GM and the lightest element

General Motors is forging ahead with plans for hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles by introducing the experimental Sequel concept, which is a completely functional cross-over type SUV. It looks good and is by far the most advanced and usable fuel cell vehicle I've seen. I'm impressed with both the capability and overall execution of the car; it actually looks (both in pictures and specs) likes something I could and would drive. The major hurdle still in front of this vehicle (and perhaps the only real problem perplexing the engineers for the last few years) is cost. I'm sure the current Sequel would have to sell for the price of a small house in order to turn any profit, so finding cost effective ways to manufacture and sell it at a competitive price will determine its fate. You may wonder about the infrastructure for dispensing hydrogen, and that's a serious problem. The Autoextremist has reported that the "oil companies" estimate the price of equipping every gas station in America with hydrogen capability to be $12 billion. They put this in perspective as only half the price of the Alaska pipeline. With that thought, I'm in agreement with The Autoextremist on this one: "eminently doable."

In another smart move, GM is also pledging to build and lease 100 fuel cell vehicles, based on the Chevy Equinox, to customers in California, New York and Washington, D.C. This is more impressive than their Sequel, being a real world application of their technology rather than a one-off piece of technological art. The only issue I see that they overlooked: I don't live in any of those markets.

Sequel coverage:
Autoblog 1, Autoblog 2, Autoblog 3
Autoextremist

Fuel cell Equinox fleet coverage:
Autoblog
Autoextremist

"We torture."

I'll repeat that, as Mr. Sullivan requests, because it is painfully true. Check out this video posted on The Daily Dish of Matt Lauer asking the President about our "alternative methods of extracting information." It seems to me our President thinks "waterboarding", and other like techniques, are not torture, or at least are "within the law," and should be used on detainees. If this weren't the case I'm confident the President would say so; all Matt gets are clumsy evasions and ridiculous sound bites.

Also, I'll second that call for three cheers for Mr. Lauer. I'm not much of a TV news guy and know little about him, but for today he's my favorite reporter. Keep it up Matt and you might win a convert back to the TV fold.

The tragedy cannot be removed...

...from Steve Irwin's death, but we can remember and appreciate all that he did. A moving veneration: The Thundering Positive Energy of Steve Irwin

The view from CNN

Anyone who thinks about the Iraq war at all should read this piece in the Washington Post. I'm not entirely sold on the current direction of the whole mess, i.e. remaining engaged at the current troop levels, but if the sentiments of the Iraqi leaders in the article are correct, perhaps that is what must be done. As much as I hate the dimbulb "cut and run" label that has been applied to anyone who wants to keep our young men and women alive by getting out, the idea might be correct and perhaps, as the piece points out, the only solution is time. But more time means more dead, and that's not something to be papered over with bravado and hubris. I'm really tired of this mess, and the lame, childish Republican sound bites about the war are starting to get under my skin (I know, just now starting?). And the Democrats, oh the Democrats; the sound bites don't get any better over there. I think I'd gladly vote for anyone who stopped talking to us like we're all twelve years old.

Very very cool

Take at look at this article; apparently Ferrari F1 team members are using their crazy fast pitstop skills to help sick children. Thus from now on I must consider it my duty to buy Ferrari and support this work. Helping these kids is worth any price.