Rah Rah Hummer

There is an article in today’s NYT about how Hummer owners feel particularly proud since vehicles like theirs are being used in this war. GM’s sales of Hummers have also increased. Via Tom Tommorow who has this semi-relevant cartoon.

The article includes these inspiring quotes from Hummer owners:

They’re not out there in Audi A4’s,” he said of the troops. “I’m proud of my country, and I’m proud to be driving a product that is making a significant contribution.”

“If I could get an A1 Abrams, I would,” he added with a smile, referring to the tank,

I am sure this guy feels he is “supporting the troops” by getting a vehicle which is vaguely like theirs.

Rick Schmidt, founder of I.H.O.G., the International Hummer Owners Group, said: “In my humble opinion, the H2 is an American icon. Not the military version by any means, but it’s a symbol of what we all hold so dearly above all else, the fact we have the freedom of choice, the freedom of happiness, the freedom of adventure and discovery, and the ultimate freedom of expression.”

“Those who deface a Hummer in words or deed,” he added, “deface the American flag and what it stands for.”

I really want to key this guy’s car. And as Tom Tommorow points out, “..I.H.O.G?”

Well at least

Both the H1, which starts at $100,000 and is quite similar to the military Humvee, and the more baby-boomer-friendly H2, are so heavy they are not regulated by the same fuel economy rules that govern most cars and S.U.V.’s. They are also large enough to qualify for huge deductions for small business under loopholes in the tax code.

Look, I have nothing against people choosing a Hummer, and I even consider the Hummer stretch limo to be a brilliant statement of excess and uselessness. But they should be subject to the same regulations cars are, and people definitely shouldn’t be getting a tax break for them.

I am also disappointed in the H2. Hummers are supposed to be about excess and impracticality, like a beefier lamborghini. They should not be just another baby boomer SUV. Also, why is the vehicle yellow in all the ads? Yellow is the loser color for cars. The reason taxis are yellow is because they know no one else wants that color. I find it hard to take an SUV based on a military vehicle seriously when it is yellow.

And I am sure all this gas guzziling is really helping with our relations in the middle east. Thanks guys for doing your part for America.