R50/53 The SUV Backlash and Terrorism
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Coordinator :: South East - Florida
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Winter Haven, FL
Hey everyone, I just signed onto AOL and found this very interesting article. I guess MINI wasn't lying when they talk about the SUV Backlash...I don't know how to link from AOL, so I'll post the article here:
"TV Ads Link SUVs, Terrorism" by Gina Keating, Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 9) - A new front opened in the U.S. ''war on terror'' on Wednesday as pundit Arianna Huffington and three Hollywood pals launched a TV ad campaign to stop Americans from driving sport utility vehicles because the gas-guzzling autos inadvertently aid the country's enemies.
In two spots scheduled to begin running on Sunday, Huffington and her friends, who call themselves The Detroit Project, try to plant the idea that driving the hot-selling mammoth vehicles is unpatriotic.
The ads, which will appear through Friday in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit and Washington, D.C., parody the government's public service campaign against drug-sponsored terrorism, and aim to kindle public demand for tougher fuel efficiency.
''The goal of the campaign is not to demonize people who drive SUVs,'' Huffington said. ''We want to point out how our driving habits at home are fueling oil money to Saudi Arabia.''
One spot features a hapless SUV driver named ''George'' pumping gas into his vehicle while an oil company executive steps into a limousine and a group of turban-wearing soldiers fire automatic rifles into the air.
''This is George,'' a child says in a sing-song voice. ''This is the gas that George bought for his SUV. This is the oil company executive that sold the gas that George bought for his SUV. These are the countries where the executive bought the oil, that made the gas that George bought for his SUV. And these are the terrorists who get money from those countries every time George fills up his SUV.''
''Oil money supports some terrible things. What kind of mileage does your SUV get?'' the ad concludes.
THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY
In a series of close-ups, the second ad explores the purported consequences of buying foreign oil, juxtaposed with excuses people make for buying SUVs: ''I helped hijack an airplane.'' ''I like to sit up high.'' ''I helped blow up a nightclub.'' ''It makes me feel safe.'' ''I sent our soldiers off to war.''
''What is your SUV doing to national security?'' it asks. ''Detroit, America needs hybrid cars now.''
Affiliates of the Walt Disney Co.-owned ABC network in New York and Los Angeles have refused to air the ads because they are too controversial, Huffington said. The spots appear Sunday on network stations and for the rest of the week on cable TV news channels.
Huffington planted the seeds for The Detroit Project in her nationally syndicated column in October by fantasizing about a people's ad campaign taking the government to task for failing to pass tougher fuel efficiency standards while waging war to protect cheap oil.
Readers flooded her ''in'' basket with more than 5,000 letters by the next morning, asking where to send money for the mythical campaign. Within three weeks she had raised $200,000 to pay for a week of airtime and production of the ads.
Huffington recruited her hiking pal Laurie David, wife of ''Seinfeld'' creator Larry David, who had convinced her to swap her gas-guzzling Lincoln Navigator for a fuel-efficient Toyota Prius, and film producer Lawrence Bender and talent agent Ari Emanuel to guide the spots through production.
Although they had budgeted $50,000 to produce the spots, written by ''Got Milk?'' creator Scott Burns, most of the costs were waived when people learned about the project, Burns said.
The Detroit Project founders said plans to expand the campaign to more cities or to make new ads must await the public's response -- and their money.
''Some people will think we went too far. I personally wanted to be very confrontational,'' Bender said. ''Sept. 11 was very confrontational.''
"TV Ads Link SUVs, Terrorism" by Gina Keating, Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 9) - A new front opened in the U.S. ''war on terror'' on Wednesday as pundit Arianna Huffington and three Hollywood pals launched a TV ad campaign to stop Americans from driving sport utility vehicles because the gas-guzzling autos inadvertently aid the country's enemies.
In two spots scheduled to begin running on Sunday, Huffington and her friends, who call themselves The Detroit Project, try to plant the idea that driving the hot-selling mammoth vehicles is unpatriotic.
