The other day as I watched Rose immerse herself in watching a race on TV, I knew that there was a way to help stretch out our diminishing natural resources. But, of course, it would have a large economic impact on certain areas.
No, it's not a way to harness the energy generated by a bunch of teens jostling each other as they pass in the halls between classes (although that is something worth thinking a little bit about).
But would it really be a bad thing if all kinds of car racing, at least those burning gasoline, were outlawed?
I can't begin to imagine how much high octane fuel is burned by these large number of cars going in circles for hundreds of miles. And there is also the massive pollution caused by all of the people driving, in heavy traffic, to get to these events.
It makes me sick to see all of these races on TV. And worse, Rose is now hooked on watching these things, with her Dad. And they even were part of a huge traffic jam when they went to the Daytona 500 in February. It just takes one event like this to make me feel so insignificant when I try to maximize the numbers of places that I go on a single trip (i.e.- minimizing total driving). Why bother?
But the backlash from everyone involved in things like this would be horrendous. I can't imagine the U.S. Congress having the backbone to make any major changes to help save the environment. This would reduce our dependence on foreign oil and our Carbon footprint at the same time. It would cost a significant amount of money. How so? There is the economic impact of all of those nutty people who actually go to these events (my daughter included)! And the drivers and all of the people that make the souvenirs, and those that sell them, etc. But, I bet, that overall it would save money too.
Maybe this should be the next blogging initiative (after Capitol Hill and Wall St. finish messing around with our savings). Should we start a petition to outlaw these polluting events? Let me know.
??????? Maybe we can make the world a better place for our children.
and, what about all those dang fool people who watch those races on Sunday afternoon on TV, then get out there on the interstate highways on their way to work the next day and drive like they think they are a NASCAR driver. I used to have to drive to work on I-285 in Atlanta. It was a nightmare. You couldn't leave a space between you and the next car because some damn fool NASCAR wannabe would whip over in there at 70 miles an hour. And they wonder why there are so many accidents on our roads!
Posted by: Karen | October 14, 2008 at 08:14 AM
The real way to conserve gasoline is to raise the price. And use the price increase to fund alternative energy sources research. When gas prices were heading past 4 dollars a gallon, suddenly people were carpooling, doing less driving in general, and trading in their SUV's for more fuel-efficient cars. The effect was immediate and measurable. Unfortunately, it is political suicide for anyone to push for raising gasoline prices; so we are probably stuck with the status quo.
Posted by: suburbancorrespondent | October 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I'm with you! Sign me up!
Posted by: Paula | October 14, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Give me a break! I know a few countries you can live in where freedom to choose your own entertainment is restricted, if that's what you really want. In fact, those countries will even restrict what your family size can be, or what job you can have. Take all the thinking out of life, wouldn't that be GRAND?
If you're so big on conservation, let your 'heros' know that flying around in their private jets to go talk to their middle class followers about their wastefulness is the height of hypocrisy.
The people who attend these NASCAR events aren't asking for YOU to give them handouts to support their entertainment so why the heck should YOU care?
Or is FREEDOM a dirty word, unless it supports a woman's right to take another's life?
Posted by: Katie | October 14, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Whoa, katie, take it easy. In times like these, everything is open to thought.
Posted by: Daisy | October 14, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I would have never thought of this! You're brilliant!
Posted by: Momo Fali | October 15, 2008 at 02:52 PM