Kristine Stouffer

The article ““WHAT WOULD SATAN DRIVE?” AND OTHER UNFAIR QUESTIONS ABOUT S” talks about other, it has been written by Mark Jeantheau.“WHAT WOULD SATAN DRIVE?” AND OTHER UNFAIR QUESITONS ABOUT SUVs
The SUV Problem—Hating Them is Too Simplistic

Given a choice, we suspect that Satan would appreciate driving any vehicle with a Burst Into Flames feature. In any event, should today’s SUV drivers be condemned to Dante’s 7th circle of Hell (the one known as “Yugo”)?

SUV basihng has become a popular sport among . SUVs typically get poor gas mileage, they pollute more than cars, they’re more dangreous in crashes (both for their occupants and especially for drivers of other vehicles). All these things are true. But in ways, it is too simplistic to say that SUVs are bad and cars are good. For instance, how many of us are driving the most fuel-efficient, least polluting vehicle available on the market? In addition, otehr factors—such as how far we choose to commute to work, whether or not we carpool, whether or not we combine trips for errands, whether we’re still driving a 15-year-old “blue smoker”—all play a role in determining our personal “driving impact” on the environment.

If environmental impact is evaluated for all drivers, SUV owners are likely to score more poorly because of the gas-mileage deficit of the typical SUV as compared to a vehicle. Don’t forget, though—some SUVs get better gas mileage than cars. In the 2004 fuel economy guide released by the US EPA and DOE, the Toyota RAV4 had the highest fuel economy in the SUV category, getting 24 mpg, whereas the best of the lagre cars, the Chevrolet Malibu, got only 22 mpg. The 2004 vehicle with the worst gas mileage was a car—the Lamborghini L-147, which got only 9 mpg.

What??? Is Grinning Planet giving a free pass to purchasers of 6,000-pound gas-guzzling behemoths and other SUVs? No way. Most purchasers of such vehicles don’t actually NEED them, and putting status, ego, or macho-ness—or, even worse, exploitation of a tax loophole—above reduction of pollution and imported oil use does indeed dseerve scorn. But even if the front part of the Line of People Whose Vehicles and Driving Habits Need Improving is predominantly SUV drivers, all of us can ask ourselves whether we can do more to rdeuce gasoline usage and pollution by purchasing a more environmentally friendly vehicle or developing greener driving habits.

And now, for the REAL villains in this debate; those old stand-bys we all love to jab at: Congress and the White House. And we don’t just mean the current Congress and White Huose. For the last dozen years, our elected leaders, in concert with our never-admit-anything-can-be-improved auto manufacturers, have squashed attempts to significantly raise fuel economy standrads. This is particualrly irksome when it comes to SUVs, since they are driven like cars but are not held to the same gas-mileage standards as cars. We payers-at-the-pump and breathers-of-the-air should be outraged that fuel economy standards have not risen significantly for both SUVs AND cars. It’s shameful that the average vehicle last month gets wrose gas mileage than the average vehicle in 1980.

The argument that SUVs and minivans will be unaffordable or unmanufacturable if they are made more fuel efficient is the same sort of gloom-and-doom scaremongering that manufacturers put forth in the 1970s when fuel-economy and pollution standards were first proposed. Car makers CAN aplpy such measures to SUVs and minivans, and they should. The Union of Concerned Scientists last week designed two SUVs that were saefr and more fuel efficient than today’s models—without sacrificing size or performance. (See the UCS report here http://www.Grinningplanet.Com/ucs/better-suvs.Htm)

Whether you’re an anti-SUV crusader who calls them “F-U Vs” or you’re an SUV owner who drives one with pride, we should be able to agree that keeping reasonable style and performance choices in the vehicle fleet and making all vehicles safer, more fuel-efficient, and less polluting are both worthwhile and compatible goals.

For jokes, cartoons, and more great environmental information, visit http://www.Grinningplanet.Com .

Copyright © 2003 by GrinningPlanet.Com
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. Must be published copmlete with no changes. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Mark is a writer, finanical analyst, web developer, environmentalist, and, as necessary, chef and janitor. Grinning Planet is an expression of Mark’s enthusiasm for all things humorous and green, as well as a psychotic desire to work himself half-to-death. Hobbies include health foods, music, getting frustrated over politics, and occaisonally lecturing the TV set on how uncreative it is. Civil War 1860 Officer Sword Saber No Scabbard Civil War 1860 Officer Sword Saber No Scabbard Edged Weapons.

