h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Wind farms aren't as simple as they seem. There is apparently problems with the gearing on them, plus they can't be used above a certain wind speed in case they take off (due to weight of gearbox in an attempt to fix gearing problems) and don't work under a certain wind speed. They need to put more, smaller turbines on high places than have those very tall ones that really aren't as efficient as they may seem. I did have more info on this, but I've forgotten most of it. I was hesitant to mention it in case I was challenged about my facts and then couldn't remember exactly what my tutor said.

I've voted Green on and off since I could vote. The times I don't it's in an attempt to keep one party out, rather than get a different one in. Or when there's no Green candidate, such as local elections.

I don't think I'll vote Green until their policies change. This, despite the fact that I am quite a keen environmentalist: I recycle, I use low energy bulbs, I try to grow my own food, I don't take unnecessary car journeys, I car share...

I want to see more policies based on evidence and fewer based on opinion. I also want to see specific positive policies based upon addressing issues of real concern, rather than pandering to the proto-anarchist movement by protesting against superstores and the suchlike. And I want to see their people not acting as if *they* know all the answers to wuestions that we havn't answered yet, such as their habit of destroying GM crop trials. In short: I want more listening and less preaching.

My intention is to tell people "the Greens haven't got the answers, but their basic platform -- ecology -- is what matters most, and all parties need a severe shock to make them address this".

I never cease to be amazed what one can find when clicking round the site. I found this thread, followed it back to its beginning and click on the link to your experiences of the Green Party.

I had no idea that they had animal rights policies! They kept that bit quiet. I was under the impression that they were supporters of sustainable development, local accountability in politics and generally cleaning the place up and not wasting resources. I had no idea that they included the line, "We want an end to animal experimentation..."

Well that's my vote changing. I'm not sure to who, and it could well be a vote for RON, but I'm not voting Green again.

GreyDesk (Hi!) please don't cut off your nose to spite your face. It is important that the voters tell the parties that we are not willing to accept responsibility for the deaths of millions, and would rather do something effective than turn our backs because we are too lazy.

Las week Newsweek ran a group of articles on how we (who are likely to survive) can profit from global warming. I wrote to them (not that I expect it to be printed): "I can't believe you published these articles.
Even if the Earth is spared a major extinction from methane release,
your writers' best-case scenarios still amount to a holocaust. If your
intention was tongue-in-cheek, well, you have some cheek."

"I had no idea that they had animal rights policies!"

Well, you do now. As it happens, *I* want to see an end to animal experimentation as well. But I want to see safe and effective medicines on the market even more. And don't believe all that nonsense about 'computer models'. I happen to design drug discovery information systems and anybody who would trust the health of themselves and the people they care about to a computer model is a total and utterly contemptible idiot. The models don't exist to that degree os sophistication, and the whole point about models is that they they can only simulate what we do know about through reusing data gained from real experiments. They don't allow us to discover potentially disastrous side effects.

Anybody who can't understand this pretty basic scientific argument really isn't in a position to hold an opinion on animal experimentation, let alone express it in Parliament on behalf of the electorate.

R'man: have a read of this - http://www.greenspirit.org .

Sorry, that should have been: http://www.greenspirit.com/

You sent me there before, I think. Yes, Greenpeace has done some stupid things. Too late, my fee has gone in to the Green Party. Will post my progress in my journal.

Good luck.