Slow down, save gas
With our impending shortage of fuel for cars and trucks looming larger than ever in the not too distant future, why don't we slow down? It is proven that vehicles get better mileage at 55 mph than 70 mph. This could drop our consumption of foreign oil by 15 percent nationally.
My four-wheel drive pickup gets 22 miles to the gallon at 55 mph and 17 miles to the gallon at 70 mph. Less revolutions per minute means less fuel consumed -- period!
The federal government is the one that forced the 70-mph speed limit on the states in the first place. The only disadvantage would be, it would take longer to get places. You might even get to enjoy the scenery and have a safer ride to boot!
Bud Grohs
Traverse City
A proud American
In response to a March 10 letter to the editor, "Inherent Pride?," concerning Barack Obama's acceptance of his heritage, let us acknowledge with him that, far from any shame about his identity, Obama very convincingly expresses a profound pride in his identity as an American.
In spite of the "problems" others might have trying to label him, one of the many strengths of this candidate is his ability to rise above the identities placed upon him and consistently project a powerful, inspiring image of a proud American. If we really listen to him and not the fake voices of the past, we might just be able to take pride in ourselves and become proud Americans, too.
Bill Hansen
Williamsburg
Regulation is needed
When will it stop? I'm sorry, but I think there needs to be some government regulation on the oil/gas prices. Until we are given reasonable fuel/transportation choices the oil companies will continue to keep us in a choke hold. They have a monopoly on oil right now and have shown their greed by raising the prices for profit only. They don't even have to give us excuses anymore; how arrogant is that.
There is no competition its just a plain ol' monopoly affecting everyone's lives. Come on, state reps and senators, step up and do something about it.
Charlie Dietrich
Kalkaska
Annual Sunshine Week
During this fourth annual Sunshine Week, it's appropriate to scrutinize various local officials who have hindered access to public information and meetings lately.
Most recently, Kalkaska County's Road Commission -- with the assistance of a deputy -- ordered a local citizen to leave an open meeting he was lawfully attempting to tape-record. It's still unclear what that commission is trying to hide.
The majority of Grand Traverse County's commissioners don't even try to conceal their total disdain for their colleague Christine Maxbauer's vast efforts to promote governmental transparency. Maxbauer should have been commended for taking the initiative to videotape board meetings and provide footage to tctv2. Instead, her peers unjustly demanded that she stop recording a meeting and then criticized her after she prevailed in an Open Meetings Act lawsuit against them.
In the last few years, Circuit Judge James Batzer has ruled that Benzie County's Board and the county administrator have habitually responded arbitrarily and capriciously to Freedom of Information Act requests. In 2007, Batzer adjudged that Benzie's Board repeatedly violated the Open Meetings Act by conducting numerous unlawful closed meetings.
The electorate should become knowledgeable of these critical issues and determine which incumbents in their districts deserve to be unseated.
Eric L. VanDussen
Beulah
Psychological testing
This letter is along the lines of Yvonne Dimon's March 9 letter to the editor regarding background checks for law enforcement officers. First, let me say that I support her thoughts.
For quite some time now, I have felt that state-licensed day care operators (who are already required to submit to a background check) also should have to submit to psychological testing.
When an individual is granted a state license to operate a day care in their home, most parents probably consider this to be a good, safe environment to place their children in. As Ms. Dimon stated, many occupations require background (and psychological) testing to be considered for employment. The care of our children is such a critical responsibility that I feel certain parents would rest assured that when their children are placed in a state licensed day care facility, more is known about a person than if they have committed a crime.
Susan Elliott
Traverse City
Need alternatives now
The United States has 3 percent of the world's oil reserves. Our oilman president is going after every drop, even into polar bear habitat, where his Mineral Management Service is about to grant oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The MMS admits to a 40 percent chance of a large spill there. Scandals erupted when the FBI taped Alaskan Republican legislators taking bribes from the state's largest oil field service company, Veco, a front for Conoco, Exxon and BP.
Oil leases lead to greenhouse gas emissions, which lead to global warming, which leads to melting sea ice. Any smart environmental lawyer can save an endangered bear from new drilling. Our oilman president has listed 58 species. His father listed 231.
The U.S. Geological Survey predicts by 2050 all polar bears in Alaska will be gone. The Earth Policy Institute predicts polar ice cap melting will cause sea levels to rise 39 feet in a few decades.
The future is now. More efficient light bulbs would close 700 coal-fired power plants, the worst sources of greenhouse gases. A few more miles per gallon for American gas guzzlers would reduce carbon emissions and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.
David Zaiss
Interlochen
Loyalty is evident
It can only be assumed that the faulty opinions expressed in the March 10 letter printed under the heading "Inherent pride?" were based on misleading TV sound bites or Internet snippets. I will not question this writer's motives, but I do note that those who have publicly emphasized Barack Obama's middle name these last few months have done so for the most scurrilous and cynical of reasons.
The honor and respect Obama shows to his family, white and black, in America and Africa, Christian or Muslim, is evident in his 1995 book, "Dreams from my Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance," an eloquent and perceptive description of his journey searching for his father and family history.
The strong bond and love between Obama and his mother and grandparents, and his Christian commitment, also shine through the book. More broadly, it is indeed sad that there are those who still rush to judgments, whether based on ignorance or malice, that continue to cause division or mistrust. These are the paranoid, shaky ones.
In our country, which celebrates liberties and diversity even as we are one people, is it too audacious to hope and pray that we can be better?
Kathy van Houwelingen
Traverse City
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