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Hernando Today

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Hernando Today

Published: May 20, 2008

Environmental Science

Has Led To Energy Crisis

When I was in college in the 1970s, I took a course in geology and had to write a term paper on a topic that was related to the study of geology. I picked a topic that had not yet been identified as a growing worldwide problem. It was on the increasing use of oil around the world and the eventual exhaustion of the then known oil reserves.

At that time, the U.S. was importing almost 40 percent of its crude oil - not the 60 percent of today. It was also predicted that the wells in Saudi Arabia would run dry by 2005, but lateral drilling was developed since that time and has extended that time frame. However, their wells will eventually run dry and probably run dry in any place where oil is now being withdrawn.

With the knowledge we had then, we should have been exploring and drilling for more oil on our own lands, along with building new refineries and developing new sources of energy. If this had been done, we would not now be held hostage by oil-producing countries that want to soak us for our last dime before they bury us.

Instead of remaining independent, we have capitulated to groups of people who have created the so-called new science of environmentalism. Even though they have no scientific proof behind their claims, they have been able to influence the political and economic decisions of our country and this has led to the energy crisis we are now in.

For the U.S. to depend on any foreign nation to supply us with our "life's blood" is suicidal. Especially when foreign nations know they must drain us before they themselves run out of oil. The latest event has President Bush going to Saudi Arabia with hat in hand to beg for more oil. When we have to beg another country to keep us alive with what they produce, we are no longer a super power.

We are a weak and sinking has-been power and it is all due to the hug-a-bug nuts and global warming fanatics. How many bugs, trees, whales and polar bears will they be able to save when the world is fighting over the last barrel of oil?

The weather has been changing on Earth since the beginning of time, and we can no more significantly affect the weather than could the dinosaurs. They, and thousands of other species, became extinct long before the combustible engine and we will be next, if we can't become energy independent. We have to immediately start exploring and drilling for oil wherever we find it and stop listening to the unsubstantiated rantings of environmentalists.

We also need to exploit our 1,000-plus year supply of coal and start building more nuclear power plants and refineries. This will give us time to develop feasible alternative energy sources that can take the place of fossil fuels. Our aggressive pursuit of oil independence should send a needed message to present day oil exporters that their exploitation days are numbered as are their supplies of oil.

Joan Butler

Brooksville

Sen. Fasano Deserves Praise

Despite the budget difficulties, the legislative session of 2008 was not all bad news. All of us know how important mobility is in today's fast-passed society. Thanks to the leadership of state Sen. Mike Fasano, Floridians who are transportation disadvantaged can rest easy.

HB1175/SB788 passed unanimously. This bill specifically strengthens the Commission for Transportation Disadvantage. It will allow the commission to better execute its mission in providing cost effective, safe and reliable transportation for our fellow Floridians who are transportation disadvantaged. As the chairman of the commission, I wish to publicly thank him for his leadership and services to Floridians who are transportation disadvantaged.

J.R. Harding, Ed.D.

chairman,

Transportation Disadvantage

Tallahassee

Clueless About Roundabouts

Not usually known for having good driving skills, an incident on Saturday morning on Linden Drive underscored just how clueless Americans are when it comes to negotiating roundabouts - or traffic circles as they are called in modern day terms.

The traffic circles on Linden Drive have YIELD signs posted at all entrances to the traffic circles. Since the flow is counter-clockwise and there is only one traffic lane, the rule is that you yield, as the sign clearly says, to vehicles already in the circle. Since I was already in the circle, I had right of way, but this motorcyclist obviously did not want to yield at the yield sign.

Ignorance is not bliss and this motorcyclist merely reinforced his ignorance by shouting and name-calling. Perhaps he also can't read properly, but it's time he clued himself up on traffic circles!

As a European with long experience of negotiating roundabouts, please educate Americans on the proper driving rules for roundabouts!

Anna MacLeod

Odessa

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