So Newt Gingrich says the president’s “no” to the tar sands pipeline is “stunningly stupid,” and Mitt Romney quips that Obama is putting “politics ahead of policy.”

I would suggest that ole Newt is stunningly ignorant about the realities of global warming.

And that Mitt, who may well be in pandering mode again, lacks the courage demonstrated by the president to speak out against this latest effort by big oil to dictate climate change policy.

Were the pipeline approved and constructed, it would commit us to the dirtiest of oils for decades to  come, just when we should be transitioning to wind, solar and geothermal energy through cleaner burning natural gas and biofuels.

Even the jobs argument is without much merit.

Yes, there are unemployed American welders, pipefitter and other construction workers who would benefit from the pipeline, though it is an open question as to how many skilled Canadian workers would be sent south by their Canadian employers.

And the work period would be finite, not extending more than a year or two.

In a larger context, the estimate of 5,000 short-term jobs is dwarfed by the 100,000 to 200,000 full-time jobs now being created each month by our slowly reviving economy. We do need to be concerned about jobs, but job creation that thwarts our efforts to combat global warming is not a useful approach to unemployment.

Simply put, the tar sands pipeline would produce few long-term jobs, and do a tremendous amount of environmental damage, and the president has done us all a great service by stopping it in its tracks.

Joe Hardy

Wells

Readers should be aware of a few inconvenient truths before blasting the president’s decision on Keystone.

The following is quoted from an article by Miles Grant, in Wildlife Promise on Jan. 9:

“Why would President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline cause oil prices to fall? You have to wonder what Big Oil is more worried about: That it won’t be able to sell the oil to China, or that America might finally be serious about breaking its oil addiction.

“First, let’s take a step back and look at how skyrocketing oil prices have made Canadian tar sands oil more profitable, flipping conventional oil wisdom on its head. Oil analyst Philip Verleger explains: In the past, Midwestern refiners paid more for oil than their counterparts in Texas and Louisiana because oil had to be shipped north.

“Recently, though, these refiners have gotten a break as Canadian output has increased. Oil now flows south, not north.

“Midwestern refiners can save significant sums, savings that ultimately get passed on to consumers. Executives at Canadian oil companies want to end this discount.

“They propose building the Keystone line to go around Midwest refineries.

“Build the Keystone XL pipeline to refineries on the Gulf Coast and suddenly oil companies don’t have to keep selling it at a discount to drivers in the Midwest – they can just put it on the global market and ship it to the highest bidder in China or anywhere else.

“Verleger estimates building Keystone XL would result in Americans paying $5 billion more every year, not just in higher gas prices, but in higher production costs for food and other goods.

“That’s why Cornell University researchers actually say Keystone XL would result in a net loss of American jobs.”

Ann Hancock

Scarborough

Possible victims can contact state police officer in charge

It has been a bittersweet few weeks as a new reader of Portland Press Herald news stories.

I admit my attention was sparked by the headlines related to the Rev. Robert Carlson’s death.

As is fair, writers praised Bob’s accomplishments while conveying support for possible victims or those who have knowledge of his dark side.

Some quoted Bob’s friends’ supportive words and encouraged possible victims to speak up.

Stories also indicated the Maine State Police would share their findings with the public.

Easily slipping into the shoes of a victim while sifting through the news stories and comments, I searched for two things: where people can send information in confidence and who’s in charge.

Since I found more than one possible name in the news stories, the challenge of making phone calls began. Responses from these calls ranged from “I don’t know, it used to be Lt. A, I think it’s Sgt. B now,” to the most memorable, “Oh, it’s probably someone with the state police.”

Really? Is this an investigation as advertised (non-criminal, on behalf of the public, by an agency that works for the people, etc.), or just a bad game of Clue?

Given my persistence and resourcefulness, the following is my current understanding of “who’s in charge” of this investigation. Perhaps this information will make the “sharing” process easier for a victim.

Jeffrey S. Love, sergeant in charge, Maine State Police Criminal Investigation Division II, 36 Hospital St., Augusta 04330; CID II, 207-624-7143; office, 207-624-7146; email, Jeffrey.S.Love@maine.gov.

Helen Sisco

Smithfield, R.I.

GOP candidates couldn’t make it into the Rotary

At the conclusion of our weekly Rotary meeting we recite the Rotary Four Way Test:

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build good will and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

As I watch the current Republican candidates debate, and utilize this test as a standard, it strikes me that none of them would qualify for membership in Rotary.

That being the case, I would not want any of them to be president of the United States, either.

William J. Leffler, II

Kennebunkport

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