The ads, which will appear through Friday in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit and Washington, D.C., parody the government's public service campaign against drug-sponsored terrorism, and aim to kindle public demand for tougher fuel efficiency.
''The goal of the campaign is not to demonize people who drive SUVs,'' Huffington said. ''We want to point out how our driving habits at home are fueling oil money to Saudi Arabia.''
One spot features a hapless SUV driver named ''George'' pumping gas into his vehicle while an oil company executive steps into a limousine and a group of turban-wearing soldiers fire automatic rifles into the air.
''This is George,'' a child says in a sing-song voice. ''This is the gas that George bought for his SUV. This is the oil company executive that sold the gas that George bought for his SUV. These are the countries where the executive bought the oil, that made the gas that George bought for his SUV. And these are the terrorists who get money from those countries every time George fills up his SUV.''
''Oil money supports some terrible things. What kind of mileage does your SUV get?'' the ad concludes.
THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY
In a series of close-ups, the second ad explores the purported consequences of buying foreign oil, juxtaposed with excuses people make for buying SUVs: ''I helped hijack an airplane.'' ''I like to sit up high.'' ''I helped blow up a nightclub.'' ''It makes me feel safe.'' ''I sent our soldiers off to war.''
''What is your SUV doing to national security?'' it asks. ''Detroit, America needs hybrid cars now.''
Affiliates of the Walt Disney Co.-owned ABC network in New York and Los Angeles have refused to air the ads because they are too controversial, Huffington said. The spots appear Sunday on network stations and for the rest of the week on cable TV news channels.
Huffington planted the seeds for The Detroit Project in her nationally syndicated column in October by fantasizing about a people's ad campaign taking the government to task for failing to pass tougher fuel efficiency standards while waging war to protect cheap oil.
Readers flooded her ''in'' basket with more than 5,000 letters by the next morning, asking where to send money for the mythical campaign. Within three weeks she had raised $200,000 to pay for a week of airtime and production of the ads.
Huffington recruited her hiking pal Laurie David, wife of ''Seinfeld'' creator Larry David, who had convinced her to swap her gas-guzzling Lincoln Navigator for a fuel-efficient Toyota Prius, and film producer Lawrence Bender and talent agent Ari Emanuel to guide the spots through production.
Although they had budgeted $50,000 to produce the spots, written by ''Got Milk?'' creator Scott Burns, most of the costs were waived when people learned about the project, Burns said.
The Detroit Project founders said plans to expand the campaign to more cities or to make new ads must await the public's response -- and their money.
''Some people will think we went too far. I personally wanted to be very confrontational,'' Bender said. ''Sept. 11 was very confrontational.''
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 115
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From: Seattle, WA
Okay, I've managed to avoid responding to the senseless bashing of SUVs on this board, but this is just too silly. I, for one, think this is the dumbest damn thing I've ever heard. Following this logic, ANY fossil fuel auto is supporting terrorism. At what point does a car NOT support terrorism, if you follow this lame logic? If you drive a mid-'70's Trans Am, are you also supporting terrorism?
There are many cars that get worse gas mileage than most SUVs. MANY. New SUVs are targeted by vandals and anyone else looking for a scapegoat for just about any traffic malaise, while every '70's era Jeep Wagoneer that is seen gets LESS than 10mpg (more like 7 or 8 ). Caddies, Lincolns, Buicks, most trucks, and most vehicles older than 20 years also get worse gas mileage than the average late model SUV. Are they all supporting terrorism too?
There are many cars that get worse gas mileage than most SUVs. MANY. New SUVs are targeted by vandals and anyone else looking for a scapegoat for just about any traffic malaise, while every '70's era Jeep Wagoneer that is seen gets LESS than 10mpg (more like 7 or 8 ). Caddies, Lincolns, Buicks, most trucks, and most vehicles older than 20 years also get worse gas mileage than the average late model SUV. Are they all supporting terrorism too?
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 292
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From: Central Pa
I have a new home that is approx. 1000 square feet larger than a friend of mine (it is also 1100 sq. ft smaller than my old one).
