The Pig is IMPRESSED! Here are a few letters that have rolled in recently.
This is Page one - More letters on
Page 2
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Page 4
Also see The Pig's general mail box - Letters Posted - with the Pig's response.
LETTER
The only way I know how to impress you is to say that I once stuffed 100 mini marshmallows in my mouth at once. I was 13 at the time. Don't ask me why, or what happened when the phone rang!
I tried so:
LETTER
I would like to display one of your very relevant stickers on my economy car. I am sick of SUV drivers (who probably never carry a load bigger than their fat asses) hogging gas, lanes , not to mention our oxygen. These suburban cowboys use these gas hoggers to impress their neighbors. These are the same people who would never be caught dead camping let alone out in the rugged tundra of Philadelphia. If you have ever been on a street in South Philly ( the streets are about four feet wide) you would see the danger these vehicles pose to the neighborhoods.
There my dear pig, that is my two cents
LETTER
Hey even if you dont send me the bumper sticker (yes its me again) I gotta say you have a lot of guts for coming out with a site that really tells it how it is. I'm sick of all these people who have no notion of civic duty and planetary responsibility. Yes I do drive a fossil fuel powered (small)car but until other options are more widely available we can do other things to lessen our oil dependence. When I go into the city of Philadelphia to attend college, I take (GASP!) public transportation. I laugh all the way to school as I watch everyone sitting in crawling traffic while im inside the train relaxing. It drops me off right in center city, its less expensive than filling the gas tank every week and I can take a nap on the way. Try doing that in a car (well, you could take a nap but you might kill someone). Instead of being a fat ass, I walk the two blocks to the store to pick up milk etc while the fat lady next door hops in her truck to do the same. Maybe this is just an urban legend, but a few years ago my grandfather told me a disturbing story that I think your audience should know about. A farmer in the midwest figured out a way to make his car run on a combination of water and chicken manure. He was on his way to obtain a patent when some representatives from a big oil company attempted to pay him off to keep his mouth shut. When he protested, they threatened his life and that of his family. Thus, he accepted the money and let his dreams be trampled by greedy rich oil executives. You see, the technology is out there, the genius to put it to use is as well. The "man" (such as George W. Bush's oil cronies) will lose money if everyone was to run their cars on chicken shit. How do people think Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists are funded? Camel dung proceeds? Their sisters' GoGo bar tips? Their casino/entertainment industries? Sand Mining stock dividends? I think not. Fossil Fuel is the right answer. I dare anyone to disagree with me. Good people in the Middle East are kept prisoner by the tyrants that rule them. The Middle East is poor in natural resources save fossil fuel. Without oil, rulers would be forced to allow their citizens to engage in capitalistic ventures and in turn, freedom. Education would become a priority in their nations, instead of something reserved for the oil aristocracy.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest Mr. PigKeep up the good work,Jessica
LETTER
dear pig,
I definitely deserve a sticker because both my mom and dad drive hybrids. My dad bought a Honda Insight when it first came out in 2000, and my mom drives a Honda Civic hybrid. My dad loves to daft big trucks and regularly gets over 70mpg! My mom's job keeps her in the city, but she still gets 50mpg! Please send me some stickers so i can give them to my friends (one drives a prius) and put them on our cars.
Doug
LETTER
I want 3 free stickers please, I want them to show America how the PIG does it's job.
LETTER
Your a cute pig and your website is cool. Nicky
LETTER
Dear Mr. Pig;
I would like a "gas pig" sticker because I walk most places, or ride public transportation. When I have to drive, I get as much done in one trip as possible so as to reduce gasoline consumption. I would like a sticker because I want people to think about the REAL cost of their gasoline: one thousand American lives and counting! Anyone who doesn't think that the U.S. is engaged in a war in Iraq because of oil just isn't paying attention; it's time the gas-hoggers and gas-wasters realize that every drop of gas wasted keeps some American soldier from being home for Christmas. I really believe that if America used less gasoline, and was not dependent on the Middle East for crude, our soldiers would never have been sent to Iraq.
