanol is also renewable, gasoline is not. The best approach in my opinion is to use ethanol and renewable-based methanol in the production of biodiesel - diesel engines are nearly twice as efficient as gas engines and biodiesel hybrid vehicles are nearly 50% efficient (similar to hydrogen fuel cell) as opposed to only 16% efficiency for gas engines. This means that for every gallon of gas you put into your 14 mpg SUV (at $4 a pop) you are only getting 16% of that gallon to move you forward - the other 85% is lost as heat while emitting a large amount of carbon dioxide from fossil sources. America needs to concentrate on becoming efficient and switch to renewable fuels, and we better do it soon while we still have the chance!

On Anderson County Democrats speak about getting out the vote

Posted on July 24 at 10:10 p.m.

I'm not so sure that the person above knows anything about Carter by the comments - typical ignorance - and proud of it! Why would Carter even come into this conversation?

On Bryant’s opponent attacks ‘Osama’ photo on site

Posted on July 24 at 9:56 p.m.

Vote for Ortiz -Time to get this country back on track!
I'm sick of the arrogance I've seen from a bunch of losers who have done their best to screw up this country through fear-mongering- which is the only reason why these people are in office - they are the minority and soon enough people will realize they are getting screwed by these arrogant thieves - the people will become sick of this and come back like a tidal wave.

On National group criticizes Sen. Bryant's Obama post