The Readers' Forum: Sunday letters

Demand for oil

The writer of the Jan. 24 letter "Pipeline dreams" should wake up to the fact that the Keystone XL pipeline is a bomb that threatens us all. President Obama showed rare political courage in standing up to Big Oil, which lusts for record profits and cares little about America's health and well-being.

The Amalgamated Transit Union and the Transport Workers Union both oppose the pipeline. Their August 2011 statement: "We need jobs, but not ones based on increasing our reliance on Tar Sands oil. There is no shortage of water and sewage pipelines that need to be fixed or replaced, bridges and tunnels that are in need of emergency repair, transportation infrastructure that needs to be renewed and developed. Many jobs could also be created in energy conservation, upgrading the grid, maintaining and expanding public transportation — jobs that can help us reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency."

This pipeline would not lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Gulf Coast refiners plan on tax-free oil export to Europe and Latin America.

Reducing demand for oil is the best way to improve our energy security. New automobile fuel-efficiency standards, solar and wind power, and weatherization of buildings are cleaner and healthier alternatives that will generate better and longer-lasting jobs.

A rupture in the pipeline could cause a major oil spill in America's heartland, over the source of fresh drinking water for 2 million people. And we would end up paying for much of the cleanup.

GUS PRESCHLE

Clemmons

Business conducted

The writer of the Jan. 22 letter "Cordray's appointment" should check his facts.

It was during a "pro forma" session of Congress that the president's two-month payroll tax cut was actually passed, so there was and is business conducted during that time. I suggest he also check Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's use of the "pro forma" option during the Bush administration. Unlike President Obama, President Bush chose to honor the Senate's action.

As regards Cordray, the Dodd-Frank Bill, which authorized the Consumer Protection Agency, specifically requires that the director be confirmed by the Senate before he or she could assume his or her duties. So, once again, the president has chosen to ignore the law and the Congress.

PAULINE G. CHAPMAN

Winston-Salem

Not positive

"Beware of what you want, for you will surely get it." The behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Charlotte officials to make certain the "liberal hordes" do not overrun the city in August at the Democratic National Convention is interesting to watch ("Groups vow actions at convention," Jan. 19). Convention operatives appear to be clashing already with Charlotte police over proposed tightening of venue options, timing and conditions for public protest demonstrations. The "occupy everything but a brain" crowd, along with union activists, can easily cause a backfire of public support.

President Obama's acceptance speech is scheduled for Bank of America Stadium. The symbolism here is profound. My guess is that the overall impressions of most North Carolina citizens after this convention will not be positive and will probably hurt the significant efforts of Democrats to carry this state in the November elections.

PETER T. WILSON

Winston-Salem

Obstruction

About the recess appointment of Richard Cordray to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I don't know whether the Senate should be considered to be in session or not. Frankly, both Republicans and Democrats have been hypocritical in the use of "pro forma" sessions, approving of them when it benefitted them to do so, disapproving when they were hindered by such sessions. A case can be made for both views.

But to me, the larger point is that the consumer bureau will help the American people, and the Republicans are obstructing it. It becomes more obvious every day that the Republicans are now in the pockets of rich, moneyed interests and against middle-class working people.

They're also against the president of the United States — whatever he does, even if it's implementing Republican policies. They're obsessed with obstructing him. It's really a national embarrassment.

Despite that, the president has accomplished much in his first term. Imagine how much more he could have accomplished for us if the Republicans had worked with him rather than against him.

WILLIAM B. PERRY

Winston-Salem

Sum It Up

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