Consider cryogenic power
In response to Lee Hamilton’s opinion piece, “Moving away from oil dependency will help Hoosiers” (July 20), I agree about the need for alternate energy sources.
Cryogenic energy storage was proved viable a century ago, but those in charge of grants, donations and government programs say they are not interested.
An excellent case can be made for cryogenic storage of the energy in solar, hydraulic, geothermal, wind or even off-peak electricity from the grid for liquefying ordinary air. Advantages of such a system are: There is no shortage of air; exhaust is breathable, ordinary (although cold) air; little or no environmentally objectionable materials are needed to build and operate the system; and there is almost instant recharge through simply pumping or pouring liquid air into a well-insulated tank.
The simplest form of cryogenic energy storage involves cooling air until it becomes a liquid and storing it. Once it is allowed to absorb heat from the atmosphere, it evaporates back into ordinary air at a tremendous increase in volume and pressure. This highly compressed air can run an air motor or steam engine, making it suitable for vehicles that don’t have to be too concerned with weight of fuel.
BILL MICHAELS Decatur
Democrats ruined economy
Two Democrats, Chris Dodd and Barney Frank, were primarily responsible for the rules that forced lenders to make home loans to people who couldn’t afford them, leading to the inevitable housing bubble collapse and the current recession. Somehow, these two escaped any accountability for the disaster they caused, while the mainstream media eagerly blamed evil Wall Street, and oh yes, George W. Bush.
Now, these same two men are being heralded as saviors by the Obama administration for new legislation that they say reins in the out-of-control evil Wall Street that will prevent future similar recessions.
Recessions and depressions are not some naturally occurring phenomenon caused by sunspots or lunar eclipses or some other such fluke of nature. They’re caused by the actions or inactions of people and Congress, which is charged by the Constitution with the oversight of our economy. Do you think we’re getting what we pay for from Congress?
Ah, yes, change we can believe in.
KEN SELKING Decatur
Welfare system not working
The Indiana welfare privatization has been horrific. Affiliated Computer Services, a for-profit company, has created many of the core issues.
Someone, somewhere, should find initiatives to improve client services, claim results, operational efficiency and staff retention. It needs an effective organizational structure that would facilitate working relationships between the various entities and have a set order and control that would enable monitoring of all processes.
Our brothers and our sisters are desperately in need of services.
LENORE HANICK Indianapolis
Food drive sets record
Fort Wayne won the national competition among U.S. postal districts of comparative size in the recent letter carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.” Our local collection was May 8, and we collected a record 622,236 pounds of food donated by residents of Allen, DeKalb, Whitley, Noble, Wells and LaGrange counties. Food will help local food banks.
We appreciate the students and staff from Waynedale, Brentwood and Abbett elementary schools for their contribution of 2,493 pounds of food.
Letter carriers served double duty on the day of the drive, delivering the mail as well as picking up donated food. Milton Gray again organized the postal workers, using a week of vacation prior to the drive.
We are indebted to Vickie Meyers of the United Way of Allen County and the hundreds of volunteers.
As a result of donors’ generosity, which enabled us to win our division, Campbell’s, a co-sponsor of the event, will be donating 1,000 cans of soup to Associated Churches Food Bank. We are definitely together for the greater good.
THE REV. ROGER REECE Executive Pastor Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County Inc.
