Published: June 25, 2009 06:06 pm      

Letters to the editors - Friday, June 26, 2009

Warming debate causes warming

Wind and solar energy aren’t cost-efficient. We witnessed huge wind farms out West. Some of the turbines weren’t operating because they didn’t produce enough energy to pay for repairs!

Installation of private windmills is $11,000, but could be $16,000. The promotion we heard promised only 20 percent off your energy bill a year. The most optimistic estimate: It’d take 15.3 years to break even. Variables: How many kilowatts can the windmill produce in proportion to your energy usage at any given time, and do they coincide? Solar panels are also pricey to install, taking years to break even. How much of a problem are fossil fuels?

The global warming debate is what caused climate change. If someone is honest, there isn’t enough understanding yet to accurately state the exact causes. There are variables. Changes in solar input of the sun, humidity, ocean currents, wind changes affecting weather. Land usage varies on earth’s surface. Cities warmer than country.

Greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide – is blamed for global warming because the warmer the air, the more carbon dioxide. But is carbon dioxide causing the higher temperature, or are higher temperatures causing the carbon dioxide?

A desert with low humidity is cool at night. Indiana’s humid summer nights remain warm. Moisture holds heat. Cloud cover in winter causes nights to be warmer.

Water creates humidity and clouds. Water gets into the atmosphere by evaporation. As water evaporates, it releases carbon dioxide. Water covers more of the earth than land does. With this in mind, can it be theorized greenhouse gases are produced from our vast oceans?

Sun cycles, called sunspots, occur every 11 years causing more solar activity, more heat. Is there enough conclusive evidence to support our drastic measures to remove from us fuels and energy sources that sustain practical living? During the 1930s, temperatures were much hotter, creating the Dust Bowl, yet it cooled off without man’s intervention. Climate continually varies.

The biggest proponents of global warming, calling for drastic energy cuts and alternate power, aren’t scientists but politicians! Do they have the understanding to accurately make decisions to affect our lives so drastically?

Solar and wind power aren’t cost-efficient, especially the low output of energy they provide for the entire population of our country.

Leelia Cornell

Greentown

Americans need right to bear arms

Watching the Iranian people try to rid themselves of their tyrants, when the military, which has all the weapons is under the control of those same tyrants, is a prime example of why Americans need to hold on to their right to bear arms.

Weapons need to be regulated and kept out of the hands of the immature and crazies, but most Americans are determined to have weapons in case of an emergency.

Evelyn B. Harrington

Kokomo

‘Clean coal’ is an oxymoron

If anybody out there can correct me, I would welcome it. In a recent news clip, former President Clinton speaks of “clean coal.” Is it not true that “clean coal” is an oxymoron, not unlike “jumbo shrimp?”

If I am wrong, prove it.

Kenneth Crockett

Kokomo