Big Game SUV Hunting [off topic]

[AR5ENAL]

Big Game SUV Hunting

Anyone check this out?  It looks awesome.  I'm seriously thinking about printing up a mess of these.  I've got some ideas about rules:

*No trucks with tools/lawnmowers/etc. in the back.  These are work utility trucks, not sport utility.
*Nothing that looks as if it's actually been off-roading recently, or is capable of doing so.  These are real trucks.  No shame in that.
*Anything lowered/with chrome wheels/taking up 3 parking spaces is *fair game*.

My friend and I are working out a point system for the different makes of SUV.  So far the Hummer H2 is worth the most...gaudy monstrosity.

I figure big SUVs have been making my life miserable for a while now...it's time I gave a little something back.

[Zarathustra]

my friend's and i found a shop near me that sells bumper stickers that say "I have a small pee pee" and we were talking about going around the cities and slapping those on suvs.  we wanted to do it on bikes, and hit cars while they're at red lights then take off.

[ItSeemedLikeAGoodIdea]

I figure big SUVs have been making my life miserable for a while now...it's time I gave a little something back

Unless one ran you over, I don't see how that claim has any merit.  Ever heard of vandalism?  This is a stupid idea.  I don't use that label lightly.  So what if someone wants to drive a large SUV.  Maybe they have 8 kids or do a lot of towing.  Maybe that is what they want to buy.  Who cares.  Its not your car and its not your money.  If you don't like them, don't buy one.  Personally, I drive a 4 dr Mazda. Why?  Because it meets my needs and its cheap, like me.  My neighbors have a full size truck and a large SUV.  He was telling me the other day that he wished he had the money to go buy a bike.  I thought, "It's all a matter of priorities."

Point is, leave other peoples cars alone.   You won't like it if someone defaced your bike in a similar manner.  You won't change anyone's mind.  You won't get anyone to sell their SUV.  You will only end up looking like a jackass.

[Zarathustra]

So what if someone wants to drive a large SUV.  Maybe they have 8 kids or do a lot of towing.  Maybe that is what they want to buy.  Who cares.  Its not your car and its not your money.  If you don't like them, don't buy one.

well ya see, here's the deal on why i don't like SUV's.  they get terrible gas millage thus wasting gas, making us more dependant on foriegn trade, and they hurt the environment.  also, most SUV's i see around are driven by 1 person with no one else in the car.  i almost never see more than 1 person per SUV around here.  99% of the people who own SUV's don't need them, and don't use them; and SUV use is hurting us all.  so yeah, i care when people drive SUV's, because most of them arn't even made for work power anymore.  ever seen an escalade?  no one tows with that or fills it up with lumber and crap.  SUV's are pointless vehicles, and people need to start understanding that.

[Steve500F]

@$$hole(adj.): insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous

[AR5ENAL]

Unless one ran you over, I don't see how that claim has any merit.

i think it has some merit.  of course, 'miserable' is an exagerration, but i was trying to be funny.  let's look at this.

Ever heard of vandalism?

yes, that's sort of the point.

This is a stupid idea.

this is up for debate.  however, you are entitled to your opinion.  i don't expect to change your mind.

I don't use that label lightly.

neither do i.  that's a good thing.

So what if someone wants to drive a large SUV.  Maybe they have 8 kids or do a lot of towing.

8 kids?  that's what minivans are for.  they consume less gas, take up less space and don't effect the pretentions of the 'big balla SUV'.  a lot of towing?  japanese made trucks are more than capable of doing any amount of towing, and they're smaller and better with fuel economy and they pollute less.  again, this isn't a good enough excuse for me.  this is also a play-it-by-ear thing.  if i see an SUV that is obviously used for towing (i.e., it's attached to a trailer, has a hitch that looks as though it's been used) it's a different story.

Maybe that is what they want to buy.  Who cares.

i care.  people should live with the consequences of their decisions.  deciding you want an SUV carries an implicit acceptance of everything that comes with it.  the pollution, the gas guzzlling, the fact that there are people like me who think the car itself represents the wasteful mentality that americans are so famous for around the world.  it's like the super big gulp...wayyyy more soda than any one man needs.  why shouldn't i care?  it doesn't keep me up at night, but it does piss me off for about 3.7 seconds when i see one taking up two spaces at the grocery store.

