Rockefeller kin urge Exxon to think beyond oil

[Winter wind]

Think past oil, Rockefeller kin tell Exxon - Environment - MSNBC.com

Members of the Rockefeller family, descended from the founder of what became Exxon Mobil Corp., challenged the oil giant Wednesday to focus more on renewable sources of energy. They also seek to establish a task force study of the consequences of global warming on poor economies, and called on Exxon to reduce greenhouse gas emission at its own operations. Exxon is "profiting in the short term from investments and decisions made many years ago by focusing on the narrow path that ignores the rapidly shifting energy landscape around the world, including developing nations," said Neva Rockefeller Goodwin, a great granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller.

Op-ed.
John D. Rockefeller's heirs urge Exxon Mobil to play nicer. - By Daniel Gross - Slate Magazine

The Rockefellers basically created Exxon Mobil (made Standard Oil, where Exxon comes from), so this push could get Exxon to move to other kinds of energy. This is incredibly rare for the Rockefellers and it seems like this pubic move was a last resort. Do you think this will get Exxon to change? Is this good? Bad?

They could get the largest oil company to move towards alternative fuel.

[Kakumei]

I have a strong feeling that this whole entire gas situation is just a whole political party scam or something. I swear...

[Winter wind]

No, I know Peter O'Neill personally. Trust me when I tell you he's not a part of a political machine.

But if you're saying the head of Exxon is political, I doubt it. He's out for short term profit.

[Kakumei]

Quote by: Winter wind No, I know Peter O'Neill personally. Trust me when I tell you he's not a part of a political machine. But if you're saying the head of Exxon is political, I doubt it. He's out for short term profit.

Perhaps you have a point, my apologies, with so many silly things that have political influence for profit, its hard to tell the good from the bad. lol.

[Winter wind]

Don't worry, I would have thought the same.

I found him on Fox business.

And Cavuto goes to bat on him too. (not well)

Video - FOXBusiness.com

[Kakumei]

Quote by: Winter wind Don't worry, I would have thought the same. I found him on Fox business. And Cavuto goes to bat on him too. (not well) Video - FOXBusiness.com

Ah, I see. This is a situation that teaches me to think a little harder before I post >_< lol.

[Winter wind]

Hey, No big deal (though the idea that Mr. O'Neill was political was funny :) )

[Sonart]

.

Quote by: Kakumei I have a strong feeling that this whole entire gas situation is just a whole political party scam or something. I swear...

If you're referring to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney being in the pockets of the 'Awl Bidness', yeah, you betcha.

Quote by: Winter wind But if you're saying the head of Exxon is political, I doubt it. He's out for short term profit.

C'mon Winter, don't be naive. Of course the head of Exxon is political. You don't believe they have a huge lobby operating full time in Washington? The oil industry is constantly besieging Washington to either get off their backs or gvie them more concessions... and yes, all for the short term benefit of their shareholders.

Here's Lee R. Raymond, (far left) former CEO of Exxon, and other oil execs testifying before Congress.



Anyway, good for O'Neill and the Rockefellers.

Here's another... the CEO of British Petroleum is apparently a global warming convert.

BP CEO Lord John Browne: Integrates energy, business, and environmental strategy

--"One of the world's most passionate and articulate spokesmen on the perils of global warming is an unlikely activist. But Lord John Browne, group chief executive of BP, believes it is his role as leader of one of the world's most powerful energy conglomerates to make the problem understood — by the industries that produce energy and by the consumers who use it."--

Maybe there's hope yet.

.

[Winter wind]

Quote by: sonart C'mon Winter, don't be naive. Of course the head of Exxon is political. You don't believe they have a huge lobby operating full time in Washington? The oil industry is constantly besieging Washington to either get off their backs or gvie them more concessions... and yes, all for the short term benefit of their shareholders.

I meant the CEO isn't trying to suppress the story or sideline the Rockefellers because of his political ideology. He's doing it to make money. In fact, short term money only. (Long term, it would be best for everyone if Exxon looked into other forms of energy).

Quote by: Sonart Here's another... the CEO of British Petroleum is apparently a global warming convert.

Neva Rockefeller actually says that the family will invest in BP if Exxon doesn't follow through. (they won't pull their stocks in Exxon)

Plus, BP isn't the only one, several European companies are investing in alternative energy sources as well, the question is, which one will take off?

[grandpa]

Quote by: Winter wind I meant the CEO isn't trying to suppress the story or sideline the Rockefellers because of his political ideology. He's doing it to make money.

When all is said and done, making money is just another political ideology.

Grandpa h.

[Winter wind]

Quote by: grandpa When all is said and done, making money is just another political ideology.

Oh, i donno. political ideology is based on how the government runs things and how it should (or shouldn't in your case) run things. Making money isn't about government, it's about...well I don't know what it's about, but certainly not government.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Winter wind Oh, i donno. political ideology is based on how the government runs things and how it should (or shouldn't in your case) run things.

And money doesn't involve "running things?" Money is quite politicizing. It complicates even a basic understanding of politics.

Grandpa h.

[Winter wind]

Quote by: grandpa And money doesn't involve "running things?" Money is quite politicizing. It complicates even a basic understanding of politics.

Isn't that different then wanting government to change things. I mean, he wants money, not free speech.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Winter wind Isn't that different then wanting government to change things. I mean, he wants money, not free speech.

Well, money does have an effect on free speech, and on rights generally. In a capitalist society, one may have freedom and equality juridicially, but freedom of opportunity may be denied if he lacks economic clout.
Until this general problem is curtailed, we're not likely to change things around. By definition, change can rarely extend to things that are frozen. Right now, we're discussing corporations unwilling to let go of the reigns of power.

Grandpa h.

[Winter wind]

Sigh, I guess. But meant the traditional "ethics" sense.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Winter wind Sigh, I guess. But meant the traditional "ethics" sense.

What "traditional 'ethics' sense"?

Grandpa h.

[Winter wind]

"a political ideology is a certain ethical set of ideals, principles, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, or large group that explains how society should work, and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order."

[grandpa]

Quote by: Winter wind "a political ideology is a certain ethical set of ideals, principles, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, or large group that explains how society should work, and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order."

Capitalism is part of such a blueprint. Hitler put symbols such as the swastika and religious sayings on military gear. We put dollar signs, crosses and American flags everywhere. And capitalists do promise a social order, only through social status.

Granpda h.

[Winter wind]

Alright then I concede. It was political.

[thx1138]

They could get the largest oil company to move towards alternative fuel.

Like using Corn!?! That idea is back firing very quickly, unless your plan is to remove large portion of the world population through famine.