Letters to the Editor

I found it stunning that Barack Obama has decided to back the tapping of the Strategic Oil Reserve for 70 million barrels while the Iranians are threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz (Inquirer, Aug. 5). In a time when it is quite easy to envision a potential scenario where 40 percent of the world's oil can be shut off, why would anyone suggest that we reduce that oil reserve?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Obama have said drilling offshore would reduce the price of gasoline by only 2 cents a gallon in 10 years - both assumptions are scare tactics. But if that were the case, why would releasing the equivalent of about four days' worth of U.S. oil consumption do anything to reduce prices?

Most people agree that the "all of the above" strategy is the only one that has the potential for the United States to become energy independent, and that includes massive investment in wind, solar, nuclear and oil exploration - now.

Sanford Lazar

North Wales

I am distressed by the prominence given to the religion of potential vice presidential candidates in "VP choice sideshow" (Inquirer, Aug. 4). For almost every person mentioned, religion is one of two or three key facts mentioned. Last I heard, the Constitution prohibits a religious test for public office, including the vice presidency.

I do not fault The Inquirer - after all, religion is something the candidates and their consultants focus on. However, voters should remember that the prominence of a candidate's religious credentials has no relationship to the quality of performance in office - as clearly demonstrated by the current president.

It's time to put an end to the unofficial religious test for public office.

Lori Lipman Brown

Director

Secular Coalition for America

Washington

When our first child was born in 1985, we were a one-car family ("A revolution on two wheels," Aug. 2). Instead of walking a couple miles to work every morning or rousing the baby so that my wife could drive me to the office, I purchased a bicycle when our son turned five weeks old. Except when the roads turn icy or heavy rains fall, I still pedal to work every day.

With the money I save by not owning a second car I take - what else? - an annual biking vacation. For the last 23 years I've toured different sections of the United States on bicycle, along with six European countries. In May I cycled 42 miles in New York City's annual Five Borough Tour with that same son, who now rides his bike to work.

Cycling is more than just a fun, practical and inexpensive means of transportation conducive to healthy living. It can also become one of life's great adventures and a passionate legacy to hand down to our kids.

Joe McElwee

Drexel Hill

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Moustafa Bayoumi says the Arab American community is losing patience with Barack Obama ("Obama runs from Muslims," Aug. 4) and is waiting for him to challenge today's pernicious bigotry against Muslims.

So when would be a good time for him to be photographed with women in hajibs or kneeling on a prayer rug in a Muslim mosque? How about the week before the election? Imagine how fast those pictures would spread on the right-wing blogosphere, thus "proving" that Obama is a closet Muslim out to destroy America.

How many pictures have we seen of John McCain hanging out with Muslims or going to mosques? Does he get a free pass?

Jodine Mayberry

Rutledge

If we had listened to President Jimmy Carter, whom Kevin Ferris so glibly mocks ("On energy, Democrats in office means a return to the 1970s," Aug. 3), we would not face today's oil crisis.

Despite the oil shortage of the 1970s, Americans were unwilling to accept the reality that dependence on oil is dangerous, to our economy and to our national security. Ferris scoffs at the Democratic solution to our predicament - "Drive small cars and wait for the wind." But while he is correct that both short- and long-term solutions are needed, belittling the idea of reducing individual oil consumption is irresponsible.

According to a recent Inquirer story, the number of Philadelphians commuting to work by bicycle increased in the last year, and SEPTA reports an increase in daily ridership. Changes like these matter, and should be encouraged, because off-shore drilling won't solve the oil crisis if Americans continue to consume at the current rate.

Emilie B. Haertsch

Philadelphia