It turns out that Hummer’s tag line, “Like Nothing Else,” is no longer true. Behold the International CXT (Commercial Extreme Truck), the world’s largest pick-up truck. A recent press release proudly announced that it is built on the same platform as dump trucks and snow plows. Dump trucks, folks. The company is refreshingly honest about who they’re targeting: “While there is nothing tougher or more extreme on the market than the International CXT, it is as much a statement of success as it is performance. If you brought this truck to the playground, you’d be king of the dirt pile,” said company spokesperson, Rob Swim. Options include: a fold-down bench that can be used as a bed, “ghosted green flame paint job,” drop-down DVD, and flat screen TVs. Quite a statement indeed. One wonders if this International will be purchased outside the United States.
Some Xtreme Facts:
Like other monster trucks, the CXT is classified as a “heavy duty vehicle.” This means that because it exceeds 8,500 lbs. it does not have to conform to ANY fuel economy regulations.
Back in 1999 the EPA attempted to phase-in a plan to cut emissions from trucks with this classification. Additionally, the agency sought to change the definition of light-duty trucks to increase fuel efficiency.
Overall fuel efficiency has been dropping in the US since 1988.
Although the American public claims to be concerned about foreign oil dependence, high gas prices, and a sluggish economy, our appetite for larger “statements” appears insatiable.
But Hybrid SUVs and trucks have arrived or will be in showrooms soon: Ford Hybrid, Mercury Mariner, Honda Pilot, Lexus RX400, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Tundra, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, among others. Not all auto industry analysts are convinced of the demand for hybrids in the US. One CSM Worldwide analyst told Bloomberg News back in April, “It’s almost too early to tell… There’s an initial fascination period we’re passing through right now.”
The Union of Concerned Scientists has dreamed-up a safer, more environmentally responsible SUV called the “Guardian”. Check out the blueprint here. The concerned scientists are also waging a Clean School Bus campaign.
September 22nd, 2004
Thirty-years-old in less than in a month. It’s not that I’m really dreading the countdown to Forty, but I’m defiantly challenging this transition. Case in point: yesterday Sarah and I went to the mall. We split up so that she could go to Nordstrom and Williams and Sonoma. I claimed to want to check out the new iMac at the Apple store, but instead made a beeline to Pac freakin’ Sun. As I raced past the edgy Hurley t-shirts toward the shoes, I congratulated myself for recognizing the pulsing, poppy music filling the store: Pinback. And it’s actually an old track. I bet those kids over there don’t even know who the band is. I liked this song like two years ago. Posers. I asked the mallterna-dude if they sold laces separately, as I think my old black Etnies kicks can discover new life with the simple addition of a new pair of gray laces. “The only laces we have say ‘I ? Skater Boys’.” Avril Lavigne was standing next to me and laughed as if to say, “I’m on to your game, Geezer.” Instead, she was very helpful. “Dude, you can get hooked up at Hot Topic,” she said with a knowing smile.
I had even worse luck at the Topic, a store that reminded me of what would happen if Rob Zombie took over one of those rock n’ roll apparel joints on the Myrtle Beach strand. But the multi-pierced gentleman who greeted me at the entrance claimed that skate laces were indeed at the back of the store. I traversed the dark, narrow corridors lined with chokers, scary wrist bands, and handcuff chain wallets. I was nervous about actually reaching the back of the store as a truly strange Gen-Y phenomenon was going down. These kids were kicking mad hybrid styles: Goth, skate, Rap ‘n Rock, bondage, Insane Clown Posse. All at the same time. I was concerned, frankly, about brushing up against these angry young men on their own turf. So I chickened out and turned around. I should be getting my metrosexual on at Ban a Republican anyways. Instead it was back to Pac Sun. I didn’t get a chance to see all the new t-shirts.
Next week: catharsis during Dashboard Confessional’s ACL Festival set.
September 20th, 2004
When did it happen? When did golf start getting, gulp, cool? It’s no secret that musicians like Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and Neil Young are still breaking the rules–by breaking in their 5 Irons. But when did golf eclipse ‘chilling’ as pro skateboarders other favorite pastime? Will Eric Koston soon be a character on both Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Tiger Woods PGA Tour for PlayStation? Pro BMX rider Dave Mirra has his own video game, has won several X-Games, and now he’s out to conquer golf. Just last weekend he hosted the “Dave Mirra Charity Golf Classic” to benefit the Dream Factory of North Carolina. Two new magazines are documenting this emerging act of rebellion: Bogey and Golf Punk… The September issue of Golf has a rad two-page photo taken at the Shoreditch Open, a huge urban golf event that took place a few months ago near London. Stateside, urban golf is happening in predictable places like Boise… This disturbing trend is getting to the point where you now see Hollywood celebs running around in their Urban Golf Gear. Geez, the next thing you know they will be admitting women at Augusta!
September 8th, 2004
Our committee heard blindly optimistic people from the administration prior to the war and people outside the administration - what I call the ‘dancing in the street crowd’ - that we just simply will be greeted with open arms… The nonsense of all of that is apparent. The lack of planning is apparent. 
