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PAGE 4A Laredo Morning Times Friday, February 14, 2003
OPINION
By Rowland Nethaway Other views By Jack Anderson
SUVs are not United Nations
to blame for is saying no
high gas prices war for now
T he rapid run-up in the price
of gasoline should make
environmentalists happy.
M ore Americans support
going to war with Iraq now
that Secretary of State
The famous environmentalist Al Colin Powell has put his prestige
Gore, the man who would be on the line. As the only dove in an
president, tied fuel efficiency to administration of hawks, Powell’s
the price of gasoline. turnabout convinced many skep-
tics here at home that the case
Gore’s believes that people will
a g a i n s t
cut back on their driving, demand S a d d a m
fuel-efficient cars and be forced to Hussein justi-
rely more on public transportation fies a military
if the price of gasoline puts a seri- response.
ous hurt on paychecks. But Powell
The lockstep environmentalists failed to per-
who have turned SUV hatred into suade the
a religion should be in a state of European
rapture now that gasoline prices allies, who
JACK ANDERSON
are through the roof. have stepped
SUV haters should offer a green up their resistance to a U.S.-led
prayer to President Bush for their invasion of Iraq. They’re not mes-
good fortune. merized by Powell’s commanding
Where Gore would have been Your opinion presence and his ease of presen-
more inclined to simply ratchet up tation, and have focused instead
on the holes in his arguments.
taxes on gasoline and imported 2002 United Way jefe Production, Honorio Flores, y la Ley munication classes. In 2002,
But it was Powell who last fall
oil, Bush accomplished the same del Norte, Cindy Carmona, Jerry G Zaffirini charged TAMIU $20,000
thing by threatening to start a war. lauds campaign effort and The Bad Boyz, Grupo 3 for two sessions where people pressed Bush to seek authority
Generaciones and Rayo 44. were mandated to attend. This is a from the United Nations for military
SUV drivers can count them-
To the editor: Francisco Ochoa and Manuel waste of taxpayer’s dollars. The action, and now the administration
selves among the casualties if a is stuck with its decision. Once you
war in Iraq drives gasoline prices The United Way of Laredo Villarreal provided the food from university should not be pressured
Campaign began with the kickoff to spend this amount of money. appeal to the world body to legit-
even higher. Taco Palenque and Alejandro imize a pre-emptive attack, you
If Gore is right, a war that drives breakfast on Sept. 6, 2002. The Alvarez from Cindy’s Catering. The $20,000 could have paid for
goal recommended by the many students’ financial aid needs. can’t then go out and act like a
up the price of gasoline will bene- Also, RC Cola and Herm Lira, cowboy. When Bush says, “The
fit America as the driving public Admission and Allocations Pasteleria Rodriguez Hermanos Judy Zaffirini’s time is coming up.
Committee and approved by the game is over,” he upsets the frag-
sticks closer to home and relies and Graciela Rodriguez, Bordens I have never seen so many people ile diplomacy needed to build a
more on public transportation and board was $1,510,000. Dairy Products and Jorge de los be so vocal about her questionable consensus among leaders whose
Birkenstocks. Twenty-three community agen- Santos; Laredo Public Library actions. The year 2004 will be the populations oppose war by mar-
The Gore theory, which makes cies were selected for assistance. Non-Profit Center and Christina year that we get a new state sena- gins of 70 and 80 percent. The
good supply-and-demand sense, After much work by a group of R. Fracchia, Heaven Scent tor. We need someone that French responded that it’s not a
would force Americans to trade in dedicated volunteers, the goal of Flower and Gift Shop and Sara believes in cooperation and not the game, and it’s not over.
their Land Rovers, Cadillac $1,510,000 has been met and Aguilar and Leo Aguilar, Garza fear factor. We need a strong can- The U.N. Security Council sits
Escalades and Lincoln surpassed. I especially want to Flower and Gift Shop and Ms. didate that will run against Judy like a court of law in judgment of
Navigators for Honda Civics, thank the vice presidents for Garza, Sams Club and Jesus Zaffirini. Laredo and the district will the evidence for war, and its mem-
Suzuki Swifts and Toyota Echos. Campaign, the Board of Directors, Diaz and Pat Proa, Target and support this candidate. bers are not satisfied that Powell
the Executive Committee, the Joe Elizondo, Ready Ice and Signed, has prosecuted the case beyond a
Sky-high gasoline prices would
speaker’s bureau, and a very Celso Uribe, Yardart and Manuel (e-mail) Juan Elizondo reasonable doubt. Like it or not,
eliminate the need for fuel-effi-
dedicated staff led by Peggy Montalvo, Bodega La Reina, Dr. the burden of proof is on the
ciency standards. Manufacturers
Garcia. Jorge Vela, Cancer Patient United States to show that the Iraqi
would compete for business in a
A special thank you to our Chess Club grateful leader poses an immediate threat
marketplace that demands fuel Services and Nora Mendiola and
efficiency.
