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Letters, 8/28: Let's produce our own oil

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Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 - 12:09:48 am CDT

We have spent billions using military tactics to fight the global war on terror. At the same time, we have spent billions on foreign oil. A large percentage of this money spent on foreign oil is sent to countries that then use this money to fund terrorists. In the short term we need more oil, but longer-term alternatives are the answer.

Maybe it is time to stop importing petroleum products from countries that are hostile to our interests. Western states such as Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana are sitting on enough coal and shale to replace all of the oil we import from those unfriendly sources.

There is enough oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to replace our foreign oil imports for a decade. If we start tomorrow, a pipeline could be built to bring ANWR oil to the lower 48. That same pipeline could bring oil from Canadian tar sands. No need to spend billions protecting the shipping lanes, because Canada is an ally.

If we start tomorrow, we could generate power by using wind and solar power to convert wastewater to hydrogen. Cellulosic ethanol is another possible source of energy. The closed-loop system in place at Mead is a fine example of creative thinking in solving our energy problems.

Take $50 billion of the money spent just protecting oil from the Persian Gulf, and research and development in alternative energies could be financed for several years. Terror funding would be reduced also. A win-win situation for the free world.

Dennis Lorance, Lincoln

War causes loss of faith

Why I have lost faith in everything?

A loss of faith hurts one’s soul. It gnaws at them every night they go to sleep with the same lack of belief in human decency with which they began the day. I cannot function and find my life in total paralysis because of one existential question, “How can any moral people allow the absolute moral wrong of the Iraq war to continue?” I’m not fighting it, and people a hell of lot better, braver, stronger and more important than me are. They may hate my opinion, but that doesn’t diminish my moral debt to them.

Each side has its valid arguments, but none gives me peace of mind. I can’t believe in a world that I can live in that has allowed for this war to continue this long.

I remember e-mailing a priest when I first became so upset about the war. I gave him reasons for its immorality: It is a preventive war (a war of choice), which is never a moral war. Pope John Paul II called it a “defeat for humanity,” and its original basis turned out to be fraudulent. The priest later became a chaplain serving in Iraq.

How can I let this war continue? I hate this war, and yet I give it my tacit support every day. Why do I get to live comfortably while someone my age dies for nothing? 

Ryan Doud, Lincoln

Injury ad is irresponsible

Last weekend, I noticed a television commercial on cable by a local company that I found disturbing. In the commercial, a person doing house painting falls from a ladder. His wife gets on the phone and calls to say she’s bringing him in.

This in my opinion is irresponsible and dangerous. A person who falls from a ladder and hurts himself or herself to the point of needing medical attention should not be moved. EMS should be called and the patient properly immobilized and treated at the scene by trained personnel and then transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital emergency room (preferably a trauma center) for evaluation and further treatment. If a head or spinal injury is present, transport by a “civilian” in a personal vehicle could cause more damage and even endanger the life of the person.

Most head trauma and cervical/spinal injury can only be diagnosed with X-rays, CAT scans or MRIs. That is why EMS service providers stabilize all trauma patients with splinting devices, collars and backboards in the field before transport and then monitor the patient’s vital signs on the way. I speak from almost 30 years experience as an EMS provider (now retired) on two volunteer fire/rescue departments in Nebraska.

In my opinion, any broadcast media that runs commercials like this one is acting irresponsibly. More so, any medical professional who paid to have this commercial made and aired or was involved in its production is not acting in the best interest of the patient.

John F. Chiocchi, Lincoln

Christianity is only hope

The Lincoln Journal Star Web site asked us to sound off on Karl Rove. We met Karl Rove when he was in Omaha, and he is a fine gentleman. Really, he is not guilty of anything except for being a big threat to liberals, which is why they hated him so much.

I disagree that Rove is guilty of “polarizing tactics.” In America, conservative means to support our Constitution while liberal means to change it, so who is guilty of polarization?

Have you noticed that liberals blame conservatives for the very things of which they are guilty? Such tactics shift the attention and blame from themselves. Have we been so misled not to recognize this? Jesus would say it’s the blind leading the blind.

