Carter’s Energy Policy

In his Dec. 20 letter, John Tintle blames the Carter administration for the long lines, high prices and long waits for gas during his presidency. Has Tintle forgotten why this happened? It was the Arab oil embargo, punishing the U.S. for supporting Israel in one of the Middle East wars in the early 1970s.

Jimmy Carter has been the only president I can remember who actually tried to do something about the energy problem other than calling for more shortsighted and damaging drilling, dams and nuclear power. Cheap oil and the Reagan/Bush years ended this vision. Hopefully Bush/Cheney will be wiser than Reagan/Bush and provide the leadership needed to advance solar energy, geothermal energy, wind power and other sustainable low-polluting energy sources. One needs only to look at the amazing technological advances our country has made in every field to realize that if we have the will, we can solve this problem the smart way.

PATRICIA EVERETT

Chatsworth