Queen Arianna: Support Our Troops, Dump That SUV (mega-barf)

ariannaonline.com ^ | 11/14/2001 | Arianna Huffington

[Pokey78]

[The Old Hoosier]

She's lost her mind over the last two years, but I think she's right this time. If we're going to achieve energy independence, it's going to take more than just drilling ANWR and the Gulf Coast. That's a stopgap solution.

Eventually, we're going to have to use fuel more efficiently, and then probably find other efficient ways to run our vehicles. Sept. 11 is the event that will ultimately force an American energy revolution, thus putting oil in the gutter (it's already headed there, and OPEC's whining is music to my ears). Once the oil is no longer profitable, the whole Middle East will turn into a desert full of camel-herders.

Bet Atta wasn't thinking of that when he hit the WTC with the plane.

[Cicero]

I agree with you. Saving energy isn't the whole solution, but it makes sense. I save energy both because I think it's a good thing to do, and because it saves money. Our electric rates (from a cooperative power company in Vermont) are astronomical. We save something like $200 a month by using energy-saving bulbs throughout the house. For years I drove a VW Rabbit diesel. Unfortunately they don't make them any more, but it handled well, was comfortable, and got 40 miles to the gallon. I don't feel holier-than-thou toward my neighbors who drive big pickups. But I must admit that I don't see the point of all those suburban SUVs, which never leave the hardtop and never encounter the kind of driving conditions that would justify them. It's a different story when you have dirt roads, rough country, and heavy snow.

The primary need for our country is to achieve energy independence, probably by nuclear generation of electicity. But opening the Arctic to oil production will help, and so will energy conservation.

[ohioman]

I, me, myself, personally don't give a Rats Arse about conserving energy other than what I personally due to keep my electric/gas bill down.

I have a truck that guzzles gas. I don't recycle. I smoke. Detractors do not matter in my little empire as I am happy!

[Ignatz]

I must disagree, Ol' Hoosier. Opening up the ANWR and other oil reserves, as well as the coal deposits X42 declared off limits as a repayment to Riady, are a necessary step in a progression toward energy independence. Add to these safe nuclear power, which the eco-terrorists HATE! They will fight it every step of the way.

I do agree that Ms. Huffington seems to be moving left in her opinions, though. I used to hold her in somewhat high regard.

PS: Greetings from Indy's Castleton area!

[Tazlo]

Why the barf alert? She's right on.

[Gunner9mm]

The UN Council on Global Climate Change has recently cited Arianna as one of the leading causes of global warming, claiming that the profuse amounts of hot air that are emitted from her are of serious concern.

[Ignatz]

But I must admit that I don't see the point of all those suburban SUVs, which never leave the hardtop and never encounter the kind of driving conditions that would justify them. It's a different story when you have dirt roads, rough country, and heavy snow.

The difference between Liberals and Conservatives, Cicero, is that Conservatives stop right there at the end of that sentence. For Liberals, the end of that sentence is a jumping-off point to calls for penalties and regulations against those who would exercise their freedom to make a "pointless" choice of which automobile to drive.

[mountaineer]

Frankly, saying hasta la vista to my 13 mpg Navigator and hello to a 23 mpg Volvo V70 station wagon is hardly a sacrifice.

Hmmm, not so patriotic as to buy an American gas-sipping car, eh, Adrianna? Oh, that's right, there aren't any American status symbol luxury station wagons. She's a phony and a snob, IMO.

[mountaineer]

Oops, my bad, didn't mean to misspell her name.

[cork]

I would have a hard time pulling my loaded snowmobile trailer into some places with a Volvo station wagon. There is also no way it would pull my camper to a NASCAR race. I don't think son's quad would fit on the roof. Forget firewood. Forget driveway gravel.It doesn't have enough clearence to take it hunting let alone load a dead deer in the back. It wouldn't be much for getting me to my favorite surf casting spot (when I do get to go).Etc, Etc You will not get me to give up my full size 4X4 pu, 8.5 city, 15 highway, twin 30 gal tanks. The perfect vehicle. Can't wait for my new one

[VRWCmember]

Hey, if you don't mind sending your money to Saudi Arabia, go right ahead and drive a gas guzzler. I, personally, want to minimize the amount of money that might flow from my pocket into terrorist hands.

If I decide between a SUV that gets 16 MPG and a smaller (inadequate sized) car that gets 32 MPG, then my monthly expense in gasoline is going to be either $400 or $200. Out of the $200 difference (going to Texaco/Fina/Conoco etc.) about $60 to $70 is state and federal taxes, leaving about $130 to $140 to the (domestic) oil companies. So how much of that $130 is going to OPEC? I don't know. I'm more concerned with driving something that is big enough to haul my family and whatever we need to carry and to keep me from being squashed like a bug if some idiot runs into me on the road.

[VRWCmember]

How about dumping the SUV ON Arrianna.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

The worst offenders are the Congresscritters and the elite including but not limited to the media. When all these mush brains are driving fuel efficient vehicles I may take some notice of the rantings.

This may come as a shock, but we can dig for fuel. It is there. It won't decimate the landscape, this isn't 1930 when they dug up the west and beautified it with crickets. The politicians and the greens who won't let this happen, including my own Jeb Bush, are not thinking ahead. We must become energy sufficient, and we can.

At least we can reduce our dependency to managable proportions, buy from nations other than the Arabs, and save ourselves from the threat of blackmail in the form of shortages and super high prices. This should have been done after Carter left office. Does anybody remember the oil mess during his administration?

[lavaroise]

What's the fuss about SUVs? People think NY does not have enough victims we need to fabricate more at their expense? Liberals do need to get a real life, I mean a reaaaaaaal significant f$cking life and get off the back of those who work and contribute to the garden of eden.

[hapy]

you must remember liberals are angry people these days. They have no voice and the louder they scream the less those in control listen it is about time too!

[ohioman]

I agree. Unfortunately, many Liberals in this country just love to tell us how to live and think. They can't stand the fact we can enjoy life without worrying or caring about the fricken Snow Owls and Sucker Fish.

[proud American in Canada]

Hmmm, not so patriotic as to buy an American gas-sipping car, eh, Adrianna? Oh, that's right, there aren't any American status symbol luxury station wagons. She's a phony and a snob, IMO.

Excellent point