Readers Write 05/21

ENVIRONMENT

Stop all Gulf drilling till technology is assured

It’s funny how a few hundred thousand barrels of oil dumped in the neighborhood of our Southern coastline gets your attention. It even brings to mind President Carter’s energy message having to do with our energy efforts being the moral equivalency of war.

Imagine if this disaster had been caused by a foreign power. We would be up in arms! Indeed, it has been caused by a foreign power: one of the global corporate titans that has no allegiance to anything except its own profit.

I see that we get 30 percent of our oil from the Gulf of Mexico. So, I propose this deal. I will reduce my gas consumption 30 percent and, in return, we stop all Gulf drilling until the technology is assured.

By the way, I’ll be taking my 30 percent from my corner BP. Sorry, guys, but there should be consequences to bad behavior, don’t you?

Rick Katz, Cherry Log

ENVIRONMENT

Do your part: Drive less, use mass transit more

With no end in sight to the horrendous spill in the Gulf of Mexico, this country must end its addiction to oil. I do my part by limiting my use of gasoline to 10 gallons a month. Yes, that’s right — just 10 gallons. I’m reminded of the campaign during World War II that my grandparents instilled in my parents, and they in me: Is this trip really necessary?

Do I need to spend 40 minutes fighting traffic to get to Lenox Square, just to get out? Do I spend 20 minutes driving downtown, and $10 on parking, or do I take the bus?

One need only watch any Atlanta news channel to realize that most choose the former. This addiction is truly un-American. Plan your trips; put your kids on the bus, and end this addiction.

Greg Maus, Atlanta

MARTA

Wingfield’s criticism misses the big picture

Kyle Wingfield is no fan of MARTA. He laments MARTA’s supposed lack of thrift, while the Georgia DOT gorges on taxpayer dollars. MARTA users pay taxes for transportation, but get back lectures on self-reliance. Better public transportation in the metro area would ease gridlock, ameliorate pollution and foster our continued position as the state’s economic engine and exporter of tax dollars to the rest of the state.

Better public transportation generally means less foreign oil dependency, a smaller trade deficit, and a chance to catch up with other developed countries in efficient transportation. Wingfield is not looking around at the world, or looking ahead.

Mary Bosserman, Decatur

POLITICS

Obama should ignore critics, stay the course

For eight years, the Republicans controlled the government. The economic spiral started under the Bush administration. The tea party is nothing but an extension of the Republican Party. The Republicans want total control.

Our current president is expected to turn things around overnight. He is often accused of doing too much, or not enough. I am hoping that he will stay the course.