T. Boone Pickens Statement on Meeting With U.S. Senator Barack Obama.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
United States
August 22, 2008 6:51am CST
Thomas Boone Pickens, Jr. (born May 22, 1928) is an American business man who chairs the hedge fund BP Capital Management. He was a well-known takeover operator during the 1980s. With an estimated current net worth of about $3 billion, he is ranked by Forbes as the 117th-richest person in America and ranked 369th in the world. Pickens has given more than $700 million away to charity.
Below is a statement issued by T. Boone Pickens following his meeting this morning with U.S. Senator Barack Obama.
"I enjoyed the opportunity to meet Senator Obama and discuss an issue that is America's top priority, which is ending our dependence on foreign oil that today is approaching 70 percent of our imports and is costing us $700 billion a year.
"I assured Senator Obama that I will do everything in my power to work together with leaders who are willing to solve our immense energy problems which are ruining our economy and threatening our national security.
"I stressed the urgency of the situation and the need to end the largest transfer of wealth in human history. I told him that any credible domestic energy policy must reduce our dependence on foreign oil by at least 30% in the next 10 years, in addition to conservation measures and that must utilize proven and available technologies and be 100 percent comprised of American resources.
"We discussed my plan and the opportunities to create jobs, grow our economy and revitalize America's heartland by using private capital to invest in renewable energy including wind and solar power that are among our most abundant and untapped natural resources.
I shared my feeling of encouragement at the Senator's willingness to speak out on energy issues recently in the campaign, but told him that there is still much more that needs to be done.
"We also discussed the Pickens Plan's success and our efforts to get more than one million supporters. These are people who share an immense concern about our dependence on foreign oil and are actively pushing our solution to this issue with the goal of getting legislation passed in the first 100 days of the next administration.
"I have a real sense, however, that he was very engaged. He understands the issues and is interested and excited by the work we are doing to educate and involve the people of this great nation.
As with any leader, he knows that developing real energy policy that will transform America for the better requires change and that change happens not just from the top down, but from the bottom up and that's what we are doing with the Pickens Plan."
I'd like to thank T. Boone Pickens for releasing this statement.
What do you think about his kind words towards Barack Obama? Is T. Boone Pickens just another "left wing wacko"? What is your opinion?
Lloyd
For more information about The Pickens Plan, please visit www.pickensplan.com.
SOURCE: T. Boone Pickens
4 people like this
10 responses
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I think Pickens is an incredible man, who is obviously no dummy when it comes to the problems we face. In my opinion, it would be awesome if Obama would jump on board with the Pickens Plan, and I was pleased Pickens had kind words for Obama. There is no way I think he is just a "left wing wacko", after all he did invite both candidates to meet with him. Have you heard anythig of when Pickens may get together with McCain?
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Here is T. BOONE PICKENS STATEMENT ON MEETING WITH U.S. SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ) IN ASPEN, COLORADO
Dallas, TX, August 15, 2008 – Below is a statement issued by T. Boone Pickens following his meeting this morning with U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in Aspen, Colorado:
“It was a pleasure to sit down with Senator McCain and discuss firsthand an issue that is America’s top priority: ending our dependence on foreign oil, which today is approaching 70 percent. We plan on having a similar meeting with Senator Obama in the very near future. I have repeatedly stressed the nonpartisan aspects of my initiative. This is a threat to our economic and national security and something that requires bipartisan support.
During the meeting I reiterated the urgency of the situation. I told him that any credible domestic energy policy must reduce our foreign dependence on foreign oil by at least 30% in the next 10 years (on top of conservation that is beginning to happen), must utilize proven and available technologies and be 100 percent comprised of American resources.
We discussed my plan in some detail. I also outlined our progress in building more than one million supporters who are actively pushing this issue with the goal of getting legislation passed in the first 100 days of the next administration that will get us on the path to radically reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
While I can not speak for the Senator, my sense is that he was interested and encouraged by the work we are doing and recognizes that citizen education and citizen involvement is key to changing course and actually developing a real energy policy with teeth that will help this country from our current disastrous path.”
Doen't sound as if he was really excited about this meeting. Look at the differences in both his statements. Sounds like he and John McCain was just going through the motions.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I think a union between Mr. Pickens and Barack Obama would be just fantastic.
On one side you have a man who's acheived tremendous success in the field of energy and a man with a plan to lead America into the 21st Century.
We cannot keep being held hostage by events affecting oil prices. We have to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
There are so many advantages to solar and wind energy. It's renewable and endless.
Let's give it a try. All it takes is the will to try it. That's why I like both Mr. Pickens and Barack Obama.
Lloyd
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
22 Aug 08
My bad, it appears he had met with McCain. WOnder how I missed it.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
22 Aug 08
No. T. Boone is not just another "left wing wacko", but he is a person who has enough money and resources to do something about the problem, but would prefer to play cheerleader trying to get the government to do it instead.
He stands to gain a lot of profit from wind and solar, but only if he can get the taxpayers to cover the expenses. I don't fault him, he's a good business man who sees a way to make loads of money playing both horses. What does bug me is, like so many others, he sits there lecturing us all for what we're not doing, while he has the means but would rather let someone else do the work while he takes the credit.
