Which is the best way to solve our energy crisis and make America independent of foreign oil?

Charles Krauthammer argued last week to drill for oil. Adele Kushner suggested last week that we conserve instead of drill. I suggest there can be no single solution to the energy needs of our country.

I like Sen. John McCain's proposal: In addition to drilling and conservation measures, which he supports, part of his Lexington Proposal to solving our energy problems includes building nuclear power plants. When elected president, McCain said he will put his administration on track to construct 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 with the ultimate goal of eventually constructing 100 new plants.

Nuclear power is a proven, safe, zero-emission source of energy, and it is time we recommit to advancing our use of nuclear power. Currently, nuclear power produces 20 percent of our power. France gets more than 80 percent of its power from nuclear energy.

The U.S. has not started construction on a new nuclear power plant in more than 30 years. China, India and Russia have goals of building a combined total of more than 100 new plants, and we should be able to do the same. It is also critical that the U.S. be able to build the components for these plants and reactors within our country so that we are not dependent on foreign suppliers with long wait times to move forward with our nuclear plans.

I can remember President John F. Kennedy inspiring our nation to win the race with Russia and put a man on the moon. If we could do that then, we can win this challenge, too: to make America independent of foreign oil.

Al Marks
Murrayville

Doctors keep us waiting too long
When you have a doctor's appointment, do you really think that the appointment time is a set time? If you have one for 11 a.m., you probably can be sure you will be called around noon or later.

That's just for the front waiting room. Then comes the examining room, which is the second waiting room. Take a book with you; you'll need something to do.

When you know it's past time for a urine sample and the building gets quiet, you may start to imagine everyone has left and went home. That's when the doctor walks in. The doctor has the audacity to ask " how are you doing today?" At that time, you may be considering anger management.

By this time you have forgotten the eight things you wanted to ask your doctor and you no longer remember the reason for the visit. This is why many patients don't keep their appointments.

For all this aggravation, we pay a large chunk of much-needed money for a doctor's appointment. Wouldn't it be fair if they tried to cooperate with us and not schedule three people at the same time with the same doctor?

You may have something better to do with your time but then who cares? Maybe tipping would get you in earlier!

Carol Singleton
Gillsville