'Environmentalists' Destroy Hummer
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 07.18.07
Gareth Grove bought an enormous Hummer. So big, in fact, that it wouldn't fit in his garage, and he had to leave it on the street in the leafy suburb where he lives. But that's OK, because Hummers are built to last, and the leaves wouldn't hurt it at all. And for five days it lasted just fine, it's rugged over-engineering valiantly fending off falling leaves and slight breezes.
However, two people then decided that they didn't agree with Hummers, and that they should make a statement about their disapproval. They smashed the Hummer's windows, slashed every tire and scratched into the paint the words, "FOR THE ENVIRON." Presumably over-estimating the enormity of the car and running out of space for the last word. But that was to be expected, because this was hardly the most well thought out plan ever conceived.
Groves, who is 32 and lives with his mother, said, "The thought of somebody vandalizing it never crossed my mind. I've kind of been in shock." Apparently people have been driving past to see, with a smug look on their face. Obviously though, the culprits weren't TreeHugger readers. Our readers are smart intelligent people, who aim to create a greener world. If these people were actually trying to help the environment, then they've done more harm than good - perhaps they just used the environment as an excuse for vandalism.
Should Grove have bought a Hummer? No. Should he have used that money to move out of his mother's house? Yes. Do any of us have any right to harm his property? No. He's either going to repair the car, using paint and chemicals, creating waste, or scrap it and buy something else, causing even more waste. As well as this, it's probably alienated quite a few people from the green cause. We're reaching tipping point now; green issues are reaching the mainstream. Acts like this are the last thing we need. ::Washington Post
See also ::RIP Hummer H2? ::GM Kills the Hummer H1
hes lucky they could have started it on fire
Under any circumstances, vandalism, theft or any other crime is despicable.
I look at myself as pro-environment, I do what I can to be as "green" as possible. This being said, I drive a large truck (not a Hummer), the thing that people don't realize is that some people require these larger vehicles. They haul and transport (a lot of the time) people or materials. Nearly everything you purchase is brought in from large trucks, so if we remove large trucks (SUVs, pickups or transport trucks), how will our good be delivered.
Yes, many SUVs are not used the way they were designed.
The question I ask the public, is it the purchaser that is at fault or the auto-manufacturers not producing a fuel efficient vehicle? If Wallmart and Peterbuilt can design and build hybrid transports, why can't there be hybrid SUVs?
Why does GMC not build their Suburban with a diesel option? Why was Ford's diesel Excursion pulled off of the market?
Why are GMC and Ford producing diesel vehicles in Europe but saying its too expensive to manufacture fuel efficient vehicles? (Did you know the Chevy Transport comes with a diesel option in Europe, why didn't it in North America)?
What about the people who have actually purchased a large vehicle (Hummer, SUV, Pickup, etc) but purchased the diesel version (way more efficient then gas), and are either waiting for more bio-diesel fuel stations or are currently using bio-diesel?
Don't judge until you know ALL of the facts.
Just my 2 cents.
This could also be an agent-provocateur thing, ie disguise the actual perpetrator of a crime to make anti-environmentalist political points.
Look under: Geraldo Rivera painting his face
Also: Tawana Brawley
We won't know until the evidence is in.
incidents like this are going to be on the rise.
What right do those people have to judge that man and his Hummer? After all, to paraphrase Ben Folds, "there's always someone greener than you."
I think that I am going to start slashing the tires of people that live in cities and own Priuses. "Ride a bike or join a carshare, Earth destroyers!"
But that, too, becomes an escalating arms race of out-greenness. I, representing the rail-thin ultra-low-caloric dieters of the world will start carving "For the Environ" on every overweight American I see. "Lose weight or die a horrible death by global warming, fatso!"
Green yourself. Green your community. Green your country. Let other people green themselves.
Perhap's some environmentalists are not very smart ...
apparently, the Prius is more environmentally damaging to the environment, because of the way they are manufactured. Here is a quote..
" Building a Toyota Prius causes more environmental damage than a Hummer that is on the road for three times longer than a Prius "
Link ( http://shoulung.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/hummer-vs-prius-which-is-more-green/ )
Now thats something to think about...
Wil.
Geez. You can not agree with someone's choices without smashing the hell out of their car. Maybe a nice global warming pamphlet stuck under a wind shield wiper would have sent a better message.
Isn't greening your community and country greening other people?
Sounds like fodder for the next Carl Hiaasen novel.