My utility bills last month where 41% of what my friends old house utility bills cost!!
Does this mean we get rid of all the old homes?
My utility bills last month where 41% of what my friends old house utility bills cost!!
Does this mean we get rid of all the old homes?
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,241
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From: USA
>>Okay, I've managed to avoid responding to the senseless bashing of SUVs on this board, but this is just too silly. I, for one, think this is the dumbest damn thing I've ever heard. Following this logic, ANY fossil fuel auto is supporting terrorism. At what point does a car NOT support terrorism, if you follow this lame logic? If you drive a mid-'70's Trans Am, are you also supporting terrorism?
>>
>>There are many cars that get worse gas mileage than most SUVs. MANY. New SUVs are targeted by vandals and anyone else looking for a scapegoat for just about any traffic malaise, while every '70's era Jeep Wagoneer that is seen gets LESS than 10mpg (more like 7 or 8 ). Caddies, Lincolns, Buicks, most trucks, and most vehicles older than 20 years also get worse gas mileage than the average late model SUV. Are they all supporting terrorism too?
>>
>>
I think the point is to get people to THINK. Lots of people don't. What I would like to see is gas prices in the US reflect its' value. America has always thought that bigger is better and it is not necessarily so. I thought, and still do, that American manufacturers, push of gas guzzlers after Sept. 11th was a disgrace. Everyone knows where the morons who hijacked those planes came from and what does American business do? Offer 0% financing on the most eco-unfriendly vehicles on this planet, and we all know where petro dollars end up. And speaking of eco-unfriendly, probably one of the worst offenders is BMW. Yeah, I'd like to see the big cars off the road and the SUVs.
>>
>>There are many cars that get worse gas mileage than most SUVs. MANY. New SUVs are targeted by vandals and anyone else looking for a scapegoat for just about any traffic malaise, while every '70's era Jeep Wagoneer that is seen gets LESS than 10mpg (more like 7 or 8 ). Caddies, Lincolns, Buicks, most trucks, and most vehicles older than 20 years also get worse gas mileage than the average late model SUV. Are they all supporting terrorism too?
>>
>>
I think the point is to get people to THINK. Lots of people don't. What I would like to see is gas prices in the US reflect its' value. America has always thought that bigger is better and it is not necessarily so. I thought, and still do, that American manufacturers, push of gas guzzlers after Sept. 11th was a disgrace. Everyone knows where the morons who hijacked those planes came from and what does American business do? Offer 0% financing on the most eco-unfriendly vehicles on this planet, and we all know where petro dollars end up. And speaking of eco-unfriendly, probably one of the worst offenders is BMW. Yeah, I'd like to see the big cars off the road and the SUVs.
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,241
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From: USA
>>I have a new home that is approx. 1000 square feet larger than a friend of mine (it is also 1100 sq. ft smaller than my old one).
>>My utility bills last month where 41% of what my friends old house utility bills cost!!
>>Does this mean we get rid of all the old homes?
No. We offer tax credits to insulate them and to upgrade their heating and cooling systems instead of giving tax breaks to people who don't need them so they don't have to pay tax on stock dividends.
>>My utility bills last month where 41% of what my friends old house utility bills cost!!
>>Does this mean we get rid of all the old homes?
No. We offer tax credits to insulate them and to upgrade their heating and cooling systems instead of giving tax breaks to people who don't need them so they don't have to pay tax on stock dividends.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
I think the point is to get people to THINK. Lots of people don't. What I would like to see is gas prices in the US reflect its' value. America has always thought that bigger is better and it is not necessarily so. I thought, and still do, that American manufacturers, push of gas guzzlers after Sept. 11th was a disgrace.
Gas mileage aside, with all of the motoring that we do in our cars, and the way gratuitous driving is promoted around here and from MINI, we probably WASTE more gasoline than the drivers of SUVs. Are we being unpatriotic when we go out for an autocross, or waste the day driving along a twisty road?
