# The President's vehicles use lots of gas. Let's bitch about that. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 24, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502 "2005-08-24T22:22:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/1 "2005-08-24T22:22:39Z")
Ugh. Yes, [url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/08/24/national/w134322D04.DTL]this is the shit that we need to worry about. The president’s vehicles require more equipment, which makes them heavier, and therefore use more gas. What the fuck else is he gonna do, pack himself and the Secret Service into a fucking Prius? A small army of Vespas? A skateboard? Thanks, Jennifer Loven, for wasting front-page space, and giving more fuel for everyone who thinks Democrats & liberals are off their fucking rockers. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/2 "2005-08-24T22:31:36Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > What the fuck else is he gonna do, pack himself and the Secret Service into a fucking Prius? A small army of Vespas? A skateboard? [Escapes](http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/home/)? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/3 "2005-08-24T22:33:08Z")
[Fixed Link](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/08/24/national/w134322D04.DTL) Ya know, at least it is better than people bitching that he is too healthy. :rolleyes: FTR, it pains me to support el presidente in any way, shape, or form, but c’mon! There are a lot bigger, a lot more important things to bitch about. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/4 "2005-08-24T22:52:18Z")
Uh, any reason to assume that Ms. Loven is a Democrat and/or liberal, other than that she happens to work for AP? Also, was this article actually on the front page of a printed newspaper? Looks like the AP wire feed to me. Lastly, it doesn’t strike me as much of a bitchfest, particularly; it’s certainly not an Op-Ed piece, just another filler news item. Is there anything factually incorrect in the article in question? Anyway, I’m a Democrat and/or liberal, and I think it’s a silly article. So, there’s one, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/5 "2005-08-24T23:01:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Almost every vehicle Bush uses is custom-made to add security and communications capabilities, and the heavier weight of these guzzlers further drives up gas and jet fuel costs. […] > > The motorcade generally doesn’t cruise placidly at fuel-efficient speeds, but rather hurries along its route as fast as possible. It also often idles outside while Bush is at an event, burning up fuel but ready to depart at a moment’s notice. Hey, at least Jack Kennedy got a few extra miles per gallon by cruising placidly in a vehicle without any security enhancements. Seriously, what the hell? What a moron. How does this further the (important) argument that things need to be done about fuel consumption? She’s not bitching about _wasted_ fuel, she’s bitching about fuel put to necessary use. Well, sheeit, why try to mitigate the effects of manufacturers’ and consumers’ choices that have led to half of the new A–\>B vehicles sold in the U.S. averaging a ridiculous 20MPG if we think the next step is requiring the freaking Head of State to get around on a bicycle? Eesh. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/6 "2005-08-24T23:08:07Z")
> [@](#): > > …The full-sized luxury sedan version…would cost about $47 to fill… Oh for Christ’s sake, stop complaining about fuel prices. When that wouldn’t fill the tank in your Nissan Micra, some of us will finally start sympathising. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/7 "2005-08-24T23:09:52Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Uh, any reason to assume that Ms. Loven is a Democrat and/or liberal No, but if you already think the left is full of nutbars and then you read an article bitching about the President’s planes using fuel, wouldn’t you assume that they were a) liberal and b) loony? > [@](#): > > Also, was this article actually on the front page of a printed newspaper? Looks like the AP wire feed to me. Front page of [SFGate.com](http://SFGate.com). What’s a “prin-ted news-paper”? 😃 > [@](#): > > Is there anything factually incorrect in the article in question? Not that I spot offhand, but there won’t be any factual inaccuracies in an article I’m writing about the frequency, coloring, scent, and texture of what I leave in the toilet after a meal at Taqueria Cancun, either. Doesn’t mean it’s not a waste of whatever medium I publish it (or get it published) in, and of everyone’s time. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/8 "2005-08-24T23:11:46Z")
I thought it was an interesting little article. It might have been of interest to mention that in contrast to his vehicles, Bush’s ranch is very fuel-efficient, but maybe that’s just me. Anyone who would think it reflects some prevailing attitude of Dems and/or liberals is reaching. It ends, after all, with a reminder of Carter’s ineffectual efforts to get Americans to turn down their thermostats. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/9 "2005-08-24T23:41:51Z")
And if JFK would have been sitting in a bullet-proof Caddy instead of a convertable… And if Reagan would have hopped straight into a limo when he exited the hotel instead of going amongst reporters… Ah, screw it. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/10 "2005-08-24T23:50:11Z")
