Free Republic

Bumper Mentality By Stephanie Mencimer, Washington Monthly December 20, 2002 Have you ever wondered why sport utility vehicle drivers seem like such a--holes? Surely it's no coincidence that Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, tours Washington in one of the biggest SUVs on the market, the Cadillac Escalade, or that Jesse Ventura loves the Lincoln Navigator. Well, according to New York Times reporter Keith Bradsher's new book, "High and Mighty," the connection between the two isn't a coincidence. Unlike any other vehicle before it, the SUV is the car of choice for the nation's most self-centered people; and...

Just heard a live interview with Republican Bill Campbell on KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles. He reported that the Republicans in the legislature have forced anti-SUV bill AB1493 to governor Davis' desk. This gives Davis 12 days in which to sign or veto the bill. Democrats in the legislature had been bottling up the already-passed bill in order to head off a potential initiative challenge from opponents. Had they succeeded in delaying passing the bill to Davis until the legislature adjourned, opponents would not have had enough time to gather the 420,000 signatures necessary to get a recission initiative...