In addition, the sticker is cool and I want to be cool, too!
Nancy
LETTER
may i please please please have a free sticker please, I know you are a very busy pig but i really want one please please please, my details are
The Pigs biggest fan
LETTER
I have a VW Jetta TDI and get around 45 mpg, my roommate has a VW GTI that
gets around 35 mpg--we'll take any bumper stickers you have!
LETTER
Hi,
I hate fat trucks too! I ride a motorcycle and those really fat ones
with "motorcycle hater" mirrors are impossible to squeeze by in traffic!
Even the big Semi-Trucks are easier to get by.
If you still have bumper stickers, I'll take one :)
LETTER
hey gaspig guys, i just wondered across your website and i like it. im 18
and live with my mom and both of us hate SUV's and their effect on the
economy and not to mention having to drive around on the same roads as those
things.. its suicide.. well anyway my mom drives a nice little honda civic
and i drive an acura integra and i think both of our cars would look good
with some gaspig stickers and we would both love to spread the word on how
SUVs suck.
LETTER
I was curious to check out your website after seeing two seperate
hippy-suv's on campus (UNC-Asheville). My suspicions were confirmed when I
noticed your website advocated was the classic "global warming garbage" that
campus hippies are quick to embrace, but slow to actually react. I just love
how these hipocritical hippy students drive around in SUVs that their rich
parents provide them, and then they plaster a "gas-pig" bumper sticker on
their SUV so they won't feel guilty. After visiting your website, I am
inspired to take a extra long trip in my large truck.
Spencer
ps. Vote Bush/Cheney '04
LETTER
I am sorry that you and you’re affiliates feel the way you do, but in
Ontario, Canada we abide by a “drive clean” program and my 1991 Nissan
Pathfinder passed with lower emissions than most 2003 cars. As for the roll
over stats it is usually a person with a car mentality driving an SUV for
the first time. As for the smog portion of you’re web site it is a little
un-just to say it is SUV’s causing the worlds smog problem, tractor
trailers, industrial factories, cars….etc, are in you’re view not a factor
are they? If you’re going to bash the SUV market and owners, take a look in you’re own
drive way and ask you’re self if you are part of the problem as well.
Brent
SUV owner.
LETTER
ok, well look i am only 12 (bout to be 13), and i care bout the world and
how we treat it. but not just the world, the things living on it to. Like:
the animals, the trees/plants, and... oh yeah US! smog damages the air which
damages how we breath/live. and over populating changes our life and the
animals lives,because we take their land away from them. cutting down trees
effects how we breath. i mean....god how heart less can u people be. look i
know u think i am a little young to be worrying about all of this stuff. but
when u r gone i will have to deal with it. and that's not fair. if u have
kids don't u want to be healthy and smart. i mean now that we r doing all
that stuff in space there is less money for the schools and stuff. ok...well
u want to write back go for it if not whatever
signed
a tree hugger
Hey Guys!!!
LETTER
The best idea ever. Can you tell me what do I have to do to get a bumper
sticker?
I live in Chicago for 16 year I've lived Poland. It is amazing how much
gasoline people in USA are using- I mean wasting. So just be aware that
Chicago supports You
Take care
Michal (pron. MEHOW)
LETTER
Yo Pig,
I like your website. What I like better is the fact that for the
gasoline SUV's to even get the mileage they DO, they have to be made so
lightweight in the protection areas that when they hit something, they end
up almost as bad as a small car occupant-wise and repair-wise. Hydrogen fuel
cells is another Government scam and the energy to produce that source take
as much or more than it benefits. The simple technologies may fare to be the
best in the long run. spell it p-o-l-i-t-c-a-l.
Mick-head
LETTER
I’d love to get a hold of one of your stickers. I have a jeep Cherokee,
because I live in the woods, and would be proud to call it a gas pig,
because it is!
