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BOHEMIAN
Rhapsodies The Wrong Answer Fuel efficiency standards don’t go far enough BY MICHAEL F. MCCAULEY
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recent newsletter from the Sierra Club lauded an Obama administration initiative intended to reduce our car culture’s dependence on oil and improve the air we breathe. In proposing that cars and trucks get 54.5 mpg by 2025, the President called this goal “the single most important step we’ve ever taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” The Sierra Club enthuses that “this standard will save us money at the pump, reduce life-threatening carbon pollution and provide Americans with better and more fuel efficient car choices. . . . The president’s announcement is a strong step toward ending our dependence on oil.” Improve fuel efficiency? Hey, Mr. President and Sierra Club, why aren’t we severing our connection to oil altogether? Are more autoindustry regulations via government policing the way to “reduce life-threatening carbon pollution”? Let’s get positive. Let’s create incentives for zero-emission, energy-efficient electric vehicles. It can happen. Check Oslo, Norway. Oslo has more electric cars per capita than any European capital. And Norway knows about positive incentives. Can you say “free”? Free parking at downtown lots, free toll roads and bridges, free access to special lanes and free public charging stations. Wait, there’s more. Electric cars are exempt from Norway’s valueadded tax. And company cars get a 50 percent discount on the usual taxes. Demand goes up, supply scrambles to keep pace. Imagine! Admittedly there are still “issues.” Electric cars can’t go long distances. And Norway’s cold winters slash battery efficiency. Not to worry. Norway is creating a nationwide network of charging stations. Drivers will recharge their cars in about 20 minutes—just long enough to enjoy a roadside coffee—compared to the seven or eight hours normally needed at home. See, there is a positive, responsible way we as a nation can break our dependence on oil. So when we question our attachment to gasguzzling cars, why do we Americans have the wrong answer? Michael McCauley is a retired museum executive who lives in Santa Rosa and spends his off-hours volunteering at area arts venues. Open Mic is a weekly feature in the ‘Bohemian.’ We welcome your contribution. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write openmic@bohemian.com.
Short and Sweet
Regarding “Battling Mono” (August 3), thanks for writing about an important but often-ignored topic in the “wine country.”
DIANE ASKEW Kenwood
Plenty Embarrassed In response to Greg Denton’s inquiry (Rhapsodies & Rants, Aug. 3) regarding finding a Republican who is embarrassed by his or her party’s “guiding philosophy,” you can count the two of us. However, we are equally disgusted and embarrassed by the Democrats’ shenanigans and fingerpointing, and think all members of both parties in Congress should be hung out to dry so we can start over.
TIM AND SANDRA BUTLER Scotts Valley
Republican ‘Philosophy’ Mr. Denton may want to talk to an actual Republican voter before saying he has never met one who is embarrassed by their party’s “philosophy.” Many Republican and conservative voters across the country are dissatisfied by their party’s actions or nonactions. However, those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Democrats have a president in office that they voted for and held a majority in both the House and Senate for two years, and yet Mr. Obama’s approval rating is nothing to be proud of and Congress has hit an all-time low with, I believe, 82 percent of people polled not approving. Maybe Democratic voters should look to their elected officials rather than
blaming Congress for all the country’s problems. Just a thought from a Republican voter who wouldn’t vote for 99 percent of the Republicans holding office these days.
DUNCAN MALOCH Santa Rosa
It’s Like a Date Gone Really Bad So imagine you are on a date, a very important date for both of you—in fact, the whole world is awaiting the outcome of this event. One diner is holding his fork left-handed, the other in the right. One orders organic and hormone/additive-free from the main course; diner number two orders a hamburger, fries and a Coke. Both argue bitterly over dinner and drinks afterward. Diner number one sips sparkling water with lime; the other, 100year-old scotch, while the restaurant owner and his waitstaff pace the floor awaiting one party or the other to pick up the check, pay and go home. Neither party makes a move. In fact, both wait till the very last minute before the police arrive. Party number one offers to pay half. The other refuses to pay a dime. And just before the handcuffs come out, guess who settles in full while the other leaves a miserly dollar tip? The debt ceiling vote in Congress speaks loud and clear which party cares about this huge “restaurant,” its current “owner” and all of its hardworking staff.
STEPHEN RUDZINSKI Soquel
Let’s Talk About Horses The last 30 years of my life I’ve wondered if I’d recognize something really important, something revolutionary if someone sat it right in front of me. Well, this is it! (“Plow! Plow!,” Aug. 3.)