Posted by Chantelle (128.174.245.238) on October 21, 2002 at 16:58:39:
In Reply to: None of you can argue on principles posted by Truth on October 13, 2002 at 15:24:16:
Thanks for pointing out the inconsistancy in this argument/debate. I agree with you that there should always be consitancy in criticizm, and clearly, there was some lacking here.
So, I will say this: Yes, it was unfair to merely ticket SUV drivers - big trucks and minvan driving soccer-moms should have been ticketed as well (when I'm on my bicycle, THEY are the ones that scare me the most! yikes!)
I have no affiliation with this group, other than the fact that I stumbled onto this site. However, I would encourage you to consider this: it doesn't matter if these "SUV fanatics" target SUV drivers, minivan drivers, truck drivers, nuclear power stations, the corporate media or Santa Clause. Its still not a great idea to purchase or drive an SUV for the reasons they state. I'm no enviromental saint, so I'll be the last person to throw stones at your SUV - I drive my Honda Civic nearly every day, even though most of the places I need to go are within walking or biking distance of my home. I confess, I am an AMERICAN and it will be a cold day in hates when I completely give up my car and therefore my own disgraceful dependance on foreign oil. I don't have the determination and commitment it takes to be 100% true to my own ethical standards - wish I did. But it's true - I'm weak - I eat red meat, shop at WalMart, I don't recycle and I have been known to wear fur(only vintage, though - I figure if the animal was killed before I was born, it doesn't count). But I do try to do what I can - and driving a very fuel efficient car is something that I want to be able to continue to do. Unfortunately, I feel less and less compelled to do this as I see more and more HUGE vehicles on the road (vans, SUVs, trucks). I don't want to die in a car accident trying to save a few hundred gallons of gasoline, that would be silly - but I also know that I have a responsibility as an educated and informed member of my community, my country, and my world - dang it, I can't afford an electric car and ethanol just isn't viable yet. SO, I'm stuck with an old Honda. The problem is that the more large vehicles there are on the road, the less likely people like me will be able to rationally justify driving small fuel efficient cars. If I'm killed tomorrow because I drive a car that can't possibly stand up to an SUV, sure, it's my own fault, not yours. I accept that. But you should also consider that if you do get into an accident with someone like me, you might have to live the rest of your life knowing that you could have saved someone elses life. I really think that's worth considering.
Your objections to the anti-SUV activists are clearly legitimate ones and you are clearly capable of evaluating the legitimacy and soundness of arguments. For this reason, I'm compelled to ask you to look beyond the overenthusiasts' antics and see the real core elements of the anti-SUV folks' argument. They really do make some sense. Reducing dependancy on foreign oil, reducing oil consumption and the pollution that comes with it, considering the safety of fellow human beings - its all good. Don't let the radicals get to you, and remember that there are lots and lots of ordinary, reasonable people out there driving their little Hondas like me, just trying to do their part and be good citizens.
Thanks for reading.
Chantelle
: All of you SUV fanatics have managed to avoid facing this argument so far, so I'll keep poinding on it until you do:
: : SUVs are taller than passenger cars and take up more space. So do minivans.
: : SUVs have poor fuel economy compared to cars. So do minivans.
: : SUVs rollover easier than cars. So do minivans.
: : Why aren't you telling all the soccer-mom SUV drivers to get station wagons instead? Please give me an answer! You say minivans are practical vehicles for large groups of people, but large station wagons hold as many people as minivans and get better fuel economy, don't rollover as often, are safer to other cars in a crash, etc. etc. Please ANSWER this question instead of dodging it so obviously!
: The only response I've heard so far is that YOU have determined that most minivan drivers need their vehicles, while SUV drivers don't. But this is ridiculous. If you are going to argue on principles, such as the poor fuel economy, higher rollovewr rate, danger to other vehicles in a collision, etc. and BOTH vehicles have these problems, then you should target both vehicles equally. Does it make sense to say that it is okay for a minivan driver to kill the occupants of a passenger car or to pollute the air more because they aren't posers like SUV drivers? NO! The fact you seem to be avoiding is that station wagons can transport as many people as minivans without all the problems you harp on aboutr SUVs (which also apply to minivans).