Its not your car and its not your money.  If you don't like them, don't buy one.

i agree with you 100% here.  this is damn good reasoning.  however, it *is* my city, and it *is* my parking spot, and it *is* my planet, in some larger sense of things.

Point is, leave other peoples cars alone.

this is where we might disagree.  i take the position that owning a senselessly large SUV with little to no actual offroad capabilities bears a consequence.  namely, that assholes like me will want to throw bumper stickers on it.  go figure.

You won't like it if someone defaced your bike in a similar manner.

hm...this is also a damned good point.  i really wouldn't like it if someone put an 'unsafe rider' sticker on my bike, or something that pidgeon-holed me into a class of vehicle operators that i might not actually be a part of.  but that's life.  cars get broken into, defaced, stolen even.  i hardly think a bumper sticker on a bumper counts as ruining the resale value of a car.  it means a couple hours with a razor blade scraping off the offensive sticker, and maybe thinking twice about why some one might hate the fact that you drive an SUV.

You won't change anyone's mind.

No, probably not.

You will only end up looking like a jackass.

This is a matter of opinion.  

Anyway, I understand where you're coming from, and I even agree with a lot of your points.  However, I'm a jerk.  I think people are responsible for defending their ideas and decisions against the onslaught of those who would take issue with them.  I wouldn't buy a Ferrari without worrying that someone might try to steal it.  I don't think that people who buy SUVs should do so without at least tacitly accepting the fact that there might be people out there who dislike these cars.

Now, I haven't actually decided to go through with this.  Truth be told, I'm a little 'ornery lately, because last week I saw a Cadillac Escalade (complete with chrome 24" wheels) sitting in at least FOUR designated motorcycle spaces.  Do I think such people should have to spend an afternoon scraping sticker off of their bumpers?  Hell yes.

[goat]

and putting bumper stickers on their cars will make them understnd that? All thats going to do is make them hate pro-environment people and people on motorcycles.

A couple of years ago some people like you went along one of the streets in madison, slashing the tires on SUVs. Unfortunately, they weren't caught but thats not the point. it didn't do a damn thing except piss people off. A couple of articles were written in the student newspaper, but thats all the media coverage it got.

Most people only understand one thing, $$$. If you feel that strongly about SUVs and big cars, get petitions signed for a higher gas tax. SUVs will only start dissapearing when gas prices get higher. Just don't expect people to like that idea.

Don't be one of those damn hippies that give pro-enviroment people a bad name.

[scratch]

I like the idea, I even think it's funny.

I wish I had my little 250 that got 75mpg and ride that around with "I get 75 MPG" on my helmet. Maybe that would send them SUV's a message.

I guess I'll settle for riding my GS with "I get 55 MPG" on my helmet, even though I get between 50-65mpg; I just don't want to be a liar.

[Zarathustra]

slashing tires and putting up a comical bumper sticker are two different worlds.  the former requires going to a shop, buying a tired, and being without your car and inconvienenced while you wait for it to get fixed.  it also entails a lot of money.
the bumper sticker is a friendly reminder that causes little to no damage, and serves to make them aware that people think they're making stupid decisions.  it's an active, comical way show a stance, without causing any major damage or inconvienance.

[AR5ENAL]

A couple of years ago some people like you went along one of the streets in madison, slashing the tires on SUVs.

Um...these aren't people like me.  Slashing someone's tires for fun is not cool.  It's not even cool for a purpose.  Don't make me one of these idiots.

If you feel that strongly about SUVs and big cars, get petitions signed for a higher gas tax. SUVs will only start dissapearing when gas prices get higher. Just don't expect people to like that idea.

Don't be one of those damn hippies that give pro-enviroment people a bad name.

you're right, but i don't feel that strongly about the environmental effects of SUVs.  the point of this isn't to change the world, or to make it a better place.  the point is to make it a PITA to own an Escalade, Yukon, Tahoe, H2, Avalanche or whatever...

I'm not a hippy.  Never was, and never will be.  I'm just an @$$hole, which I'm willing to deal with...and a potential vandal.  I say potential, because I haven't started doing this...like lots of things, it might be better as an idea than in practice.

[gitarman]

I think there is one big flaw in this "campaign" and that is their slogan. I'd be willing to bet 2/3's of the SUV owners wouldn't even get the message. Maybe if they changed it to something more straight forward it would get more attention.