Really, liberals today would define our founding fathers as extreme right-wing conservatives, because at least 50 signers of the Declaration of Independence were devoted Christians.

Fact is that some have chosen to take the side of liberalism with all of its anti-God and immoral stances. Another fact is that biblical Christianity is the only hope for this perverse and strife-torn world.

Oscar E. Blomstedt, Lincoln

An atrocity to freedoms

Alexandra Svoboda was a senior at Arts and Humanities High School the year my daughter Ashley was a sophomore.  Alex was someone my daughter looked up to from the first day of school.

They heard Gorbachev speak and Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson. They heard Bobby Kennedy Jr. They were cast together as two dyed redheads in a play they had written to stand up for the treatment of Native Americans.

My daughter baked cheesecakes to fund “The Students for Wilderness Park” and created a vintage look from thrift shops. They cared about people and the world and believed in their ability to be artists and make a difference.

On a deeper level, Alex and Ashley shared a heritage of being Czech. Something about being Czech gives a girl a gratitude for freedom.

Nebraska kids live close to their heritage and tend to have compassion that can’t go unexpressed.

Alexandra Svoboda’s injuries are a national atrocity to those freedoms and those expressions.

Paige Namuth, Lincoln


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Cara wrote on August 28, 2007 1:14 am:
" I have met Paige and agree with her!!!!! "

 Thanks wrote on August 28, 2007 1:23 am:
" Amen John, you have said it again. Thanks for your service to SWRFD!!! Folks, take a note from John. If need an EMERGENCY ROOM (for a real emergency, not just for your convience) you should also need EMS (Emergency Medical Services) "

 D wrote on August 28, 2007 4:19 am:
" Ryan Doud is a confused young man, obviously. In focusing on what is out of his individual control he has allowed his emotions to overcome his intelligence and passion. Emotion is all about proper communication externally and internally. You sound like a religious individual so do you suppose God's plan for your life was worry and concern for what you cannot control or joy and pleasure in commanding your own life? If you do not balance your passion, intelligence, and emotion I doubt you can live the joyous life I beleive God intended for all of us. I dislike all war but I will not accept responsibility for other men's stupidity magnified by bombs. 2950 people died September 11th, 2001 in the Pentagon, four airplanes, and the Twin Towers. "

 Late O'Day wrote on August 28, 2007 5:23 am:
" Paige Namuth write: "Something about being Czech gives a girl a gratitude for freedom." Interesting that her very name -- Svoboda -- means "freedom" in Czech. "

 Rick wrote on August 28, 2007 5:41 am:
" Oscar, it occurs to me, that is the same thing that Osoma says about his religion. It the only true way to save the world. "

 abc123 wrote on August 28, 2007 7:00 am:
" But...but...but...we might have to cut down a tree to get that oil in Alaska!!!! "

 yep wrote on August 28, 2007 7:10 am:
" It is ignorant to think that Iraq posed no threat to the U.S. By your letter, it sounds like you don't really stand for much of anything Mr. Ryan Doud. "

 growup wrote on August 28, 2007 7:16 am:
" People in this country need to grow a pair and realize that everything can't be solved by "talking" or "ignoring". This country is going to be in shambles if citizens aren't willing to mobilize against the most basic threats to it. "

 Tired of Complaining wrote on August 28, 2007 7:29 am:
" Is anyone else tired of hearing so much about the incident involving Alexandra Svoboda. I went to High School with her and she is a great person. I do care about her well being and it's nice to here updates on her condition. That said, no one at least in Nebraska really knows what happen there so I suggest we all wait on a ruling before passing judgment on Alex or the Police officers involved. Did anyone consider may the police officers had good reason to step up to the protestors and Alex's foot just got caught funny. All these people talking about their rights. Remember that almost all of the time those police officers are enforcing the laws that protect your rights to bad mouth them. Just something to consider. Let's all pray for Alex and a quick recover but wait to pass judgment. "

