WHAT THE HELL?

“Not ALL of us are covetous.
I drive my old landcrusier because it's the best car for where I live.
I love that car like a son. It's also a classic.
It's easy and cheap to repair, and it gets me where I want to go.
Why would I want to buy something new and expensive and showy?
To keep up with the Jones'?
We have a Dodge Diesal pick up 4X4 we bought new in 91.
It's not worn out. It runs great. It has a Cummins Diesal engine.
What should we buy?
We're happy with what we have.
What da fook would we do with a Cadillac SUV?
Drive it to the Hills of Beverly?”

“gee that would be so sad if toasty boy didn't come back”

“I drive a toyota pu and feel kinda small in it, I am trading gas milage for safety. I am a safe driver but everyone makes mistakes and I may pay the reaper some day. I go to an unbelievable amount of mva's and it is a battle of the lug nuts and yes the bigger vehicles win about 99% of the time. I don't care what the manufactuers say about safety, bigger is better and I see the proof nearly every day. But I still drive the toy. It is also fun to tear them apart with the rescue tool as long as no one is hurt.”

“Bought a 92 Subaru AWD wagon last fall, had a lot of fun with it this snowy winter. The lease on my 98 Explorer is up in June and I still wanted AWD so when I found a deal on the Subaru I went for it. It's a lot cheaper to drive & once I get rid of the Explorer I will save a lot of money. I will definitely miss all of that cargo space though. It will be much more of a challenge to cram kids, kayaks, and camping gear for a weekend into the Subaru.”

“See plenny of tinted-windowed stretch SUV's, especially in Manhattan. Sometimes a pedestrian will proclaim on a crowded sidewalk: There go Puff Daddy!" At any rate, we'd imagine that Freud would say that they can't have too much strechin' at the zipper.”

“Things have quieted down a bit here, so thot I'd stir 'em up a bit... The popularity of SUVs in recent years has directly led to the lowest overall fuel economy in the US since 1980. I don't think folks have the "right" under so-called free market capitalism to engage in decisions that could sell us all down the river. Some of you youngsters may not remember the OPEC embargo of 72-73, but I do. Not pretty. Not fun. SUVs should be treated the same as passenger cars with regards to emission controls and fuel economy. Better yet, for every mpg below 25, there should be a $5,000 user fee for using excess fossil fuel.”

“Ditto snowmobiles, ATVs, and jetskis. Most SUV owners I know will drive their gas guzzlers 20 miles to a mall to buy a pint of Rainforest Crunch, and think they're helping to save the environment.”

“Dosen't europe have a tax based on engine displacement? I always thought that was a good idear.”

“Europeans and Scandinavians seem to show a bit more civilized conduct on occasion than we do, i.e., the death penalty and gun control. One pays dearly for wasteful decisions there but those taxes have brought them the most incredible public transportation system on the planet.”

“THE TOASTER IS BAAAACK! I brought eggs and sausage for bacpac (sorry, I like patties better than bacon strips). Coffee, too.

It's nice to see the conversation pointing, at least, to the original point. I must disagree, to the great dismay of many, with the notion of auto emissions influencing "global warming." I know, some of you are cursing my children's children right now and preparing to hop in the GreenPiece (intentional) dinghy to ram an oil tanker, but there has been no credible scientific evidence of global warming--more on this later. Back to emissions: I see nothing wrong with the emission levels of vehicles manufactured today--whether it's the Honda Insight or a Kenworth T2000 big-arse tractor-trailer rig. Our country pollutes (in this area, mind you)far less per capita than most countries on the face of the planet. China, Russia, any African country? Yup, sure 'nuff. Now, an SUV may produce more airborne contaminates than, say, a Subaru Outback or a Ford Aspire, but WHO CARES!? There has been NO credible scientific evidence on the supposed ill-effects of fossil fuels on the earth's mean temperature. I could cut and paste a very good article attesting to these claims, but I won't. Unless someone asks for it.

Long story short: the point is regarding people seeking "the look." It's silly--I saw a little lady today trying to navigate her land yacht (a Suburban) into a parking space between cars and a light pole. After a 20-point turn, she eventually gave up and double-parked at the store front. Heh heh heh.”

“Toastie, don't cut and paste a whole article. Post the link. That way we won't have to ignore pages and pages of useless drivel, we can just ignore the link. =:O”

“Oh. I forget sometimes. Sorry.

Here goes:

http://www.foxnews.com/views/junkscience/001117.sml

the homepage is:

http://www.junkscience.com

Happy reading; I'm awaiting my chicken-little liberal friends. :)”

“Cool, pseudoscience from THE JUNKMAN! Have you ever taken a look at his background and agenda?

How big tobacco created him

Skeptic's Dictionary Internet Bunk ”

“BTW, Junkman is a registered lobbyist for Monsanto, the International Food Additives Council and the American Petroleum Institute among others Purty darn impartial guy, eh?”

“LOL!!!! thanks kleetypoo!

now, get back to work, ya goldbrickin' bum!”

“Here is an article stating that there is plenty of credible evidence of global warming, but scientists are split on the cause of it. It could be from pollution or it could be the Earth's natural cycle.

Global Warming”

“radagast, I see the humor now. I guess I was having a bad day yesterday also. WORKING, school and raising three kids can take a toll on the 'ole funny bone. My only regret is that I didn't marry Jen before you. ;o)”

“wrong thread, toots. but i'm catch your drift.

no you can't have Jen. (hmm.)

and i had the last bit of one of my problems removed (literally) yesterday. for those who remember... we think it's all gone, now, and the doc said i should be ok.”

“hey! and do you know what CAUSED that problem???

SUNSHINE!!!! (the other one) LOL!!!!

bizarre, eh?”

“Yo, toastie! Chicken little got yer tongue? ;oP”

“Kleenex:

Nah, I just don't sit here all day.

I'm bored with this thread--started poking fun at the glam-gear wannabe's and, somehow, arrived to whining about the theory (just like the evolutionary theory, the earth is flat theory. . .) of global warming.

How 'bout a string that's interesting?”

“Toastie, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, but better a cruel truth than a comfortable delusion.”

“Great stuff posted by Kleetn again (his links, esp.)!

Further reading:

"Trust Us, We're Experts : How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles With Your Future"

There are chicken littles in the world of science, but more ominous are the well educated, well trained, well paid liars.”