[Guccisport]

  great discussion guys!  glad to see that no one is taking personal shots at others for their OPINIONS.

[chimivee]

//www.fuh2.com/

[chimivee]

http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_01_12_a_suv.html

[CasiUSA]

I find it funny too
My only proble, is that from the owner's standpoint, it really might not be as funny. As someone who is anal-retentive about his own car, you can bet that I would pe piiiiiisssed if I found some jerk put a sticker on my car (Pain to take off).
Although, I myself have been inclined to put stickers like "Steal the car, but for god's sake leave the rims" or "My stereo system and my exhaust are competing to make you deaf" on some cars.

[ItSeemedLikeAGoodIdea]

I think people are responsible for defending their ideas and decisions against the onslaught of those who would take issue with them

Then challenge the person directly, a little bumper sticker is an anonymous, cowardly way out.

think people are responsible for defending their ideas and decisions against the onslaught of those who would take issue with them

I think this better than any other statement you made sums up the differences of opinion here.  I think that people should be able to drive what they wish, so long as it conforms to standards set forth for motor vehicles.  What they choose to drive is up to them.  I too, find the H2, Escalde, Navagator, Lexus (whatever the number is), and a variety of other SUV's ridulous and I pity the people who feel the need to own them.  It is sad statement to the state of a person's self esteem when they feel that they MUST have one of these vehicles.  That said, it is still their choice.  If you really do feel so strongly about this, then contact those in goverment who can pass laws to mandate fuel higher fuel economy standard, or (this is my favorite idea) additional licensing requirements for vehicles with a GVWR of over 5000 lbs.  This will force people to evauate how much capability they really need.   So long as these status symbols are legal, I am content to live and let live.

i take the position that owning a senselessly large SUV with little to no actual offroad capabilities bears a consequence

There are many consequences, insurance, fuel, and maintenance among them.  Why do you think they need more?

I saw a Cadillac Escalade (complete with chrome 24" wheels) sitting in at least FOUR designated motorcycle spaces.

Illegal parking is a law enforement matter.  File a complaint with the store, the mall, or the police.  If you have the time, sit back and watch the person return to find the ticket.  That should bring some satisfaction.

here's the deal on why i don't like SUV's. they get terrible gas millage thus wasting gas, making us more dependant on foriegn trade, and they hurt the environment. also, most SUV's i see around are driven by 1 person with no one else in the car. i almost never see more than 1 person per SUV around here. 99% of the people who own SUV's don't need them, and don't use them; and SUV use is hurting us all. so yeah, i care when people drive SUV's, because most of them arn't even made for work power anymore. ever seen an escalade? no one tows with that or fills it up with lumber and crap. SUV's are pointless vehicles, and people need to start understanding that.

All true, but, like many other things I don't like (among them may be some things you enjoy), SUV's remain legal.  If you want them outlawed for the above reasons, give it a go and see if you can make your case.  I have long though that a Diesel/electric hybrid SUV would be a great seller and make a lot of sense.  If I had an auto company, I would work on it.  

I have a tremendous problem when people want to force their preferences on others.  You do have your rights as a citizen, but your rights stop where the next person's begin.

[AR5ENAL]

Then challenge the person directly, a little bumper sticker is an anonymous, cowardly way out.

So it went from being an infringement on someone's right to own an SUV to an anonymous cowardly way out?  I admit that for anyone with a serious problem with SUVs, this is not the best way of addressing said problem.  The fact of the matter is that I am not willing to sit and wait in the parking lot for every SUV owner to come back to their car just so I can give them the finger.  That's all this amounts to...giving someone the finger.  We leave notes on peoples' cars when they do something to piss us off, and that's the way I see this...only a little more agressive.

I think that people should be allowed to drive what they wish, so long as it conforms to standards set forth for motor vehicles.

This is absolutely true.  If you really want to get down to it, it's the government's fault for allowing these things to be sold.  However, realistically, if there's a market...people will sell it.  Is it the government's fault that alcohol, cigarettes, diet pills, hormone fed meat, guns, etc. are being sold?  Maybe.  Can we ask that the government sanction the sale of any potentially dangerous or annoying bit of merchandise?  Probably not.  I do what I can: I won't buy one of these things.  That doesn't make them not a nuisance.

