Posts Tagged by James Woolsey
A Suggestion for the James Woolsey Interview
| December 12, 2009 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Politics |
I don’t know the extent to which most readers are aware of the frequent comments of Dan Conine, whom I would characterize as irreverent but incredibly bright. Here, in response to my piece on James Woolsey, he writes:
Ask him about shadow government agencies, Iran Contra connections to 9/11, and why he thinks Obama has not followed through on releasing government documents. Nothing is more renewable than ex-gov employees’ hot air.
LOL, as usual. Sorry, but I think I’ll take another tack with this interview. Yet you suggest a good point that I do intend to pursue — one that will make this such a fascinating experience for me: How does it happen that a true patriot comes to hold a position that seems to challenge the very integrity of an entire presidential administration — or maybe several? Unless I’m missing something, Mr. Woolsey is saying — or at least implying — that our leaders have acted more in their personal interests (as oilmen) than in the national interest, protecting the safety and security of the people who elected them.
In my opinion, what makes Mr. Woolsey so valuable to the cause of sustainability is his position as a frequent presidential appointee — combined with his lack of willingness to blunt his words. It’s easy for people (like me) on the outside to take potshots; it’s quite another thing for such assertions to come from within.
Interview with James Woolsey
| December 10, 2009 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Politics |
The trajectory for completing my book on renewables just received a major shot in the arm this morning as James Woolsey, one of the most vocal and credible proponents of alternative energy, agreed to an interview for my chapter on oil independence and national security. Mr. Woolsey’s role as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1993 to 1995 was one of his four Presidential appointments across two Republican and two Democratic administrations. In my mind, he is the best-qualified person on the planet to speak to these issues.
Over the past few years, I’ve availed myself of a great deal of Mr. Woolsey’s writing and speaking, so I can anticipate what I think he’ll probably say on these issues – the manifold threats to US interests that oil addiction represents: the funding of enemy states, possible terrorists strikes, embargoes, and other potential disruptions in supply, the economic duress created by our borrowing $2 billion per day, etc. I also expect to hear about the remedies – many of which I’ve tried to cover in this blog over the past many months: alternative fueled vehicles (especially electric transportation) and renewable energy.
The current “debate” about global warming underscores the importance of having people like James Woolsey present in our world – people who cut through the political gamesmanship that is so common in public discourse, dispense with opinion and rhetoric, and focus on hard-hitting, well-researched facts. I eagerly anticipate the conversation.
Global Warming – James Woolsey
| September 15, 2009 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Politics |
Since we at 2GreenEnergy are about to begin interviewing a number of eminent climatologists re: global warming, let me go on record and predict what I believe we will find. I believe there is no way to be certain what elements of global climate change are manmade vs. naturally occurring, since there is no way to model the melting of the ice shelves of western Antarctica, etc.
In my mind, however, this doesn’t imply that there is no connection between human activity and global climate change, and certainly no way to justify continuing to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In fact, I see the opposite imperative – taking all reasonable measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions. My friend Bruce Allen, author and speaker on a number of key environmental issues, points out that in a strange way, the global warming issue is moot, since regardless of the climate change issue, CO2 emissions are undeniably causing of the falling pH of the oceans, a phenomenon which itself is completely unacceptable to people who care about the sustainability of the planet.
If you haven’t listened to the talk that James Woolsey (Venture Partner, VantagePoint Venture Partner; Senior Executive Advisor, Booz Allen Hamilton; Former Director, United States Central Intelligence Agency) recently gave on the issue, I urge you to do so.