He's not a left wing wacko, but in the end, his stink is just as rotten.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I have to disagree with your reply. Mr. Pickens is more than just a "cheerleader trying to get the government to do it".
T. Boone Pickens has set his sights on building a 4,000MW wind farm on the Texas prairie.
Starting next month, Pickens will start buying up land and placing orders for the 2,700 turbines called for by the project. When the massive wind farm gets up and running, it's expected to produce enough energy for 1 million homes -- roughly the equivalent of 2 commercial nuclear plants.
In my opinion, Mr. Pickens is putting his money where his mouth is.
Here is a few samples of how he has spent his money. I don't think this "stinks".
Pickens Foundation gives $1.275M to Big Brothers Big Sisters for Irving museum. March 13, 2008.
The T. Boone Pickens Foundation is giving $1.275 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas to open a museum and resource center at its Irving headquarters.
T. Boone Pickens pledges $10 million to Dallas' Museum of Nature & Science. February 27, 2008
T. Boone Pickens talks with The Dallas Morning News about the goals and objectives of his latest philanthropic initiative, a $10 million gift to a major nature and science museum in Dallas.
Pickens gift propels brain health research. February 15, 2008.
T. Boone Pickens sees firsthand how his $11 million support helps Asperger patients at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas.
The Philanthropy 50: Americans What Gave the Most in 2007. January 15, 2008.
T. Boone Pickens ranks No. 8 on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's largest givers of 2007.
Pickens matches Crystal Charity donation to Jonathan's Place. December 31, 2007.
The residents of Jonathan's Place, a home for abused and abandoned kids, got a surprise Christmas gift from billionaire T. Boone Pickens. The news that Crystal Charity Ball is giving $1.5 million of its proceeds to help Jonathan's Place complete its new campus in Northeast Dallas County piqued his interest.
This doesn't sound like a man who is waiting for the government to do things for the American people.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
23 Aug 08
He could do all that without the government or taxpayers. So why doesn't he?
I also think you took some of what I said as negatives. He's a good business man who stands to make a killing of both oil and wind power. More power to him in that part!
There's a lot of hypocrisy here though. The same people who are against almost any other subsidy for big business are fawning all over this billionaire and his bids for subsidies.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Aug 08
Do not people have to invest in this plan? Many Americans are stretched thin as it is. I mean if he were serious and was wealthy, would he not put most into the plan and does not having windmills also take more land out of production? And you also have to consider that Obama is trying to make himself look good and Pickens really does not realize Obama's stands on other issues or really doe snot care. I am all for America buying less fuel from the Arabs, but consider that perhaps McCain might be a better president.
And was not Obama against off-shore drilling and opening up the land where there was oil on?
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
There are millions of investors here in America and around the world waiting to invest in alternative energy sources, once someone who is serious about it gets into the White House. Barack Obama is that person.
As far as windmills taking more land out of production, that won't be a problem. We have vast areas of unpopulated and unused land.
The Department of Energy reports that 20% of America's electricity can come from wind. North Dakota alone has the potential to provide power for more than a quarter of the country.
Today's wind turbines stand up to 410 feet tall, with blades that stretch 148 feet in length. The blades collect the wind's kinetic energy. In one year, a 3-megawatt wind turbine produces as much energy as 12,000 barrels of imported oil.
Wind power currently accounts for 48 billion kWh of electricity a year in the United States — enough to serve more than 4.5 million households. That is still only about 1% of current demand, but the potential of wind is much greater.
A 2005 Stanford University study found that there is enough wind power worldwide to satisfy global demand 7 times over — even if only 20% of wind power could be captured.
In my opinion, we have to move away from drilling for oil. It just has too many negative side effects on our environment. I believe it's time to more towards renewable wind and solar energy.
We just have to want to do it. I believe the time is now.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Mr. Pickens is a brilliant business man. We know him well in Texas. He has no ax to grind. He understands our problems and has put forth an intelligent workable plan for our energy crisis. He knows people and can spot a good man with ease. He would be a good adviser for the Obama team.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I'm glad Mr. Pickens has developed this workable plan to deal with our energy crisis.
If elected, I hope Barack Obama keeps Mr. Pickens close by.
I'm sure the citizens of Texas are very proud of Mr. Pickens. I wish we had someone like him here in New Jersey.
Lloyd
@snowy22315 (170708)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I think Pickens having been a big oil man is now becoming a philanthropist. I think he sees this alternative energy program as his way to help the world make a permanent change. I like anyone who will help with our current energy crisis. It is no surprise that Pickens likes Obama. How could he not? Obama is open and engaged and willing to discuss issues that will help the American people.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
T. Boone Pickens and Barack Obama seem like the perfect match.
Mr. Pickens has the ideas and ability to help us with our current energy crisis and Barack Obama has the will and desire to implement alternative energy ideas.
This is what we need now. We need to stop being held hostage to fluctuating oil markets around the world.
