I think... I have maybe half a dozen times seen an SUV tow something. They are used far more often as a commute vehicle (since they're quite roomy and comfortable), as a car/truck to go to the local grocery store, etc. I will wager that families that have an SUV and another car use the SUV by default first, and the car if the SUV is already in use. Eventually you get quite used to the extra comfort and luxury that's built into the SUV, along with the height difference. Also, there is the perception that they are safer (though that's mostly because the SUV is a road hazard in an accident).
But the argument isn't about specifically SUVs. Its about large, low efficiency engines.
The reason a lot of American families own SUVs isn't because they just want to arbitrarily waste gas, but because they have things to tow. Maybe a horse trailer, or some jet skis, or a fishing boat.
Hahaha! Yeah, if by "a lot", you mean "a tiny fraction". The only areas where SUV owners tow anything is near recreational hotspots like lakes. Everywhere else they're just a symbol of wealth.
Like the whole state of Minnesota, The Land of 10,000 Lakes? But lets go back. Horse trailers are a common sight on many interstates up here and, I venture to guess, other states where there are farms, hobby farms and horse riders.
Let alone handymen with their construction pickups for home renovation projects. 4x8 plywood fits rather nicely in the back of a hatchback Geo Metro.//not a redneck//doesn't live in an apartment
I don't consider a talk show host's opinions to be any more relevant just because he happens to be in the bully pulpit.
These people, the ones of whom you speak, they listen to hundreds if not thousands of viewpoints routinely and have developed a keen sense of their own views. Their tone is sometimes harsh and shrill, but looking past the tone is where the nugget lies.
Listening to and understanding an opposing viewpoint and all of its backing verification, however weak it may be, gives you the mind of your opponent. I don't mean to be a troll. BTW, it doesn't infuriate me anymore when I hear someone speak where I think they are way off base. It used to. I attribute listening to well spoken men and women, not to mention the callers that disagree, over and over ad infinitum and learning to speak my own mind. In other words, the bully pulpit doesn't push me around. And I find that satisfying.
And if I may, listening to someone go off about xyz topic and finding a hole in their argument is awesome, especially first thing in the morning. Plus, you can always call them.
Peace, and have a safe holiday weekend.
There it is! The depth of human interest. Some like it hot, some like it cold, and some like it in a pot 3 days old. Or whatever. The point being: do you disagree and then turn away because you don't want to know where someone else stands or, do you instinctively know where you are right and wrong? My vote is that you tend to bury dissent as non-relevant. And maybe it is. But maybe it isn't. And you will never know. Therein lies the rub, and why people listen to talk shows to get pissed off.
Sharpen your sword with that which you disagree.
Does constantly refreshing Bloglines count? It's time to regulate the Refresh button. Only one refresh per hour, any more and You are over the legal limit.
Just Say No to Refresh. (tm)
Tongue FIRMLY planted in cheek.
I envisage a sort of corporate dystopia, in which people optomize themselves to maximize their utility to their employers, altering their own brain chemistry to make themselves into perfect employees - we can argue what traits such a human tool would have, but they're probably not very laudable.
Uh, coffee? This reminds me of the spider web study where they gave the spiders a variety of chemicals. Oddly enough the spiders given coffee and Meth were similar indeed.
...a solid education for every member of our society.
You assume, sir, that education is solid whereas I would provide to you that it is fluid and a constant goal. Education takes people who want to learn and strive for more information, skills and experience and raises them to the next level. The precursor to your argument is choice and correct choice at that. First, people must demand a high level of quality output from their educational source, private or public.
Slashdot Mirror
I'd buy THAT for a dollar! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daoV-LsINiA
Listening to and understanding an opposing viewpoint and all of its backing verification, however weak it may be, gives you the mind of your opponent. I don't mean to be a troll. BTW, it doesn't infuriate me anymore when I hear someone speak where I think they are way off base. It used to. I attribute listening to well spoken men and women, not to mention the callers that disagree, over and over ad infinitum and learning to speak my own mind. In other words, the bully pulpit doesn't push me around. And I find that satisfying.
And if I may, listening to someone go off about xyz topic and finding a hole in their argument is awesome, especially first thing in the morning. Plus, you can always call them. Peace, and have a safe holiday weekend.
There it is! The depth of human interest. Some like it hot, some like it cold, and some like it in a pot 3 days old. Or whatever. The point being: do you disagree and then turn away because you don't want to know where someone else stands or, do you instinctively know where you are right and wrong? My vote is that you tend to bury dissent as non-relevant. And maybe it is. But maybe it isn't. And you will never know. Therein lies the rub, and why people listen to talk shows to get pissed off. Sharpen your sword with that which you disagree.
Yeah, but here you will have moderated feedback which in my mind is more valuable.
Haptic feedback FTW
Does constantly refreshing Bloglines count? It's time to regulate the Refresh button. Only one refresh per hour, any more and You are over the legal limit. Just Say No to Refresh. (tm) Tongue FIRMLY planted in cheek.
Uh, yeah, like we need a Charlie Rose wannabe. Ba-Zing!
"WTF?! Mom, Dad, can we move BACK!?" If I ever said WTF to my parents THEY would charge me $3200 a year.
ROFLMFAO
...a solid education for every member of our society. You assume, sir, that education is solid whereas I would provide to you that it is fluid and a constant goal. Education takes people who want to learn and strive for more information, skills and experience and raises them to the next level. The precursor to your argument is choice and correct choice at that. First, people must demand a high level of quality output from their educational source, private or public.
I believe they used this resource: Heifer.org