Hello Everybody,

"The grid needs to be modernized, the delivery systems need to be
modernized.  We've got an antiquated system." - George W. Bush

Why did the power outage happen?  The president says it was due
to an "antiquated system" that needs "to be
modernized".  But is that
really true?  And if so, how does the president plan to solve the
problem?  Certainly, he does not envision raising taxes or regulating
utility companies.  Or does he?  After all, once the presidential
election is over, our payroll taxes will be going up.  That is what his
"tax cuts for the rich" accomplished.  The rich get tax cuts, everybody
else gets screwed.

Anyway, we all know the president is a liar.  Always has been, always
will be.  Just look at his track record, especially in regards to his
wild claims about Iraq being in possession of WMDs.

Just after the terrorist attacks of 9-11, a report was issued dealing
with science and technology in countering terrorism.  This report was
titled "Making the Nation Safer: The Role of Science and Technology
in Countering Terrorism".  This report urged the protection of key
elements of the power grid, as well as the creation of an updated
system that would limit vulnerabilities to the flow of electricity.
And yet, the largest blackout in the history of the United States still
happened, with over 50 million people being without electricity.  Not
only did the power outage affect millions of people in the United
States, but it also affected millions of people in Canada.

The president is correct in saying that we have an "antiquated system".
And the president is also correct in saying that the system needs "to be
modernized".  But that costs money.  Lots of money.  Is the president
willing to undo his tax cuts for the wealthy program so that Americans
can enjoy uninterrupted electrical service?  Not a chance.  But he might
decide to raise taxes on those who are not so wealthy.

A federal task force has been created to determine the cause of the
power outage.  In due time, answers will be found.  But according to
the president, he already knows the cause - "an antiquated system".
And the solution - "The grid needs to be modernized".  Truly an amazing
and most perceptive guy.

I picked up a book at the library and found what appears to be
the real cause of the power outage.  "Six Degrees: The Science of
a Connected Age", by Duncan J. Watts, is the book in question.

This book deals with the concept of network theory, which is a science
combining the results of many different disciplines.  IOW, a network is
determined by the form of its connectedness, not the individual members
of its parts.  In that light, all networks have structural features in
common.  The same is true of power grids.  The power grid is actually a
network, not individual units acting seperately.

That is what happened in the 1996 failure of the power grid of the
western United States.  Part of the structure failed, which caused the
other parts of the structure to fail.  In the power outage that occurred
the other day, it was due to a structural failure outside of Cleveland
that caused the other parts of the structure to come under stress
resulting in a massive power failure.  And the more modern the system,
the more likely such a structural failure will be to occur.

The very extensive bibliography is extremely useful.  Especially to
those who want to know the real truth as to what happened in regards
to the power outage.

--Lee


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