 LLM wrote on August 28, 2007 7:31 am:
" Ryan-I think your letter speaks for a lot of people who anguish over the current state of the world. You can't let the constant bad news consume you, but it is nearly impossible not to be burdened with sadness for those who are living the hell first-hand. You have a heart - ignore those who don't! "

 Sympathy wrote on August 28, 2007 7:55 am:
" My sincere sympathies go out to the family of Oscar Blomstedt. Christianity is one thing, but you my friend, are not preaching it. "

 MCS wrote on August 28, 2007 8:09 am:
" Dennis is dead wrong about the amount of oil we could get from ANWR. It is not even close to that. Very frustrating, it is easy to argue for something when you use your own "facts." "

 We Need wrote on August 28, 2007 8:31 am:
" What we need to do it pull all the alternative fuel ideas that big oil has suppressed out the closet and implement those and tell big oil to shove off. Is there an unlimited supply of oil I don't know of or is does this seem like a responsible thing to do for our future and that of our children? But as long as a handful of people can be really rich until they die, its all good. "

 Born right the first time. wrote on August 28, 2007 8:34 am:
" I'd like to make the argument that christianity has done more harm to this world than good. SO many atrocities have been done in the name of god and continue to be so today. The argument that MY religion is th eonly thing that can save the world is the same view that's feeding terrorism in the world today. Christianity has done it before - there's no reason it couldn't revert to it again. "

 peb wrote on August 28, 2007 8:36 am:
" I think "biblical Christianity" is something much different than "religious right." "

 Jack wrote on August 28, 2007 8:42 am:
" Gee Oscar, I think I've seen the light! Can we expect you to be on the next plane to the middle east so you can convince all those Muslims how wrong they are for not being Christian? I'm sure just talking with them will turn them around in their twisted thinking, and our men and women can get back to the US to cherish their Christian life and well-being. Save the World!! "

 John wrote on August 28, 2007 8:45 am:
" I worry about thinking in this State as presented by Oscar. Where does this person get his information? If conservatives want to uphold the constitution why have they worked so hard to kill it? Just look at the Attorney General pushing Ashcroft, while he was in the hospital no less, trying to get him to OK unconstitutional wire taps (thats only one example). Christ would look at this "us against them" kind of thinking and weep. No, its oscars type of thinking that is the root of the worlds problems altogether. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 28, 2007 8:53 am:
" It's really odd that Oscar Blomstedt starts with kind remarks about Karl Rove, and ends with the conclusion that "biblical Christianity is the only hope for this perverse and strife-torn world." Karl Rove is an atheist. "

 Josh wrote on August 28, 2007 8:55 am:
" Oscar's letter is a fine example of what is wrong in the political debate today. "

 dtw wrote on August 28, 2007 9:02 am:
" So are you saying, Oscar, that conservatives are not trying to overturn Roe v. Wade (That is part of our constitution you know!) "

 dtw wrote on August 28, 2007 9:08 am:
" OK, there are way too many dumb rednecks posting comments today. If you honestly think Jesus would stand by this war, than I feel sorry for your kids. Because they are stuck with ignorant parents for 18 years. Now that is a tragedy! "

 Ryan wrote on August 28, 2007 9:09 am:
" I'd recommend reading up a little on ANWR again. The reason we haven't done anything there is because it isn't worth it. The cost to build there would barely be recouped by the earnings from the oil and there would barely be enough oil there to last a few years, not ten (Once we hit a certain point, it becomes so expensive to get the oil you literally have to just leave some there). Maybe for the anti-hippie crowd we should ignore the environmental ramifications, but they would be disastrous. Would it be great if we could fund our own oil? Of course. Is ANWR the answer? Nope. "

 Reginald wrote on August 28, 2007 9:25 am:
" And what, exactly, was the threat from Iraq? It sure didn't have anything to do with 9/11. Those people were from our 'friend,' Saudi Arabia. Explain please. "

