Obama supported by research, history

Richard Bruner, Las Vegas

Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 | 2:02 a.m.

Bob Jack’s letter to the editor “Defeat extremists, get real on energy” is not substantiated by facts. He rages against the “extreme left wing.” Since I have no party affiliation, let’s be truthful here and not throw around innuendos and unsubstantiated statements.

The Keystone XL pipeline would supply jobs for a couple of years during its construction. The vast majority of the oil is destined for export, not for use in the United States. That’s the truth.

The backbone of the U.S. economy is small business, not multinational oil giants. Coal pollutes the environment. Just do some Google research on coal emissions and get educated. “Fracking” severely harms the water table in many areas. It results in poisoning the environment.

I lived adjacent to Love Canal in Niagara Falls, N.Y., when I heard the same thing about environmental extremists and the loss of jobs. Hundreds of people were harmed, babies were born with deformities, and families were displaced due to water pollution from chemical poisoning.

President Barack Obama’s energy policies support renewable energy, and Jack calls that “self defeating.” Perhaps he should read his history. Our government supported and aided in oil development long before it became such a giant. Wind power, solar power and a diet that weans us off nonrenewable energy means more jobs and investment in small business.

The only thing I agree with Jack about is our unwieldy, out-of-control government. You don’t have to be “left” wing or “right” wing to see that.

Drop the politics and seek the truth, then the answers.