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GasBuddy News Article


Breakthrough Technology Enables Production of Renewable Gas
Monday, October 06, 2008
MarketWatch -- SANTA BARBARA, CA, Oct 06, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Carbon Sciences Inc., the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into gasoline and other fuels, today commented on the application of its CO2-to-Fuel technology in the production of gasoline by existing oil refineries.

With global population projected to increase from 6.5 billion in 2006 to 8.5 billion by 2030, the Energy Information Administration projected that worldwide energy consumption will increase by 50% in the same period. This increase translates to a requirement of over 112 million barrels of crude oil per day, up from the current 90 million barrels per day. The biggest use of crude oil is in the production of liquid fuels for the transportation sector that consumes over 100 million gallons of fuel per hour.


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JT
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Message Posted: 10/6/2008 10:53:19 AM  Ignore JT Report Abuse
Monday, October 06, 2008
MarketWatch -- SANTA BARBARA, CA, Oct 06, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Carbon Sciences Inc., the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into gasoline and other fuels, today commented on the application of its CO2-to-Fuel technology in the production of gasoline by existing oil refineries.

With global population projected to increase from 6.5 billion in 2006 to 8.5 billion by 2030, the Energy Information Administration projected that worldwide energy consumption will increase by 50% in the same period. This increase translates to a requirement of over 112 million barrels of crude oil per day, up from the current 90 million barrels per day. The biggest use of crude oil is in the production of liquid fuels for the transportation sector that consumes over 100 million gallons of fuel per hour.

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REPLIES (newest first)
Don1222
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Michigan

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:51:28 AM  Ignore Don1222 Report Abuse
I do not know if Carbon Sciences Inc. has anything or not. I know if I had this 'breakthrough', I would not be giving out any technical information prior to it being covered by a patten.
Roo08
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Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:31:43 AM  Ignore Roo08 Report Abuse
There's another problem with us apposed to Europe. We have tighter environmental and safety regulations. I really think that's why we don't have these cars.
TBRR
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Jacksonville

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:24:55 AM  Ignore TBRR Report Abuse
mrgots2000 has hit the nail on the head. europe has the technology now, in fact two years ago our rental car in england got 70 mpg at 75 mph with a six speed manual trans and a diesel engine. gas was then about $10.00 a gallon. the big problem is americans are obsessed with power and speed. until that changes we will see high prices because the fools are willing to pay it. drive smarter.
mrgots2000
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New York

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:14:58 AM  Ignore mrgots2000 Report Abuse
gasoline consumption dropped 4% in july compared to the same time last year, gasoline inventories were higher then expected as reported by the government, umemployment is soaring, well, looks like gas is ripe for a precipitous drop in gasoline prices, let's just hope the economy doesn't go with it!!!
mrgots2000
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New York

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:09:54 AM  Ignore mrgots2000 Report Abuse
I'd like to see a diesel hybrid yielding 60-70 miles, that's the technology breakthrough I'd like to see...oh, wait, Europe has this now!!!!

VW has a TDI/Hybrid, hell Ford has a gasoline powered Fiesta yielding 60/70 miles per gallon, why can this government open up the markets here for vehicle like that, we need more diesel powered gas here, diesels on average are 30% more fuel efficient and if only 1/3 of vehicles in the US were diesel we could stop our dependence on middle eastern oil.

We are 3% of gobal population yet consume 25% of oil pumped out of the ground. If we reduce our consumption only slighty that should have an exponential affect on prices, since gasoline prices are elastic meaning and demand for gasoline inelastic, meaning that consumption habits change very little, for example american consumption only changes by small percentages yet gas prices change a great deal in relation, so even a slight change in consumption could reduce price of gasoline 20-30% like we have been seeing lately, fear of a slowdown causes dramatic shifts in price of oil.
Roo08
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Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:01:43 AM  Ignore Roo08 Report Abuse
I sure hope Clydesdale was being sarcastic. I don't think Obama has any of the right answers.
bluebird1
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Toronto

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:57:12 AM  Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse
Hey, Clydesdale....I take it you travel by horse????
Can't understand why you need this site if so against cars as to regulate them out.
sidhall142
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Twin Cities

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:55:21 AM  Ignore sidhall142 Report Abuse
Time will tell.
REKEY
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South Carolina

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:53:06 AM  Ignore REKEY Report Abuse
How far off is this technology?
krucker
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Austin

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:52:44 AM  Ignore krucker Report Abuse
Curious!!!
hblee
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Ontario

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:52:14 AM  Ignore hblee Report Abuse
A little skeptical of this new technology. Sounds too good to be true
until I see some proof.
YLHandyman
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Orange County

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:50:14 AM  Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse
Is this news or a press release.
chemist74
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Cleveland

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:47:35 AM  Ignore chemist74 Report Abuse
As a chemist, I am highly sceptical of the claims made by Carbon Sciences. Having looked at their web site, I see a lot of buzz words but no indication of technology that could compete economically with simple farming using sun light to convert carbon dioxide to biomass.