 Oscar's letter wrote on August 28, 2007 9:45 am:
" Oscar's letter is a prime example of the raging confusion that goes on today between politics and religion. I support your faith in Christianity and agree with you on its importance- but you want to say that conservative equals Christianity and liberal equals Godless. You are simply wrong Oscar. You must have been reading Ann Coulter or listening to Hannity. There are a lot of strong Christians of all denominations on both sides of the aisle. There are a lot of athiest conservatives (AKA Karl Rove, as someone earlier pointed out) - who simply like less government so they can pursue their capitalistic ventures without helping and feeding the poor, etc. I hope you can keep an open mind about this Oscar, and look at how you are mixing politics with religion. "

 beerorkid wrote on August 28, 2007 9:53 am:
" Oscar, your letter was like a punch in the gut. Knowing that there are a bunch of folk like you who would rather regurgitate catch phrases fed to them than seek the truth makes me have a bit less hope for our great country. "

 Chris wrote on August 28, 2007 9:58 am:
" Roe vs. Wade is not part of the Constitution. It is legal precedent. The Consitutions outlines the limitations of the power of government and thus the rights of citizens. Roe vs. Wade is a legal precedent, which clarifies a citizen's right to privacy already in the Constitution. There is no Consitutional right to an abortion. There is also on Constitutional provision banning abortion either. As for Karl Rove, while certainly not a positive influence in American politics, is mostly despised because he is the architect of a number of electoral defeats for the Democrats. The drama about him is pretty much just political blather, nothing more. "

 Marky Mark wrote on August 28, 2007 10:05 am:
" If you yourself had ever picked up a bible, you would know that Jesus Christ was one of the biggest Liberals of his time. "

 Truth is.. wrote on August 28, 2007 10:08 am:
" ANWAR is capable of producing 2-3% of our energy needs per day...big deal And if we leave it there it is still like a savings account.. By the way, extracting oil from shale is not cost effective yielding around $10 per gallon of gasoline. "

 BenFranklin wrote on August 28, 2007 10:11 am:
" Wanting to keep religion out of our government is not Anti-God. It's pro-American and abides by the Constitution of the Untited States. "

 In Swahili wrote on August 28, 2007 10:27 am:
" Her name means "disobey police!" "

 Big D wrote on August 28, 2007 11:21 am:
" dtw, It's obvious that people who don't agree with you are just ignorant dumb rednecks. I must be one of them. I submit that the real tragedy is you. I'll bet you would use the constitution as a shield when it serves your purposes, then cast it aside in order to stifle those who don't agree with you. Roe V Wade is not part of the constitution, rather the constitution is part of Roe V Wade. It was the Supreme Court that ruled, based on the constitution, that a woman has a constitutional right to control her body. As for Jesus, your still hanging on to the notion that religion is about faith and God. This is what the church teaches to it patrons. To the church itself, religion is about money and power. More wars have been fought under the guise of religion than any other. If you can't see the difference, well..... "

 Joe wrote on August 28, 2007 11:28 am:
" Hey Dennis, you have a lot of different alternatives, probably one of the best ones is the shale oil, unfortunately they say it's hard to get the oil out of the shale without messing up the environment. But you would think they would be investing SOME of the billions upon billions of record profits they have been bringing in so they would have a future oil supply or some other energy supply to be able to gouge us more with in the future! "

 Ripper wrote on August 28, 2007 11:33 am:
" Again, what are your sources when you say the ANWR is not worth going after? I have heard this quote many times but each time I try to get the sources so I can educate myself I come away with poorly done science reports. I also don't necessarily find anything that supports going there beyond the geophysical and seismic reports already done on the region. So help me out with sources so I can get educated. "

 Downhome wrote on August 28, 2007 11:39 am:
" First, as I have stated numerous times, protesting is a human right. As most human rights issues of protest there are consequences that one ways and risks one assumes. I doubt Alex is any more heritage bound than those of us that came from Ireland, England, France, Germany, Israel etc.. Before however we canonize her (red hair and all) we might find interesting reading in the local newspapers in Rhode Island that talk about the great homes and great families that the police officers come from as well. The old ying and yang thing, she was protesting and may or may not have gotten out of hand. They were managing the protest and may or may not have gotten out of hand. I personally met everyone of the National Guardsmen that fired weapons at Kent State. I met the Guardsman and the police officer that beat me with their gun butts and night sticks. All decent guys from what I could tell. My guess, is we will find the same thing in Rhode Island. It is way to easy to canonize Alexa and demonize a thing (Police Force). I don't think her injuries however severe rank however as a national atrocity to the freedoms and expressions of the same. "

