Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
SUV'ing The Landscape
Our wonderfully cool buddies over at NBC4 report this morning that "according to new census figures, California leads the nation in registration of sport utility vehicles, with nearly 2.8 million of the gas guzzlers in 2002."
LAist's good friend and regular all-around nice guy, Louis Kincannon (who just happens to be the Census Bureau Director) says that these figures add up to about 24.2 million SUV's, or one for every eight licensed drivers.
To put it all into perspective, one in every eight women will get breast cancer, one in every eight people will get cancer from smoking cigarettes, one in about every eight children will end up being overweight, and most startlingly, people who purchase the upcoming Farscape: Through the Wormhole trading card packs will find that one in every eight packs will include an 18-card bonus chase set focused on the miniseries Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
It's obvious to LAist, that this whole one-in-eight thing is not good for California.
Support for LAist comes from
What, exactly is appealing to all those people about SUV's is anyone's guess. Is it feeling the sensation of being higher up than all the other cars on the road? Is it a power trip? Is it knowing that by owning an SUV, one can personally help the country-wide gas prices shoot through the roof? Are SUV owners loaded and simply love pouring their money into their 32 gallon tank?
There's something to be said about the Pinto. It was small, got great gas mileage, and had a great name. As for SUV's and this most recent piece of census information -- LAist thinks it's about time that SUVs and their owners be forced to trade it in for something a little more environmentally-considerate. Something a little less garish.
Something that gets more than 7 miles to the gallon.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist