Now for some real news in the same vein:WASHINGTON, DC—President Bush unveiled an aggressive initiative Monday that would make the U.S. free of petroleum dependence by the year 4920, less than three millennia from now.
President Bush presents his plan for our nation's far future.
"Our mission is clear," Bush said in a speech delivered at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. "We must free ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels within 85 generations. A cleaner, safer America is my vision. And it is our great, great—great-times-80 grandchildren who will realize that vision."
Bush promised a legislative package that would mandate severe cuts in oil-production subsidies and provide new funding for alternative-energy research and development. According to the timetable he presented, these bills could be introduced as early as 3219, and U.S. energy consumers could start to see radical changes by the early 42nd century.
"If we don't end our dependence on oil by 4920, when will we end it? 5580? By then, it may be too late," Bush said.
Bush called on both Democrats and Republicans living 1,200 years from now to work together to pass the program.
"It would be a shame if, by the 33rd century, these bills were still tied up in committee. I urge the 712th Congress to pass this legislation with minimal partisan gridlock," Bush said.
The president's science advisor, John Marburger, provided more details of the energy plan in a press release issued late Monday.
"It is the president's hope that hydrogen fuel cells, nanotechnology, or the recycling of human beings into fuel will hold the key," Marburger wrote. "Whatever the people of the 50th century feel is appropriate."
Enlarge Image Bush jump
U.S. soldiers prepare to withdraw from Iraq in the unfathomably distant future.
In a detailed policy statement, Bush elaborated on the plan, expressing the hope that a third party, perhaps one comprising robots or super-intelligent, genetically engineered man-beasts, will help reduce America's dependence on fossil fuels.
"I am calling on the popularly elected cyborgs of tomorrow to support this sensible measure to ensure the security of the nation," Bush said.
Some industrialists, particularly major auto manufacturers, expressed reservation over Bush's initiative.
"As admirable as Mr. Bush's visionary pronouncement is, I worry that the timetable he proposes is far too ambitious," General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner Jr. said. "It is simply not realistic. The automotive industry would require an additional three or four thousand years to develop engines that can run effectively on renewable or cleaner-burning fuels."
Exxon Mobil CEO Lee Raymond said the petroleum-producing company shares Bush's hopes for a cleaner environment "well before the sun turns into a red giant and dies."
"Mobil Oil has already made great strides in protecting the precious air and water within the television-commercial environment. And we plan to golf closely with the U.S. Department of Energy and oil-industry lobbyists to ensure that President Bush's initiative comes to pass in the unimaginably distant future."
Responding to reporters' questions, Bush admitted that our progeny could face challenges in pursuit of the goal, such as the earth's degrading orbit and eventual destruction of the moon by tidal force, or the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
"Our distant relations will have some hard work to do," Bush said. "But hard work is what built this nation, and I have every faith that they will succeed."
The proclamation comes on the heels of Bush's plans to pay off the national debt by the early 6300s, and win the war on terror by 7450.
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You can rest easy, folks. 60-watt light bulbs will be history by 2014. The future is safe.US to turn off power-hungry light bulbs
Fresh from its last-minute acceptance of a global climate deal last month in Bali, the US underlined its green credentials by flicking the switch on the power-hungry incandescent light bulb.
The Energy Independence and Security Act, which President George W. Bush signed into law on 18 December, is a mandate for phasing out 100-watt incandescent bulbs starting in 2012, 75-watt bulbs in 2013 and 60-watt bulbs in 2014. They will be replaced by energy-saving alternatives such as compact fluorescent lighting. It also proposes a fivefold increase in the availability of biofuel by 2022, and making vehicles 40 per cent more fuel-efficient by 2020.
This law adds federal momentum to moves already under way in the lighting industry and individual states (New Scientist, 2 March 2007, p 26). Last March, lighting giant Philips launched a campaign to scrap energy-guzzling lighting by 2016 - the firm estimates that ditching ...
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