 Eric The Red wrote on August 28, 2007 11:58 am:
" Dennis... don't you know every environutbag in America will have an aneurysm if we even think about doing more of our own drilling? Fifteen of them who read your letter are forming a protest to the Capital as we speak! Remember, to an environutbag, oil is evil. Oil is the Devil. Oil is what will kill us all. We can't drill for more oil. We need to pay Hugo Chavez for it. After all, Hugo knows better how to use our money than an evil, greedy oil company. "

 Jeff wrote on August 28, 2007 12:22 pm:
" Oscar - I also support Christianity, and its influence on our legal system. However, you are confusing politics and religion. As a previous writer pointed out, Karl Rove is an atheist. There are many non-believers that are conservative and many liberal Christians. (e.g.liberal - the word that now gets used to describe some type of godless being). We would all be better off if we could separate the two. Our founding fathers knew the wisdom in that. "

 Zoomie wrote on August 28, 2007 12:29 pm:
" www.usgs.gov In 1998 the US Geologic Survey issued a report on 3yrs research into oil reserves in ANWR. Their conclusion (which included all oil company data, as well) was ANWR had a MAX of 10 billion barrels of oil, but that at best, only 7.7 billion were technically recoverable. Additionally, they noted this was a high end estimate; ANWR might have as little as 3 billion barrels. Additionally, completion of a pipeline from ANWR would take about 10yrs. So, if we start today, in a decade me MIGHT have 3-7 billion barrels of oil, which today equals about 1-2 years worth of current oil imports (we produce 6.5 mil barrels daily, but use 17mil barrels daily, importing 10.5mil barrels daily, or just under 4billion barrels per year). Best case scenario - ANWR would replace only a small percentage of imported oil for 10-20 yrs, or replace all of it for only 1-4yrs. Then...gone...meanwhile, we can save that amount over the next decade just by mandating improvements to CAFE standards in vehicles... "

 Polarizing? wrote on August 28, 2007 12:48 pm:
" In a letter about the polarization of America and name-calling, does it strike anyone else a bit hypocritical to point fingers at "Liberals" and them being immoral and anti-god? As for claiming that only Liberals are guilty of immoral acts and being an apologist for Conservatives, Jesus might also say "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Am I the only one who seems to find a Conservative Republican caught in another moral escapade every day now? Glass houses, Oscar. Glass houses. "

 SB wrote on August 28, 2007 1:24 pm:
" The top oil importers in order to the US are Canada, Saudi Arabia (a US ally since WWII), Mexico, Venezuela, Nigeria, Iraq, Algeria…which countries are hostile towards the US (Chavez is diplomatic, not a terrorist)? The ANWR was “established to preserve unique wildlife, wilderness, and recreational values…” According to controversial reports the ANWR could produce 5% of domestic oil supplies for 12 years (low estimate) or 32 years (high estimate). The one fact is that the overwhelming majority of Americans and Canadians have rejected drilling in the ANWR since Jimmy Carter’s Presidency – there must be a reason. "

 Mark wrote on August 28, 2007 1:24 pm:
" It might be funny to some writing some of the things said today about religion and faith, but just remember..someday all of us will stand before the man and explain our actions on earth. I feel so sorry for some of you, if what you write is truly the way you feel. Eternity is forever. Our time on earth is very short. Also, it would be so nice NOT to have another article about poor little Alex. OLD NEWS. The only people who care are her family, and a few members of Nebraskan's for Surrender. "

 Evil Empire wrote on August 28, 2007 2:33 pm:
" Do we live in such a police state that in the spirit of "Big Brother", our full grown male policmen at a demonstration should ever have to Tackle a young woman? Sue his badge off Alexandra. This is the kind of action that gave some of the policemen their nickname. "

