You Must Drive a GMC Yukon Hybrid. Guzzling gas at the super efficient rate of 22mpg, soccer moms and overly insecure men can ride around feeling good about their protection of the environment so that their misguided children have something to destroy.
When questioned about their choice, they ask if you drive a hybrid..... Response, well no, but.... Interjection: then quit your whining and put your money where your mouth is you misguided hippy!
Flabbergasted you go on to try and explain that your non hybrid compact gets 35mpg, and that you rent a SUV for the seldom times you ever need one. But your words are lost on them as they rev the robust V-8 engine.
Then they make some comment about how this is the American Spirit and wish you well (that is to F*** Off) as they peel out of the Super Market parking lot.
Dumbfounded you remain there standing still, until you make it to a computer to write about the experience online...
In all actuality there are Americans out there who believe that this monstrosity is actually justifiable. I have met them, they see my pro environment tee shirt, and start going on and on about how they are so wonderful and they threw down another 5-10 thousand dollars to get a hybrid to do their part. I try to smile weakly and suppress the urge to berate them with their own idiocy. Usually my reply is that I am glad they are paying attention to the environment, and try to leave there.
But lest they get too egotistical about their holiness, I quickly put them in their place. Yes, that means telling them what reality looks like. That amazingly their extra $5000 to $10000 could get them an older suv to haul their boat when they need it, and the rest would more than purchase an actual fuel efficient vehicle, such as say a Prius or two. Not to mention that the 50000 they laid down on this new GMC Yukon "Hybrid" could have taken their house off of the electric grid with a purchase of solar cells, which would more than save them money in the long run, and would increase the value of their home.
But alas if this does not make a point to this undereducated media influenced buffoon, I mention the fact that they might try to think for themselves and let the oil lobby take a rest. That they are doing no one any good because their vehicle produced more carbon in the total manufacturing process than a Prius would produce over several years. Then you arrive at the said conversation, where they cite something about being "American" and race away.
"How Can I Teach These Kids"
And if there are overly insecure people out there, who just need something to compensate, get a Tesla Roadster for Christ Sake!
Good blog. It's true... the hype about hybrids drives me nuts sometimes. People need to relax and do a bit of research before they get a hybrid so they can figure out exactly how much better (if at all) they are than a conventional vehicle. Some hybrids, like you said, are worse in the longrun. Others are good. It just takes some research and comparing.
Tesla Roadster! Whoo! I wish... looks like one heck of a car.
I think I'll keep riding my bicycle until more practical full-electric cars are on the market.
I like the way this blog was written. It felt like a firstperson narrative of some sort. Good blog!
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Mind Control is Easier Than You Think