Nuclear breeder reactor a solution to energy woes

Nuclear breeder reactor a solution to energy woes
EDITOR:
I wish it were as simple as a recent letter suggested, that the fuel cell will supply our energy needs. Unfortunately, the cell needs a catalyst, usually platinum, to operate, and platinum is easily & quot;poisoned & quot; by contaminants in the fuel. It works fine on hydrogen and oxygen, but no one has been able to make it work for a significant time using air and gasoline.
The cost of producing hydrogen and oxygen has been, and is likely to be, too high to compete with other fuels. In fact, the electricity needed must still be made in power plants.
If President Jimmy Carter had not opposed the breeder reactor, we would have been in much better shape. While not a perfect answer, the breeder would extend the life of the fuel by a ratio of about 50 to 1 over present U.S. plants, simultaneously reducing the waste by the same ratio. Have you heard of any problems in France, which is using them?
The only known place where the wind is reliable over long periods of time is in Washington, D.C., so that, also, is only a partial answer. In fact, we are going to have to use a variety of partial answers in order to avoid the spread of the California plague to the rest of the country.
GEORGE E. SUTTON
Poland
X The writer is a former dean of the William Rayen College of Engineering, Youngstown State University.
Why can't city leaders hear obvious truths?
EDITOR:
The city of Youngstown is once again on the verge of showing our young people how not to be progressive.
What is wrong with this picture?
A group of people, who were appointed by politicians, have just toured sites trying to determine where to build a center that we do not need. It will cost millions.
Surely they had to pass the many eyesores on Federal Street. Are they blind, or do they live on another planet? Is the city going to spend money just for the sake of spending money? If the money cannot be spent for what is needed, then tell all concerned to keep it. Have we forgotten the South High Field House fiasco, among others?
One sitting judge just took the city council to task for its actions, or should I say, inactions. At this, the mayor and the councilman representing La La Land took offense. How sad can the situation get?
By the way, I am not completely negative. I must say that the mayor did a good job of sweeping the sidewalk on Federal Street -- while the prisoners sat in our showcase jail playing checkers.
Remember, my friends, where and how this money was procured. It is not a pretty picture.
Desperation causes many to throw good old common sense out the window.
The image of Youngstown cannot be enhanced by building a white elephant among the ruins. It looks like the hole in the doughnut.
"There are none so blind as those who will not see." Good luck, Youngstown. You need it. Negative? You bet. The truth? Absolutely.
ROBERT THORNTON
Austintown
With drunken drivers on the streets, no one is safe
EDITOR:
Although I am only 19 years old, I have already been the victim of a drunken driver. Drunk drivers need to be stopped, for the simple fact that they ruin lives. So many lives have been cut short or turned upside down because of them.
On Christmas Eve, while driving home from work, I was hit from behind by a drunk driver. His speed was estimated at 70 mph, while I was following the speed limit of 35 mph. I lost my job because of needed treatments and the effects of medication. Though I am able to work now, I am having a hard time finding anything.
It is so very unfair that an innocent person, such as me, has had to deal with the emotional and physical pain resulting from one man's negligence.
Something needs to be done about this issue that haunts my consciousness. I can't even drive down the street now without fearing for my life. Every car that I see behind me is going to be the next criminal. The man who hit me had a blood alcohol level of .280, which is well beyond the legal limit. Why these people decide to drive and risk killing someone else, along with themselves, is a terrifying mystery.
I want to make people aware that it can happen to anyone, at anytime. No one is safe on the streets while there are still these poor examples of men and women driving while intoxicated.
AMY MARIE HARTMAN
Mineral Ridge
Abortion affects physical, emotional well-being
EDITOR:
Many people support the idea that abortion must remain legal because of the notion that this is in the best interest of women. I encourage readers to critically evaluate whether or not this assumption is actually true. As a woman, a young person and a Catholic, my reflections have led me to a very different conclusion.
Surgical abortion is an invasive procedure in which a doctor forcefully removes from a woman's womb her developing child. Cultural support for abortion suggests to a woman that the solution to her problems is the destruction of her offspring. The procedure itself and the assumption behind it are an assault against women as well as against their children.
Those who advocate abortion fail to recognize the destructive effect it has on women's physical, emotional, and relational well-being. They fail to recognize the contradiction in the suggestion that, in some cases, taking innocent human life will be good for us.
MARIE MILBURN
Youngstown
X The writer is director of pro-life activities for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.
Good folk in Youngstown
EDITOR:
I would like to write to thank the person who found my bankcard at the CVS Pharmacy on Market Street on March 28. There is sometimes bad publicity about things that happen in Youngstown, but we do have honest citizens here. I picked up a prescription and unknowingly left my card at the store. I searched everywhere looking for it, then decided to call CVS.
I thanked the pharmacist and cashier but I would also like to thank the person who found the card in the parking lot and was honest enough to turn it in. The individual didn't leave a name but I want him or her to know that I do appreciate what they did.
DEBRA JONES
Youngstown