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 4
From: Rochester, NY
This is probably the silliest thing that I've heard in awhile. Who would contribute to terrorism more? Someone that drives an SUV 20 miles per week, or someone that drives their more efficient vehicle 300 miles per week? Whoever buys the most gas supports terrorists?! 
It's like Hollywood people spouting off about saving energy. Meanwhile, they show up at premieres in Limos, fly around in private jets, and own homes that use more energy than any SUV could imagine.
We get 20% of our oil from that region. Look at your other purchases. Wanna help out? Don't buy anything made in China. Look at how many Al Queda weapons had that nice little "made in China" sticker on 'em.
It's like Hollywood people spouting off about saving energy. Meanwhile, they show up at premieres in Limos, fly around in private jets, and own homes that use more energy than any SUV could imagine.We get 20% of our oil from that region. Look at your other purchases. Wanna help out? Don't buy anything made in China. Look at how many Al Queda weapons had that nice little "made in China" sticker on 'em.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 100
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From: Dallas, TX
I thought this double standard on mpg for SUV's was interesting
Driving an SUV has a much greater impact on the environment than driving other passenger cars. In large part, this is due to double standards set by law and government regulations. For example, current federal regulations allow SUVs to have far worse fuel economy than other vehicles. The federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards set the fuel economy goals for new passenger cars at 27.5 miles per gallon (mpg). But under the law, SUVs are not considered cars - they are characterized as light trucks. Light trucks only have to achieve 20.7 mpg. It should be noted that this is an average for all light trucks, which is why it is possible to have SUVs on the road that only achieve 12 mpg. In fact, some SUV, like the massive Ford Excursion, are so large that they no longer qualify as "light trucks," and are not subject to any kind of fuel economy standards.
Driving an SUV has a much greater impact on the environment than driving other passenger cars. In large part, this is due to double standards set by law and government regulations. For example, current federal regulations allow SUVs to have far worse fuel economy than other vehicles. The federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards set the fuel economy goals for new passenger cars at 27.5 miles per gallon (mpg). But under the law, SUVs are not considered cars - they are characterized as light trucks. Light trucks only have to achieve 20.7 mpg. It should be noted that this is an average for all light trucks, which is why it is possible to have SUVs on the road that only achieve 12 mpg. In fact, some SUV, like the massive Ford Excursion, are so large that they no longer qualify as "light trucks," and are not subject to any kind of fuel economy standards.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Dallas, TX
Got this from a website that compiled the Department of Energy's info. It shows how much oil each gas company buys from the middle East.
Shell purchased 3,611,000 barrels from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
BP purchased none from the Middle East.
Chevron purchased 14,724,000 from the Middle East.
Citgo-None from the Middle East.
Amoco purchased 3,611,000 barrels from the Middle East.
Exxon-Mobil combined purchased 13,273,000 barrels from the Middle East.
Marathon purchased 10,710,000 in Middle Eastern oil.
Sunoco purchased none from the Middle East.
Conoco purchased 523,000 from the Middle East.
Sinclair-We didn't find any figures.
Phillips-We didn't find any Middle Eastern purchases.
Shell purchased 3,611,000 barrels from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
BP purchased none from the Middle East.
Chevron purchased 14,724,000 from the Middle East.
Citgo-None from the Middle East.
Amoco purchased 3,611,000 barrels from the Middle East.
Exxon-Mobil combined purchased 13,273,000 barrels from the Middle East.
Marathon purchased 10,710,000 in Middle Eastern oil.
Sunoco purchased none from the Middle East.
Conoco purchased 523,000 from the Middle East.
Sinclair-We didn't find any figures.
Phillips-We didn't find any Middle Eastern purchases.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 92
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From: Seattle, WA
No reasonable person advocates getting rid of old cars or tearing down old houses just because they are not energy-efficient. Fuel efficient cars have not been available until relatively recently. To use the house analogy, you wouldn't knowingly buy a NEW house with leaky faucets, no insulation, and drafty single-pane windows. So why would you buy a NEW gas-sucking hog of a car (SUV or otherwise) in this day and age when there are plenty of other options available?
from futruemini:
>>BP purchased none from the Middle East.
