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.