A nation of idiots

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these choices will mean downsizing, simplifying, driving smaller cars, driving fewer cars (do we really each need our own car - every single one of us over the age of 15?).

I think we'll get there. It just takes us longer than the average civilized nation. we do seem to be very driven by consuming big stuff. this economy should teach us a thing or two. but maybe not.

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There has been a time in the past, say somewhere in the '70s, that I too thought we would get there. It didn't happen. It is my belief that we will have to hit bottom, as with other addictions, before we will "get there". Maybe hitting bottom is what we really need...
I was a better conservationist in the '70s than I am today. I've come to the conclusion that it was more because of a lack of money than because of environmental passion. If it had been a true passion for conservation, I would have continued when finances got better. .... not that I don't conserve a lot, just not as well as I used to.


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One man's idiot is another man's economic keystone.

Skunky, I miss Ignatius. I can't get used to the horse skeleton or whatever that is.....

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There has been a time in the past, say somewhere in the '70s, that I too thought we would get there. It didn't happen. It is my belief that we will have to hit bottom, as with other addictions, before we will "get there". Maybe hitting bottom is what we really need...
I was a better conservationist in the '70s than I am today. I've come to the conclusion that it was more because of a lack of money than because of environmental passion. If it had been a true passion for conservation, I would have continued when finances got better. .... not that I don't conserve a lot, just not as well as I used to.


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I hear ya and identify. we all do our best but we gotta do better.

There is a practicality to a smaller vehicle, for some more than others, if you realize that much of the time, you're driving by yourself, perhaps to work, and you just have to get your person from point A to point B. Look at all the people riding motorcycles. Very little passenger room, no collision protection, but they have their niche. Not everybody needs a SUV. For some, I'm sure it's a kind of status symbol.

yes, I could totally drive a teeny tiny automobile, with no need for hauling extra people or stuff, about 98% of the time. but there is that safety issue that's kind of scary too. especially when traveling on the interstate. but still, I think I'm willing.. especially if all the other cars are teeny tiny. and we do away with 18 wheelers (yikes).

yes, I could totally drive a teeny tiny automobile, with no need for hauling extra people or stuff, about 98% of the time. but there is that safety issue that's kind of scary too. especially when traveling on the interstate. but still, I think I'm willing.. especially if all the other cars are teeny tiny. and we do away with 18 wheelers (yikes).

I wasn't thinking what I would call teeny tiny. The smallest car I'd want to drive might be the size of a Mini Cooper. Some small cars have excellent safety records due to maneuverability, stopping distance, crumple zones, restraint systems, side air bags, and low incidence of roll over. Roll over used to plague SUVs, I'm not sure if it still does.

I wasn't thinking what I would call teeny tiny. The smallest car I'd want to drive might be the size of a Mini Cooper.

They say the guys who drive the big expensive vehicles are compensating for their small...well, you know...

Watch out, I think Lucifer Sam may be tryin' some o' that reverse psychology on us.

There is a practicality to a smaller vehicle, for some more than others, if you realize that much of the time, you're driving by yourself, perhaps to work, and you just have to get your person from point A to point B. Look at all the people riding motorcycles. Very little passenger room, no collision protection, but they have their niche. Not everybody needs a SUV. For some, I'm sure it's a kind of status symbol.

I was on a bike Friday night - nice evening for a ride. There is, unfortunately, always the driver who just plain doesn't pay attention. We almost got creamed! I screamed (first time ever on a bike) and thankfully my driver is a very defensive driver. Guy in the SUV gave us an "I'm sorry" wave. That was nice, right? My heart rate was up, up, up!

BR, I know what you mean about the smaller car in town even. I am seeing more Smart Cars and I just don't get how they get to be called smart. One booboo and you are toast....no room for mistakes at all.:shock:

Skunky, I miss Ignatius. I can't get used to the horse skeleton or whatever that is.....

When our occupancy rates are up and people stop talking about being scared of our water, I will bring him back. Until then, we are in limbo...

I was on a bike Friday night - nice evening for a ride. There is, unfortunately, always the driver who just plain doesn't pay attention. We almost got creamed! I screamed (first time ever on a bike) and thankfully my driver is a very defensive driver. Guy in the SUV gave us an "I'm sorry" wave. That was nice, right? My heart rate was up, up, up!