>>Citgo-None from the Middle East.
>>Sunoco purchased none from the Middle East.
>>Sinclair-We didn't find any figures.
>>Phillips-We didn't find any Middle Eastern purchases.
>>
So technically, if we buy gas from these companies, we're putting the cash somewhere else besides the midddle-east, duh. I don't think there's anything else we can do to indirectly "not support terrorism". If they got weapons and $h!t, so be it. If they use them against us (whoever "us" is) then adjust their existence to zero.
this is Ryan-logic, end.
_________________
Wisdom is not a function of age, but a function of experience.
>>BP purchased none from the Middle East.
>>Citgo-None from the Middle East.
>>Sunoco purchased none from the Middle East.
>>Sinclair-We didn't find any figures.
>>Phillips-We didn't find any Middle Eastern purchases.
>>
So technically, if we buy gas from these companies, we're putting the cash somewhere else besides the midddle-east, duh. I don't think there's anything else we can do to indirectly "not support terrorism". If they got weapons and $h!t, so be it. If they use them against us (whoever "us" is) then adjust their existence to zero.
this is Ryan-logic, end.
_________________
Wisdom is not a function of age, but a function of experience.
Thread Starter
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Coordinator :: South East - Florida
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Winter Haven, FL
I didn't so much post this article to start a stink about how SUV owners are paying for terrorist activities, I just posted it to show that there is an SUV backlash going on, no matter how silly it may be. 
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2002
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>>Got this from a website that compiled the Department of Energy's info. It shows how much oil each gas company buys from the middle East.
Can you tell me where you found this. We are having this same arguement on another forum that I belong to and would like to quote it directly.
Can you tell me where you found this. We are having this same arguement on another forum that I belong to and would like to quote it directly.
>>I didn't so much post this article to start a stink about how SUV owners are paying for terrorist activities, I just posted it to show that there is an SUV backlash going on, no matter how silly it may be.
Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with 2Minis on this one. As much as I'd like to believe that campaigns such as that profiled in the article would get people to THINK about the consequences of their choices/actions, I have little faith that this will actually be the case. These folks who buy a 3 ton truck for daily commuting and driving kids to school are so clearly lacking in consciousness that I just can't see a parody commercial making a dent in their behavior. In short, I don't really think that there IS a backlash. Unfortunately .
My suggestion? Insurance and registration surcharges that make it prohibitive to register trucks as cars. That way, if people want their SUVs, they can pay for them. I'd bet that that would clear a whole lot of the beasts off the road.
Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with 2Minis on this one. As much as I'd like to believe that campaigns such as that profiled in the article would get people to THINK about the consequences of their choices/actions, I have little faith that this will actually be the case. These folks who buy a 3 ton truck for daily commuting and driving kids to school are so clearly lacking in consciousness that I just can't see a parody commercial making a dent in their behavior. In short, I don't really think that there IS a backlash. Unfortunately .
My suggestion? Insurance and registration surcharges that make it prohibitive to register trucks as cars. That way, if people want their SUVs, they can pay for them. I'd bet that that would clear a whole lot of the beasts off the road.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
>>I think the point is to get people to THINK.
>>I think maybe you are...but no lines are
>>being drawn.
>>
>>Oh yeah. We aren't 100% worse than a hybrid.
Really? If they get twice the gas mileage we get, that makes us what? If a car gets 200% of the gas mileage that a MINI gets, that makes it how much better?
>>I think maybe you are...but no lines are
>>being drawn.
>>
>>Oh yeah. We aren't 100% worse than a hybrid.
Really? If they get twice the gas mileage we get, that makes us what? If a car gets 200% of the gas mileage that a MINI gets, that makes it how much better?
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 36,087
Likes: 3
From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
HollyRN76 wrote:
>>I didn't so much post this article to start a stink about how SUV owners are paying for terrorist activities, I just posted it to show that there is an SUV backlash going on, no matter how silly it may be. :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
Hey, Holly!