Until I see some technology I can verify, I will consider this "breakthrough" as nothing but hype.
Clydesdale
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Maryland

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:45:51 AM  Ignore Clydesdale Report Abuse
I'm just glad that President Obama will force everyone to travel by government owned transportation (bus, metro, back of police car), or to walk. He is the greatest! He has all of the right answers! You drivers are all evil. GO OBAMA!!!
emernal
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St. Louis

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:44:40 AM  Ignore emernal Report Abuse
I doubt this will ever happen on a large scale. Where are you going to get the hydrogen to bond with the CO2? Electralisis? Might as well just use the hydrogen. This seems like it would need a lot of energy to produce usable fuel. Energy to create your hydrogen and then to combine it with the CO2, (which also has to be collected), and then you still need to refine it. Yes you get a fuel that we already have infrastructure to distribute but by the time this comes out there will probably be other alternatives.

[Edited by: emernal at 10/7/2008 10:45:37 AM EST]
Gas_Buzzer
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South Carolina

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:44:25 AM  Ignore Gas_Buzzer Report Abuse
I'll believe it when I see it.
noelblak
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Oregon

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:41:26 AM  Ignore noelblak Report Abuse
Sounds like $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
acknot
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Seattle

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:38:17 AM  Ignore acknot Report Abuse
Their website does not have much technical info. They don't have a demo plant or any contracts.
NissanGirl
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Oregon

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:38:09 AM  Ignore NissanGirl Report Abuse
How much is this going to cost? Where are they going to put those extra 2 billion people?
drish
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Jackson

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:35:17 AM  Ignore drish Report Abuse
This site gives some more detail on the process:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/09/carbon-sciences.html
ladyjj
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Tennessee

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:34:17 AM  Ignore ladyjj Report Abuse
Yeah stop talking and do something already. We have been saying this an saying this and nothing ever gets done.
irated1
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Detroit

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:33:46 AM  Ignore irated1 Report Abuse
If it works , do it !
EZExit
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Phoenix

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:32:19 AM  Ignore EZExit Report Abuse
Stop talking about alternative energy and do it. If I had a quarter for every energy breakthrough anounced, I'd be able to afford today's gasoline. I'm still waiting for someone to actually implement one of their ideas, then I'll be impressed! Problem is talk is cheap (look at the politicians), but putting the rubber to the pavement is another story.
JoeKR
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New Jersey

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:32:12 AM  Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse
Not the answer. We need to be replacing gasoline not the manner in which we get it!
Zygnatz
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British Columbia

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:30:39 AM  Ignore Zygnatz Report Abuse
They still need energy input to accomplish this. Their website does not explain what this will be. Don't hold your breath yet.
laddyboy62
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Riverside

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:30:39 AM  Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
get it on
dyeh
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Illinois

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:28:14 AM  Ignore dyeh Report Abuse
We've had CO2-to-Fuel technology since before Man was here on earth: chorophyll plants converting CO2 into carbohydrates and other organic matter using sunlight (photosynthesis)! Technology is hardly new. Look no further than using corn/sugar cane to make ethanol:

Sun + CO2 + dirt + water + fertilizer = ethanol + waste products
w4kh
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Riverside

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:28:06 AM  Ignore w4kh Report Abuse
I'd almost rather depend on a Stanley Steamer than a process that takes carbon dioxide, breaks it down and combines it with other ingredients just so we can turn it back into carbon dioxide again
LaCajunDJ
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Louisiana

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:25:40 AM  Ignore LaCajunDJ Report Abuse
Old News!
jat60
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California

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:23:22 AM  Ignore jat60 Report Abuse
I'd like to see any amount of detail on how this process is supposed to work. On the surface, this appears to be another strategy which would require more energy than it would produce. While that may be a good thing for atmospheric CO2 levels (or maybe not, who knows), it would mean that this is NOT an energy source, and thus would not reduce our current need for crude oil - or anything else. I wish these types of articles would mention such "details".
Roo08
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Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:23:06 AM  Ignore Roo08 Report Abuse
I've wondered about this term "Renewable Energy" for some time now. It just didn't make sense to me so I asked a very smart mechanical engineer if there really was such a thing and this is what he said:

