Energy Shortages

* Re “Natural Gas Prices Rise as Worries Over Energy Build,” Aug. 22: The people entrust the government to ensure basic necessities such as electrical power. Who’s in charge up there--the Russian navy?

HENRY OSTERMILLER

Costa Mesa

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Oil burns and the North Pole melts. We’re in denial about the oil being wasted in long trips, big SUVs, gridlock traffic, gas logs, etc. In 2003 half the known and predicted oil reserves will be gone. It’s all gone by 2050--sooner if either political party’s visions of trade growth and more exploration are followed. Oil’s disappearance is well documented in scientific journals. A lot of good may come when the oil’s gone, but no hydrocarbons, no plastics, no hospitals.

ROGER NEWELL

San Diego

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Now that we’ve all seen how well the deregulation of electricity has worked, can you imagine how our public schools will function if the same principles are applied to our education system?

RANDY C. KOKAL

Huntington Beach