Letters to the Editor
Readers write about Iraq's oil, homeowners' innocence, the depletion of the world's oil supply, California's water crisis, Gen. David Petraeus's current role, and the use of DDT in moderation.
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Regarding the Sept. 12 article, "Water crisis squeezes California's economy": As a 70-year resident of the bottom end of California's water-supply pipeline, I read with great interest the article about our approaching water crisis. In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, blame was placed on both man-made causes and natural disaster.
The litany of blame in California's water shortage doesn't resemble that at all. For all of his tough-sounding talk about "hiding from the problem," the head of the Association of California Water Agencies didn't mention one man-made aspect of the problem here: our immigration-driven population explosion. Before the inevitable confluence of natural and man-made disasters truncates southern California's water supply, I hope to have moved out of state, where I can read the postdisaster blame machine with detached sympathy.
Barbara Vickroy
Escondido, Calif.
President hiding behind the general
Regarding the Sept. 13 article, "Is a bipartisan war policy possible?": I appreciate the questions that Congressional representatives are raising about having a military general define policy for the country. However, it seems they miss the point. Gen. David Petraeus is not making policy. He is merely the "fig leaf" that the Bush administration is using to validate a failed strategy. By hiding behind the general, President Bush is merely using patriotism as his last refuge.
Thomas Battin
Bangor, Maine
DDT should be used in moderation
In response to the Sept. 13 commentary, "Bring back DDT? Think again.": The article leaves a significant issue unaddressed. Few dispute the deleterious effect of broadcast spraying DDT over broad areas.
However, by the time DDT was banned, it had proven highly effective in controlling mosquitoes. As a result, malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, was nearly wiped out in some tropical areas. Since DDT was banned, the strength of birds' eggshells has been restored, but many human beings have succumbed to malaria.
It is now clear that DDT remains a powerful tool, even when not broadcast sprayed. The judicious use of this insecticide causes minimal environmental damage while permitting millions of human beings to enjoy longer lives.
George Warren
Warrenton, Ore.
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