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

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

[Piquaboy]

Everyone knows that the internal combustion engine is the biggest threat to mankind.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

Amazing isn't it? Nothing they say, nothing they do can be believed.

[culpeper]

Why do they make sports cars that can go 150+ miles per hour for that matter? I don't see the liberals jumping down the auto manufacturers throats every time someone wraps a Corvette or Porsche around a telephone pole but yet they go after semi auto firearms because they have a higher capacity. I'd like to see the statistics of deaths due to driving at excessive speeds in sports cars vs. deaths involving the use of semi auto "assault" style weapons. Why does the government allow cars to be sold that knowingly can do double the national speed limit? Yet they nitpick over a weapon having a 10 round capacity. Doesn't the ability to drive 150 mph entice the driver to test the abilities of the automobile thereby enticing the driver to break the law?

[Issaquahking]

I'm with you Ohioman.......We're even getting to many RINO's and liberals posting in agreement with this stupid woman. Only been in one car wreck of any serious nature, saved by the fact that it WAS a solid Ford F-150. Went out and got another F-150.....think I give a damn about the gas through it(DUH);am happy to be able to be here due to F-150's size.Screw a bunch of greenies....I want to intelligently use my back yard, not lock it up.

To the rest of the conservatives and the Ohioman - have a good weekend.

[B Knotts]

THERE ARE NO FAMILY STATION WAGONS ANYMORE

Iof course there are-- you've been staring at mini-vans and suvz too long.

I mean full-size station wagons; they no longer exist, thanks to CAFE regulations, which were meant to increase fuel efficiency. Instead, they simply forced people who wanted full-size cars to buy SUVs. CAFE had exactly the opposite effect as was intended. This isn't a surprise to anyone who was paying attention.

[cogitator]

Of course rollovers are still relatively rare.

But not as rare for SUVs as regular cars, because in addition to the higher center of gravity, SUV drivers tend to drive faster because their perception of speed is altered due to their increased height off the ground.

But there's no doubt that in a collision, mass wins. Now who's more likely to get in a collision... a driver who thinks his car is relatively invulnerable in a collision and who might be driving too fast due to the nature of the vehicle, or someone who drives defensively in a lower-to-the-ground car?

I'm not saying I know... but those factors must be considered.

[cogitator]

Sorry man, but, just because you dont like them or think they could be better isnt a good enough reason to take them away.

I don't think that's what I was advocating. Huffington's piece advocated voluntary switching to higher-mileage cars. Vehicle choice is everyone's prerogative, and numerous factors weigh into it. But some people could opt for higher mileage cars rather than SUVs if they are just buying the "trendy" choice, and automakers can improved SUV mileage. Both of those factors would help.

[cogitator]

Doesn't the ability to drive 150 mph entice the driver to test the abilities of the automobile thereby enticing the driver to break the law?

Yes. I read numerous accounts of teenagers who do exactly that. Similar accounts apply to pocket-rocket motorcycles. There's a long rural stretch of I-270 south of me (south of Frederick, MD) that has the reputation as a lightly patrolled late-night motorcycle drag strip, and there have been several fatalities.

[onedoug]

Can't afford an SUV, nor definitely the gas.
So I'll take my little Corolla, and get there just as fast.