LETTER
I just stumbled upon your web site tonight and am sooooo glad. I have been
trying to tell people about the problems with SUVs forever. My sister was
visiting yesterday with her kids. They have one of those minivans. She says
to me, I'm thinking about getting an SUV. Now, mind you this is the kind of
statement that makes my blood boil and I feel like I just want to shake some
sense into the ignorant fool who is speaking. However, what usually happens
is I get all pissed off and frustrated just thinking about all the SUVs and
Hummers on the road that I just start spouting out things like, SUVs suck
and you better not get an SUV. So I don't feel like I end up making a very
good argument. Sure I say things like they are bad for environment, unsafe
etc... But this usually seems to fall on deaf ears. Anyway it's nice to see
a web site like yours which spells it out in black and white. Now I can just
send people this link instead of trying to explain it for myself.
If you're still looking for help setting up that blog or message board I may
be able to help out. I do web stuff and could probably easily figure out how
to set up a blog even though I've never done it.
Please send me 2 bumber stickers one for my husband too.
Thanks
Jackie
LETTER
I drive the biggest vehicle I can fined. I weight 500 pounds and am 6’5”
tall.
Fuck the skinny little bastards driving kias and chevette clones. I need it
Big, bad and gass guzzling to haul my fat ass around.
Please send me a handful of stickers
Michael
LETTER
Dear Pig,
I don't eat meat; I'm a vegetarian. Animals are wonderful; they're not ours
to eat. I like pigs!
Daryl
LETTER
PLEASE – this is my boyfriends biggest issue – he won’t talk to anyone who
drives a big car… How bout a sticker for him?
LETTER
Give me a sticker so I can put it on my a$$. That's right I don't need
a suv I have a pair of shoes and one sweet mountain bike both powered
by me. Wherever my granola eatin', tree huggin', and patchouli
stickin' a$$ goes your sticker will follow!
LETTER
personally, i drive a nissan sentra. get very good gas mileage. but i know
someone who drives an suv who needs one of these stickers. she may get 3
miles to the gallon, if she's lucky.
LETTER
I HAVE A CAR BUT MOST OF THE TIME I GET AROUND ON 2 WHEELS!
PEDAL POWER!
A GIANT ATX 760
IT GETS BETTER THAN 40 MPG
THANX
TRENT
LETTER
I completly agree and the problem is that automakes can't make electric
vehicals cheap enough. but i'm still sick of people not even
considering walking or hybrid cars.
Help me spread the word and dump the man!
send me some stickers please!!!!
Jonathan
LETTER
When I was little, I wrote a letter to President Clinton to save the trees
around the world. I also wrote P.S. I also play the saxophone. He never
replied back...
LETTER
I would love to have a pig bumper sticker for my GAS guzziling Chevy Blazer.
I am proud of my big black pig and want people to know I can afford to drive
the pig at any cost. ; )
Janet
LETTER
I want to impress my views on the world! No sense letting them have free
thought when I can make them see things my way!
LOL. Please send me a sticker !
LETTER
Dear Gaspig--
Your site is one of the most delightful combinations of hilarity and
activism I've seen in a long time. I have an uncle, the family outcast,
that is a hippie-hating, animal-killin, huge SUV driving, rightwing,
fundamentalist know-it-all. He will, I'm certain, love to see one of your
stickers on my car (or his...hmm) at our next family gathering in late
February.
Please please please send a gaspig.com and/or no fat trucks (or, if you have something more direct, that'd be great) sticker for the good of our world, and the great satisfaction of our family.
Thanks so much,
Rina
LETTER
Pig, I need two stickers. One for the kayak and one for the daysailer. Hey,
I also have a bike. OK I won't press my luck but by riding my bike and
paddling my kayak I've lost over 50 pounds. That's a lot of not driving to
Wendy's for late night burgers. That saves a lot of gas and has done wonders
for my health. So, how about those 3 stickers?
Russell
LETTER
i drive a 1995 chevy with the 5.7 liter 350. in texas, more then half of all
consumer vehicles are suvs. to make matter worse another 10% of the non-suvs
are gas drinking v8s like mine.
id sport a decal saying " YOUR SUV SUCKS" or "V8s SUCK" just to jump on the
bandwagon, but im too damn cheap to get decals made. truth be known i hate
suvs and trucks, f'n inbred rednecks... i need to get the hell out of texas!
but the gas is cheap as hell!
