Mason4Assassin444
retired
+552|6891|USA
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/200 … igns_x.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4930620.stm
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full … _id=134139

So Brad Pitt is heading this project to rebuild a section of New Orleans with "green" houses. Environmentally friendly houses that will sustain themselves through solar energy and what-not. A quote I heard earlier from him was (loosely quoted) " why rebuild this devastated area the way it was when this is the opportunity to implement the new technology available and make this a city of the future."

Regardless of what anyone thinks of celebrities getting involved in politics and such, this is the best idea I've heard as far as a plan for New Orleans.

My question:

How come the gov't of the most powerful country in the world couldn't come up with this? Is it just they don't want to? Haliburton can rebuild New Orleans and suck up the contracts and gov't money the old fashioned way? No money to be made in "green housing"?

Its ludicrous the majority of humanitarian efforts so far in this new millenium has come from celebrities rather than our own gov't whose purpose is to serve the people who established it.

THoughts on this?
Agent_Dung_Bomb
Member
+302|6965|Salt Lake City

I think it's a great idea.  The only reason I would think that it isn't done as a standard procedure by the government is because this 'green' technology tends to be more expensive.
jonsimon
Member
+224|6724
Our government doesn't care about regular citizens because special interest groups speak louder and have more incentive to involve themselves in supporting politicians. The primary incentive in government is to increase political popularity, or gain votes. Special interest groups provide money and votes to politicians while the common man has little incentive to speak up. The government will never do anything.
Pug
UR father's brother's nephew's former roommate
+652|6771|Texas - Bigger than France
Here's a link - US government backed and supported.  Started in 1993.

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

Here's tax incentives - August 8 into law - August 29 = Katrina
http://www.psnh.com/Energy/Home_Efficie … ntives.asp

Care to revise your statement?
ghettoperson
Member
+1,943|6878

Pug wrote:

Here's a link - US government backed and supported.  Started in 1993.

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

Here's tax incentives - August 8 into law - August 29 = Katrina
http://www.psnh.com/Energy/Home_Efficie … ntives.asp

Care to revise your statement?
So if they're so into it, why don't they get off their asses and do something about it, rather than let Brad Pitt take all the credit for it?
mKmalfunction
Infamous meleeKings cult. Est. 2003 B.C.
+82|6769|The Lost Highway
Brad Pitts only doing this to house all them foreign kids his old lady adopts.
Agent_Dung_Bomb
Member
+302|6965|Salt Lake City

Pug wrote:

Here's a link - US government backed and supported.  Started in 1993.

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

Here's tax incentives - August 8 into law - August 29 = Katrina
http://www.psnh.com/Energy/Home_Efficie … ntives.asp

Care to revise your statement?
Where does it say that the usgbc is government funded?  Also, tax incentives are meant to get people who build their homes and business buildings to use this technology.  Obviously tax breaks don't do the government any good, as they are already tax exempt.

I think the point of the OP is that when the government is funding such projects, why don't they require the building of 'green' homes/buildings.
Erkut.hv
Member
+124|6964|California

mKmalfunction wrote:

Brad Pitts only doing this to house all them foreign kids his old lady adopts.
Can you blame him.... she's hawt...
Mason4Assassin444
retired
+552|6891|USA

Pug wrote:

Here's a link - US government backed and supported.  Started in 1993.

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

Here's tax incentives - August 8 into law - August 29 = Katrina
http://www.psnh.com/Energy/Home_Efficie … ntives.asp

Care to revise your statement?
No little man. No revision necessary. I'm talking action. New Orleans is in shambles (still) and this is the first comprehensive plan I've heard to date. Signing tax laws isn't helping New Orleans is it? Try again.

Last edited by Mason4Assassin444 (2006-07-21 09:39:55)

Mason4Assassin444
retired
+552|6891|USA

mKmalfunction wrote:

Brad Pitts only doing this to house all them foreign kids his old lady adopts.
Debate and Serious Talk

How about doing it to make New Orleans better and help the people in need down there?

