Tag: Politics

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Is an Asian Witch Hunt Costing Us Better Batteries?

The United States Department of Energy awarded 20 companies government loans totaling $2.8 billion to boost battery production in the United States. Texas-based Microvast was one of those companies and they announced plans to build a $500+ million dollar facility here in Kentucky which would create more than 500 jobs. Kentucky joined the cause offering $21 million in tax incentives to Microvast.

Abruptly, the DOE pulled funding when some congressional Republicans questioned some “improper ties to China”. Now Kentucky is holding off on the tax incentives until Microvast can explain why the DOE acted so quickly.

Our question is: In this global economy, what exactly is an improper tie to China? The US economy and the Chinese economy are so intertwined, how could you tell? This is an American company, founded by an American whose name just happens to be Yang Wu.

Is this really about China or is it posturing against all things Democrat of which EVs seem to be a part?

Again, the (R)EV Diaries feel that EVs are neither Right nor Left and can stand on their own merit. We also think the more companies making batteries, the cheaper they will become, but more importantly, improvements in battery technology will happen faster because more people will be working to solve the current problems and limitation of current batteries.

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Tucker Carlson Gave Me My Opinion…

Do you think for yourself? We like to think we do, but how many of us adopt the opinions of others for no other reason than some perceived authority. Even if you agree on one topic, does that mean their opinion is valid on another? Where do you draw the line?

Today, we take on a report of a West Virginia candidate that is anti-EV because he is anti-EPA and anti-Biden administration. Of course, he is just trying to “rile up” his base, but it is a prime example of something neutral, like EV’s, being turned into a political football in rural America.

We find it sad that this is the case, but it’s not just EVs; it is just symptomatic of a bigger issue: people’s inability to apply critical thinking in all situations. Some people are content to let someone else tell them what they think, regardless of whether it makes sense or not. The emperor has no clothes.

This is a two part episode. We try not to be too political, but it sort of turns into an indictment of the entire American political system. We split it up because the discussion (and it was a good one) went on for over an hour.

If this is not your cup of tea, next week we plan to release BOTH the continuance of this episode and an entirely new topic.

And by no means are we telling you how to think. We’re just offering food for thought.

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