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28<br />
Something Quite<br />
Extraordinary<br />
By: Dan Hyde / Call to Action<br />
Regardless of what side of the climate change<br />
argument you fall on (fact or fantasy) one<br />
thing is certain - alternative forms of technologies that are carbon<br />
neutral or leave less of a carbon footprint compared to oil are escalating<br />
at an enormous pace.<br />
Among them are electric vehicles (EV’s), hybrid EV’s, renewable<br />
natural gas, biodiesel, propane, solar, hydrogen, even carbon capture<br />
systems and then, wait for it…there is geothermal energy. Northern<br />
Nevada has a vast reservoir of this highly effective and environmentally<br />
friendly energy source.<br />
What this technology does is capture the heat generated by drilling<br />
into the earth’s crust releasing an enormous amount of energy. This<br />
is converted into steam that in turn drives turbines which creates<br />
electricity. The electricity is used to heat homes.<br />
But what is most intriguing is a story I read that is so incredible I just<br />
had to bring it to your attention. Iceland has developed a project and<br />
technology that can drill directly into an active volcano’s magma and<br />
extract virtually limitless geothermal from that magma.<br />
This project is called Krafla Magma Testbed. Geothermal energy is<br />
currently used to heat 70% of Icelandic homes.<br />
If this revolutionary technology proves viable, it will fuel 100% of<br />
those homes. The implication for more worldwide use is staggering.<br />
The problem is, of course, what ancillary negative and unintended<br />
side effects could occur? After all, messing with mother nature’s<br />
natural functions may cause irreparable harm. Proceeding cautiously<br />
is a must.<br />
Another key point related to the climate change issue is the fact that<br />
innovative technologies have exploded at such an exponential rate that<br />
it staggers the imagination. And that is a very good thing!<br />
For, even if climate change is a fantasy, these new technologies<br />
are creating new and sustainable educational and more importantly<br />
business models.<br />
We should never discourage innovative thinking by couching it into<br />
“Climate Change Farcical” thinking! Even if those who embrace that<br />
line of thinking are right, we all still benefit!<br />
Dan Hyde is a passionate and effective advocate for the senior<br />
community. He can be reached at: dhyde9@cox.net.<br />
February 2024<br />
Operation “Jerk Around”<br />
By: Chuck Dean / Vet 2 Vet<br />
Believe me when I say that the VA does not tell<br />
you the whole story when it comes to knowing<br />
what services you will get - and what services you<br />
won’t. Sadly, vets have to be self-styled sleuths to know what medical<br />
care they are entitled to and according to one’s disability rating, what<br />
expenses, if any, they are facing.<br />
If you’re rated 100% disabled, it is absolutely free with no copayments<br />
whatsoever. This lack of communication on the Veterans<br />
Affairs is almost like they want to keep vets in the dark.<br />
It’s ridiculous<br />
to say the least.<br />
Someone needs<br />
to let them<br />
know that a bit<br />
of education<br />
and clear<br />
understanding<br />
goes a long way,<br />
and veterans<br />
deserve all they<br />
can get.<br />
I have personal<br />
experience with<br />
this nonsense,<br />
and I’ll keep it brief. I had a cardiac event while visiting a developing<br />
country.<br />
I thought that since I always got my healthcare at no cost (according<br />
to my service-connected disability rating) that I would be covered no<br />
matter where I am. Wrong.<br />
Since my heart issues were not (at the time) part of my serviceconnected<br />
rating, I was not covered. I had to fit the bill on my own.<br />
Luckily in China at the time, the cost was a fraction of what it would<br />
cost in the U.S. I didn’t have to spend the grandkid’s socks to cover the<br />
bill.<br />
However, here’s the crazy part: Had I had the heart attack in the U.S.,<br />
it would have been covered completely.<br />
Does that make any sense? Of course not.<br />
Let this be a heads up to 100% veterans. Be prepared to handle your<br />
own healthcare expenses abroad if your ailment is not part of your<br />
service-connected rating. Work your due diligence before traipsing off<br />
into the wild blue.<br />
I found out that by registering my service-connected disabilities,<br />
including ischemic heart disease (secondary to Agent Orange<br />
exposure), with the VA Foreign Medical Program, I would have been<br />
covered anywhere in the world. Simple thing, but who knows about<br />
these things?<br />
Chuck Dean served as an Army paratrooper in Vietnam and<br />
through that experience was led to address the many transitional<br />
issues veterans struggle with. He is the author of several important<br />
books for veterans.
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