Off-topic: SUV owners

[Stephanie Hysmith]

Perhaps you are environmentally responsible driving your SUV. My sister
just bought a Suburban conversion van and loves it. Her husband is happy
that he can haul the recycling to the dump in the back. My husband and I
are quite content to drive our 1979 Dodge pick-up which does not have 4WD,
can hold 3/4 of a ton of firewood and gets borrowed frequently by friends
and neighbors. The key's always in it if you need it.

At 10:53 AM 01/17/2000 -0800, you wrote:
>I have not quoted Mike's diatribe against people who drive SUVs.
>
>Thank you, Mike.  I drive one.  I have found it infinitely more useful than a
>flatbed or a sedan.  The 4-wheel drive is great in bad weather when the back
>isn't loaded down, and the 4-wheel drive low has taken me through 3-ft. of
snow
>when I would otherwise have been stuck.
>
>Out here in California, you have no choice if you go to the Sierras in bad
>weather:  4-wheel drive with mud and snow tires, or chains.  Putting on
chains
>in wet slush is not my idea of fun.
>
>I can take 4 adults and their gear for a weekend of camping, skiing,
whitewater
>rafting.  I can load an entire 6-ft. long platform bed in the back, with the
>mattress in the roof.  I have moved myself _many_ times, never worrying about
>the rain.  I have lent my truck to others for their hauling needs.  I cart
>recycling and donations, frequently.
>
>I am pretty sick of wanton SUV bashing.  There are just as many idiots
driving
>BMW sedans, Volvo wagons, and Honda Civics.  Yes, SUVs use more gas, and
that is
>offensive.  For this reason I often either carpool or take the bus to
work.  But
>sometimes I have to go places where the buses don't go.
>
>Another nice benfit to driving a truck as a woman - men bother you less.
They
>don't try to cut you off or shoot at you.  I am not kidding.
>
>Maybe I'm an idiot.  But I'm a satisfied one.
>
>Andrea
>--
>Andrea Vine, avine at eng.sun.com
>Sun-Netscape Alliance i18n architect
>Necessity is the mother of strange bedfellows.
>-- Dr. Dave Farber (father of SNOBOL and one of the creators of Token Ring)
>