SFGate’s been like this lately. Last week there was a front-page story about the [fog](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/19/MNGOBEA9JI1.DTL&hw=fog&sn=001&sc=1000). And they’ve been absolutely obsessed with this [ski-jump](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/08/24/BAskijump24.DTL) thing. I wonder if their regular editor is on vacation or something… ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/11 "2005-08-24T23:52:41Z")
I love this part: “But Bush is one of the nation’s most-traveled presidents. He has visited 46 countries, some of them several times, during his presidency. He has been to all states except Vermont and Rhode Island.” We don’t need this. When Bush was running in the 2000 election, commentators often pointed out that he had rarely traveled outside of the U.S. The people elected him in large part because they figured that we wouldn’t have to foot the bill for much travel at all. Now, here we are with gasoline and aviation fuel bills the size of Texas. Can’t we ration his domestic and overseas travel to a couple of trips a year? As the author wisely points out, it is tax dollars that pay for that fuel and it’s not getting any cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/12 "2005-08-24T23:55:39Z")
“And applying for the position of right-wing **Reeder,** we have an application from **Troy McClure SF** …” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/13 "2005-08-25T00:01:18Z")
I actually did have a problem with PaPa Bush and his recreational Cigarette boat, but no Bush Jr. should not be restricted from Safe travel. I might despise his policies but I don’t wish him dead or more importantly assassinated. All President’s need safe travel. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/14 "2005-08-25T00:06:21Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > “And applying for the position of right-wing **Reeder,** we have an application from **Troy McClure SF** …” Hahahahaha… ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/15 "2005-08-25T00:16:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Not that I spot offhand, but there won’t be any factual inaccuracies in an article I’m writing about the frequency, coloring, scent, and texture of what I leave in the toilet after a meal at Taqueria Cancun, either. Doesn’t mean it’s not a waste of whatever medium I publish it (or get it published) in, and of everyone’s time. Aw, c’mon. Now you know the hourly fuel burn for a 747-200 aircraft. How can that be a waste of time? 😃 Here’s my idea to save fuel: A NASCAR rules change, to straight electrics. Not only will it save on fuel usage and pollution (they still use leaded gas, btw), it’ll resolve that pesky restrictor plate issue once and for all. And no fans driving to the track. Stay home and watch it on pay-per-view instead. Thanks, folks. Your gratitude is compensation enough. ---
**Author:** ![fushj00mang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@fushj00mang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fushj00mang)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/16 "2005-08-25T00:28:04Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Here’s my idea to save fuel: A NASCAR rules change, to straight electrics. Not only will it save on fuel usage and pollution (they still use leaded gas, btw), it’ll resolve that pesky restrictor plate issue once and for all. Now the drivers can hear the heclking from the stands and folks on the infield won’t need ear protection. Three Cheers for El\_Kabong! ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/17 "2005-08-25T01:11:04Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > “And applying for the position of right-wing **Reeder,** we have an application from **Troy McClure SF** …” And I _love Bill Gates_, too! ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/18 "2005-08-25T01:50:48Z")
> [@Anne Neville](#): > > SFGate’s been like this lately. Last week there was a front-page story about the [fog](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/19/MNGOBEA9JI1.DTL&hw=fog&sn=001&sc=1000). And they’ve been absolutely obsessed with this [ski-jump](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/08/24/BAskijump24.DTL) thing. > > I wonder if their regular editor is on vacation or something… Let’s not forget about the gripping “Sean Penn and Ma and Pa Kettle go to the Middle East” series. First there was [Sean Penn goes to Iraq](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/12/16/MN24675.DTL&hw=sean+penn&sn=018&sc=065), followed a year later by the two-part [Sean Penn: Return to Iraq](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/01/14/DDGG048F0G1.DTL), and now we get the **five** -part [Senn Penn goes to Iran](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/22/DDGJUEAF041.DTL). ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/19 "2005-08-25T06:13:21Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > And I _love Bill Gates_, too! Does his wife know? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502/20 "2005-08-25T10:41:44Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Oh for Christ’s sake, stop complaining about fuel prices. When that wouldn’t fill the tank in your Nissan Micra, some of us will finally start sympathising. Didn’t you try this before? Oh yeah, that’s right, you got slapped around. To repeat what I said in the other thread, it’s not our fault that your government has chosen to gouge you with gas taxes, and it’s not our fault that you were too much of a sheep to try and stop them. Shut your piehole. By your consent you lost the right to bitch a long time ago. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-vehicles-use-lots-of-gas-lets-bitch-about-that/318502.md?page=2)