Kerry and fuel energy

[SHRED]

He gave a speech indicating a plan to be "energy independent in 10 years".
After he gets elected I wonder if he is going to explain, the need for, industrial hemp to the citizens?
I know Clinton and Gore didn't have the balls to speak out but we are reaching critical mass now with petroleum.
I read Gore's book "Earth in the Balance" and really thought hemp would have been debated and/or mentioned during his term. What a dissapointment.
BTW: I wrote the Kerry campaign about this and they never wrote back. I still donated to them however.

"HEMP IS THE NUMBER ONE biomass producer on planet earth: 10 tons per acre in approximately four months. It is a woody plant containing 77% cellulose. Wood produces 60% cellulose."
http://fornits.com/hemp/biomassa.htm

[Trillo]

1. I don't know exactly where Kerry stands on this.

I have heard that hemp adapts to it's surroundings within a few generations, whether those surroundings are moist or dry. Growing more hemp might be one good way to sequester excess atmospheric carbon.

[SHRED]

2. Something in the way

I know the "War on (some) Drugs" will get in the way of hemp. However I do think it could be explained from an economic, independence, and reality based position to the public. There are many experts who could give a nationwide speech. Chris Conrad comes to mind or he could help write a speech for Kerry.

Something has got to change.

[slor]

3. I think most peeps know that the war on drugs...

is an utter failure. I have even seen police saying it is a joke, so it may not be an issue. Besides as Prez, he can do it anyway.

[kestrel91316]

4. Why not issue an executive order......................

legalizing industrial hemp as a means of helping to address numerous environmental issues which are fast becoming emergencies?? He could then work on permanent legislation. I would LOVE to be able to buy hemp clothes, hemp rope, hemp paper, etc. It is an amazing crop, and it's absolutely sick that ignorant people confuse it with the drug marijuana. We desperately need a paper source that does not require pesticides or manufactiring processes that pollute so heavily. One more reason to elect a president who believes in science and who understands our dire need for energy independence.

[SHRED]

5. Beautiful!

Well said!

:toast:

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Obstacles to hemp production

Well, growing hemp is only part of a solution. It's a good one, but radical conservation is going to be needed, as well, no matter what sources of energy replace oil. We also have global climate change to consider; hemp is not entirely pollution-free, and burning it does release heat. But still, I support developing hemp industries. They could make a major dent in our energy problems.

I also don't think the War On Drugs We Don't Approve Of is much of an obstacle. From what I hear, industrial hemp is very low in psychoactive chemicals. The real obstacle seems to to entrenched industrial and financial concerns.

Unfortunately, hemp production has been turned into a culture-war casualty, and not even for reasons of marijuana culture. People think of it as "Hippie stuff". But it's a conceit we can't afford any more.

If Kerry wins, he is going to have to deal with the problems of energy AND climate change. And of course, people will blame him for the problems -- even a lot of leftists will.

--bkl

[environmental_ideas]

7. blaming

it's funny how the public wants to blame that ONE offical
who they assume has total power over all the decisions.
We need true representatives in this country to get some
things done here.