We need to take control of our energy needs. Both Mr. Pickens and Barack Obama realize that.
Lloyd
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I have mixed feelings about Mr. Pickens but I will say that it was very nice of him for helping with the current issues regarding our energy problems.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Why do you have mixed feelings about Mr. Pickens? In my eyes he's such a generous person who should be admired. Take a look at some of his humanitarian contributions.
Pickens and employees of his BP Capital LLC donated $7 million to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The Chronicle of Philanthropy lists Pickens as among its largest charitable givers 2005 and 2006. He has donated nearly a half a billion dollars to philanthropic causes during his career.
On May 16, 2007, Pickens donated $100 million to two University of Texas health care institutions. The gifts were donated to the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The donations are required to grow to $1 billion within twenty-five years before they can be disbursed by the recipient institutions.
On August 23, 2007, Bizjournals.com reported that Pickens is donating $2.5 million to Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home, a residential school for at-risk children and teenagers, to build a training center and guest lodge. Pickens donated $1 million to Happy Hill Farm for the construction of a new academic campus at the residential school in February 2007.
On December 5, 2007 the Dallas Business Journal reported that Pickens had donated $6 million to Jubilee Park located at S. Carroll Avenue and Lindsley/Parry Avenue in Dallas and would man a bulldozer to begin demolition of an abandoned building across the street from a kindergarten Head Start program in Jubilee Park
On June 20, 2008 Pickens donated $25 million to the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine during a visit with Calgary Flames owner Harley Hotchkiss.
I have no mixed feelings about Mr. Pickens. We need more people who think like he does.
Lloyd
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
22 Aug 08
This is one area I believe we will just have to agree to disagree at this time, I am currently in the process of researching this for myself. I don't mean to sound negative but I do not want to base my opinion because he donated lots of money to various causes. Money doesn't wipe a slate clean lol if it did I might like McCain lol
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I definitely have some issues with Pickens over the funding of those Swift Boat guys during the Kerry campaign. I am also very aware of the fact that he stands to make a fortune from alternative energy.
Still, I do not think he is a "left wing wacko". He bears listening to on this issue and I'm happy that Obama met with him. I think that in the short run, there will probably have to be some off shore drilling BUT I think it is very, very important to keep the impetus on alternative energy. This is a big issue with me. From what I've heard the Republicans just want to keep drilling and don't give enough attention to the effects on the environment or the possiblity of developing alternative energy. They seem to want people to think that anyone with new ideas is a wacko. (Henry Ford, the Wright brothers and Thomas Edison were probably once considered wackos) Let the Arabs distroy their environment. We need to stop and find new ways. Being on the cutting edge is what made us great and it is, in my opinion what will keep us great.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I didn't like it either when T. Boone Pickens boasted that he would give $1 million to anyone who can disprove "even a single charge" leveled by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, who he funded to the tune of $3 milion. Kerry offered to meet with Pickens and do so, with the million dollars going to veterans' charities.
Mr. Pickens responded by saying he won't consider giving Kerry the reward unless he surrenders his combat films, additional military records and wartime journal.
What bothered me was that John Kerry turned over more records than George Bush willingly surrendered under government subpoena.
But the past is the past and I'm willing to mover on to the future. Better days are so close.
I don't know why the Republicans are so hell-bent on more drilling for oil than finding alternative sources of energy.
Wasn't it George Bush who said "The American people are addicted to oil?"
Why keep feeding this addiction?
Lloyd
2 people like this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
23 Aug 08
My opinion is that it is just cheap talk to win an election.
Reducing your dependance on foreign oil by 30% in the next 10 years...
It will take you 10 years to figure out a solution on how to go about it. And by then... it will have increased by 30 per cent.
Any change at government level takes 10 years to take effect... and a major change like this would take 20 to 30 years. The government has next to no power in changing those things. The buck stop with the people.
When the people stop buying American cars guzzling gasoline like if they were no tomorrow... only then... the American motor industry will start producing more efficient cars. The government cannot force GM or Ford to do it.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Mr. Pickens was just on The Daily Show and some other show I can't remember at the moment last week and he seems quite confident President Obama will do right by us regarding our addiction to foreign oil. I think it's great to hear a billionaire admit change has to also happen from the bottom up. I happen to agree with him 100%.
Annie
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
22 Aug 08
Hi lloydanthony111,
With all these talks going back and forward, I really don't have much faith in the politicains, they all say we are going to this we are goint to do that but nothings gets done for the poor on the streets or the low pay, the only poeple are ok are the rich, all talk and no action.
Tamara
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Hello Tamara. Don't give up hope. Better days are right around the corner.
The last eight years have seen lower taxes for the wealthiest Americans and tax breaks for corporations such as Mobile-Exxon.
Very little has been done to provide relief for middle class or the working poor here in America.
In some cases, corporations have been given tax incentives to move American jobs overseas. This will stop under a Barack Obama Administration.
Barack Obama sees how unfair this is and will change that. I know you feel let down by the Bush Administration, but I urge you to keep the faith.
American can and must do better. It is our time.
Lloyd