I figured you wanted to illustrate that the SUV backlash is happening! I am very pleased with any public service announcement/ad/whatever that makes people think! And Arianna's ads are making folks think! MINIacs are passionate people...and all over the place as far as points of view go! I find it all very stimulating and informative!
>>I didn't so much post this article to start a stink about how SUV owners are paying for terrorist activities, I just posted it to show that there is an SUV backlash going on, no matter how silly it may be. :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
Hey, Holly!
I figured you wanted to illustrate that the SUV backlash is happening! I am very pleased with any public service announcement/ad/whatever that makes people think! And Arianna's ads are making folks think! MINIacs are passionate people...and all over the place as far as points of view go! I find it all very stimulating and informative!
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 258
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From: Bloomfield New Jersey
lots of good points have been made here. I dont have a problem with SUV's if you have ten kids you want to feill the damn thing up with however; i know TOO many single people who own SUVS and have NO reason why having such a large vehicle. And for Gods sake they keep getting BIGGER AND BIGGER, those Cadillac things must do 3 miles a gallon. Its insane.
This country is all about excess unfortunately In AMerica we like to have more than we need and theres nothing wrong with that but there are lots of resources being used that really dont need to be used as much..gasoline being one of them.
Im just glad that the darn things are recycleable.
the insanity must stop!
http://hometown.aol.com/joseh1076/JOSEART.html
This country is all about excess unfortunately In AMerica we like to have more than we need and theres nothing wrong with that but there are lots of resources being used that really dont need to be used as much..gasoline being one of them.
Im just glad that the darn things are recycleable.
the insanity must stop!
http://hometown.aol.com/joseh1076/JOSEART.html
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
>>>>Got this from a website that compiled the Department of Energy's info. It shows how much oil each gas company buys from the middle East.
>>
>>
>>Can you tell me where you found this. We are having this same arguement on another forum that I belong to and would like to quote it directly.
Right Here
>>
>>
>>Can you tell me where you found this. We are having this same arguement on another forum that I belong to and would like to quote it directly.
Right Here
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
I strongly beleive that energy and consequently oil is the most important concern of most countries. In many countries, energy costs of cars, public transportation, heating etc are much higher per capita than eating...
If I'm driving a mammoth, I guess it's because I do not care, I feel I am so important that other people should sacrifice themselves or maybe I do not know. Education helps, sooner than later mammoth owners will get as much consideration as a smoker in a crowded bus.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 115
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From: Seattle, WA
If you guys really gave a whit about it, you'd all drive a hybrid, or a pure electric car, and only drive it when absolutely necessary. You'd take a bus to work, or even better, ride your bike. The whole idea of driving ANY automobile for pleasure undermines this entire line of reasoning. As for making people think, obviously flawed campaigns like this don't make me think; they make me despair, as it seems like this country thrives on hate.
If you drive for pleasure, I guess it's because you don't care, or feel that you are so important that other people should sacrifice themselves or maybe you just don't know. You are wasting gas when you toodle along in a rally, but fail to see that what you are doing is exactly the same thing that you are chastising an entire demographic for. I, for one, don't see anything wrong with enjoying my car, and having fun "motoring". I wouldn't, however, condemn other people for driving something, particularly people that I don't know, knowing that I bought a car for fun, and drive it for fun. That would be hypocritical.
By all means, take the long way to work, find the twisty roads, go for a Sunday drive, but don't kid yourself. You're wasting gas, and if it's not good for someone to drive an SUV because they waste gas, it's also not good for you to do the same.
If I'm driving a mammoth, I guess it's because I do not care, I feel I am so important that other people should sacrifice themselves or maybe I do not know. Education helps, sooner than later mammoth owners will get as much consideration as a smoker in a crowded bus.
By all means, take the long way to work, find the twisty roads, go for a Sunday drive, but don't kid yourself. You're wasting gas, and if it's not good for someone to drive an SUV because they waste gas, it's also not good for you to do the same.