PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 13, 2022
At a Starbucks the other day, the driveway was blocked by a string of about a dozen idling cars and SUVs. Most contained one person, who scrolled through a phone while waiting to inch toward the drive-up window. Meanwhile, both the parking lot and most of the tables inside were empty. They’ll spend 10 minutes in their car instead of parking and going inside, which would likely take half as much time. I have no doubt that most of these drivers believe gas is overpriced now. Some probably worry about the effects of auto exhaust on our warming climate. But there they sit, burning gas in their pursuit of iced lattes or caramel macchiatos. I don’t get it. ~ Gail Burnett, Springvale