All these analogies are logically consistent.  With the exception of the
vehicle so underpowered that it can't maintain pace with the flow of
traffic, all these analogies are rooted in the fact that someone did
something stupid.  And someone intentionally tailgating, dangerously passing
or otherwise hassling a slower vehicle is just as stupid as the one driving
it.

Borrowing from the gun lobby slogans, vehicles don't cause accidents,
drivers cause accidents.

But, actually...vehicles are romanticized far more than guns in our society.
The TV commercials promise fulfillment of your most aggressive fantasies and
self-image styling, all you need is a down payment and you can star in your
own action movie, and drive around, over and through others with the
righteous indignation that comes with knowing that You are superior to
others because Your Car is superior (the TV told me!), and They should get
out of Your way.  And it is, indeed, All About You.

I drive freeways every day, where no one driving 65mph is remotely safe
unless they keep their wits about them.  That's because we're all in a
hurry, and we're all Special.  Gee!  I'm stuck behind a slower vehicle going
up a short grade, maybe 3 minutes max until it broadens out.  I know this
because I drive it every day...  But!  The logo on the back of it says VW.
Gee!  I'm offended and insulted, and so is my car!  Gotta do something about
that, now!  Now! because it's all about Me!...

OK, enuf.

ChrisR

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]  On Behalf Of
Alex Towner
Sent:   Saturday, May 29, 2004 12:02 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        safe speeds, underpowered engines, Vanagon diesel mortality (LVC,
some Friday content)

Original Message:

Date:    Fri, 28 May 2004 14:23:35 -0700
From:    Malcolm Stebbins <mwstebbins@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Subaru Engines (NVC)

--- David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US> wrote:
> I know this is  why so many cars sold in Europe have

> dangerously underpowered engines.

I would have thought that the "danger" is in
overpowered engines...<truncated by ChrisR>