Campaign Director Norma Diana Salazar, Earthgrain Bakery for LCC’s support to the world, and that he can only
Lozano, for her efforts. A big be disarmed through military inter-
The joy of punishing SUV own- and Lorena Flores, TY Toys and
thank you to the Combined To the editor: vention. With hundreds of
ers has to be balanced with the Beto Garza, Big Lots and Joe weapons inspectors combing the
Federal Campaign and the State Arambula, Elena Holloway, Nova The Laredo Chess Club thanks
fact that gasoline is only one of country and U.S. and British war-
Employees Campaign. Thanks to Printing and Signs and Norberto Dr. Ramon Dovalina, Laredo
many petroleum products that planes patrolling two-thirds of
all the news media; a very special Vasquez, Print Express and Juan Community College president;
come from crude oil. Iraq’s air space, the urgency for
thank you to the Laredo Morning Garza, Champion Fine Meats and Ana Maria Mendiola, LCC Math
Exorbitant gasoline prices will war has been removed. At a mini-
Times for all that they do for the Mr. Campeon, River City Donuts, Department chairperson; Carmen
hurt Americans who already drive mum, the invasive surveillance
United Way of Laredo. and Ms. Araceli Rodriguez, Ultra Seibert Martinez, LCC Adult
fuel-efficient vehicles and can’t stops Saddam from using whatev-
Finally, a great bit thank you to Signs and Alejandro Gonzalez Education director; Francisco er he may be hiding.
afford a big jump in fuel costs.
everyone in the community who and Sylvia Herrera, El Pescador Acosta Jr., LCC Instructional Powell made the case that
Extreme heating oil prices may
pledged to the campaign. and Jesus Benavides and Grace director coordinator; and Becky Saddam is hiding chemical and
build a global-warming fan base
It is with great pride and satis- Benavides, Dr. Judson Sepulveda, LCC marketing direc- biological material, but he was
where people rely on this prod-
faction that I turn over the presi- Somerville, Mr. Aldo Tatangelo; tor, for hosting an open unrated less successful in making the link
uct to keep from freezing in the
dency of the United Way to Dalia Retama West and America chess tournament held Saturday, between the Iraqi leader and Al
winter.
Martinez with International Bank Rodriguez and staff. Feb. 1, at De La Garza Building. Qaeda. That’s why the adminis-
Steep increases in oil will drive of Commerce. I know that our Our sincere thanks to one and The tournament was a great tration seized on a new audiotape
up the prices of nearly every many volunteers and our commu- all for helping us make this a success. Seventy-one players of allegedly made by Osama bin
product Americans now depend nity will once again respond to all ages and abilities participated Laden urging the Iraqi people to
upon ranging from medicines, to great party that everyone enjoyed.
this call to contribute to United Signed, in the event. Trophies and medals defy the Americans as proof of the
food, to housing. Way so that we can help many of were given to the winners. relationship. But the voice on the
Like it or not, oil is a national Diana Lee Crawford and
our citizens through agencies Maria G. Franco The purpose of this event was to tape does not align himself with
security commodity. Without a which are funded. promote math awareness and crit- Saddam and instead condemns
dependable and sufficient source Signed, ical thinking, and to bring together the Iraqi leadership as “infidels.”
of oil, the American economy Jose Garcia Eyes state senate chess players in the community. The Europeans found flaws in
would collapse. That’s a matter of just about every piece of evidence
national security.