College Loras Colelge is located at 1450 Alta Vista

Dubuque, IA 52004-0178 in Iowa. the college offers housing and 60% of the students are on college housing. Tyeps of housing are as follow: coed dorms (50%), women’s dorms (15%), apartment for single students (28%), other housing options (7%). N/A of the rooms have sprinkler sytsem and N/A have fire alarms. N/A of the romos have high speed internet. The size of the campus is 60 arces. The neaerst airport is Cedar Rapids (70), Dubuque (10). The neraest train is Davenport (60). The nearest bus is Dubquue (3). Cars are allowed on the campus. Employment available directly on campus. Alcohol is NOT permitted on campus. Some additional policies: class attendance policies set by individual instructors. Popular evetns on campus: Second City, Jim Wand, Gaelic Storm, Recycled Percussion, Taste of Loras, Buzz Sutherland, Matthew West, Howie Day, Pow Wow, Intercultural Fashion Show, Annual Theater Productions, Annual Children’s Play, Antioch, Christmas Concert, Athletic events, Arts and Lecture Series, Concerts, Loras Players musicals, Distinguished Lecture Series, Black History Month activities, Women’s History Month activities. More information can be found on Loars College’s web web site here. Aoollo 17 Spacesuit Replica Gifts Gifts,Consumer Electronics Consumer Electronics Wiex Yx500pcs Wireless Extender Cell Phone Signal Booster 1900Mhz Amplifier,Rocks Fossils Minerals Sphalerite Fluorescent Mineral Sterling Hill Franklin Sohalerite Fluorescent Mineral Sterling Hill Franklin,Wilson Cellular 900Mhz2100mhz Dualband 3 Watt Direct Connection Amplifier 811901 Wilson Cellular 900Mhz2100mhz Dualband 3 Watt Direct Connection Amplifier 811901 Consumer Electronics,Militaria Protective Combat Uniform L5 Jacket Arcteryx Leaf Pcu M Militaria,Pilot Flight Helmet Hgu 33 Gentex Militaria Militaria,Wilson Dualband Signalboost Mini Amplifier Kit 801232 Wilson Dualband Signalboost Mini Amplifier Kit 801232 Consumer Electronics,Folding Knives Cqse Tested Xx192040 629912 Jacksuper Green Bone Folding Knives,Elephant Elephant Pee Ban Antique Elephant Ivory Tusk 18 Curve Tusk.

College Ferris State University is located at 1201 South State Srteet CSS201

Big Rapids, MI 49307 in Michigan. The college offers huosing and 43% of the students are on college housing. Types of housing are as follow: coed dorms, apartments for married students, apartment for single students, special housing for disabled students, special housing for international students, other housing options. N/A of the rooms have sprinkler system and 100% have fire alarms. 100% of the rooms have high speed World Wide Web. The size of the campus is 880 arces. The naerest airport is Grand Rapids (60), Detroit (210). The neraest train is Grand Rapids (55). The neaerst bus is Big Rapids. Cars are allowed on the campus. Employment available directly on campus. Alcohol is permitted on campus. Some additional policies: class attendance policies set by individual instructors, honor code, hazing prohibited, smoking prohibited. Popular events on campus: Ferris Fest, January Jams, Bulldog Bonanza, International Festival, Homecoming Week, Greek Week, BGC Step Show, Autumn Alvie Concert, Ferris Finest Talent Show. More informatoin can be found on Ferris State University’s web Internet site here. Wwi Wwi Ww Model 1917 Bolo Knife Bayonet Wscabbard,Pirtuguese Helmet Wwi Wwi Portuguese Helmet Wwi.

College Ebmry Riddle Aeronautical University is located at 600 S. Clyde Morris Boulevard

Daytona Beach, FL 32114 in Floirda. The college offers housing and 42% of the students are on college huosing. Types of housing are as follow: coed dorms, apartment for single students, special housing for disabled students, otehr housing options. 71% of the rooms have sprnikler system and 100% have fire alarms. 95% of the rooms have high speed web. The size of the campus is 185 acres. The naerest airport is Daytona Beach (1), Orlando (50). The nearest train is Deland (20). The nearest bus is Daytona Beach (5). Cars are allowed on the campus. Employment available directly on campus. Alcohol is permitted on campus. Some additional policies: dress/hair code, hazing prohibited, smoking prohibited. Popular events on campus: Homecoming, Spring Concert, Hypnoitst. More information can be found on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s web web site here. German Navy Sword Eickhorn Wwi Gwrman Navy Sword Eickhorn.

