janelane wrote:
] ] People driving or riding in a sport utility vehicle in
] ] 2003 were nearly 11 percent more likely to die in an
] ] accident than people in cars, the figures show. The
] ] government began keeping detailed statistics on the
] ] safety of vehicle categories in 1994.
]
] I really cannot conceive of SUVs as the root of all evil of
] the auto industry. If anything, that title should belong to
] policy makers who refuse to hike min mpg requirements or
] lobbyists who insist that making such policy would send the
] U.S. back into little more than primordial ooze (technically
] speaking). If they could more than double the average mpg
] from 12 mpg in '72 to 24 mpg in '82, they can sure as hell
] stack on some additional efficiency now without flushing the
] economy.

Here Here! Uping the MPG and reducing consumption are alternatives we need to look at. However, I have a feeling Energy Policy meetings go a little something like this:

Sec. of Energy: Mr President, we are too dependant on foreign oil. We have 2 options, we could secure more oil reserves through some kind of military operation or trading treaties, or we could rise the MP...

Bush: Wait, wait wait! I found if people give me choices, my head hurts. What was the first thing?

Sec. of Energy: ... er... secure more oil reserves through military action or a trading treat...

Bush: What did I just tell you about give me options? What is the first part of the first thing?

Sec. Of Energy:... [sigh]... Secure more oil with military action.

Bush: I like it.

Powell: Sir, this is truly the most retarded thing I have ever...

Bush: Damn it Colin, what have I told you? If two people talk to me at once, my head hurts. Now, lets do this. Bring me my wall sized coloring book! [aid brings in a large map], ok, here we go [throws dart]... hmmm.... Pa, Pasiff... Pacific Ocean! Looks kind of big. I call do over! [throws dart]... damn it, not again! You didn't see anything did you?

Powell: Just my duty to the American people going to hell.

Bush: Good. Do over! [Throws dart]

[Hours pass, Powell shoots himself, Hours pass]

Bush: Damn it! I just might have to take on Pacific and his punk buddys Atlantic and Indian. One more! [throws darts]... hmmm. Somebody call Dick and ask him what I-R-A-Q spells.

Safety Gap Grows Wider Between S.U.V.'s and Cars