Wind turbines along I-70

According to a Lawrence Journal-World article this evening, the Kansas Supreme Court has moved to shut down wind turbines in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Whether or not wind power should be sought in Kansas is still up for debate. It is clear that wind power is unreliable and can not be used for base power. Further, wind power has been proven to be extremely expensive without government (taxpayer) subsidies.

But what can certainly be questioned is why wind power is such a wonderful thing for western Kansas but untouchable for eastern Kansas counties. Why are the Flint Hills exempt from wind turbines? I certainly agree the Flint Hills are beautiful. In fact, I would like to build a homestead there someday. But why is the state using taxpayer money to subsidize wind power in one part of the state and using it’s authority, vis-a-vis the Kansas Supreme Court, to block similar projects in another part of the state?

If wind power is such a wonder source of energy, why are we picking and choosing where we put it? If we’re truly in a global warming crisis, why aren’t groups like GPACE rushing to defend landowners rights to place wind turbines in the Flint Hills? Every bit helps, or at least that’s what we were told when the Holcomb project was fought tooth and nail. Or is this just another case of do as I say, not as I do from environmentalists?

The just released documentary Not Evil, Just Wrong highlighted a glaring problem with the environmental movement where they pick and choose what they want done with property that belongs to someone else. In the documentary, a very passionate environmentalist advocates keeping poverty stricken people in Africa in poverty rather than allowing industry and jobs to come to town. The environmental movement finds poverty ‘quaint’ and ‘homey’ while those living in it disagree strongly.

Is this the same logic that’s now being applied here in Kansas?

Ironically, if government (taxpayers) didn’t prop up wind power with unfair subsidies, there wouldn’t be a demand to place wind turbines in the Flint Hills in the first place.

The producers have graciously decided to livestream the entire movie on the internet tomorrow evening at 7pm CST. The KRA Blog will be live hosting the movie here. All you have to do is find a high speed internet connection (the faster, the better), point your internet browser to http://www.kansasra.org/blog and click play to enjoy the show.

We’ll also have live Facebook and Twitter updates during the movie. You can watch in full screen, or shrink it down and see what your friends and others are saying about the show.

There are public premieres in Wichita, Topeka and Overland Park. Click on your location form more information about that. But if you’re not able to attend a public showing, why not join us online for the show?

Either way you view the film, be sure to fill out this form and email it to info@noteviljustwrong.com. This might be the biggest cinematic event ever, and you should be a part of it!

And after the show, stay online for a Q&A with the producers.

So grab a laptop, a friend and find some WiFi for the biggest cinematic event of the year!

Problems during the show? Email webmaster@kansasra.org, visit us on Facebook or on Twitter @kansasra. I’ll try and help you out as quickly as I can.

Liberty Republic will be hosting a free premiere at The Refuge.

• Where: The Refuge, 135th and Flint St., Overland Park, KS
• When: Doors open 6:15pm Sunday, October 18, 2009, film starts at 7pm
• Cost: FREE!!!

There are also premieres at the same day and time in Wichita and Topeka. Click here for more details about those premieres.

Americans for Prosperity and the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy will be co-hosting the premiere at Wichita.

• Where: CAC Auditorium, Wichita State University
• When: Special Presentation at 6:15pm, followed by the premiere at 7pm, Sunday October 18, 2009
• Cost: FREE!!!

The Wichita premiere will feature a special presentation at 6:15pm by meteorologist Mike Smith entitled “An Atmospheric Scientist’s View of Global Warming.” Smith will discuss the global warming argument from both sides and will answer questions.

Another public premiere will be held in Topeka.

• Where: Henderson Learning Resources Center, Room 100, Washburn University
• When: 7pm Sunday, October 18, 2009

Here is the trailer to the movie. Those who attended the Defending the American Dream summit in Washington D.C. were able to see a sneak preview of the movie and have given it rave reviews.