Of course militant "environmentalists" have been conducting their
own SUV war for some time now. A common maneuver is to slap bumper
stickers onto large vehicles, with slogans like
- "I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE AIR. ASK ME WHY."
- "SUV = Selfish Urban Vanity."
- "MY SUV FUNDS TERRORISM.
- "SUV drivers are PIGS!"
When I heard about Arianna Huffington's campaign, I wrote her the
following email, expressing my outrage:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Anti-SUV Initiative
Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2003
From: 
To: arianna@ariannaonline.com
Dear Arianna,
I know that you can enhance your personal power and prestige with
this issue. But what you are playing into the hands of those who
wish to live in a controlled economy, where our personal freedom of
choice will be surrendered to those "experts" who "know better".
Certainly you can go about pointing your finger at SUV owners.
Some people put perjorative stickers on SUV. Why not put them on
disposable batteries, or anything else that we personally believe
are wasteful? Suppose I believe that central heating is a crime
against the planet? We should all wear thick sweaters and
only heat one room in our homes. Let's point the finger of
scorn at the energy hogs who heat an entire 2000 square foot
dwelling.
This was certainly the view of the Unabomber. But he despised
the controlled economy and opressive government of the leftists.
He preferred direct action. And he wasn't above killing those who
disagree with his views. Unfortunately there are others, such as the
terrorist group "Earth First" who also embrace violence to enforce their
opinions.
Every person in the USA is free to choose what kind of lifestyle
they wish to use. Many people have a legitimate reason to use
a SUV by even the most extreme environmentalist's standard.
Why should they be judged by these zealots? In a free society,
these totalitarian-wannabees have no right to judge their fellow-
citizens.
Let's face it. The issue is personal freedom. I will not give
mine up even to control my fellow citizens. By the way, I really
despise disposable batteries, and use rechargable ones. But my
practice is based on self-interest. These batteries cost me less.
I drive a fuel-efficient car to work because it saves me money.
But I'm certainly free to buy a bigger car if I can afford it.
And anybody who tries to limit that freedom is nothing more than
a tyrant-wannabe.
Sincerely,
Berthoud, Colorado
So how effective has Ms. Huffington's campaign been?
Well last August 22, members of the terrorist group
Earth Liberation Front (ELF) committed about $1,000,000.00 in
vandalism and arson damage to a Hummer dealership in West Covina,
California. The fires gutted a parts warehouse and destroyed
20 Hummer H2 sport utility vehicles.
Another 20 Hummers and several Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs were badly damaged by
fire and spray paint.
Three other dealerships and at least four privately owned vehicles in
the area also were damaged during the vandalism spree.
Words such as ``ELF,'' ``Fat, Lazy Americans'' and ``I (heart) pollution''
were painted on the SUVs.
Just another skirmish in the ongoing "SUV War".
Unfortunately, the goal of these soldiers is to destroy our
individual liberty and establish a collectivist tyranny that
they hope to rule over--not as elected public servants, but as
appointed technocrats.
Their future utopia will not allow anyone to own an SUV
by their own choice. Imagine applying for an SUV permit at the
Bureau of Fuel Efficiency, waiting for approval by the Council on
Sustainability, and paying a large annual fee for your permit.
I suggest that these finger-pointing eco-Nazis look at
themselves and ask "Are my politics hurting someone?"
To email me, use this address:
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