So a couple of days ago I read the story in the Washington Post about Gareth Groves' 38,000 dollar hummer being taken out in a wealthy, environment friendly DC neighborhood by "eco terrorists." They used a bat to smash in all the windows and scratched the message For the Environ in the paint. So my first thought was, Don't we send those things to Iraq? And it can't stand up to two guys with a bat and a knife? My second thought " I HATE those cars."
And as I read on it was confirmed that I am not the only one that has hummer hate. Apparently a lot of Groves' liberal, elitist, enviro-friendly neighbors do too. Groves' friend is quoted saying ""I'd say one in five people who come by have that 'you-got-what-you-deserve' look." Hmm, yeah, despite my respect for personal property and law and order and knowing that this was a "hate" crime, deep down, I know I would have that look too. And if I didn't have that look it would be because I was working with all my might to keep a straight face and on the inside I would still be making that look. I mean, hummers are designed to be provocative. And for me they provoke the response YUCK! CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION of the worst sort. What are they trying to prove?
When I told a friend about the crime, they were all for it. "People drive hummers because they think it's cool. They need to learn it's isn't appreciated. They're F*ing things up for the rest of us and destroying the climate." I countered that the extreme elements of society should not be allowed to govern the majority through violent action, probably because I was in the middle of reading Harry Potter. They agreed but I could see they were still having visions of hummer smashing dance through their head. And deep down so was I. How wrong is that?
11 comments:
I can understand being angry about SUVs and how they use too much gas, driving up fuel prices and polluting the atmosphere--not to mention the fact that Hummers in particular are examples of conspicuous, unnecessary consumption. However, destroying someone's personal property, especially in such a malicious way is unpardonable. Those who did it should be punished. Their actions are completely sociopathic. There are plenty of other ways to combat inefficient cars--certainly many morally superior ways.
Yeah, I expected this response from you. Yes, their actions should be punished. They committed a crime. But I still agree with the moral impetus for the crime if not the crime itself. So what is the correct moral response to "hummer behavior?"
Hey my parents own a Hummer!
Scornful looks, angry editorials, letters to lawmakers, protests at car dealerships--in short exercises of your freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, and the freedom to petition for a redress of grievances.
Really? Do they like their hummer?
Katy,
I'm just giving you a hard time. I agree to what you said, I just wanted to make waves!!! :)
(My parents are extremely right wing conservatives)
Yeah, I'm always surprised though by how many people do have these cars. I just don't understand why. Guess it's my extreme left wing upbringing. (I'm kidding, one parent is a republican and one is a democrat so the family was always pretty moderate)
I think smashing in their car is totally wrong. If you want to make a statement and really persuade people to be more eco-friendly, bashing in their car is NOT going to help the situation. Bashing in car windows because you disagree with someone gets worse and worse until you have a Palestine vs. Isreal type situation.
Yeah, I agree. So what do you do to peacefully disagree but make an impact?
And I do have to say, if enough people smashed in SUVs it would make people think twice about buying them. Since people are unwilling to recognize any environmental responsibility, they're creating a threat that provides a deterent to buying SUVs. If you choose to buy one, it might get smashed in. If you're going to be selfish, here's something you can worry about.
I remember a group in Paris started targeting SUVs but instead of smashing them, they let all the air out of the tires and left a flyer. No permanent damage but a clear expression of disapproval. I'm not saying that's right and I wouldn't do it but it's hard to think of equally effective alternatives.
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