President 2002 contest for 2004 Signed,
Powell presented. A British govern-
Alberto G. Vargas
The American economy is not Laredo Chess Club vice president ment report that Powell praised as
alone in this dependency. The BEST appreciates To the editor: “a fine document” turned out to be
economies of most developed After every redistricting session, a dozen years old and plagiarized
support for event all of the 31 Texas state senators from a graduate student’s thesis,
nations depend on oil. ‘Hard to speak up
draw straws to see if they pick a even including typos and gram-
Although the United States has To the editor: two or a four-year term. when you’re smiling’ matical errors. The terrorist camp
reduced its dependence on A party was organized during the On the first day of the legislative in northern Iraq that Powell cited
Middle East oil, it has increased Christmas season by a group session, Judy Zaffirini drew a two-
its overall dependence on import- To the editor: as an outpost of Al Qaeda trig-
BEST individuals (Bringing year term, which means that she gered questions about why the
ed oil. Right on, Gerardo Garcia. Let’s
Everyone Special Together) to will have to run in 2004. administration hadn’t bombed the
Not to disparage another per- honor all those persons with dis- gather all the poor people, who
The time has come to replace are paying these outrageous site if it was so dangerous. The
son’s religion, but attacking SUVs abilities young and old and the Judy Zaffirini. She has gotten too area is not even under the control
is like criticizing humidity while least fortunate of our community. taxes, and march on to the board
big for her britches. She recently of trustees. Then, the three of us of Saddam. The discovery of a
being swept away in a flood. The Christmas party was held at lobbied in an unprofessional and fighter jet reconfigured so it can
The United States needs to Copa Cabaña on Dec. 19 at 5100 can demand that they stop mis-
questionable way the LCC board carry biological and chemical
become energy independent. Santa Maria Ave. Several busi- managing our money.
to name a building after her. The weapons sounds alarming until
This means energy conservation, nesses, organizations, and indi- Let’s also demand that our chil-
LCC board members named a you stop to consider that dispers-
and not just in cars. viduals were asked for donations building after her simply because dren receive a better education. ing these deadly weapons requires
SUVs can never match the ener- to help out with the event. she scared them. WAIT A MINUTE. If our children a slow-flying plane, like a crop
gy wastefulness of American About 300 participants attended Last year, she actively cam- become better educated, then, an duster, not a fast-flying jet however
homes and buildings. From the and were treated to dinner. They paigned against Aldolfo Campero evil corporation might hire them. cleverly redesigned.
trash we throw out to the lights we received toys, clothes and food for state representative and Henry Plus, if they work hard, then, they Yet most Americans look upon
leave burning, Americans waste baskets. Cuellar for Congress, both home- might become wealthy. And these counter-arguments as quib-
enough energy to fuel the The BEST organization is grate- town individuals. She campaigned wealthy people are bad. bling. Powell’s overall presentation
economies of many nations. ful to the following business, com- against Henry Cuellar because They get angry when they have was greater than the sum of its parts
This nation needs to develop munity members and organiza- she does not want anyone to to share 40 percent of their because of who he is and the credi-
alternative energy sources that tions for their donations and con- advance higher than her. Her petty income with people who lack the bility he brings, but the Europeans
can reliably power this nation’s tributions of time or goods for the jealousy hurts our community. same motivation. aren’t buying. The taunting words on
economy. event. We thank them all: Judy Zaffirini has pressured local WHERE ARE THE turncoats? the Osama tape will bolster
We also must find ways to Copa Cabaña Music Hall and entities like TAMIU, the city of Where is the outrage? Why are President Bush’s resolve to go to
Jesus Llanes, for the use of the Laredo and the Webb County we not speaking up? war, which is what bin Laden wants.
exploit this nation’s current ener- Luring the United States into a con-
gy supplies in ways that do not music Hall. Music was provided by Appraisal District to pay her at least It’s difficult for us to speak up
Copa Cabaña Music Hall and Llanes $10,000 per session for her com- when we’re smiling. frontation with the Muslim world will
pollute the environment. guarantee thousands of new
The bad news for anti-SUV envi- recruits for Al Qaeda. Rather than
ronmentalists is that we could win proving the administration’s case,
the war in Iraq, install a free-mar- Doonesbury BY GARRY TRUDEAU this latest communication from the
ket government, open Iraq’s vast terrorist netherworld will ratchet up
oil fields, bust up OPEC and drive the resistance from the allies who
down the price of crude oil and fear striking Iraq will spark more ter-
gasoline to the point that more rorism.
Americans can afford to drive big- Prediction: The United Nations,
ger SUVs. under European pressure, will
This is a great, but a confusing, assert the authority delegated to it
country. by the United States and prevent
===== an attack on Iraq.
(Rowland Nethaway is senior =====
editor of The Waco Tribune- (Jack Anderson and Douglas
Herald. E-mail: Cohn are columnists for United
RNethaway(at)wacotrib.com) Feature Syndicate. Political
Correspondent Eleanor Clift con-
tributed.)
