The war on terrorism is unlike the World War II in at least two respects. First, the front line is not in some far off country but right here in our cities and in our public buildings. Second, there seems to be no specific things that the general public is called upon to do for the war effort. There are no victory gardens to grow, no war plants to work in, no victory bonds to buy, no rationing or collection drives, no recruiting drives, no “Uncle Sam needs you,” and so forth. In short, what is the average citizen to do?

As any psychologist will tell you, if there is nothing for the average person to do, he or she will feel somewhat helpless, anxious and have very little patience with the government. It is not just an “old wives tale,” that the best way to handle anxiety and overcome helplessness is to get busy doing something, almost anything will do and something is almost always better than nothing.

During World War II we changed over our economy from manufacturing cars, trains and appliances to manufacturing planes, tanks, guns and ships. The whole country was involved from Rosy the Riveter to the scientists at the Manhattan Project.

Is there something we can all get behind that will strengthen our country and give us an edge in the fight against radical fundamentalists? The answer, in a word is, yes.

We can free our country from being held hostage by our dependence on fossil fuels. Much like President Kennedy’s challenge to put a man on the moon within the decade, we can challenge our country and it?s industries to free us from our dependence on fossil fuel within the first two decades of the 21st century.

Hydrogen is a clean-burning, nonpolluting, high-efficiency fuel that is available virtually anywhere in the world in inexhaustible amounts. It is a very “slippery” gas. It would require refitting our automobile gas tanks filler tubes, fuel lines and carburetors so they fit and seal much more tightly. The same is true for filling stations pumps and tanks. Home heaters and the pipelines leading to them would also have to be tightened.

Electrical generating plants would require modifications to burn hydrogen fuel. In general, our whole national industrial complex would have to gear up, much as they did at the beginning of WW II, to make the changeover. An army of mechanics, plumbers, electricians, pipe fitters, contractors and construction workers, manual laborers, city planners and so forth would be needed.

In addition, a government, scientific and industrial cooperation, much like the Manhattan Project would be needed to construct large efficient hydrogen generating plants and develop an efficient safe delivery system.

Can we do it? Even if we can, should we? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes. Just as our enemies in WWII discovered, when the American people are challenged, all you have done, is to, awaken a sleeping giant. We can free ourselves from foreign dependence, clean up the atmosphere and defeat the terrorists in one great united effort.

Mr. President, your recommendation that we convert to hydrogen-based (fuel cell) automobiles is a good start. The State of the Union address is coming up shortly and it is an excellent opportunity to use the bully pulpit, to lay down the gauntlet and challenge the American people to rise to the challenge. We will not disappoint you.

Dr. Hal Goodman lives in Eastport.