Just for a second put yourself in thier shoes. Imagine sitting there playing your BF2 and water blows down your door and fills your house. Or your in the Superdome waiting for you don't know what to happen. Days later you find your pc and Bf2 oh yeah and house and other non important stuff are gone. No way to pay for it no way to replace it.

Now imagine it was a year later and your still in the same situation. Still piles of rubble and debris everywhere. It basically looks like a warzone. Some of the Israeli/Lebanon pics look a bit similar.

Thanks for the constructive input. Ill just pm you instead of posting from now on.
oug
Calmer than you are.
+380|6748|Πάϊ

jonsimon wrote:

Our government doesn't care about regular citizens because special interest groups speak louder and have more incentive to involve themselves in supporting politicians. The primary incentive in government is to increase political popularity, or gain votes. Special interest groups provide money and votes to politicians while the common man has little incentive to speak up. The government will never do anything.
Quite so.
What makes people think the US government cares for New Orleans anyhow? Its just a bunch of black people who never voted for them.

Special Interest Groups on the other hand... http://www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/mear01_.html
ƒ³
cpt.fass1
The Cap'n Can Make it Hap'n
+329|6925|NJ
He should let them all live in Angelina's Box that way they can farm in a very moist fertal area.

Ok it's a good idea.
Kmar
Truth is my Bitch
+5,695|6830|132 and Bush

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-04-20-pitt-designs_x.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4930620.stm
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full … _id=134139

So Brad Pitt is heading this project to rebuild a section of New Orleans with "green" houses. Environmentally friendly houses that will sustain themselves through solar energy and what-not. A quote I heard earlier from him was (loosely quoted) " why rebuild this devastated area the way it was when this is the opportunity to implement the new technology available and make this a city of the future."

Regardless of what anyone thinks of celebrities getting involved in politics and such, this is the best idea I've heard as far as a plan for New Orleans.

My question:

How come the gov't of the most powerful country in the world couldn't come up with this? Is it just they don't want to? Haliburton can rebuild New Orleans and suck up the contracts and gov't money the old fashioned way? No money to be made in "green housing"?

Its ludicrous the majority of humanitarian efforts so far in this new millenium has come from celebrities rather than our own gov't whose purpose is to serve the people who established it.

THoughts on this?
Well it's considered now because they basically have a clean slate.

That's fine until a Cat 4 comes through and wipes it all out again. They need to build house boats . This decade is predicted to be very active with Stronger Hurricanes
Xbone Stormsurgezz
Pug
UR father's brother's nephew's former roommate
+652|6771|Texas - Bigger than France
Okay, sorry.  Let me explain further - sorry about the revision comment - I missed your gist the first time around.

What I meant by "revision" - my opinion is that the gov't is supporting green buildings.  And, yes I was not clear and did not read your post right.

The reason while green buildings are not popular is because they are expensive to build.  The reasons for this are directly related to demand.  Although demand for green buildings is increasing, the construction industry is not forced to make a green building in most cities because there is no law.  Some cities (New York & Chicago) for instance require green technology in new buildings of a certain size.  This is also to a lesser extent for residential housing - I was required to get tinted energy saving windows because of local building codes.

The manufacturers are tooled to make the old stuff and until the demand increases their costs will be higher, so the building materials will be more.  Therefore, green buildings cost more to the consumer.  Commerical buildings are usually owned by a third party and not the company used it.  These owners usually sell the building within ten years so any increase in initial construction costs will cut into their profits.  As far as residential, well, a big mortgage payments sucks.  Although the long term savings is substantial, sticker shock is common and a lot of people ignore the future value.

So to offset the initial costs the gov't offers tax incentives to the buyers.  This is indirect gov't funding.  The gov't did not pass a law requiring green buildings.  The cannot force people to buy a more expensive home. 

Instead, the gov't is looking to the LEED group to set standards which will hopefully be adopted into future law.  Since it is an industry driven group the manufacturers must agree when, what and how - which is difficult because of their interests.  Although slow they are driving the change.  They are more focused on commercial buildings, but they are moving towards residential standards as well.

