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Hurricane Warnings

Re Bryan Walsh’s “Outsmarting the Surge” [Nov. 12]: I agree that we need to do more to prepare for future Sandys. But don’t blame man-made global warming for these storms. Yes, there has been some global warming and the resultant increase in sea levels. However, many of those studying global warming find that the portion related to humans is so small it can’t be identified in the data scatter. I also feel that the folks who want to live on the seashore should not rely on people like me in Colorado to subsidize them. We have our own problems.

Garin VanDeMark, FORT COLLINS, COLO.

No politicians want utility rates raised on their watch, and that is why innovation doesn’t happen fast enough to move the needle. When utilities want to install smart meters to help them manage outage restoration–in addition to providing tons of benefits to customers–regulators balk at the costs and the public gets angry because the radio-frequency energy coming out of each meter is like 1/10,000 of that from a 20-second cell-phone call.

thehoneybadger, ON TIME.COM

Choosing Between Candidates

I was offended by your assumption that I vote solely on the basis of self-interest [“Executive Decision,” Nov. 12]. My vote is based on concern about the future of a nation whose inadequately educated people and decaying infrastructure will not be competitive in the global economy.

Martin Bensky, RICHLAND, WASH.

Best Inventions

The Civilization Starter Kit has some great ideas not just for postapocalypse but also for small-scale farming and self-sufficiency [“The 25 Best Inventions of the Year,” Nov. 12]. The simplicity of the modular unit’s designs and their effectiveness at a wide and necessary range of tasks are remarkable. I hope the concept can be realized practically.

GaryMcCray, ON TIME.COM

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