LETTER
Dear Mr. Gas Pig,
I drive a 1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88. It's the only car I can Afford. I really
really really really, really want a bumper sticker. My car uses alot of gas.
I Hope we start geting oil out of Alaska soon because i need more gas. I'm
going to put that bumper sticker right on my car in a place where everyone
will see it. Out here in the country we have to drive things that use a
little more gas than in the city. People who drive an SUV in the city are
crazy and usually women. Anyway, please please please please lease please
please send me a bumper sticker.
LETTER
JoePig,Trust me, the Earth is getting COOLER with every second. A little thing
called entropy. I'd be more concerned with GLOBAL COOLING than what your
current paranoia is.
JA
LETTER
I agree with you. SUVs are the scourge of this planet. I was just THIS close
to getting one, but after reading your info on them, you have convinced me
to change course.
I'd like to announce that I am now the proud owner of a 2005 Dodge
Viper!!!!! Go V-10!!!!
Randy G.
LETTER
Hi I live in a small town actually even a bit out of the town. there is
a road connecting me to the big city and other roads. But about 500m
from my house there is a company they produce plastic windows and
transport them with trucks the road is heavly damaged and well me and my
neighbours just don't like it.. Most of my neighbours work there, but no
one from my family does. So something needs to encourage the others at
least to make the company repair the roads, because they are the
greatest damagers their trucks!
LETTER
if "miss piggy "can make the cover of cosmo, just think how far YOU can
go!!!!!
LETTER
1) I comulsively urinate on SUV's when their owners are shopping at Wal-Mart
2) Sometimes my hatred for gas pigs is so roused I do it in the winter
3) I'm a girl.
LETTER
hey pig once i got hit by a car so i tracked it down and jacked it up on
cinder blocks and sold the parts for money......how was that?
LETTER
The emissions on cars and trucks use more gas than the
ones that dont have them.Catillac converters make back
pressure making a loss of hp so you have to give it
more gas to compensate for the loss of hp. The some
thing goes for smog pumps.It takes hp to turn the belt
drivin pump egr valves and some smog pumps send
exhaust through the intake building up carbon on the
valves making a loss of power.Emissions on cars dont
make enough difference to help the air.Emissions
testing is just a way for the state to make more money.
LETTER
I am desperately trying to get my son to fix my minivan. If I put this
sticker on it when he wants to borrow it for moving, he might actually get
up and help fix it to operate and run better. Actually, I could use a better
vehicle altogether, but I know you won't send me that!!
Sharon
LETTER
I live in New England and I find suvs pretty pointless up here. But I watch
tv and see pictures of people down in New York, LA and many other big cities
and I think its retarded. YOU DONT NEED AN SUV WHEN ALL OF THE PLACES YOU
DRIVE IT ARE PAVED OR YOU DONT GET SNOW. To me you are all a bunch of little
kids not wanting to give up your toys, and it makes me sick!!!.
PS try to put this up in your letter section of your site
LETTER
I would like the stickers because I definitely have a gas pig car and it's
dying for a sticker!!!
trent
LETTER
Now i command you to give me free stickers!
Yes Plankton
LETTER
WELL well well where do i start first. Being a 18 year old senior in Keene
New Hampshire Ive seen my share of winter and boy do I love them. The best
part about winter is u can really see the affect of global warming real
easily. Back in the 1800s up until the 1960s south western New Hampshire
used to get pounded by 2-3 foot snow storms all the time. Hey I've never
seen that, and I've lived here all my life. It's nice to get 10 inches now
and than the next day it's 50 degrees and raining so its all in vain. This
is a real bummer for us skiers. After visually experiencing global warming
for myself I have decided to be a strong liberal in the next election. I
dont understand republican environmental policies. You people are working
backwards when it comes to mother nature and the whole world is looking at
us in shame because of it.
