Letter: SUV craze hurts foreign policy

Friday, March 15, 2002 | 4:19 a.m.

We are at war on two fronts. One is to protect ourselves against terrorism, and the other is to protect our oil interest abroad. The latter has me very confused.

Our dependence on foreign oil seems to be a joke to many Americans. I have friends who own big pickup trucks and big SUVs. They tell me they are lucky to get 8 to 10 miles to the gallon.

In my day we used pickups for work only, not as a pleasure vehicle. I dare say if these people got a scratch on their truck they'd have a fit.

My daughter wants to buy an SUV with a TV for her two children. I told her to get one with a fireplace, so she can feel at home in her four-wheel living room.

Some people tell me they can only fit comfortably in these vehicles. I'd like to say to them, "Start eyeing your refrigerator as your worst enemy."

JOHN TOMINSKY

archive