This is why environmentalists are called enviroweenies/nazis and ecocommies/freaks etc. are often called that.
In case you hadn't heard: Vandalism and Terrorism more often than not do not succeed in acheiving a politcal goal.
"Should he have used that money to move out of his mother's house? Yes."
Why did you say this? He could be taking care of his mother or something really noble. And living with someone is one way to save energy too, even if it's with your mother. Maybe more Americans should think less harshly about living with family. It's a perfectly normal thing to do in just about every country but the US, where we need completely independent and have our own car, our own house, and everyone has to have their own everything.
Also smashing someones ride is just going to force that person to consume more materials to fix it. What a waste.
If it ant yours don't touch it.For any reason.Vandalism is a crime.To bad he did not have security on it.Punish the criminals to the maximum possible penalty.
NO BODY HAS A RIGHT TO JUDGE ANOTHER!!
Most Americans are open to the free exchange of ideas, and most Americans will see it as a property crime, pure and simple. It will be fodder for the Fox News echo chambers for a week, but if this is the biggest complaint you can raise about environmentalism, then you're just not trying.
tree hugging hippies suck. Grow up and learn to live in the modern world you losers.
I'm sorry... Don't analyze too much. Take it for what it is, plain dumb and funny. They were doing if for the environ
Wil, that was an interesting read, thanks. If you look in the comments section immediately following that article, you'll find that a lot of that information is old and the comparisons are pretty poorly done. Looks like the whole argument has been debunked.
Nothing can destroy a cause quicker than pissing off the people you are trying to persuade.
Thank you TreeHugger for pointing out this act for what it is, an asshole(s) needlessly vandalizing someone's (likely) only mode of transportation. I sure hope other TreeHuggers don't act like this
Adrien: thank you for pointing that out. Excellent points and something all TreeHuggers should keep in mind. But I doubt Grove had any other reason for purchasing this vehicle than for status. Hummers are actually the most worthless cars for towing, caring, and off-roading.
@Matthew:
"Isn't greening your community and country greening other people?"
No.
Your community and country meaning the physical infrastructure, public policy decisions, and actions taken by your representatives. Sometimes those might include reducing or regulating non-green choices for other people.
Greening other people in this case would mean to try and force them to make green decisions. That is, and should remain, completely up to them.
"Should he have used that money to move out of his mother's house? Yes."
i get that it's a joke, but it's pretty lame. should he move into his own 1400 square foot home and live all by his lonesome? tsk tsk. and what is so wrong with living with mum? america is so disconnected when it comes to family, i envy families that are that close.
Vandalism isn't going to stop people from buying Hummers. And now there is going to be more impact when he repairs his Hummer.
But I should point out he is being good to the environment by living at home. One of the biggest reason Americans consume more is because we all insist of living by ourselves instead of in groups.
I Europe it's still not unusual for people to live with their families until they marry and sometimes even afterwards.
@anthonares: I don't think he meant it as in "Destroying the car will bring him to our cause." He meant more "We should have tried to win him over."
And we do have to green people. We live in a democracy, so the best way to advance our causes is to encourage people to care about the environment. No one will support losing incandescent bulbs or other things unless they know we are doing it for their own good and why it helps so much.
Further, we can't regulate everything, because it's impractical and everyone has different needs. What we need to do is tell people they can make better choices with their private property a lot of the time in the interest of the Earth. For example, if this guy wanted the Hummer for the space, a friend could have told him about the Hybrid Highlander. And if he's convinced he needs the Hummer, he can still get greener in other areas. He could start getting food from a CSA, or install compact florescents.
Greening other people in this case would mean to try and force them to make green decisions. That is, and should remain, completely up to them.
Your rights end where others' begin. We don't live in separate bubbles.
Gee Wil, I guess you didn't bother to read any of the other comments on that article about a Hummer being greener then a Prius. Take a look at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042502561.html
Lots of nice false thing listed like comparing the Hummers lifespan at 300k miles, but the Prius at 100k. Mind you that there are already Prius taxis with 200k miles on them, but does anyone know of a 100k Hummer?
RE: Wil, your comment "Perhap's some environmentalists are not very smart ..." and the link you provided.
I read all the content on that page and pursued follow-up research.
In a single word: Hogwash! only the likes of Rush Limbaugh, et.al could ignore the multiple distortions and inaccuracies in the article "Prius Outdoes Hummer in Environmental Damage" and its 'source studies'.
