I would like to tag John Bice as “beleaguered and perpetually confused,” as he so easily labeled the American automotive industry in Senate bill positive for environment (SN 10/31). Not only does this industry keep his ability to write articles breathing, but his principles and lack of hard facts are a step in the wrong direction. Honda Motor Corp., which is the main focus of Bice’s article, has stated that the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards are almost impossible to meet with today’s technology, and the company is the leader in the CAFE reports annually. I would trust their statement because they are a leader in fuel economy. Bice forgot to mention this fact.

If Bice is such a “tree-hugging liberal,” he should get his facts straight! He forgot to mention how his 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid was imported to the United States. It was most likely shipped on a cargo vessel, and studies have shown that the vessels burn more fuel per vehicle in their cargo bays than a Chevrolet Suburban does in its lifetime. Additionally, when his battery pack dies in about four years, it will go to a landfill and start to seep dangerous chemicals into the air and ground. Not so environmentally friendly now, is it?