[Vision2020] Addressing Climate Crisis, Bush Calls For Development Of National Air Conditioner

[Sue Hovey]

Wonder if the 800 mile fence proposed for the Mexican border would be tight 
enough to keep the cool air from escaping into Mexico.

Sue
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: "Moscow Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2007 5:26 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Addressing Climate Crisis,Bush Calls For Development 
Of National Air Conditioner


> >From The Onion -
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Addressing Climate Crisis, Bush Calls For Development Of National Air
> Conditioner
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2z4bym
> Concept art shows how the 800-mile-wide device would function on a "high
> cool" setting.
>
> WASHINGTON, DC-In a nationally televised address reminiscent of President
> Kennedy's historic 1961 speech pledging to put a man on the moon, 
> President
> Bush responded to the global warming crisis Monday by calling for the
> construction of a giant national air conditioner by the year 2015.
>
> "Climate change is real and it demands a real solution," Bush said.
> "Therefore, I am committed to dedicating all of the technology, all of the
> brainpower, and all of the resources we need in order to keep America cool
> and comfortable well into the 21st century."
>
> The National Air Conditioner Initiative is expected to be the largest 
> public
> works project in the nation's history. Because technology capable of
> creating an air conditioner that can fulfill the cooling needs of a
> continental land mass does not presently exist, the president estimated 
> that
> research and development alone will require at least $100 trillion in both
> federal and private sector funds.
>
> "The challenge of building an air conditioner for all Americans will be 
> the
> greatest we have ever faced," Bush said. "But we must face it. We must act
> now to ensure that our children and our children's children can live in a
> world where they don't get sweaty and have to change their shirts all the
> time."
>
> While Bush's speech left many questions unanswered, such as whether the
> one-touch cooling settings would be under federal or state jurisdiction,
> reaction from congressional Democrats and Republicans has been largely
> favorable.
>
> "I applaud the administration for finally taking this issue seriously,"
> House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "Such a giant apparatus means that
> Americans from all walks of life, not just the wealthy and privileged, 
> will
> be able to get relief from the rise in the Earth's surface temperature. 
> And
> it will create a great many jobs. Just removing and rinsing out the huge
> filter will require tens of thousands of seasonal laborers."
>
> Petrochemical industry leaders voiced early support of the plan, which 
> would
> stimulate additional exploration and production of oil and gas to satisfy
> the machine's staggering energy needs.
>
> Some fiscal conservatives, however, decry the cost of the project and the
> gargantuan electric bills that would result, saying that a series of
> mile-high oscillating fans stationed in the Pacific Northwest and blowing 
> in
> the direction of the jet stream would accomplish essentially the same 
> thing
> and save billions. Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan expressed his
> concern that illegal aliens would benefit unfairly from the air 
> conditioner,
> since many of them work outside, and questioned President Bush's ability 
> to
> "seal the nation's borders in order to keep the cool air in."
>
> Environmental groups like the Sierra Club have taken a tough stance on the
> president's plan, demanding it contain legally binding language that 
> ensures
> the air conditioner will be switched to a special energy-conserving 
> "sleep"
> setting when the country cools off at night. The White House has shown
> interest in an "economy mode" option that could be used in the event of a
> budgetary crisis, but it is still unknown whether such a massive unit 
> would
> qualify for an Energy Star certification, let alone accommodate built-in
> money-saving features.
>
> The strongest opposition to the plan has come from Canada. Because the
> proposed National Air Conditioner would cover 90 percent of the state of
> North Dakota and face south, the U.S.'s northern neighbor would be 
> directly
> in the path of superheated air expelled from the machine's back vents.
> Though Prime Minister Stephen Harper said this would create drought
> conditions and devastate their farmlands, most believe Canada lacks the
> clout to halt Bush's air-conditioning agenda.
>
> American air conditioner manufacturers, with whom President Bush 
> reportedly
> consulted extensively prior to announcing the initiative, will soon be
> awarded tens of trillions of dollars to design and build the components
> necessary for the giant unit. Industry leader Lennox is expected to 
> receive
> at least $30 trillion, including a massive installation fee, while  the
> Carrier Corporation, Trane, and Amana are all jockeying for the next 
> largest
> contracts.
>
> "Global warming threatens us all, whether we're mowing our lawns, rafting
> down a river in a national park, or driving to the end of the driveway to
> get our mail," Bush said. "The task that lies ahead is undeniably hard. 
> But
> if we do not succeed, we will be profoundly inconvenienced. And I promise
> you: America will not let that happen."
>
> Speaking at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser Monday night, Al 
> Gore
> said that now that Bush has taken up the cause of global warming, the 
> former
> vice president and environmental activist will redirect his energies 
> toward
> developing a personal spacecraft capable of transporting a family of four 
> to
> a distant planet.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students. The college
> students are not very active in local elections (thank goodness!)."
>
> - Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)
>
>
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.6/902 - Release Date: 7/15/2007 
> 2:21 PM
>