Much has been said about Congressman Kuhl’s visit to Brazil as part of a supposed fact finding mission to learn about Sugar cane ethanol. There are a bunch of links in this summary post. NY-29th Congressional Candidate Massa has weighed in as have we. There are serious underlying issues with this trip. We have discussed the accommodations , the ritzy hotels, 3 hour tours of Amazon. The Washington Post has blasted this trip as well.

Well, now so has the D&C and Moderate Man is back in full form. Check out full the Editorial in today’s paper. Here are snipits

The Republican congressman’s challenger, Democrat Eric Massa, and his supporters have been leading the chorus. They called Kuhl’s trip a “junket” that “does not in any way help anyone” in his district.

Where is this unsourced quote from Mr Lawrence?

But Massa’s assertion that learning more about ethanol production in Brazil doesn’t help Kuhl’s constituents, who include Monroe County residents, is wrong.

Learning how Brazil used ethanol to replace 40 percent of its gasoline supply has merit. Remember, Brazil declared itself independent of Mideast oil in 2005.

[snip]

While there is a huge difference between corn and sugar cane, there is something to be said for gaining knowledge about ethanol of all varieties.

This page prefers that more attention be given to using willow shrubs to make ethanol. Scientists have found that twice the energy can be produced from willows than from corn.

As far as the political sniping, Kuhl opened himself up to it. But so did five of Massa’s fellow Democrats who also made the trip, including Rep. Eliot Engle of the Bronx, who organized it in the first place.

Ok that’s the editorial. But I’ll let this speak for itself.

But that prompted Kuhl to say he will be traveling to South America next week, specifically to Brazil where the government mandates vehicles get 50 miles per gallon and where the energy industry has met the government’s demand for alternative fuels by using ethanol.

Got that - We need to go to Brazil to learn that the government mandated 50 MPG and mandated ethanol use. Government mandates. That is POLICY not ENGINEERING. If we needed engineering expertise - then go to one of the fine universities in the 29th.

Finally - Read this last line again.

As far as the political sniping, Kuhl opened himself up to it. But so did five of Massa’s fellow Democrats who also made the trip, including Rep. Eliot Engle of the Bronx, who organized it in the first place.

“Massa’s fellow Democrats”? Last time I looked, those other Congressman - Democrats or Republicans did not represent the voters in the 29th Congressional District.

Mr. Lawrence - Moderate Man - If you really want to work both sides of the fence perhaps you should discuss Mr Kuhl’s fellow Republican’s energy policy with regards to renewable energy, conservation, and fuel efficiency. Where has that been since oh 2004? You haven‘t come a long way since defending Randy Kuhl’s assertion that he needed to pack heat because of the anti-Iraq war protesters.

If you follow the comments in this post - Corn-based ethanol causes issues as well. Issues you don’t need to go to Brazil to understand.