Americans need to quit whining!!!

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

I've highlighted several.

maybe one, not several

[RedPhoenix]

How is me driving a car that suits my needs detrimental to the issue? For example, if I have to make five 30 mile trips in a 30 MPG car to transport five different items of which I could have fit all five into one Suburban and made one trip, how is that saving anything?

I actually had this discussion once with a woman named Leona. She said Americans (as if she was not one) need to reduce their dependence on foreign oil, and we should all drive Geo Metros. I asked her how she would fit all four of her kids into one Metro. She shook her head and climbed into her Durango.

Bad choice, good choice, it is all in the eye of the beholder.

I don't mind being teased. I see you are still failing to see the point.

If one truly has a need then it's not detrimental. If you only have to haul 5 items once a year then you can rent a truck to do so and be practical the other 364 days. Take me for example, we had 2 large vehicles because of the work we do. We carry large furniture dozens upon dozens of times a year, and so we pretty much thought we "needed" to have those vehicles. But after further analysis, we were rarely carrying furniture at the same time. And on our around town jaunts we rarely carried anything but ourselves. And there are quite a few times where we can go visit customers without having to bring furniture along. So we determined that the practical thing and smart thing to do was get rid of one of the larger vehicles for a more efficient midsize car. I put my ego aside and let practicality take over because it was the smart thing to do.

I agree with the sentiment your are conveying regarding your Durango lady.but she has a point, if people only drove what they NEEDED then we'd all be a lot better off. And when I say NEED I don't mean you HAVE to have a truck because at the beginning of summer you put our boat in the lake and at the end of summer you take your boat out of the lake. You can rent a truck for that and it's much more practical.

[RedPhoenix]

maybe one, not several

I've highlighted several.

[RedPhoenix]

But what about the damaged rail line? What are all those rail commuters to do while the line is repaired? First, if there is a wreck, it has to be investigated. Then, the cars can be moved and the track cleared. How many days will that take?

Then, once the track is cleared, it is evaluated for repairs. Last time I checked, there aren't many of us strong enough to lift a section of rail by ourselves. SO, heavy equipment has to be located and transported to the site of the wreck. First, to clear the wrecked cars, then to repair the damaged rail. You are looking at days, if not weeks, before travel can resume.

Rail=FAIL

A couple of weeks is what I used in my analogy and even that would be for the most serious accidents.

[Big Red Rick]

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-02-22/a..._s=PM:AMERICAS
In all, 110 ambulances and two helicopters carried victims to hospitals, said Jorge Lemus, the city's minister of health.

[RedPhoenix]

It's like a low flow toilet. If the load would have gone down in a 6 GPF toilet, but backed up in the 3 GPF model requiring sometimes 5-7 flushes to break it up and clean the bowl, how is that conserving water again?

If you need 5-7 flushes you're doing it wrong.

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

I've highlighted several.

really?

[RedPhoenix]

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-02-22/a..._s=PM:AMERICAS
In all, 110 ambulances and two helicopters carried victims to hospitals, said Jorge Lemus, the city's minister of health.

And I'm sure I can show you an example of a highway being down for months.....I-29 this summer.

Just like people in cars can find another way to work, so can those who use the rail system. Not to mention they will all most likely still have a car that they could use while waiting for the track to be repaired.

[RedPhoenix]

really?

Yes really.

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

Yes really.

Waiting for them?

[Big Red Rick]

And I'm sure I can show you an example of a highway being down for months.....I-29 this summer.

Just like people in cars can find another way to work, so can those who use the rail system. Not to mention they will all most likely still have a car that they could use while waiting for the track to be repaired.

Natural disaster, not commuter accident. Apples and oranges.

[Big Red Rick]

A couple of weeks is what I used in my analogy and even that would be for the most serious accidents.

So try telling your boss that you can't come in for a few weeks, because you are dependent on a line that is under repair.

[RedPhoenix]

Waiting for them?

RIBL I'm trying to have a good discussion with you. I've said I provided several examples of the leaps in the medical field, they are there if you choose to go back and look. I will not be engaging with you in the manner you are currently pursuing. Should you wish to have a substantive debate I am more than happy to do so.

