Eastern Mojave Vegetation
Tom Schweich
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Eastern Mojave Vegetation
| Supporting Terrorists With My SUV Since 1972! |
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Tom Schweich |
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| I suppose it's pretty asinine to claim that I have been supporting terrorists with my SUV since 1972. However, I'm kind of at a loss for any constructive response to similar claims that SUV owners are in fact supporting terrorists. | |
| I presume the claim is made because the gas mileage of a typical SUV is lower than the gas mileage of a typical family sedan. I'm sure that's true. My own current SUV gets 16-17 mpg around town and 21-24 mpg on the highway. That's certainly less than my 1962 Volkswagen got. | |
| I think the real issue, though, is that any economic activity that begins, passes through, or ends in a region from whence terrorism is supported, might in fact provide some aid to terrorists. | |
| Many of the fossil fuels consumed in the United States are extracted in countries where our government thinks terrorists are supported. These fossil fuels are processed to make gasoline that are supposedly wasted by burning them in SUVs as opposed to more efficient vehicles. | |
| I think the problem is in the fossil fuel, not simply one use of them. | |
| For example, how much fossil fuel does a family of four use when jetting off to Aspen for a ski weekend? Are they supporting terrorists? | |
| How much fossil fuel does an 18-wheeler use, when driving the Interstate right next to a much more fuel-efficient railroad? Do trucks support more terrorists than trains? | |
| If we are serious about not supporting terrorists, not depleting world resources, and not warming the globe uncecessarily, we need to examine ways to reduce all fossil fuel usage. | |
| The way to do that is to tax fossil fuel production, importation, and usage, regardless of where it is produced and how it is used. | |
| This thing about singling out one class of US consumers for their particular style of consumption is divisive, counter-productive, and assinine. I really wish Arianna Huffington could find something more productive to do with her brains and money. | |
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| One afternoon, after a day at the herbarium, I found the “Notice of Violation” on the windshield of my car. I experienced a range of emotions, as I surmise do most of the recipients of this little prank. | |
| Eventually, though, I settled on my memories of another similar experience. Due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances I have to deal with wheelchairs and handicapped parking. While on a field trip to Anza-Borrego State Park I happened to notice that a car parked in the handicapped spot at park headquarters was not displaying a placard or a special license plate. I sat down and wrote a very nasty little note and placed it under the windshield wiper. My companions thought I was being a turd, but I managed to self-righteously ignore their opinion. | |
| Over the ensuing 25 years, though, I have come to understand that I really did not know why it was parked there. Instead, I made some assumptions that led me to do something that may have really hurt someone who did not deserve it. It might have been a disabled person who forgot their placard. It might have been someone who was sick and desperate for a parking spot. It might have been an elderly lady, bringing her husband to see the paleontological exhibit for the last time in his life. (I now know a few of the retired residents of Borrego Springs who work on the paleontological exhibits at Anza-Borrego.). | |
| That’s the essence of this “Notice of Violation.” It’s really sophomoric. Someone who thinks they are wise (sophos) behaves foolishly (moros) by placing a rude notice on the car of someone they have never met. | |
| If you have a question or a comment you may write to me at: tomas@schweich.com I sometimes post interesting questions in my FAQ, but I never disclose your full name or address. |
Date and time this article was prepared: 12/9/2024 7:35:58 PM |