Oil could be our new space program

As the price per barrel of oil has increased, politicians have been drawn to radio microphones and TV cameras like moths to a flame.

There, they can be seen and heard yammering about how the problem is everyone else's fault (Bush; Cheney; "Big Oil;" greedy, price-gouging executives; SUV-loving citizens; etc.) but not theirs.

Some facts:

Like it or not, we presently are a nation in which our economy, our way of life, and our national defense are dependent upon adequate supplies of oil.

We are in this position because for, at least the past 45 years, we have been betrayed by our elected leaders of both parties.

We are not going to turn the current situation around overnight. We must assure a continuing supply of oil until alternative forms of energy can be developed.

Many nations that can supply oil to the U.S. are not our friends.

Some oil-producing nations advocate the destruction of our culture and the murder of our citizens; others simply want to ruin our economy and diminish our stature in the world.

Thus, producing oil and creating other forms of energy is not needed just to save our lifestyle. It is, instead, a national security imperative for our nation.

The nation has oil and gas assets that should be exploited to the fullest practical extent.

Common sense calls for drilling now and drilling often. At the same time, new refineries must be built to process expanded well outputs.

Nuclear energy is used safely and successfully in Europe. It's time to ramp up new plants in the U.S.

Research and development aimed at creating/harnessing new sources of energy could be identified as a major national initiative. Let this be our new "space program."

I love the outdoors, nature, rivers, lakes, animals and birds, as much as most; but I value our national and personal safety and our basic levels of comfort and convenience more.

It would be great if our media-drawn politicians had similar beliefs.

Charles F. Falk

Schaumburg