bio-foolishness?

Given South Africa's drought stricken climate it is no surprise that our farmers are inveterate gamblers, nor that -- being gamblers -- they are attracted to the idea of producing bio fuel from maize and other crops. If farmers want to risk everything on a maize crop to provide feedstock, that's their lookout, but they should take a good look at what is happening in the United States before hocking the family farm. The latest news is that an American alternative fuels company is close to commercializing technology to make bio-gasoline fuels from algae or animal fats, and to produce transportation fuels identical to petroleum jet fuel, diesel and petrol. Translated, that means they are not producing ethanol to mix with traditional petrol but the real thing.

Climate change boondoggle

Ah, summer is here and February ( always the warmest month) is just around the corner, so stand by for scary tales of climate change and global warming. "Hottest February since records began" is bound to be a headline somewhere in the southern hemisphere as is something like "Man-made global warming poses threat to world peace". The usual bullshit about a " consensus of scientists" agreeing that man made emissions are the main culprit, will be written and no doubt some of the more sensitive souls on the planet will pull duvets over their heads and sink into a slough of despond. Here, to help readers face the horrors are some factoids that just might keep the flame of honest doubt burning. 1.There is no consensus of scientists regarding man made global warming -- or if there is, it is certainly not made up of meteorologists. Anyway a consensus of scientists ( if there is one) does not mean they are right. In 1911, a consensus of scientists in Britain predicted solemnly that by 1940 London would be knee- deep in horse manure. 2. The world might be warming a couple of degrees but if it is --and if it does --it is not something to panic about. In 900AD the world was a couple of degrees warmer than it is now and people lived, animals flourished and wheat and cattle were being raised in Greenland. The Romans, 800 years before than, even, were growing grapes as far north in England as York. (Try that now!). 3. Historians among my readers might like to notice that 900 AD predates industrialisation and filthy capitalism. 4.Computer projections of future global warming are based on some figures collected on instruments which vary tremendously in sophistication -- 18th century thermometers; Victorian amateur weather watchers tables etc. GIGA applies ( garbage in, garbage out). 5. The latest 2006/07 figures show no appreciable rise in world temperatures, by the way. So, don't worry folks. The world is not about to fry your brains. And, by the way, there are a great deal more of these facts that the global warming fanatics fail to tell you.

Regulate, regulate, regulate! Knee-jerk!

WHY is it that politicians still think -- despite all the evidence of the last 100 years -- that regulations on economic activity can benefit and enrich the ordinary citizen? The truth is there for all to see: the more regulations there are, the less chance there is of anyone risking money to make more ( and therefore employ more people who will, in turn, pay more taxes). The fewer the regulations; the fewer the bureaucrats needed to enforce them; the greater the chance of an entrepreneur willing to take the risk of setting up a new business, building a new factory etc etc. Quite the best example of the dead hand of regulation is our very own National Energy Regulator (Nersa). Does Nersa produce energy? No, it does not. Are Nersa members experienced, trained people from the energy industry? Not many, is the answer. Who pays Nersa employees and covers the cost of this establishment? Why the energy industry itself in the form of an enforced levy or tax. What a wonderful scam! Result? The dead hand of bureaucracy rests heavily on the South African energy scene. Take the hand off and see what will happen. People will risk. People will invest. Some will fail, but the best will succeed -- an in doing so benefit everyone.