Plug-In Hybrids

So the energy industry is celebrating windfall profits for this quarter, especially ExxonMobil, whose executive board is now considering the purchase of Australia for "company outings." Inside sources report that the island-continent will be turned into "the world's largest 18-hole golf course" for the private use of oil company executives.

I made that up, except for the first part about the profits. But here's what drives me bonkers. Bush has been refusing to tax their insanely high profits, instead emphasizing they should "reinvest" the money into new energy technologies (instead of- and this is just a guess- $400 million retirement packages for their executives. Looking at you, Lee Raymond.)

But the technologies he mentions include such random panaceas as "plug-in hybrids." Now we know how hybrids work- rechargeable battery charged by brake friction, along with gas-powered motor. Works pretty well, I'm actually hoping to get one soon. Plug-in hybrids save more gas because they run off home electricity.

You have now picked up on the obvious problem. We're saving gas in our cars by taxing the energy grid, which is powered by- what- magical freaking elves? Plugging our cars into the wall is just going to create more demand for oil and gas for the power plants!

By the way, the proponents of these cars claim that people will put solar panels on their roofs, and not just charge them off normal electricity. Trust me, I'll be holding my breath for widespread purchases of solar panels.