The made-for-TV-cameras rally put together by a public relations firm -- the first of at least two by the Detroit Three and the United Auto Workers -- garnered about 20 reporters, including 9 TV crews. Organizers conducted about 25 radio interviews as they sought to push the message that a rival fuel economy bill that gives automakers more time and is less severe would improve gas mileage but not at the expense of auto jobs...During the 30-minute rally, a group of three Boy Scouts, a Girl Scout and a scoutmaster piled out of a Ford Expedition to demonstrate ways Americans need larger vehicles -- i.e. on camping trips, said Jeff Kunst, 52, a scoutmaster from Troop 697 in Lowell, Ind.
Detroit News
What amazing bullshit. Rather than calling for more environmentally-friendly cars, which are selling like hotcakes in the USA, the UAW is being used by the Detroit Three as propaganda stooges to fight against a strong miles-per-gallon standard.
We are reminded of Edward Bernays' greatest stunt, the Torches of Freedom (1929), when Lucky Strike hired models, dressed as Suffragettes, to rally demanding the freedom of cigarettes.
6 comments:
I don't really believe that government mandated fuel economy measures are needed because, as gasoline prices continue to increase, auto makers will build more fuel efficient cars on their own - that is if they want to sell cars.
Actually, over half of all new vehicle sales in the US, even with $3 per gallon gas prices, still fall into the "light truck" category (SUVs, mini-vans, vans, and pick-ups). The market is demand driven...demand is for these types of vehicles.
And what does it matter that a PR firm produced it? Do other organizations not contract PR firms to handle events? Or use their own, internal PR groups? What difference does that make?
Waaaaaaaaa! We refuse to evolve. We want to make big SUVs and Hummers forever! Screw the environment.
Good luck with that.
American consumers are going green.
>Do other organizations not contract PR firms to handle events? Or use their own, internal PR groups? What difference does that make?
It's the difference between a grassroots movement of citizens and an "astroturf" rally sponsored by corporations. This was the latter. Unfortunately, the UAW signed off to be pawns in this corporate-funded "protest."
>Actually, over half of all new vehicle sales in the US, even with $3 per gallon gas prices, still fall into the "light truck" category (SUVs, mini-vans, vans, and pick-ups). The market is demand driven...demand is for these types of vehicles.
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Imagine the future. Imagine gasoline prices at $4, $5, $8 or even $10 a gallon. Do you still think there will be a demand for gas guzzlers? Toyota and Honda are already financially kicking American automakers' asses.
We are Junkies.
We need an intervention.
Like getting nuked, for our Oil hungrry ways.
Sad, but true, God will see to it.
Have a good day ;-)
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