Another factor driving the change comes from the state and local levels.  New construction codes have been adopted at this level requiring the manufacturers to adapt.  The US gov't has made this an issue for the states/local level to solve.  The US gov't probably needs to change this policy.

If you want to argue for a law - there should be one.  LEED is driving the standard.

And, we hired a guy who lost his house (two blocks from levee break) and everything that would fit into the back of his truck.  He, his wife and five year old are now Texans.  He got his property tax bill - the value of his house/land/lot is now $1,300 - ouch. 

So I asked him this question - Brad Pitt wants to have people rebuild with green buildings which will increase costs about 30%.  Would you do that?  He said Brad Pitt can take his special interest and shove it up his ass.  I'm not paying 30% more to replace what I had.  And then, he got very pissed.

Last edited by Pug (2006-07-21 11:59:25)

Horseman 77
Banned
+160|7066
My mom had solar heating panels installed on our House in the early 1970's, The IRS gives you a huge tax incentive when you do it ( so I guess the government IS involved ) and it dramatically cut heating/hot water costs, absolutely no fuel is burned for hot water, dish washer, showers, washing machines etc, all summer long. 
Why do some people need " the government " to do anything ? good thing the Wright brothers didn't wait around and bitch.
unnamednewbie13
Moderator
+2,053|7001|PNW

...

Oh, yes. Celebrities will save the planet from the folly of mankind. Mark my words.
Cybargs
Moderated
+2,285|6945

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

...

Oh, yes. Celebrities will save the planet from the folly of mankind. Mark my words.
Ninjas will

well 1 main reason the US government doesnt do this alone, paying 100% for it is beacause as horseman said, ppl should get up their asses and start working
https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png
ATG
Banned
+5,233|6758|Global Command
They should not rebuild. It is guaranteed to flood again.
It almost seems like they should raze it and build somewhere else.
unnamednewbie13
Moderator
+2,053|7001|PNW

Alexanderthegrape wrote:

They should not rebuild. It is guaranteed to flood again.
It almost seems like they should raze it and build somewhere else.
Or maybe they could put a $78 billion dome over it.
mKmalfunction
Infamous meleeKings cult. Est. 2003 B.C.
+82|6769|The Lost Highway

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

mKmalfunction wrote:

Brad Pitts only doing this to house all them foreign kids his old lady adopts.
Debate and Serious Talk

How about doing it to make New Orleans better and help the people in need down there?

Just for a second put yourself in thier shoes. Imagine sitting there playing your BF2 and water blows down your door and fills your house. Or your in the Superdome waiting for you don't know what to happen. Days later you find your pc and Bf2 oh yeah and house and other non important stuff are gone. No way to pay for it no way to replace it.

Now imagine it was a year later and your still in the same situation. Still piles of rubble and debris everywhere. It basically looks like a warzone. Some of the Israeli/Lebanon pics look a bit similar.

Thanks for the constructive input. Ill just pm you instead of posting from now on.
Does someones pussy hurt?
ghettoperson
Member
+1,943|6878

mKmalfunction wrote:

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

mKmalfunction wrote:

Brad Pitts only doing this to house all them foreign kids his old lady adopts.
Debate and Serious Talk

How about doing it to make New Orleans better and help the people in need down there?

Just for a second put yourself in thier shoes. Imagine sitting there playing your BF2 and water blows down your door and fills your house. Or your in the Superdome waiting for you don't know what to happen. Days later you find your pc and Bf2 oh yeah and house and other non important stuff are gone. No way to pay for it no way to replace it.

Now imagine it was a year later and your still in the same situation. Still piles of rubble and debris everywhere. It basically looks like a warzone. Some of the Israeli/Lebanon pics look a bit similar.

Thanks for the constructive input. Ill just pm you instead of posting from now on.
Does someones pussy hurt?
Suggestion: Fuck off.

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