An intersting fact in an article from our local newspaper the Keene
Sentinel. The largest lake in New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee from
1850-1950 has failed to completley freeze over on 5 times. From 1950-to the
present it has failed to freeze over 20 times. Now if that isn't a cold
hard slap in the conservative face I don't know what is.
LETTER
And if winter doesn't prove anything to you try any of our seasons.
Because we have our share of acid rain to go along with the weakening
winters. Relaxed laws on pollutiant emissons from factories in Pennsilvania
in the past years have really made it alot worse up in Southern New
Hampshire. It's pretty pathetic when its hard to grow an evergreen tree in
some areas because of over powering acid rain falls. Another reason for it
is the craze about SUVS. COME ON!!! You dont need them. they suck on gas,
they ruin roads, and they flip easily. Trust me my family has lived in New
Hampshire all of my 18 years and never once owned an SUV. And we are still
alive. Maybe if we had 2-3 feet of snow again there might be a need for
SUVS. But like the old saying goes "you can't have your cake an eat it
too".
So if this article hasn't helped you change your thoughts on global
warming I recommend getting your head examined.
LETTER
What I would really like is a bumper sticker that says "Get that big piece
of shi% off the road" but yours is more polite. I drive my tiny little 4
cylinder 87 toyota celica convertible around, and its like a tiny little
duffel bag with wheels on a lawnmower motor compared with those huge useless
contraptions. It gets me where I want to go, at the posted speed limits,
and a tank of gas lasts more than 2 weeks . .. . . why cant that work for
more people ? They terrify me on the road, I feel like they will run me
right OVER.
I dont know if this will impress you, but my practical choice impresses the
hell out of ME.
thanks ,
LETTER
Laura
wow, I really hope that pathfinder was a junker already. although it
looks like it wasn't. I think wasting a perfectly good vehicle ( I
would have taken it no problem ) is like crazed pro life people
killing abortion doctors. NOT COOL. actually it kind of reminds me of
those rich-ass greenpeace people bitching about whalers and how we
should protect the environment while they drive around their oil
leaking diesel guzzling ship.
now dont get me wrong I grew up in colorado and I believe we should
protect the environment. I believe in picking up trash, riding
bikes as much as possible, etc. but lets face it, i'm not gonna even
try to drive a wussy little compact up into the mountains.
so next time you guys wanna blow something up dont blow up a good
running pathfinder (OUCH!!!!!) give it to ME and i'll find something
that doesn't run from some redneck's yard for you guys to blow up.
Jeff
LETTER
WE AGREE WITH YOU 100%! WE USED TO OWN A 4WD FORD "EXPLODER"! THAT GAS HOG
NICKLE AND DIMED US TO DEATH!! WE ARE NOW ANTI-SUV, AND THAT INCLUDES ALL
OF THOSE OTHER FUME THROWING, FUEL BURNING, P.O.S.'S THAT ARE ON THE ROAD!
THANKS!!!!
VICKIE
LETTER
My friends and I are sick of SUVs in our area, and we've decided to start a
campaign against them to try to get the word out. We don't have any formal
budget to speak of, so we're looking for any help we can get. Can you help
us out?
-John
LETTER
I was curious to check out your website after seeing two seperate
hippy-suv's on campus (UNC-Asheville). My suspicions were confirmed when I
noticed your website advocated was the classic "global warming garbage" that
campus hippies are quick to embrace, but slow to actually react. I just love
how these hipocritical hippy students drive around in SUVs that their rich
parents provide them, and then they plaster a "gas-pig" bumper sticker on
their SUV so they won't feel guilty. After visiting your website, I am
inspired to take a extra long trip in my large truck.
Spencer Hines
ps. Vote Bush/Cheney '04
LETTER
Hi.
I think i should get a free gaspig bumper sticker
because I'm a poor college student. I am studying
mechanical engineering, and I am graduating in May,
2005. Who knows, maybe I'll invent more economical
methods of using gasoline, and save our
environment!..won't you be glad you gave me a free
gaspig sticker?!
also, I drive a 1992 Honda Civic VX Hatchback..it has
140,000 miles on it, yet I still get about 38-43
mpg!!! Not too shabby!!...plus its a teal green pearl
color..very environmental friendly related.
