Ban on Barbecue Lighter Fluid

A deeply breathed, clean-air sigh of relief and thanks to the visionary and wise James Lents, executive director of the AQMD, for outlawing the profoundly polluting charcoal lighter fluid--in two years. No more back-yard barbecues. No more “put another shrimp on the barbie,” for the Grinch has stolen back-yard parties.

But it is not enough. Flatulence is a major source of foul pollution. Outlaw burritos. And exercise. Burning additional calories produces carbon dioxide, furthering the greenhouse effect and global warming--heat pollution. No exercise. No cigarettes. No fried food (too smoky). Why, with a little thought and a lot of regulation, unelected Czar Lents could shut down civilization. But why wait two years to do it? Do it now. Then we can sit in our clean-air caves and enjoy.

JOHN JAEGER, Irvine