Siphoning off corn to fuel our cars

[Cybergal]

Siphoning off corn to fuel our cars
4/30/08

CHARLES CITY, Iowa - Erwin Johnson picks up a clump of the dark, rich soil that he has farmed for 35 years, like his father and grandfather before him. In a few months, this flat expanse of northern Iowa will be crowded with corn ready to be trucked to market.

A year ago, that market got a little closer -- and a lot better. Instead of sending his corn to a barge company to be shipped down the Mississippi River for export, Johnson now loads it into an open truck and sends it two miles up the gravel road to a hulking new ethanol distillery that he can see from his field. The plant is paying him $5.50 or more a bushel, more than twice as much as Johnson could get just a couple of years ago.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24380271/

[MommaKay]

People cannot eat biodiesel and ethanol. Diverting FOOD into our fuel tanks while millions around the world are starving to death is a crime against humanity.

I am all for alternative fuels and biodiesel -- but ONLY if those fuels are made from feed-stocks that do not divert food crops.

[25(2)+2]

Nothing about this issue is simple, most of the corn that is left after the still is feed for animals, the starch is turned into sugar and then ethanol, and the process leaves by-products behind. Eventually, these distilleries will be converted to use biomass, or replaced by new technologies to do that, and the energy per acre per year will be increased as well. The business is evolving over time.

Grain to ethanol is just a step on the way.

[BlueNosedBstd]

Based on everything I've read-researched on alternative fueling methods over the last several years, I think HHO is the most cost effective way to go. The guy who developed the system for normal automobiles claims 4 ounces of water will propel his car 100 miles. Yes, 4 ounces!

HHO For Cars:
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The concept is far easier and far less expensive than the corn based solutions and it also lookes like "the cost of ownership factor" is less with HHO.

No gumming up for the fuel system either, as corn based stuff can wreak havoc on seals, filters etc and can be costly to retrofit to older engines, unlike HHO.

HHO for Diesel Trucks
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Imagine just grabbing the garden hose to fill a water resevoir each morning. Hopefully this will happen as I've read that both the U.S. Gov't and a Major Automobile Company have signed onto this program and will begin using it somewhere around 2010-2012.

[MommaKay]

Originally Posted by 25(2)+2

Nothing about this issue is simple, most of the corn that is left after the still is feed for animals, the starch is turned into sugar and then ethanol, and the process leaves by-products behind. Eventually, these distilleries will be converted to use biomass, or replaced by new technologies to do that, and the energy per acre per year will be increased as well. The business is evolving over time.

Grain to ethanol is just a step on the way.

Ya, but in the meantime people are starving to death and food riots are breaking out around the world. America is rather insulated from these problems, for the time being. But that it's not happening here, and now, is small comfort to those who can't find food to eat. Indeed, for some reason I don't think it comforts them at all.

[Ronnocomot]

Originally Posted by MommaKay

Ya, but in the meantime people are starving to death and food riots are breaking out around the world. America is rather insulated from these problems, for the time being. But that it's not happening here, and now, is small comfort to those who can't find food to eat. Indeed, for some reason I don't think it comforts them at all.

I find it very curious that people are sure quick to hate America, until they need something from us. Why is it America's responsibility to see that the needs of every person on earth is met?

America bad, but we are well fed, so #### off!!

[MommaKay]

Funny, I didn't put any "America hating" in my posts. There was some "human loving" there -- perhaps that confused you?

[Ronnocomot]

Originally Posted by MommaKay

Funny, I didn't put any "America hating" in my posts. There was some "human loving" there -- perhaps that confused you?

You are full of self loathing as an American. Don't feel guilty because you live in the greatest country on earth.

It's not America's job to feed the world.

[MommaKay]

How many other countries have you lived in?

[MommaKay]

Response #2:

How do you measure "greatness"?