Thanks for reading my babble!
Here's my address, just in case you feel like sending
me a free bumpersticker!! :hint: :hint:
thanks!
Richard
LETTER
i once ate a half formed formented chick still in the egg, i think that is worth 3 free stickers
LETTER
I race dirtbikes and ride and ride fourwheelers frequently and recently got a new fourwheeler. It looks ...new blank. It has no stickers and i would like yous to be the first one on there!As much as i ride and as much pain as i endure i deserve one...and all this plus IM A CHICK!
LETTER
My neighbor drives a gas hogging SUV.Im tired of it.Shes using enough gas for 2 more cars!!Shes such a hog that when she farts it sounds like oink-oink!!
Karen
LETTER
Why I deserve a Gas Pig Sticker
by Alex
I have many pets
I have many peeves
But when they collide
That's when I grieve.
One of the biggest
Peeves of no doubt
Are superstars
Rockstars
Who always shout
"Save the environment!"
"You're polluting our air!"
"No War for oil!"
"No lives to spare!"
While they drive their big Yukons,
Hummers, Explorers,
Expeditions, Escalades
F150, 250, 350s
Make me wanna puke on.
Name one with an electric
or a Geo Metro
Or a tiny little sedan
One with limited Petrol.
You can't you see...
I live near LA.
If I had that on my car
I would be able to honk
And say "Hey, Gaspig!
Read the sign!"
Alex
LETTER
Dear pig,
I am your real friend: there are 7 years I don't eat pigs and animals in
general, so I will always protect you and your similar!
pigs are cool!
vanessa
LETTER
Dear pig,
I want a bumper sticker because I was hating minivans before SUVs even came
on the scene. People laughed at me and called me "crazy", etc when I pointed
out the advant of the SUV (they now agree I was right) and the damage it
would do. Now, we get the HUMMER (gag me, spew and barf) which will pale in
comparison with the International.
I would also be more than happy to tag one of those H2s.
A true hater of the fatcar trend.
PS -I've driven Geo Metros for the last 15 years (and I have 2 kids).
I will post my anti-SUV sticker proudly, and hand extras out to my friends.
Sincerely,
Viki
LETTER
Dear Pig,
Thank you for the stickers. I await their arrival eagerly, and I swear I
will tag a H2 for the Pig in the name of all of us that HATE the fat trucks.
In fact, I am writing a letter to my local paper that will include my
sentiment that anyone who wants to drive one of those fatass pieces of gas
guzzling crap should go to Iraq.
OK-plus, there's actually a H2 DEALERSHIP near me (in Bellevue, of course).
maybe I'll throw caution to the winds and hit a whole LOT of 'em at once!
yours
Viki
LETTER
im getting 400 miles per tank on my 96 saturn...what kind of stickers do you have?
arneil
I was driving a full size E150 after the birth of my twins, but got sick of
the 12 miles per gallon. Since I have four kids, two in carseats, I need a
vehicle that seats a minimum of six and can travel cross country (from texas
to minnesota)
I bought a used Taurus station wagon, expecting at least decent mileage and
whoa! a mind boggling 15 in the city. I was ripped off. Even when gas prices
were low, it bothered me on an ethical level. Now, its a financial AND
ethical. I stay home and budget like crazy, drive only to the store and to
the school and am saving towards a more economical car. Is there such a
thing as a non gas pig that seats a real family? (No 2.5 children junk)
When will non- upper middle class be able to afford hybrids?
Frances
LETTER
Hey Pig,
I'm a grad student in international environmental policy. My fellow students and I agree that what the environmental movement (and scientific research on environmental problems) is missing is something to appeal to the masses, and make these issues seem important, understandable and interesting to everyday people. I applaud you even though your tactics are somewhat militant and some "environmentalists" question them. As is obvious in our society, sometimes sensationalism is the ONLY thing that will get peoples' attention.
I hope you continue to improve your website and feel free to get in touch with me if you're interested in getting more info on the latest research on global warming and energy technologies.