"No such thing as completely renewable since “energy” is always used up in the conversion (generally in the form of heat). It is a measure we call efficiency. There is always a loss of sorts. That being said, if you draw your “box” around a big enough system, the conservation of matter says that matter is not created but simply converted. Energy is a function of matter (Einstein E=mC2) so energy levels remain the same but just appear in different forms. So in essence all energy is renewable. Where is breaks down is that our “box” includes the sun which is constantly sending energy to the earth so we cannot really say anything is renewed since we are always putting more energy into the system. In a universal sense, all losses are captured and converted. On a local level, losses are lost and requires the same amount of energy lost to convert (plus some for conversion losses)."

I follow most of this. It really does make sense. Where I get a little foggy is where he says "we are always putting more energy into the system." It seems like if the sun is constantly sending us energy we shouldn't have any shortage at all but I guess the problem is getting all that energy into a useful form for us the way plants do and even our own bodies by absorbing vitamins from food and sunlight itself.

What I was really looking for was this idea that some energy is renewable and some is not. I just didn't get that and it seems like a political ploy to get some sources deemed "acceptable" as "renewable" and some not. I believe he backed that idea up for me. All energy is technically renewable. The challenge is finding a way to turn it into a form we can use. If this company can pull that off cost effectively then I say go for it. If I had money to invest I'd consider them.



[Edited by: Roo08 at 10/7/2008 10:23:33 AM EST]
herbie1NC
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North Carolina

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:19:21 AM  Ignore herbie1NC Report Abuse
Get er done............
Mazdaman7Q
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South Carolina

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:19:16 AM  Ignore Mazdaman7Q Report Abuse
Hopefully this will help us break free from foreign energy dependency!
tbybee
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Omaha

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:17:22 AM  Ignore tbybee Report Abuse
Most people don't seem to realize that global warming, as well as higher CO2 levels, is actually good for plant production. Although I'm all for new technologies, I foresee problems with this when there are large numbers of these production facilities pulling all the CO2 out of the air.
hangupanddrive
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Michigan

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:15:42 AM  Ignore hangupanddrive Report Abuse
Great, but this doesn't employ me today so don't really care.
ljmatney
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Wichita

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:15:19 AM  Ignore ljmatney Report Abuse
It has to be a great idea before it can start. It has to start before it becomes a reality. Just because you don't see it right now doesn't mean it isn't coming. Patience and optimism is good.
scrounger
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Vancouver

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:15:14 AM  Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
get on with it
spunky4443
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Washington

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:14:51 AM  Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse
Any facts out on this new process??????
Arktander
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Illinois

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:09:14 AM  Ignore Arktander Report Abuse
They never give a time line in the full article, so it doesn't mean more than just a great idea right now.
Chazzer
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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:09:13 AM  Ignore Chazzer Report Abuse
Now that pump prices are dropping I hope they keep trying to increase the availability of renewable gas!
jetsfan6
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New Jersey

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:09:00 AM  Ignore jetsfan6 Report Abuse
To gfpinson - i don't care if it takes 10 or 15 years so long as it's viable in the future. our children will need energy as well. Not everything has to be instantaneous.
sexymacho
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Florida

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:08:29 AM  Ignore sexymacho Report Abuse
Add this to the list of alternative fuel sources.
GasaHawg
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Texas

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:07:48 AM  Ignore GasaHawg Report Abuse
A tiny ember of hope is all this is.
gfpinson
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Atlanta

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:04:23 AM  Ignore gfpinson Report Abuse
But how many YEARs before we can buy gasoline from this process?
HEBster
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Kentucky

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:04:16 AM  Ignore HEBster Report Abuse
Dream on-----------
Dennis783
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Wisconsin

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:03:41 AM  Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse
go for it
amacquarrie
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Nevada

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:02:34 AM  Ignore amacquarrie Report Abuse
how would that work for our carbon footprint...lol
no1doc
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Milwaukee

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:59:37 AM  Ignore no1doc Report Abuse
I'm walking
bug27
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Kentucky

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:58:51 AM  Ignore bug27 Report Abuse
Science fiction? Can they also turn CO² into gold?
duriarte
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Utah

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Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:57:54 AM  Ignore duriarte Report Abuse
Global Cooling, that is funny right ther, I durnt care hoo u r.
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