To the editor:
I am writing to point out factual inaccuracies in the article entitled “Ration Yourself” in the Aug. 30 – Sept. 5 issue.
The main thrust of your article is to caution people not to be wasteful. I understand and agree with this. What I take objection to is that in order to make your point, you have strayed from the truth.
The article said, “The U.S. is at war right now with countries that supply a lot of oil.”
The U.S. is not at war with any countries that supply oil. The U.S. is not at war with any country at all.
The U.S. went to war against Iraq when Saddam Hussein was in power.
After 9/11, the U.S. declared war against Al Qaeda, a terrorist organization, not a country. Most of the governments in the Middle East, including Libya (a one-time foe), Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq and even Afghanistan and Pakistan support the U.S. government in its actions against Al Qaeda. Even the government of Iran, a country with major differences with the U.S., does not condone the actions of Al Qaeda.
The article also said, “Rice is also running out.”
Rice is not running out. The price of rice (and) also the price of all staple commodities has increased worldwide due to two main factors: an increase in the price of oil worldwide and the better economic returns of growing crops for bio-fuel production.
Land that might otherwise have been put to rice production has therefore been used to grow other crops for bio-fuel. Governments and organizations now generally acknowledge this unforeseen and unfortunate economic and environmental side effect of bio-fuel production worldwide.
– Brian Jacobs, Bothell
Editors note: This letter is responding to an article that was a part of our annual Youth issue, which did not necessarily reflect the views of NWAW.
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