America... Watch Out!

---

Jeffrey R Smith said:
I must have missed something...? I thought in America we had the freedom to drive the vehicle of choice...?

---

Freedom to do something doesn't equal a need to. I have the freedom to go in the middle of Times Square and stab myself in the eye with a fork... that doesn't mean that I should do it, or that I'd have any justification to do it.

---

..but when people start geting called "jackasses" for the horrendous crime of driving a vehicle that some do not approve of...I'm guessing it is time for a voice of reason to speak up! No matter your political orientation, I would like to think that most realize that calling somebody a jackass based soley upon the vehicle they drive is crossing a line!

---

Read a bit closer. I was talking about people who buy big vehicles for no purpose and complain about gas prices. I stand by that assertion, jack.

I'm not fond of Bush by any means, but it's absolutely nonsense to say blame Bush when it's our own wasteful lifestyles that are costing us money. Besides, most other countries are seeing gas prices increase (tripling in eastern Europe) and I doubt Bush has much of a say in what goes in any of those countries.

I can't tell you how many times I saw empty cars running over the course of this summer just so the idiots could keep the AC running full blast while they were in the fast food restaurant, supermarket or whatever. Total stupidity. They didn't mind spending $2.50 a gallon then.

I put 75 miles a day in driving to my job. I'd love to either have a job closer to my home, but I don't see that happening in the near future, or else take a train to get somewhat closer to work. But since they're just talking now about replacing track they took out 30 years ago, I might be able to do that on the day I retire.

As long as you're blaming the Republicans/oil companies, why don't you ask the UAW what they think about mass transit? After all, those gashogs are built by Democratic voting union guys and gals. What do you think would happen if one of the automakers announces they're going to shut down the plants that make those monsters? Just pointing out that the mentality crosses party lines.

Speaking of changing driving habits, driving slower on the freeway can save a lot of energy. At the high speeds on the freeway, wind resistance is the largest force trying to slow your car down. In fact, the amount of force opposing your car increases by a factor of 4 as your speed increases by a factor of 2. For those of us with 70 MPH speed limits, if you were to decrease the speed limit to 65, that would decrease the opposing force of wind by about 15%.

I don't know for sure if that would give you 15% better gas mileage. It could be more, or it could be less. Anyway, my point it that just by driving a little bit slower, you can save a lot of money at the pump.

Og, that depends on the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle in motion, but I have a pretty good feeling that's a totally different monster from what's being discussed here :)

I don't know a lot about fluid flow, but the euqation I found had a velocity^2 term, which is how I got what I said above. There is probabbly more to it that, but I still say that you can get better gas mileage if you just slow down a little bit.

*** Edited 8/30/2005 5:20:12 AM UTC by 0g***

---

Freedom to do something doesn't equal a need to. I have the freedom to go in the middle of Times Square and stab myself in the eye with a fork... that doesn't mean that I should do it, or that I'd have any justification to do it.

---

To who would you suggest this justification is warranted in a free country? I support your right to say it, but I dare say this is a rather extreme, borderline socialist, commentary! I’ll give benefit of the doubt and assume the “fork in eye” comment is an extreme example made in haste. I can’t imagine that any reasonable person believes that driving a large vehicle is as socially inappropriate as gouging one’s eye in public…? Do you truly feel this way?

---

I was talking about people who buy big vehicles for no purpose and complain about gas prices. I stand by that assertion, jack.

---

I apologize if I’ve misinterpreted your written sentence.

Out of curiosity, who are these large Hummer drivers that are complaining about gas prices? Where do you see them and talk to them? Do you have a lot of rich friends that just can’t stand the thought of an extra $10 at the pump? At what size vehicle would a person who complains about gas prices be a jackass in kpjb's world? Only Hummer-owner complainer? Or might Cadilac-man be a small ass? What if somebody owns a hybrid AND an SUV like my neighbor...maybe a semi-ass? It all gets confusing when we start going down that angry road of judgement...please provide insight!

I don’t think I’m misinterpreting your italics on “ass”…? If this is indeed a compliment then ignore the following...

It seems somebody is a little too angry and is itching to call all sorts of names toward people who do not think and act like him in this free country. There are medications that can help you with that anger problem if you are so inclined…but I doubt you’d want to contribute to Big Pharmacy… *** Edited 8/30/2005 5:25:12 AM UTC by Jeffrey R Smith***

---

Swoosh said:
^Are you using Priceline for your hotels? That will cut costs as well as I usually get pretty good motels for < $40/night.

---

Wow thats cheap, The best deal I get is $49 a night and thats in May, Sept, and Oct. times of the year.

At the risk of starting a fight... oh, boo-hoo.

Where I live gas has been over 1 euro per litre ($6+ per gallon) for months.

If you will drive cars that do 20MPG, such as the one I rented last time I was over there, then price rises will hurt more. 40MPG+ is easily achievable.

---

Jeffrey R Smith said:
It seems somebody is a little too angry and is itching to call all sorts of names toward people who do not think and act like him in this free country...

---

Pot call the kettle black much?

Once again, I apologize to any Republicans who actually have a decent head on their shoulders, I use that term a lot forgetting that it groups in some people who are completely sensible ... I think you can figure out who I mean when I put it in the sentance with oil companies though ...

Republican, Democrat.

