Unflagging Enthusiasm for Fuel Efficiency

Re “Patriotism Isn’t Measured in Flags Per Gallon,” Commentary, Nov. 16: Arianna Huffington makes an important point about gas-guzzling SUVs increasing our need for oil coming from oil-rich and terrorist-friendly nations. Her other suggestions are all tried-and-true methods of reducing consumption as well, except for slowing down to 65 mph on the freeway in order to reduce usage by 15%.

I don’t know which freeway she has been driving on, but for both my morning and evening commute for work, I am stuck in stop-and-go traffic, wasting my gasoline. Instead of more tax cuts for the wealthy, why don’t we take that money and invest it in building some new roads? It would make for a great public works project to stimulate the economy, and then we would have the benefit of increased mobility, reducing wasted gas and air pollution as well.

James Johnson

West Hollywood

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Great to hear that Huffington is contributing to the patriotic war effort by trading in her 13-mpg American-made Navigator and purchasing a foreign-made 23-mpg Volvo. That will sure help the U.S. economy! Can you spell “hypocrite”?

Richard A. Bowen

Foothill Ranch

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ugs and kisses to Huffington! Kudos also to Nicole Hollander (“Sylvia,” comics, Nov. 15) on the same subject. I, too, remember WWII, when citizens responded willingly to the war effort. I turned in the tires from my wagon and scooter to the rubber drive and felt good that I was helping (I confess I held onto my rubber Popeye doll). I hope we Americans haven’t lost the spirit. Surely we can cut down on our gas consumption, walk a little more, ride a bike and get some of that exercise we keeping putting off, make one trip instead of three. Every little bit helps.

We can free ourselves from Middle Eastern entanglements; all it takes is courage and creativity. I would like to take Huffington’s suggestions a couple steps further. Write the auto manufacturers and tell them the next vehicle you buy must get at least 30 mpg on highways. The technology is available. Cut your fuel bill in half. Write the oil companies and encourage them to devote some of their exploration money to research, development and distribution of alternative fuels. Commute a lot? Think electric!

As long as there’s a Texan in the White House we will have to do this on our own.

Donald O. Murie

Palm Springs