Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from February, 2023

AN UPDATE ON WIND ENERGY

Today I will update a posting of a dozen years ago, entitled:       WHAT IS THE STATE OF WIND ENERGY TODAY? In that blog of 5 August 2011 I said: In 2010 almost 40,000 MW of new wind energy conversion systems (WECS) became operational, an equivalent of 47 nuclear power plants (850 MW/reactor).  The world total now is at around 200,000 MW of WECS, or said to be  the equivalent of 235 nuclear facilities.    There are   442 nuclear power plants in 30 countries having a net electricity capacity of 375,000 MW, with 63,000 MW in 16 countries under construction .  However, almost half the new nuclear construction projects are in China, which has murmured the possibility of reviewing this option.  Germany will shut down all its nuclear plants by 2022 and Japan is in a real dilemma . So I will first see  how nuclear power has changed during these dozen years . Countries with nuclear power today = 32, or two more Number of power plants = 438, or four less Total capacity in megawatts electricity

THE BEST STRATEGY FOR DEMOCRATS TO WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER OF 2024

  The   New York Times   had this bar graph of Republican candidates for the Presidential election next year. After all his legal problems and moral turpitude derangements, it defies any kind of sensibility for Donald Trump to still be supported by 45.6% of Republicans for the next President of the United States.   Then for Ron DeSantis to be the #1 second-tier hope, by a factor 5 over Mike Pence, because more and more party voters are beginning to be convinced that there are too many flaws for Trump to gain the presidential nomination in mid-July of 2024, places the party in a truly uncomfortable position.   I've long touted New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu as their best choice.   And what about  Liz Cheney ?  Republicans are afraid that she will run as an independent candidate with an attractive Veep partner, like Adam Kinziger.  Or perhaps a conventional Republic off-shoot party as an alternative to Donald Trump, if he gains the nomination  If they draw only 2% of the votes,

GOD IN FILMS

It's Sunday, so what about a film featuring God?  Portraying him in a movie is no easy task, unless it is a comedy.   You can  read a book,  as shown on the right, or skip to the core with  one list of the top 10 Gods in movies : #10  Ignore, for this was a false god. #9     Dogma  (1999):  Alanis Morissette was not convincing.   Rotten Tomatoes , 67/85.  In addition to her, Ben Aleck, Linda Fiorentino, Matt Damon, George Carlin, Salma Hayek, Alan Rickman and Chris Rock. #8     Citizen Toxie (2001):   Can't find the film that is described in this article. #7     The Ten Commandments  (1956):  doesn't qualify, for God is a pillar of flame, but there is the voice provided by Donald Hayne. #6     Switch :  A Blake Edwards, a farce and the voice of God is male ( Richard Provost ) and female ( Linda Gary ).  Again, no form. #5     Superstar  ( 1999 ):   Will Ferrell  plays a super-mellow God, indicating that  Spirit in the Sky  is him.   RT,  32/59. #4     Time Bandits  ( 1981 )

FILMS TO STREAM THIS WEEKEND

My streaming is limited to Netflix and Amazon Prime, and I avoid animated and comic book films.  I do more series watching than anything else, but now and then view available top movies. The  Top Ten Netflix films  currently are: #1   Your Place or Mine , about two best friends who are total opposites and live across the country from each other.  Stars Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kucher.  We enjoyed it.  However, I then went to  Rotten Tomatoes , and saw 31%/38%.  What a surprise.  It was weak, but somewhat entertaining. #2   The Woman King , starring Viola Davis and John Boyega.  I have avoided it because....well, just because.  Checked  Rotten Tomatoes  and saw fabulous 94/99 ratings.  I guess I now need to see this.  A historical action drama about an all-female warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom on Dahomey during 17th-19th century.  This film was set in the 1820's, with Davis as a general.  An all-women production, also including Maria Bellow, who helped sell