TED Community » Howard Lazarowitz

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  A comment on Talk: T. Boone Pickens: Let's transform energy -- with natural gas

  Jan 31 2013: I'm sorry but this guy holds no credibility in this debate. There are plenty of individuals more qualified to speak on this matter without the hidden motives. The fact that he has gone to extreme lengths to be a political activist and political hitman, really makes any of his arguments and presentation of "facts" extremely suspect. He has pivoted on different energy issues consistently and to what end?
  
  He's a smart man and understands how to move the debate. He setup plans to build the largest wind farm in the country and claims he lost $150mm in doing it. This guy is not a bad businessman. He starts the wheels moving on the biggest alternative energy endeavor to date and then shelves it and then declares the costs are too high? He eventually sold his equity stake in this venture. Did he really lose $150 million? If you look at the numbers it's hard to see it. The project was downsized and the final plans were projected at $180 million cost. http://bit.ly/RoMY98 Ok, let's say he did lose $150 million. Now he wears it on his sleeve as a badge saying no one can question his devotion to alternative energy and take it from him, it's not going to work. Now let's put that $150 million in perspective. He refers to it as "losing his ass." He has donated nearly $500 million to Oklahoma State University. His last donation was record breaking in the world of college athletics, donating $165 million to build a new stadium.
  
  Just chew on some of the facts and judge for yourself, whether he is credible in the formation of an energy strategy? You are much better off going into business with him than listening to him on public policy.
  
  If energy strategy relies on short term profitability, then there would be no progress. This is one of those cases where the unfortunate reality is that government has to subsidize so that there is progress. Look at what Japan has accomplished towards energy independence via govt policy.
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  A comment on Conversation: Is it always possible to be honest and polite at the same time?

  Jan 31 2013: Sure. Honesty and speaking your mind are quite different. You need not lie about your feelings or position. In certain circumstances it would be inappropriate to contradict someone passionately. If you merely use tact and don't look to say your belief is the right one, you can always be polite without necessarily falsely agreeing.