Obama Too Hot for His Suit Jacket

Staffers report that Obama has the oval office heat turned up so hot you could "grow orchids". This revelation comes on the heels of his campaign promises to be more green and that America should tun down their thermostats.

Great leaders lead by example, Obama's mantra: "Do as I say, not as I do."

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R. Scott Roberts : Political Activist

Inflating Tire Pressure is Not a Viable Energy Solution

I agree that it is a good idea for everyone to try to live in a way that is more energy efficient, but come on, inflating your tires is not a national energy plan, or a national economic plan. I wonder after a few fillups where Bill's tire pressure is now?

In late July I pulled my 4-cylinder, '96 Toyota 4Runner with about 130,000 miles into the local tire retailer and asked for their recommendation. They suggested increasing the pressure in the fairly new 6-ply tires from 27 psi to 40 psi. I did it.

As an obsessive analyzer, I just checked the results — comparing gas consumption for the four fill-ups before increasing the tire pressure to the four fill-ups after. Before and after mileage both represented slightly over 1,100 miles driven on a mixture of forest roads, city streets and highways.

Gas mileage increased from 21.7 to 23.7 mpg, an increase of 8.9 percent. For every 1,000 miles that's a savings of 3.75 gallons and, at $4 per gallon, $15. Although I drive only 10,000 miles a year, this represents a yearly savings of over 37 gallons and $150. And the air pressure was free.

Imagine what those savings could mean nationally for family budgets, climate change and energy independence. I'll be contributing that $150 to the Obama campaign.

Bill Yake, Olympia

From the Olympian letters to the editor October 11, 2008.