Hummer Owner Gets Angry Message

Forest Wraith

Evil is born when we lose power over ourselves.
Some good news that also brings up some interesting ethical concerns.

Hummer Owner Gets Angry Message
Vandals Batter D.C. Man's SUV, Slash Its Tires and Scratch In an Eco Note

By Allison Klein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 18, 2007; Page B01

On a narrow, leafy street in Northwest Washington, where Prius hybrid cars and Volvos are the norm, one man bought a flashy gray Hummer that was too massive to fit in his garage.

So he parked the seven-foot-tall behemoth on the street in front of his house and smiled politely when his eco-friendly neighbors looked on in disapproval at his "dream car."

It lasted five days on the street before two masked men took a bat to every window, a knife to each 38-inch tire and scratched into the body: "FOR THE ENVIRON."

"The thought of somebody vandalizing it never crossed my mind," said Gareth Groves, 32, who lives with his mother in a three-story home in the 4300 block of Brandywine Street NW in American University Park. "I've kind of been in shock."

Now, as Groves ponders what to do with the remains of his $38,000 SUV, he has been the target of a number of people who have driven by the crime scene in his upscale neighborhood and glared at him in smug satisfaction.

"I'd say one in five people who come by have that 'you-got-what-you-deserve' look," said his friend Andy Sexton, 27, who is visiting from Arkansas and has been helping Groves deal with fallout from the crime.

Neighbor Lucille Liem, 37, who owns a Prius hybrid, said that a common sentiment in the neighborhood is that large vehicles are impractical and a strain on the Earth -- and Hummers in particular are a symbol of consumer excess.

"The neighborhood in general is very concerned with the environment," said Liem, whose Prius gets about 48 miles a gallon compared with the Hummer's 14 miles a gallon. "It's more liberal leaning. It's ridiculous to be driving a Hummer."

Liem added quickly that she does not condone violence.

Another neighbor, Lani Fremaux, 58, said she bought a T-shirt months ago with a picture of a Hummer and above it the word "Bummer." She wore the shirt proudly but said she is so upset with recent events on her street that she might retire it.

"They've got everything at their disposal in this city to make a statement in a legal way," Fremaux said of the bat-wielding men who struck out at the Hummer. "I consider this a hate crime."

Police said they see small acts of vandalism in the area from time to time, but they have not seen anything so severe, or with such a clear political message, in recent years.

"This seems to be an isolated event," Cmdr. Andy Solberg said.

Investigators said they are searching for the vandals but don't have many leads. Witnesses saw two men about six feet tall with bandanas or masks over their faces smash up the car about 3:30 a.m. Monday and then run off.

Groves's mother, Phyllis Groves, 70, said she is sad for her son because he has wanted a Hummer for a while. But even she did not exactly approve of the purchase.

"I teased him because of the gas mileage," she said. "But he wanted a Hummer. He didn't have other gas guzzlers in mind."

He bought the used 2005 vehicle a month ago from a dentist in Fairfax County and left it in a shop for several weeks so it could be outfitted to his specifications -- new, bigger tires and a "lift kit," meaning it would be higher off the ground.

Groves, who grew up in the District and works in marketing for a local radio station, said he wanted the car in part because he is starting a company, Washington Sports Marketing, that is "image-based."

He said he wants to get it towed and repaired but fears extremists might not be done making an example of him.

"I'm worried about what I do now," he said. "If I get it fixed, do I put it back in the same spot three weeks from now?"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701808.html
 

Serpico

Farnese is the bomb diggity
You'd think that if he is that concerned with his image then he wouldn't be living with his mother.

Personally, I think hummers are retarded, but more than that, people who own sport utility vehicles that never even see a dirt road, much less off roading. The only exception is if you have a big family and full car all the time and don't want to be seen in a stupid looking van.

Shouldn't be legal to waste gasoline excessively; it is a one time only limited fuel source. In 40-100 years it will be gone for good, end of story. The longer we can stretch out what we have left, then the longer we have to figure out a realistic alternative, otherwise humanity is going back to the pre-industrial age. Private jets (use 1000-1500 gallons per flight), hummers (15mpg), and all that crap should be banned except for those with legitimate need (being a celebrity isn't one).
 

Aazealh

Administrator
Staff member
Having a SUV that never sees a dirt road is retarded, but it's also anyone's right to buy the car they want. These violent "activists" have no excuse.
 
Serpico said:
You'd think that if he is that concerned with his image then he wouldn't be living with his mother.

Personally, I think hummers are retarded, but more than that, people who own sport utility vehicles that never even see a dirt road, much less off roading. The only exception is if you have a big family and full car all the time and don't want to be seen in a stupid looking van.

Shouldn't be legal to waste gasoline excessively; it is a one time only limited fuel source. In 40-100 years it will be gone for good, end of story. The longer we can stretch out what we have left, then the longer we have to figure out a realistic alternative, otherwise humanity is going back to the pre-industrial age. Private jets (use 1000-1500 gallons per flight), hummers (15mpg), and all that crap should be banned except for those with legitimate need (being a celebrity isn't one).

A study from some guys in England, i can't remember the name of their company, made a study and the petrol reserves are to last just 4 years.. :???: Yep, heard it on the radio and seen it on tv.
 

Serpico

Farnese is the bomb diggity
Aazealh said:
Having a SUV that never sees a dirt road is retarded, but it's also anyone's right to buy the car they want. These violent "activists" have no excuse.

I agree, and it is a right which I think will be taken away soon enough by legitimate legal means, so there is no need for extremist acts like this.
 

Forest Wraith

Evil is born when we lose power over ourselves.
Hmm . . . I can't condone Violence inflicted directly against a person, however, I find myself able to condone this: Given the prevailing political climate in my country and the fact that Hummer's run on Blood and a grotesque archetype of American Ignorance and Excess.
 

CnC

Ad Oculos
kinda a grey debate for me

Shame on the hummer owner for bring a loser.
Shame on the vandals for being assholes.

I hope the vandals are caught so that everything can be bright back to balance :)
 
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