BECOMING 'GREEN' SHOULD BE U.S. PRIORITY

To the Editor:

We have all seen commercials designed to discourage kids from drug use. One
of those commercials got me thinking. In this particular commercial kids
are saying they were just having a little fun, and the message in the
commercial says that the money given to buy the drugs may be going to
support international terrorism.

This country has a much bigger addiction than crack-cocaine, ecstasy and
marijuana combined. The commercials say, ''If you're buying drugs, you
might be supporting terrorism.'' I think we all know that if we drive a
gasoline-powered automobile we support terrorism as well.

I read in environmental magazines about how cheap and efficient wind power
is becoming, and that by 2010 it will account for 5% of our electricity.
That is not nearly enough; It's not enough for you or me, and definitely
not enough for my little girl.

We need drastic change and we need it in a decade. Drilling for oil in
Alaska is not the answer; everybody in this nation must take part, write
your representatives in Congress and let them know that green energy is a
priority. If this nation makes it a priority we can accomplish becoming a
green nation in 10 years. I know it will be expensive and hard, but if our
generation doesn't do it, who will?

Green energy isn't just about environmentalism, Greenpeace and hippies. It
is about national security and doing what is right for our
great-grandchildren. It is critical to the preservation of our nation.
There is enough wind energy in Texas and the Dakotas to power the entire
United States, and for a price that is highly competitive with natural gas.

What can you do? If you commute less than 50 miles to and from your job,
make your next car an electric. Put solar panels on your house. Turn off
lights you're not using. Get creative.

Robert Pope

Clarksville 37042