Barbara Loken

PBS is ignoring reality in their Aug 21 Newshour about oil and gas development on BLM Lands in Montana. PBS Programming: Why not explore the reality of a world with out petroleum products that supply our essential needs everyday.? Your news story slanted against oil and gas development fails to see the forest for the trees. Your PBS Interviewer states, "Some people say the use of oil and gas is on the decline and we don't need to develop it anymore." This absurdity recognizes that most people have forgotten what it was like when we didn't have plastics and consumed millions of trees for wood products instead. From the moment you get up in the morning you use petroleum based products....your toothbrush & toothpaste tube, soap dispenser, nylon, viscose clothing fabrics, shoes, food containers and packaging, coffee maker, cell phone, car battery, parts, seat covers, body, fuel. The list continues to increase throughout the day. Want to go back to raping our forests for wood toothbrushes, pencils, shipping containers, and transportation? Ceramics and aluminum for coffee cans and pots? No cell phones, no computers, and metal cars with wooden seats? Even fuel efficient electric cars today require petroleum plastics for light weight, comfort and batteries. At this time in world history, a better energy resource other than petroleum has yet to be found. Third world countries lack these luxurious necessities. The advancement of civilization today exists on petroleum based products. Make a list of every petroleum product you use throughout the day and then decide whether you are willing to get along with out them. If you are, I doubt if you will even be able to show up at your job in the morning. Petroleum development is a everyday necessity. Recognize the obvious. We are completely reliant upon petroleum until a replacement resource is found.