Is there really a big difference when you get down to it? They all lie to me :).

;) *** Edited 8/30/2005 12:33:21 PM UTC by TeknoScorpion***

You all have hit on the issue here. America is run by big business. If anyone does anything to threat Megacorp X's bottom line, Megacorp X will pay Senator/Representative John/Jane Doe to kill it before it becomes known. NOTICE I don't say Republican or Democrat. Megacorp X don't care who they got to pay all they care is they pay and it goes away.

The Modern Marvels show that had Kingda Ka on it also discussed MagLev technology. Why isn't it used here? One reason. Big Auto and Auto Unions keep taking the money from the projects by lobbying Congress.

Here in NJ they built a new light rail system that goes from Camden to Trenton and it's not getting the usage that was predicted. Why? Because like was said earlier Americans have a why have to do all the transfers when I can drive door to door.

dragon:

Same thing is happening to the new Vegas monorail. It is losing money monthly and soon the taxpayer will get stuck with the bill when the private company who built it goes under. People would rather taxi from A to B than monorail with all the stops. I completley understand this...

---

Republican, Democrat.

Is there really a big difference when you get down to it? They all lie to me

---

That is why you should check out the Libertarian party...! Of course you'll waste your vote for futile principle.

My advice is as worthless as this thread. We all envision a world as we would like it rather than reality. In my case, the reality is that we have a 2-party system and you are forced to choose sides if you desire your vote to mean anything at all. For the majority on this thread, the reality is that Americans love cars and they love the right to drive what they want/when they want/where they want AND mass transportation, on the whole, is as successful as the Libertarian party!

P.S. Show me any public funded mass transportation system and I'll show you a money-loser! If not, believe me we would have train stops in everyones back yard! *** Edited 8/30/2005 1:11:32 PM UTC by Jeffrey R Smith***

I believe we Americans should pay less for gas than the rest of the world.
When it comes to gas, we use more of it than everybody else. It's like: Buy in bulk and save.
Look at motor oil. The price of that hardly deviates at all no matter what the price-per-barrel does. If you buy a case of oil, it's always cheaper than buying individual cans/bottles.
just my .02

That is why you should check out the Libertarian party...

Nope, but thanks for playing ;).

JRS - the MAIN problem with the Vegas monorail is that it is inconvenient to get to. If the stops were on the street, it would be HIGHLY used. The fact that the casinos controlled where the stops would be on their property, forcing riders to walk throught their shops, restaurant areas and casino floors to get to them make it a very long walk.

The time/stops factor is not the problem...accessibility is. Look at Chicago's subway / El / Bus / Metra system. It carries MILLIONS of people to and from work every day....and whaddayaknow...it has stops!

People taking the hardline republican or democrat stance are IMHO completely ignorant.

No, Im not calling anyone names but does anyone meet or even call their representatives anymore? It's your right to do so.

Ohio has a Gov that basically has done nothing for it and at the same time raised every fee, tax and fine every year of his term. Not to mention using states funds for private outings. Why Ohioans allow him to keep his office is beyond me.

All I can say is, We get what we deserve when YOU don't enforce the guidlines already set.

There is many ways fuel can be saved. Probably if you took every city. Coordinated it's traffic lights and flow patterns a million barrels a day could be saved. Why don't it happen? Cause we don't demand it.

I for one am thankful for one off topic post for a limited time.

The polititians job is to divide the peoples views these days so while no majority can make up their mind, They can do what they want.

---

That is why you should check out the Libertarian party...! Of course you'll waste your vote for futile principle.

My advice is as worthless as this thread. We all envision a world as we would like it rather than reality. In my case, the reality is that we have a 2-party system and you are forced to choose sides if you desire your vote to mean anything at all. For the majority on this thread, the reality is that Americans love cars and they love the right to drive what they want/when they want/where they want AND mass transportation, on the whole, is as successful as the Libertarian party! quote]

^Amen to that, brother! :-)

-Tina

Economics 101 the laws of supply and demand are kicking in. The supply of gas is perceived to be low right now due to a few factors (whether they are real or not I do not want to debate) the war in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina in the gulf are two of those I will list. Demand for gas is high right now due to summer vacations. So due to the law of supply and demand the price of gas will go up.

About time there's another Bush hater like me!! He isn't just one of the worst leaders!! He IS the WORST leader!! I'm tired of people acting like gas prices would only affect driving! It affect the cost of EVERYTHING and those evil corporations are going to make sure our wages stay low just to screw us all over! It's Satin's plan to ruin the whole world1 Bush is not a Christian! He just hides behind it and is out to distroy the whole middle class! He wants severe poverty and make the USA a third world country! You just watch it is coming!! And VERY FAST!!! :-( Theme parks will go bankrupt within 5 years except for a few small family run parks like Knoebels or Holiday World which is currently building the greatest thing on the planet!! But I hope I won't be too broke to go to Holiday World after I lose my factory job within the next two year due to Bush's outsourcing! About this voting deal. Your vote won't count unless you are voting Republican because the republicans will keep stealing the election and thanks to Bush we are now a one party dictatorship! :-( So it doesn't matter who votes anymore so I will just waste my vote on my girlfriend by writing her name in the ballot since she is the smartest person I've ever known and that is a fact! *** Edited 8/30/2005 1:55:14 PM UTC by Pink Floyd Fanatic***