The Oil Drum | DrumBeat: March 31, 2008

325 comments on DrumBeat: March 31, 2008

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nh3 on March 31, 2008 - 9:14am

welcome back, Leanan!

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paal myrtvedt on March 31, 2008 - 9:16am

echo that, there is nothing like a real drumbeat ! bom bom bom ...

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Puntaldia on March 31, 2008 - 9:21am

Yes! Welcome back, life was really hard without your daily Drumbeats, Leanan! (Not to speak about your moderation of the discussions ... it's been painfully missed!)

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goghgoner on March 31, 2008 - 9:43am

Doomer Queen,

Echo "painfully missed";

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paleobotanist on March 31, 2008 - 9:51am

Welcome back!
I hope that you had a good, well-deserved rest.
Your work is much appreciated.

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Noizette on March 31, 2008 - 10:31am

Yes thanks, to Leanan.

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sorry on March 31, 2008 - 11:14am

I have nothing else to add than to agree. Good you returned to the chore.

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vtpeaknik on March 31, 2008 - 1:45pm

I thought the world was coming to an end. But no, WE'RE SAVED! Leanan's back!

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super390 on March 31, 2008 - 1:55pm

Leanan's absence encouraged my devilish urges.

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slinky on March 31, 2008 - 3:04pm

A heartfelt welcome back...

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eastender on March 31, 2008 - 4:58pm

Yes, it's great to have you back, Leanan. Outstanding coverage today.

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redcoltken on March 31, 2008 - 5:36pm

ditto!

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alexgouk on March 31, 2008 - 5:45pm

and again from me

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Lucifer on March 31, 2008 - 8:30pm

and again

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Leanan on March 31, 2008 - 9:20am

Yes, I'm back. I haven't looked in at TOD at all while I was gone, so bear with me for a day or two. I have no clue what's been posted already and what hasn't.

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Rethin on March 31, 2008 - 9:33am

Don't worry, the boys held down the fort while you were gone.

Not that you weren't missed. Welcome back.

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cowpoke on March 31, 2008 - 9:43am

Welcome Back. Did you manage to stay away entirely for the last week? I am really interested in the state of your consensus trance and what it's like to be back. Do you feel more or less hopeful? I'd read an entire article about your vacation. Have a good day.

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Leanan on March 31, 2008 - 9:53am

I don't think TOD is really the place for that sort of rumination, but I might post about my vacation on one of my much-neglected blogs. It was something, driving across the country and appreciating the convenience of the car and the wonders of Florida, all while wondering how much longer they'd be around.

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westexas on March 31, 2008 - 10:11am

Welcome back!

A good article on hard core New York City drivers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/nyregion/31drive.html?ex=1364616000&en...
New York City: Faster, Maybe. Cheaper, No. But Driving Has Its Fans.
By DIANE CARDWELL
Published: March 31, 2008

. . . But in a city known for crowded subway platforms and standing-room-only buses, many residents, even those with robust public transit options, remain fiercely loyal to their cars. Despite the threat of traffic jams, honking horns and the urban version of road rage, these New Yorkers choose to drive, whether to shave time off their commutes, run their errands with less hassle or have a few moments to themselves inside mobile oases.

“New York is a transit-rich and transit-oriented place,” said Bruce Schaller, a transportation consultant who is now a deputy commissioner for planning and sustainability at the city’s Department of Transportation. Notwithstanding the fact that 1.74 million cars are registered in the city, most New Yorkers travel by public transportation. But for that committed knot of drivers, even enhanced services may not lure them onto fancy new buses, given that, according to Mr. Schaller, 80 percent of the people who drive into Manhattan during the workday already have access to mass transit that would take no more than 15 minutes longer. “Most people who are driving will continue to drive,” he said, adding that the reasons are generally convenience and speed, or having waited for a bus in the rain one too many times.

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fleam on March 31, 2008 - 11:09am

I think San Francisco is the same way, lots of people paying $300 a month for a place to park their car, when they'd be better off without the thing.

Having a car, in our culture, is a sign that you're doing well. In car-free literature I've seen it mentioned that a person in the US is generally praised for getting a new car, when they should be felt sorry for, taking on that much expense. Car ownership is a sign of breeding fitness.

And, if the city car-owner is going out into Upstate, or the greater Bay Area often, owning a car costs no more than a rental 4-5 times a month, and they have it all the time. Car ownership is going to die hard.

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PeakTO on March 31, 2008 - 12:45pm

Leanan,

You scared me...I too was on vacation until Last wednesday. I had tuned out as well.

I came back and NO Leanan...threadbot drumbeats...for days and a few calls for you to come back...I thought something had happened and you left us...whew!

Hope you were able to enjoy your time off.

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Mr Ghawier Downing on March 31, 2008 - 7:36pm

For god-sakes Leanan, I profess my love for you every month and this is how you show your gratitude--failing to stop by for a visit while in FL. I'm beginning to think that you may not be so smitten with my advances...

Anyway...Leanan's Back!, Leanan's Back!, Leanan's Back!...YA!, Leanan's Back!

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ptoemmes on March 31, 2008 - 11:53am

Yes, Welcome back.

Can't wait for that Peak Oilers Gone Wild vid. (j/k)

Where abouts in FL did you roam?

Pete

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MUDLOGGER on March 31, 2008 - 3:42pm

Welcome back Leannan.

I trust you are well rested.

While you were away:

No New Super Giants were announced.

No massive breakthroughs in Fusion happened.

The price of staples didnt fall.

Same sh*t, different day.

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Black_Dog on March 31, 2008 - 9:24am

Add another "welcome back Leanan" from me as well. Your absence just proves, yet again, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone. It's always amazing how many trolls pop out from under the freeway when the "cops" are away. Next time, I hope TOD can find a stand in for you during your well deserved break(s).

E. Swanson

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Nate Hagens on March 31, 2008 - 9:43am

I often say to PG that TOD is a microcosm of Peak Oil - cooperation, conflict, a new social model, etc. SuperG is the oil - without him we can't put up a thing. Leanan is the natural gas. I of course, am the wind....;-)

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souperman2 on March 31, 2008 - 9:51am

Did ja bring me back some crackerjacks?

Present for leanan;

"2008 Baseball Prospectus"

http://fora.tv/2008/03/10/2008_Baseball_Prospectus

Meet Kevin Goldstein and Christina Kahrl, co-authors of Baseball Prospectus: The Essential Guide to the 2008 Baseball Season, the bestselling guide to Major League Baseball returns, bringing together the top young baseball writers and analysts in the business to provide the definitive look at the season to come - Books Inc.

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