BR, I know what you mean about the smaller car in town even. I am seeing more Smart Cars and I just don't get how they get to be called smart. One booboo and you are toast....no room for mistakes at all.:shock:

Don't ride bicycles.

They say the guys who drive the big expensive vehicles are compensating for their small...well, you know...

Watch out, I think Lucifer Sam may be tryin' some o' that reverse psychology on us.

Yeah, chicks were rubbing up against me when I was driving that Yugo.:roll: They sensed my self -confidence.

I agree that there are some jobs/circumstances where an SUV is a sensible vehicle choice.

Kids going to neighborhood school or soccer practice is not one of them IMO - that is why they made school buses, mini-vans, station wagons, Volvos, etc. Mama Scooterbug managed to raise 2 kids with many extracurriculars (and wearing seatbelts) without driving a SUV.

And a great deal of a SUV's "safety" is negated by the fact that people drive them like idiots - and a semi or box truck will still cream one.

I agree that there are some jobs/circumstances where an SUV is a sensible vehicle choice.

Kids going to neighborhood school or soccer practice is not one of them IMO - that is why they made school buses, mini-vans, station wagons, Volvos, etc. Mama Scooterbug managed to raise 2 kids with many extracurriculars (and wearing seatbelts) without driving a SUV.

And a great deal of a SUV's "safety" is negated by the fact that people drive them like idiots - and a semi or box truck will still cream one.

Maybe 'safer.' Two accidents in my family: my Aunt driving a small something, maybe like a Ford Escort, which suprisingly is a fairly heavy car - she died immediately; and, my Uncle in a large sedan (think flagship Cadillac), was hit head on by an SUV; my Uncle did not survive....we removed life support after two weeks of hope, anguish, day after day of horrific news.....misery.

So, maybe preference and maybe danged good reason. Don't judge every little choice of others.

Chelsea Clinton plays a bass violin at over priced weddings and drives a huge SUV to get there? Huh? What did I miss?

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! :roll:

I think that it's important to note that the article is talking about "full-size" SUVs (think Ford Expeditions and Toyota Sequoias--things that seat 8 or 9 full grown people and run V-8 engines)...

There are many, many options for compact or mid-size SUVs that will more than fit an active family's lifestyle, provide safety and... wait for it... NOT guzzle gas like it's going outta style!

I mean, sure, any SUV is going to have a hard time keeping up with a Prius but, yes, some people actually do need a larger vehicle. And I don't think that they should be taken out back and beaten, nor should they have to euthanize all but their firstborn...

My first car was an '88 Jeep Cherokee... You know the kind--looked like a box, built like a tank--that my parents bought brand new, and then passed down to my older brother, and then to me. It had crazy high milage, hand-crank windows, and the AC was inclined to work only sporadically, but I'da driven that thing 'til the wheels fell off. And then, when my dad was broadsided while crossing 98 at 395 (before there was a light there), that fantastic little SUV saved his life! He rolled, he spun around, he landed upside-down... and he didn't have a scratch on him until he unbuckled his seatbelt and fell and broke his collarbone. So I understand the safety argument. Completely.

But in a way, I have to kind of agree with Bob--do any of us REALLY need a FULL-SIZE SUV? When most mid-size (if you have to have an SUV at all) SUVs will fit up to 7 people? For example, the Toyota Highlander can get 27 mpg (I know, the prius is waaaaay better, we get it...), seats 7, and has a terrific safety rating.

If you expect to be carting more people, why not buy a van? More cargo, a truck? Image, perhaps? Gotta fit into the American dream?

I also think that we should consider the fact (and I know this has been covered in another thread) one shouldn't get rid of their SUV just to get something friendlier on mpg when their current vehicle has got some life left in it. My 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (yep. I'm a Jeep girl...) runs just fine, is nearly paid off, and gets about 18 mpg, which is okay by me for my 5-6 mile commute. I'm not sweating the fact that I don't have an itty-bitty gas sipper. I have no life. I go to work. I go home. Me trading it in for that shiny new Prius would just be wasteful... Just my .02...

Funny,all the "green" politicians are escorted by suburbans and Tahoes.
"Do as I say,not as I do."

Michelle Obama's SUV convoy arriving in Marbella on Tuesday complete with 40 friends, 70 Secret Service AND bodyguards. Staying at the world's best hotel with rooms averaging $2500.00 each night - on your dime. Those SUV's are American and had to be flown over. What a carbon footprint.