That whole thing is really a work of genius! Thanks for sharing it! You know, when I was in Germany, I really did like getting around by train. I sometimes wish this country had a better public transportation system, not because of any "crunchy" principles but because it can be a pain finding a place to park the car, remembering as you are running out the door late that you're almost out of gas, etc. But our country is structured WAY differently than anything in Europe, and that's just the way it is. There are definitely advantages to being able to use a car to come and go wherever at will, too!

Barb,

As much as I generally dislike driving, I would hate to be at the mercy of the schedules of public transportation. Also, I hate crowds and I hate strange people being in my personal space. I guess that's my very uncrunchy misanthropy and individualism coming through. ;-)

Oh, Susan, you are SOOOO uncrunchy! What would that be? What is the opposite of crunchy? Smooshy? :-) Anyhow, I don't mind that you like driving your own car.

And this crunchy poem made more sense once I read all the other posts. I've had some catching up to do! ;-)

Hi Jami,

Great to see you again! :-D I think the crunchy-cons have actually called non-crunchy people "soggy". How lovely of them.

BTW, the crunchies might be interested in knowing that my car, which I bought new, is sixteen years old and has been paid for for eleven years. If I were a big consumerist, I could have traded it in for a new car years ago. But my car runs just fine (except the windshield wiper on the driver's side isn't working -- gotta get that fixed), so why trade it in and have to make payments again?

Umm, maybe so you could buy a Prius? . And just for the record, I do like driving my own car, and both our family cars are old and paid for. There are times when I think better public transportation would be nice, though. Like going to an Indians game. You either fight traffic and pay a mint to park, or drive your car to a central parking lot, get on the bus, wait until it's time to leave, then get back on quickly when the game is over and wait the alloted time after the game is over for the bus to be allowed to leave. Driving in Chicago is a total nightmare at any time of day or night, and parking is exorbiant. But public transport wasn't really worth the cost, because the prices are skewed toward business riders who buy monthly passes. Not to mention we'd have to transfer to a bus from a train, then hike blocks in the freezing Chicago winter to get where we wanted to go because the bus didn't stop right there anyway. Better public transport would include more stopping places and better schedules.

Urgh, it left out my "evil grin" after suggesting you buy a Prius. I *was* just being sarcastic, honest!

Barb,

I saw the "evil grin" even though it didn't show up here, so no worries. :-) (I get comments emailed to me.) Prius' are those hybrid cars, right? I don't like cars that are too small -- they don't seem safe to me.

BTW, we also have an eee-vil SUV -- a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It belonged to my Dad and my Mom kept it after he passed away even though she doesn't drive. She can get in and out of it more easily than my car (which is a LeBaron) since she broke her hip several years ago. Also, it's great for hauling things and for driving in bad weather (especially when the windshield wiper on your own car doesn't work).