"I'm not suggesting that companies shouldn't make a profit, but when it comes to the future of the planet and our human way of life, perhaps they should, at least, allow and encourage research into more eco-friendly fuel sources.

John"

John,
One thing the Iraq insurgency has convinced me is that it's human nature that there's a significant portion of the population that would rather rule in Hell than serve in Heaven. They'd rather commit mass murder than live in peace.

I can easily understand why Exxon-Mobil thugs would "get tough" (they're pansies compared to what could be done. Flashing some hardware is merely intimidation. Torturing you to death over a 3 day period, and then sending the video to your widow, that's rather more serious) to guard their turf.

But seriously, how could the bad guys really know how well the research is going, or if it's ongoing at all?

He could just tell them he's given up, and was now researching space-aged adhesives.

"Whenever you start posting dictionary quotes, we know you've been bested." captainkbt