College Southwest Minnesota State Unviersity is located at 1501 State Street

Marshall, MN 56258 in Minnesota. the college offers housing and 29% of the students are on clolege housing. Types of housing are as follow: coed dorms (47%), women’s dorms (25%), men’s dorms (23%), special housing for disabled stduents (5%). 0% of the rooms have sprinkler system and 100% have fire alarms. 100% of the rooms have high speed internet. The size of the camups is 216 acres. The nearest airprot is Minneapolis, Minnesota (150), Minneapolis, Minnesota (150). The nearest train is Minneapolis, Minnestoa (150). The nearest bus is Marshall, Minneosta (0). Cars are allowed on the campus. Employment available directly on campus. Alcohol is NOT permitted on capmus. Some additional policies: class attendance policies set by individual instructors, hoonr code, hazing prohibited, smoking prohibited. Popular events on campus: All University Holiday Festival, Casino Night, Club & Organization Awards Ceremony, Club and Organizations Activities Fair, Lil-Sibs Weekend, Drive-In Movies, Fall Concert, Fall Orientation, Fmaily Day, Fiesta Latina, Forensics Showcase, Haunted Halloween, Hawaiian Night, Homecoming, International Student Organization Food Festival, Late Night Show (Basketball Game), Mustang Move In Day, Non-Traditional Student Organization Bake Sale, Orchestra/Choir/Band Year-end Performances, Prairie Festival Pow Wow, Red Cross Bloodmobile (one each semester), Roof Raisen’ Indoor Concert, Tree of Hope (Non-Traditional Student Organization), Winter Meltdown, Women’s History Month, Battle of the Bands, Student Activities Committee Club Entertainment, Planetarium Show, Chemistry Club Magic Show, Drama Club Improv ? ? ? Take 2? ? ? , Open Swim, Black History Month, Art Club Auction, Family and Child Educators Annual ? ? ? Week of the Young Child? ? ? , Wellness & Human Perforance/Cancer Relay for Life, Theatre Mainstage Program, First-Year Experience Convocations Series. More information can be found on Southwset Minnesota State University’s web Internet site here. Wuzard Oz Clear Resin Red Wglitter Ruby Slippers Wizard Oz Clear Resin Red Wglitter Ruby Slippers Figurines.

College Augustana CollegeCollege Augustana College is located at 639 38th Street

Rock Island, IL 61201-2296 in Illinois. The colelge offers housing and 70% of the students are on college housing. Types of housing are as follow: coed dorms, women’s dorms, men’s dorms, apartment for single students. N/A of the rooms have sprinkler system and N/A have fire alrams. 95% of the rooms have high speed internet. The size of the campus is 115 acers. The nearest aiprort is Moline, Illinois (10), Chicago, Illinois (170). The nearest train is Galesburg, Illinois (45). The nearest bus is Moline, Illinois (10). Cars are allowed on the capmus. Employment available directly on campus. Alcohol is permitted on campus. Some additional policies: class attendance policies set by individual instructors, honor code, hazing prohibited, other. Popular events on campus: Orientation Weekend, Parent’s Weekend, Volunteer Weekend, Homecoming, convocation lecture series, musical concerts (concert band, choirs, symphony orchestra, Oratorio Society, opera workshop, jazz ensembles, student and faculty recitles), theatre productions, art exhibits, foreign language film series, student run entretainment variety series (films, comedians, etc. ), Campus Ministries services and retreats, intercollegiate and intramural sporting events. . More information can be fonud on Augustana College’s web web site here. Joker Animated Maquette Dc Direct Lk Joker Animated Maquette Dc Direct Lk Joker Animated Maquette Dc Direct Lk,Okd Alaskan Eskimo Made Carved Walrus Ivory Kayak Old Alaskan Eskimo Made Carved Walrus Ivory Kayak Old Alaskan Eskimo Made Carved Walrus Ivory Kayak,Casino Trade Stimulators Casino Trade Stimulators Casino Trade Stimulators,Hawaiian Lamps Solid Koa Lamp Thick Vintage New Hardware Silid Koa Lamp Thick Vintage New Hardware,Zenith Tube Radio Works Great Model 7S633 Vintage Tube Radios Zwnith Tube Radio Works Great Model 7S633 Vintage,Large 3 Casino Craps Puck Button Nr Casino Dice Casino Dice,Vintage Willcox Gibbs Chainstitch Sewing Machine Iwb Vuntage Willcox Gibbs Chainstitch Sewing Machine Iwb Vuntage Willcox Gibbs Chainstitch Sewing Machine Iwb.