Regarding
Road Warrior: Some gas stations still offer free air , March
7,2010
I fail to see the connection between the Arab oil embargo
in 1973-74 and the end of free air at New Jersey gasoline
stations. The very mention of the linkage between charging
money for air and the oil embargo adds to prevailing
anti-Arab sentiments.
True, the Arab oil-producing nations imposed an oil
embargo on the United States and the West soon after the
1973 October War between Israel and Egypt, partly to extract
political concessions to rectify the perceived pro-Israel
polices of these countries.
Correct, New Jersey has over the last two decades dealt a
fatal blow to independent auto repair shops. The demise is
partly because of the evolving emphasis of oil companies on
steering away from auto repair in favor of gasoline sales or
the spread of convenience stores that also sell gasoline.
Also contributing to the trend of the disappearing corner
auto repair shop were more complicated cars that required
expensive specialized technology, provisions of warranties
that required car owners to utilize only "authorized"
dealers for repairs and more expensive liability costs.
It is not fair to expect gas station owners to provide
free air when it costs them money to install and continually
maintain compressors. Charging a nominal fee does not make
any gas station or convenience store owner rich. The fees
collected defray costs associated with damages caused by
motorists who abuse the service.
Blame fee-based air on domestic issues and lifestyle
changes, not on Arabs, please.
Aref Assaf
Paterson, March 8
The writer is president of the American Arab Forum.
