The controversy over drilling for oil at controversial sites seems overblown. If permitted, the effect on oil supply will be at least a generation away.

During WWII, the U.S. supplied most oil needs for the Allied War effort from our own lower 48 oilfields. Their depletion was recognized by President Roosevelt. He engaged King Aziz of Saudi Arabia in an agreement to maintain our oil needs for our military guarantee of the Saudi Regime. This basic understanding still stands and the Carter Doctrine, produced when the Soviet Union threatened Afghanistan, re-emphasized the original U.S.-Saudi deal.

GM has closed 65 SUV and truck factories and has made its last Hummer. The effect on global warming by humans should be obvious.

Twice as much oil is locked in less exploitable parts of American oil fields than has been already pumped. Technologies to get it exist. The price of oil will remain high. Will the willingness of Americans to adjust to more oil independence at high oil prices and a more responsible-energy lifestyle enable a peaceful and less harmful energy future to emerge from the present supposed dilemma? It depends, no?

John Lyman

Steuben