Here is one of many links debunking the purported 'science and logic' of the article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042502561.html
I agree with the author's conclusion, but part of me unforunately sides with these activists.
We need to draw a line in the sand, and say YOU REALLY DON'T NEED A CAR LIKE THIS. I know this message is growing and it's getting through to a lot of people through less violent means, but maybe acts like this do burst the bubble of car status BS quicker than anything else?
Yes, we shouldn't destroy things just because we don't agree with them. That lowers one to a vandal (eco-vandal, but still vandal) level.
Better to change behaviour through non-violent means. If they were publicly perceived as not all that cool, there'd be far less of them....
Check out http://www.fuh2.com/
for a great movement on "uncooling" Hummers...
We can go through a metamorphosis ourselves, but you can never induce it in others (especially through violence).
Wil--
The Hummer is not more "green" than the Prius. Please investigate CNW, the marketing firm that put out that report. For one thing, they made all these baseless assumptions like that the Hummer would last for 309,000 miles, and the Prius would last less than 100,000 or something to that effect... and technology aside, I'd bet on a Toytoa to last longer than a GM product any day-- batteries involved or not. Bottom line is the report you're citing is crap.
Go to greenhybrid.com and do a search for all the info debunking that idiotic CNW claim.
If you want to talk about a 'green' escalation... bicyclists are obviously the most efficient beings in the world!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAOHhV1EFe4
Boy, this is site is full of the "I need a 4x4 -- you don't understand" line.
Well, I'm gonna say it, with the generic "you" -- so please don't get personal because I don't mean this personally but generally:
If you care enough to read Treehugger, why don't you care enough to find SOME WAY around the land yachts, even if it's finding another line of work or another place to live?
You'll say I don't have "the facts," and that's true. Maybe there is some folks are UNABLE to move or change jobs or change the way they do their jobs. But I doubt this is true in most cases.
It just seems like people throw up the "I can't" and "I need" because they don't want to make serious changes. If so, fine. But that is very inconsistent with a serious green commitment.
Or maybe there are just pro 4x4 comment-trollers around? (Kidding about that one.)
Perhap's some environmentalists are not very smart ...
An apostrophe in "perhaps" and you talk about other people not being smart? Then you repeat the findings of an absurd "study" to try and demonstrate your superior intelligence?
I think you need to go back and finish your high school education. Start there.
Eco-harmony monkey-wrenching is ok. Vandalism is not. Hopefully scratcher-slasher will learn to talk next and maybe even encourage the sale of a hummer. It's the summer of love for heavens sake. Peace on! l
Sounds like that scene from Monkey Warfare.
Tell that guy to look out for Molotov Cocktails. :-\
Sometimes a passing thought when I get cut off by a monster SUV - especially one with only a driver on board, but it's obviously futile; destroying an asshole's property for 'a cause' will not convert him; only make him an angry asshole, biased against the 'cause'.
I speculate that the perps are not even for the environmentalist movement; just some jerks who want to destroy some stuff and attempt to blame it on treehuggers.
Regardless, there are dim people on both sides of any argument, waving the flags of their celebrities, citing their words as gospel, then, with religious zeal, committing heinous, stupid acts in their name.
Education and promotion of thoughtful, intelligent behaviour is required for all people to grasp a greener goal. The path to such a goal is not paved with beating your opponents on their heads with 2x4s, as it gets more and more difficult to think critically with a concussion.
(Personally, I find it funny that an adult, moving closer to mid-life has taken the first step of a mid-life crises and bought a massively penis-compensating vehicle. Just an idea: get a cheap apartment; a job; a bicycle; and a girlfriend.)
Sheesh, the guy obviously had the hummer in order to get laid. He would have sold his truck in a minute if the vandals had gotten a hot chick to convince him that he'd have sex with him if he had a hybrid. Now he just thinks environmentalists are a bunch of a-holes and he'll be voting Republican next election.
Shame on you for chiding this guy for still living with his mother. Do you know why he's living with his mother? I doubt it. Perhaps he's caring for her. No matter. Wouldn't you agree that it's generally greener for two persons to live under one roof than for two persons to live under two roofs? Cut the crap.
i think its ironic - they vandalised the hummer... well sorry but isn't that stupid? whats the owner going to do now... go and fix all the damage right? won't that mean that more glass has to be smelted, more paint (ie chemicals) used... etc etc etc?
while its a stand against ppl with hummers (i disagree with what they did btw) its also screwing the environment MORE.
if they'd slung dirt at the car, or heck ripped up grass and plastered that over the car and wrote "ur hummer wasn't green enough, so i decided to help out" - at least then it would be better than destroying stuff that required chemical processing to fix!
dumbasses
"Obviously though, the culprits weren't TreeHugger readers. Our readers are smart intelligent people, who aim to create a greener world."