Rachel
LETTER
"It is time to move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting." - The Boss
LETTER
My neighbors used to think like this. The father had a 70 mile commute every day to work and he drove a small car for fuel efficiency. Well, to make a long story short, he was involved in a traffic accident and he died.
He left two young sons to grow up without a father. Today, the Mother drives a SUV. Today I drive an SUV, I am trying to give my family a fighting chance on the road. We frequently make long freeway trips to
visit family and I would like be safe and get to my destination in one piece. Last time I checked, it is legal in America to own an SUV.
Dawn
LETTER
I have a VW Jetta TDI and get around 45 mpg, my roommate has a VW GTI that gets around 35 mpg--we'll take any bumper stickers you have!
LETTER
Hi,
I hate fat trucks too! I ride a motorcycle and those really fat ones
with "motorcycle hater" mirrors are impossible to squeeze by in traffic!
Even the big Semi-Trucks are easier to get by.
If you still have bumper stickers, I'll take one :)
Thanks!
--
Ali
LETTER
Hi,
I read your page on why SUV's suck. Now please keep in
mind that for the most part I agree with you, and I have
been *VERY* vocal about the ridiculous GIANT SUV's that
do nothing but sit in traffic and waste gas; (all 3 of brother
in laws just bought Caddy SUV\Pickups that have the biggest
motor ever made by Caddy).
I have a question. I live in New Jersey. There is
definitely suburban sprawl going on here, etc... However,
we also get heavy snow where I live (my area *always* gets
at least 3 inches more than the surrounding area). I needed
a vehicle that would get me out of my long 100 foot driveway.
NO small 4 wheel drive would do it. I need to get through
8 to 12 inches of snow.
So, I bought a used 1994 Chevy Blazer with a V6 Vortec engine
for $1300 dollars (A total of $1800 by the time I made all
needed repairs). I also need the vehicle during the summer
because borrowing my father in law's CADILLAC SUV for trips
to Home Depot are not appreciated by him. Also, we shop at
Costco to save money on groceries and large quantity purchases.
You cannot imagine how much the tailgate and cargo room are
appreciated.
Furthermore, my wife has a brand new (2002) Pontiac Bonneville.
She needed a car that would hold THREE child car seats in the
back, and this was one that was designed to hold them. The
Bonneville was one of a few cars she liked and I convinced
her to pick the Bonneville because it has a V6 motor. It gets
about 15 MPG city and 20 MPG Highway (more if you drive the
speed limit, but WHO DOES?). The car cost $26,000 dollars
before options and tax ($30,000 after all is said and done).
Both the gas mileage and price are not too far away from a
mid sized SUV.
My point being that my V6 blazer gets the exact same gas
mileage. So, given the fact that not only did I get an
excellent deal on the purchase price of the Blazer, and it
serves my particular needs that NO CAR can provide. The point
is that it also gets competitive gas mileage compared to a new
car. Yes, a Honda would get better gas mileage, but I
challenge you to find one that is made for 3 child car seats
*in the back seat* and will drive through *12 inches* of snow.
Now, given the fact that I, like you, have been a staunch
anti-SUV advocate, and I have gotten into major arguments with
my in laws who drive the biggest enormous SUV's with abysmal
gas mileage... when push came to shove I needed the advantages
of an SUV for the reasons I listed above. AND given the fact
that I went out of my way to find vehicles with efficient V6
motors, I would ask you to inform me of where I have gone wrong
as a person who is conscientious of the environment and America's
dependence on fossil fuels?
PLEASE reply. I'd like to know what you think of my particular
situation, and the way I went about dealing with it in an
environmental and all around "world view" manner.
Ps... I noticed that photo of the "Gas Pig SUV" at your site
was a photo of what appeared to be a smaller sized SUV. If a
person needed a mini-van (which you seem to advocate) would they
really have done any better with the gas mileage? (assuming that
"Gas Pig" has a V6 motor, of course).
Please reply about that question too.
This is not in any way an attack letter. I'm am as "like minded"
an individual as yourself, and I truly cannot see where I have
gone wrong. (Please enlighten me).