 Hey Oscar wrote on August 28, 2007 3:37 pm:
" It's the very conservative moral republicans who are corrupting themselves right now. How many have been caught trying to perform sex acts on undercover agents or others. I guess I would rather have someone who is open about their preferance than those who sneak in the dark looking for perverted sex. "

 Humm wrote on August 28, 2007 4:18 pm:
" The problem with the whole world is, like Alex's parents said: "they raised her right and to QUESTION AUTHORITY." In my day we were taught to respect and obey authority. Every direction you look, its disrespect. Look at these comments. The churches are not the churches I grew up in. The Bible says: trust and obey. The world is saying no way, I'll do it my way. The Bible tells us to have faith. The world is rude and says if I can't prove it, it ain't so! Well, one day we'll all know the truth! "

 No way wrote on August 28, 2007 5:58 pm:
" Oscar, in reality, if the founding fathers were to write the Declaration of Independence or the US Constitution today, they would be labeled as liberal because they are going against the status quo. There is no way a conservative would be associated with such a huge change as creating a new country and government. The conservatives would be opposed to the ideas and principals the founding fathers. Also, if the founding fathers were conservative, they would have made christianity a part of the government instead of separating it from the government like it currently is. "

 anon wrote on August 28, 2007 7:49 pm:
" I have always assumed that most people that comment on LJS are about 80% wind and 20% substance. That's fine; it O'Reilly entertainment. I am therefore unconvinced that Oscar E. Blomstedt is not being completely sarcastic with his remarks. Unfortunately, I think he is not. "

 Dan wrote on August 28, 2007 8:21 pm:
" It amazes me that we are arguing about going after oil in Alaska or wherever else it might be. Can't some of you see that oil is the root of most of the problems in the US and in the world. Unfortunately we have put ourselves in this position, we are absolutely dependent on countries where most of the people want to see the US perish and that scares the bejeezus out of me. We had better start thinking real fast about how to get out of this mess. Maybe we should start looking a little hard at conservation and looking into real alternative fuels.I cannot believe that with todays technologies that every house doesn't have some kind of wind turbine on top of it and or solar panels. It would do nothing but put more money in everyones pocket and with that we would spend more and the economy would benefit. Oh well, we will probably just delay the enivitable and keep putting all our hopes in Texas tea. "

 Nina wrote on August 28, 2007 8:26 pm:
" Hey, Dennis, you have some good ideas there. I also remembered reading about recycling cooking oil to run vehicles, and how some are actually doing that now. (Sigh!) I'd like to do that, but I don't see how could I generate enough Mazola to keep my van going, without eating unhealthy fried foods, as another article in today's LJS bemoans. Stymied again. We'll keep trying, what say? "

 Editor wrote on August 28, 2007 11:57 pm:
" This board is extemely edited. "

 CS wrote on August 29, 2007 8:25 am:
" Actually, Nina, most fast food places will give up their old oil, so you don't actually have to eat there, just cultivate a relationship with the owner/manager. "

 Jodi Nelson wrote on August 29, 2007 3:19 pm:
" Ryan, you have the guts to say what's on your mind and heart about the War in Iraq. (Or should I say a conflict, or are we just there to guide and monitor?? What is Bush calling it these days?) If we all have the attitude that the War is beyond our responsibility and that our emotions are getting too involved, then the Bush's of the world UNITE! Because we can all go about our days with our blinders on. No, we do need to speak out like Ryan Doud has. He has put his thoughts and beliefs on the line, along with his name for all to see. More than I can say for many of the people that post degrading messages to him on this blog. Keep your voice heard, Ryan! "

 Stephanie wrote on August 30, 2007 7:56 am:
" People in the United States, the people that didn't want the war right at start are the same people that will fight you on going into Alaska and ruining the wildlife up there. You will always have people saying it is wrong and sometimes they just have to make a choice, now was it a bad one? Sure, but do you know anyone running for president personally that you can share this with? Because I'd love a change, wouldn't most of us? "

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