To the Editor:

The debate du jour in regard to high gas prices is: “drill or not to drill”.

Those who wish to drill for oil in all the likely places are panicked by the prospect of continuing to be the “slave girl” of an unstable middle east. They see the hunt for domestic oil as our only ticket on the railroad of independence. The other side of the argument seems to be the “hands in the air” approach signifying we are too far gone, They contend the only solution is a radical departure from the lifestyle we have come to recognize as distinctly American.

Coupled with massive efforts to find and/or use alternate energy sources is the admonition that sacrifice will be required. Usually they point out that drilling will not reduce current high prices.

When is someone going to realize that five years from now when current drilling efforts “may” bring oil to market, a gallon of gas will cost $12? If we are having difficulty dealing with $4 a gallon gas, how are we going to cope with gas two or three times as costly?

While we are developing the various alternative energy sources that “may” someday replace oil, I say drill in suitable, non-destructive places (like that desolate country up there near the home of Santa Claus). If we end up with some extra oil as a result of having all that energy from the alternate sources, we can always strike another deal with North Korea and give it to them.

Phil Lewis