I too, find the H2, Escalde, Navagator, Lexus (whatever the number is), and a variety of other SUV's ridulous and I pity the people who feel the need to own them.  It is sad statement to the state of a person's self esteem when they feel that they MUST have one of these vehicles.  

Agreed.  You've hit the nail on the head here.  I am aware that this is just an opinion though.  I don't want anyone to get the impression that I have a right to enforce what I think people should do.  That's delusional.  This whole idea started as part of one of those conversations that started, "If I ruled the world, you know what I would do?".

or (this is my favorite idea) additional licensing requirements for vehicles with a GVWR of over 5000 lbs.

This is an awesome idea.  It's like the proposal to enforce a cc limit on new motorcycle licenses, which prevents squids from killing themselves on litre bikes the second they get their license: it makes damn sense.  It's also unfortunately wishful thinking.

There are many consequences, insurance, fuel, and maintenance among them.  Why do you think they need more?

Because I'm a jerk.  Insurance, fuel, and maintenance have not hurt SUV sales.  Neither will I, but at least I'll have a good time about it.  

If you have the time, sit back and watch the person return to find the ticket.  That should bring some satisfaction.

I actually came out of the store to see parking enforcement writing up a ticket.  I went to the officer and personally thanked her for ticketing the vehicle.  It made me feel better.  Would I have liked to add to the ticket?  Hell yes.  I'm a jerk, see above.

I have a tremendous problem when people want to force their preferences on others.  You do have your rights as a citizen, but your rights stop where the next person's begin.

Right.  I agree with you here.  This is probably the clincher.  Justifying this sort of activity opens up all sorts of doors to what people do and don't have the right to do, and I'm not going to tell people what their rights are.  So, that being said, I'll note here that doing this is *not* justifiable in court, and probably a really sh*tty thing to do to someone.  Proceed at your own risk.  I still think it's hilarious.

[tt_four]

hahaha, where did you find "i have a small pee pee" stickers? i've mumbled that every time i see a hummer, i'd love to have some stickers,

and for all the people who keep arguing and not understanding what he's trying to get across, the stickers aren't gonna change much from the owners perspective, but either way, it's funny, and even if it is her money, a 45 year old woman with a cell phone and 3 screaming kids, and a vehicle that she does NOT have the skills to drive, should not be on public roads,

as far as the petitions and getting laws passed, i don't think you quite understand how things work, as nice as kissing baby's and shaking hands is, they don't care about us, SUV's are $$$, and that's all that's important, i'm not as powerful as a gas company,

the thing that gets me, is not so much that they have the huge things on the road, but the fact that people can't control them, i used to think it was just the size, but then i started to realize i can pass a semi on the highway without as much as a flinch, and yet i can't stand to be around someone in an suv, and if i can be around something with 18 years and not think much about it, then there's something else, and if you've ever seen some of the stuff they can do, it's amazing, they've had special training, and are capable of driving the big trucks, and yet people can't park their giant SUV's at walmart between two stupid lines, and they're even worse at backing them out, if you've ever stopped to watch it's rediculous, they can't see anything to back out and turn, all they can do is back straight up, and then they've gotta make a 6 point turn just to get out of the spot, so yeah, why is it i need a special liscence to ride a 400lb bike, but anyone can jump in a hummer when they took their driving test in a civic??

the other problem that hasn't come up yet, but we're definately gonna see in the future, is kids, it's bad enough that every t-ball mom around the neighborhood needs one, but once they used them, and decide they need something even bigger, 16 year old kids looking for used cars are gonna be able to afford one, and i like my chances again a rusty little ford escort than i do a yukon

[JohnNS]

I'd be VERY careful doing something like this. Lots of people would beat the crap out of you for screwing around with their vehicles...and rightly so in my opinion.

Maybe they should ban motorcycles too. I mean, the majority of motorcyclists use them only as a "hobby" and only a small percentage use them as their primary means of transportation. Think of all that fuel that's needlessly consumed in the name of a hobby. Or at least ban anything over 500cc's cuz that's just excessive and wasteful. Besides, you must have a small pee pee if you want anything bigger...right?

[merchjo]

my friend's and i found a shop near me that sells bumper stickers that say "I have a small pee pee" and we were talking about going around the cities and slapping those on suvs.  we wanted to do it on bikes, and hit cars while they're at red lights then take off.

Save those stickers for the Harley Dudes