Oh ya? If Treehugger.com is supposedly so peaceful why did you post this hateful article?:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/people_of_the_w.php
This is the kind of crap that promotes people hating each other. Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy 99% of the articles on this site. But this article has bothered me for some time because it's very socially irresponsible. I know that people can think and act on their own, but I think this kind of article plants the wrong kind of seeds.
There's less vandalistic ways for people to show their disgust of gas guzzlers, for instance:
www.fuh2.com
@anthonares, try reading the first comment to the "article" you linked. Or would you rather cherry-pick whatever "facts" you can find to fit your viewpoint.
I am hoping for a reaction to my own encounter with an H2.
I am a resident and student of the famous (or infamous if your driving a hummer) city of Davis.
I was cycling on one of Davis many separated bike lanes that are forced to intersect with auto roadways. I was crossing the street and saw a hummer approaching on the right turn yield lane. As he got closer I took my time in the yield section, backpedaling and grinning like mad. after 2 seconds of this I jumped back on the bike trail and looked at the occupants of the Hummer, who were giving me a look of disbelief. I gladly returned their gaze with a smile and the finger. The Hummer jolted forward and then proceeded to double back to... to... I don't know what their objective was, but the chase proceed with the Hummer driving erratically, with speeds 30-50% over the speed limit.
They then accosted my friend who had no involvement by cornering him in a parking lot, screaming at him until they saw me; and I promptly lost them again. This was ten min into the chase. I still saw them prowling around a half an hour later.
What I did, was crude, vulgar, and crass.
What they ride is crude, vulgar, and crass.
I offended two occupants. They pollute in excess to the fellow citizens around them, are a danger to the motorists around them, and disproportionately contribute to global climate change.
I more or less oppose permit vandalism to private property, but I it is the responsibility of the people affected by these poxes on the road to gently let the occupants know that rudeness is not a one way street.
Oh , I feel so sorry for that poor boy. Life can be soooo unfair. Without his Hummer, how can he show the world how big an asshole he is.
Seriously, all the pain and hardship in the world and this guy get space wasted on him because some kids messed up his Hummer. Who (multiple expletives deleted) cares?
What is all this nonsense about persuading the unwashed masses via a rational dialogue about? Are we all delusional enough to think that people, out of their own good will and logic, will change their selfish, destructive ways? Especially in America? (Hello, GWB got elected TWICE, despite all of the many, many reasons not to?). Joe Six Pack is not going to be persuaded by some "commie liberal propaganda." Rather, unfortunately, it's about regulations. And if there are no regulations, the word must be enforced via fear and intimidation tactics like this. I think there should be a "Vandalize All SUVs" day once a month. This will make the stupid nitwits public at large think twice about buying these monstrosities. Accordingly, the car manufacturers will stop making them.
I fear that the phallic-adjustment companies would just invent some bullet-proof paint if we organized a trash the SUVs day.
But I think you're right that rational discourse would/does certainly have its limits when it comes to issues like changing our lives for the planet. Like the double election of The Dubb, I doubt a whole lot of reason[s] go[es] into the purchase of most land yachts.
[I said "most" so people who need a 4x4, please don't come after me, lol.]
BlitzkriegBiker drivin98
These activities and attitudes are counterproductive. The US was founded on freedom and oportunity. Personally I love small cars. I drive the smallest car that will work for my needs. Americans respond to force with force. Nothing can be successfully rammed down their throat. Offer them something they like and want that will work. Offer it at an affordable price. Not a car that goes 60 miles and needs 2 hours to charge up. I have a job that reuires me to drive over 100 miles a day in an E250 that gets 15mpg with ladders on the roof. There is an optional van. The Sprinter. An excelent van for sure , but twice the cost to buy and operate due to available financing, insurance and cost of buying the vehicle. Make the numbers add up and the people will follow. Regulate them and the people will leave.
helping save the earth by vandalizing a hummer is like trying to find a cure for aids by purposely infecting as many people as possible -- plain stupidity