Side note: the examples I provided aren't the only ones out there, they are just ones I thought of off the top of my head.

[Big Red Rick]

If one truly has a need then it's not detrimental. If you only have to haul 5 items once a year then you can rent a truck to do so and be practical the other 364 days. Take me for example, we had 2 large vehicles because of the work we do. We carry large furniture dozens upon dozens of times a year, and so we pretty much thought we "needed" to have those vehicles. But after further analysis, we were rarely carrying furniture at the same time. And on our around town jaunts we rarely carried anything but ourselves. And there are quite a few times where we can go visit customers without having to bring furniture along. So we determined that the practical thing and smart thing to do was get rid of one of the larger vehicles for a more efficient midsize car. I put my ego aside and let practicality take over because it was the smart thing to do.

I agree with the sentiment your are conveying regarding your Durango lady.but she has a point, if people only drove what they NEEDED then we'd all be a lot better off. And when I say NEED I don't mean you HAVE to have a truck because at the beginning of summer you put our boat in the lake and at the end of summer you take your boat out of the lake. You can rent a truck for that and it's much more practical.

I'm fairly certain that people around here drive what they need and what they want. Kudos to the vehicle reorg on your part.

I'm not really trying to argue, just point out that what I need and what I want may be different from what you need/want. But the only person who can determine what I need is me.

I used to travel for work, and I've had my gas guzzling jeep since 1999. However, because of the expected travels for work, I bought a much more fuel efficient car. When I left that company, I sold that car, still have the jeep. I'm no stranger to practicality, mind you. I just don't think it is up to anyone to judge what it is I need.

[RedPhoenix]

So try telling your boss that you can't come in for a few weeks, because you are dependent on a line that is under repair.

Why would you do that instead of arranging to car pool with someone? Or why wouldn't you drive your own car to work? Or take the bus? Or a cab? Or ride your bike?

You'll of course provide me with all the outlier situations that would make these choices impossible. Which does not serve the purpose of having a good discussion. It would be like me saying why don't you tell your boss you can't come into work cause our car is totalled? It's the same thing and yet people find a way to make it work don't they. It would be the same for rail.

And again, no one is advocating the removal of cars from our transportation network.

[RedPhoenix]

I'm fairly certain that people around here drive what they need and what they want. Kudos to the vehicle reorg on your part.

I'm not really trying to argue, just point out that what I need and what I want may be different from what you need/want. But the only person who can determine what I need is me.

I used to travel for work, and I've had my gas guzzling jeep since 1999. However, because of the expected travels for work, I bought a much more fuel efficient car. When I left that company, I sold that car, still have the jeep. I'm no stranger to practicality, mind you. I just don't think it is up to anyone to judge what it is I need.

If everyone was as practical as you and I we would be well on our way to total energy independence.

[RedPhoenix]

Natural disaster, not commuter accident. Apples and oranges.

The net result is that people can't get to work. Apples to apples.

[Weinosker]

I'm fairly certain that people around here drive what they need and what they want. Kudos to the vehicle reorg on your part.

I'm not really trying to argue, just point out that what I need and what I want may be different from what you need/want. But the only person who can determine what I need is me.

I used to travel for work, and I've had my gas guzzling jeep since 1999. However, because of the expected travels for work, I bought a much more fuel efficient car. When I left that company, I sold that car, still have the jeep. I'm no stranger to practicality, mind you. I just don't think it is up to anyone to judge what it is I need.

Fine you made your choice, but don't whine about high gas prices then affecting it.

Kind of like the people that build a house next to the airport and then sue the airport authority because of the noise.

[RedPhoenix]

Fine you made your choice, but don't whine about high gas prices then affecting it.

Kind of like the people that build a house next to the airport and then sue the airport authority because of the noise.

i don't think Rick has complained about what it costs him for gas has he? I know he's complained about the press not attacking Obama about gas prices. Which is different than complaining about gas prices. It's subtle, but it's there.

[Weinosker]

i don't think Rick has complained about what it costs him for gas has he? I know he's complained about the press not attacking Obama about gas prices. Which is different than complaining about gas prices. It's subtle, but it's there.

Maybe, you're right. Not sure. His last statement in what I quoted threw me off.