Sincerely,
Gregg
FROM JOE PIG
> Hi Jeff:
> thanks for the letter. i think cars are better all around for
> transportation in general. i suppose that on those occasions of deep snow
a
> 4x4 would come in handy and there are other advantages to having a truck.
> the trade off, however, is that they're top heavy and bigger which
> compromises controllability. loss of control is the big killer in auto
> accidents. i'm pretty biased so obviously this is my take on things.
>
> i appreciate your thoughts on the topic. what would really be cool is if
> the auto industry had a culture more like the high tech industries.
> computers are changing every year. if the auto industry was anything like
> that, escalades would get 50mpg!
>
> all the best!
> Joe Pig
LETTER
Hi Joe,
You got my name wrong. It's Gregg, not Jeff.
Nevertheless, I truly appreciate the time you took to
answer my email.
Thanks, buddy.
Sincerely,
GREGG :-)
LETTER
Driving much slower than the other vehicles makes my wife nervous! I don't
care but then I ride a bike 100 miles, get cars passing fast, sometimes
throwing things, and I get the comment to get a real bike - I ride a
recumbent (http://www.x-eyed.com/bike1.html). I try to make good M.P.H. but
the other vehicles seem to question why am I going so slow.
To combat the perception, I placed a sign on the back stating:
M.P.H. M.P.G.
40 60
55 50
60 45
70 40
80 35
Sometimes people follow me just to read the sign or they get caught behind
me in the middle lane - gives them a chance to read. I don't know if this
helps but so far I have experienced less road rage except for the very
young and impatience drivers. I must be getting old driving the speed
limit.
Gerald
LETTER
ok, well look i am only 12 (bout to be 13), and i care bout the world and how we treat it. but not just the world, the things living on it to. Like: the animals, the trees/plants, and... oh yeah US! smog damages the air which damages how we breath/live. and over populating changes our life and the animals lives,because we take their land away from them. cutting down trees effects how we breath. i mean....god how heart less can u people be. look i know u think i am a little young to be worrying about all of this stuff. but when u r gone i will have to deal with it. and that's not fair. if u have kids don't u want to be healthy and smart. i mean now that we r doing all that stuff in space there is less money for the schools and stuff. ok...well u want to write back go for it if not whatever
signed
a tree hugger
LETTER
Hi, Joe,
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. Time is a stinky bandit.
Love your photo essays, the parking lots, the traffic lines of SUV, etc!
Are these stills, or do you have any video footage like this? Great stuff.
Nofattrucks.com is a big concept (ouch, no pun intended), and it's great to
see you making this connection. I would love to get a hard copy of one of
the articles there: Do you have a full reference for this one?
"SUVs and Light trucks Linked to Weight-Related Health Risks," by Alicia
Christianson.
I did a google search for it, without success.
I would love to add your links to the film web site. We just updated the
site, though, so I will aim for next round. Feel free to add the film site
to your links if you like. By the way, some of the pro-SUV links on your
http://www.gaspig.com/links01.htm are not working/outdated. One is now
http://suvoa.com. I wish I knew the others! I need to get interviews with
these kind of folks.
I also think your skydriving work is incredible, too! I do freelance
videography for my bread-and-butter, but nothing so adventurous, though I
often bicycle to my Boston area shoots hauling lots of video gear in a bike
trailer! Some drivers I know think this is an extreme sport. Anyway, I
think of my bicycle as the true sport utility vehicle :).
At some point, I might be shooting in California, and if so I'll let you
know! Meanwhile, I'll keep you on my film mailing list!
Keep on not-truckin',
Lynn
LETTER
I’d love to get a hold of one of your stickers. I have a jeep Cherokee, because I live in the woods, and would be proud to call it a gas pig, because it is!
LETTER
FABULOUS! Will do a blog item about your site. Feel free to link to my anti-SUV campaign, if you so desire -- http://www.advicegoddess.com/suv.html -- and, if you do, you can also let people know they're free to make a reprint of my anti-SUV card, including the phone number. -Amy
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