Freedom Is Not Free. - We are hauling America's most precious cargo.

Freedom Is Not Free.

May. 31, 2007

We are hauling America's most precious cargo.

If you are like me and have a good number of children, you probably get tired of hearing negative press about SUV's and how people who drive them are ruining the world by wasting gas and running over people. There are a bunch of people out there that are filled with hatred and anger the moment they lay eyes on an SUV. Don't even mention the word Hummer to them. Well, I for one am unashamed to drive a large SUV. I have a large family and desire to protect them. Besides, when was the last time you ever heard someone complain about pickup trucks, or vans, Semi trucks with 40' trailer, Diesel trains or Jetliners. May it be that they are perceived to be filling a purposeful need, such as carrying vitally important cargo like food.

Well let it be known that my Ford Excursion is filling a very purposeful need as well, transporting 9 people, very comfortably I might add. That would be me, my wife, our five children and our two foster children. From my vantage point, children are America's future and most precious cargo of all.

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Comments

Jun. 13, 2007 - Just to get this started...

Posted by Father2Five

Next time you watch the news, listen for the story about how an SUV caused an accident, or some other horrific scene, while of the course the driver had nothing to do with it. It was the EVIL SUV that did it. I know this may sound corny, but I have heard this many times. CNN is great for pumping this kind of negative press.

D.

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Jun. 14, 2007 - SUV etc.

Posted by DrHibiscus

I saw your comment on the blog of a friend of mine (dad2three) so I thought I'd check out your blog. I thought I'd offer my opinion on the SUV issue. I don't think many people have real issues with SUVs per se, but with how they are used and how they've become a status symbol. On my daily commute I can't even count the number of SUVs that share the road with me and are usually occupied by a single driver. If you're toting around 9 people then of course you need a big vehicle, but why in the world is it necessary for a single person to drive a big SUV on their daily commute? The answer - for many (not all) is that the SUV has become a status symbol of success. That's what drives me crazy.

Anyway - to answer your question about homeschooling in TN, the state is very open to and permissive of homeschooling. You have many options to register with the state or with private schools/umbrella schools. I've heard of very few issues of homeschoolers being harassed. We have a wonderful homeschooling group where we live with over 200 families involved. We offer enrichment classes, boy scouts, american heritage girls, 4H, as well as numerous other clubs and opportunities for field trips etc. All in all it's an exceptionally supportive and fun group!

Good luck with your move decision!

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Jun. 15, 2007 - Reply on SUV etc.

Posted by Father2Five

Thank you for your comment on SUV's. I understand what you are saying because I used to get upset by the same thing. Please read this article that explains exactly what I am talking about. The press has helped many to hate people who happen to like SUV's with articles highlighted in this blog>>>

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/kathleen/parker051305.php3

Thanks again for your comment.

Don

PS: I am a big Saturn fan and appluade their efforts for 2007. They have really turned things around with the Aura and the Sky Redline.

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Jun. 16, 2007 - Hate the SUV, but don't shoot the driver

Posted by Father2Five

By Kathleen Parker
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |

Here is the main point from the article that I referred above.....

I am keenly aware that some people don't just hate SUVs, they hate SUV drivers. From the looks I get in certain neighborhoods, I may as well be wearing a mink coat and gnawing on a veal chop.
Moreover, for the past couple of years, I've been tracking the spread of Irrational SUV Hostility (ISUVH) and have collected a folder of news stories involving the maligned vehicle. Invariably when an SUV driver is involved in an accident, the story focuses on the SUV. As though sedans, station wagons and especially hybrids never make mistakes.
Here's a headline from the Boston Globe (February 2004): "Teacher dies after SUV strikes her in driveway." The subhead lets us know that the former husband is to face murder charges. Ah. So an embittered husband runs down his wife, but the SUV did it. Would a BMW have killed her any less? I'm just asking.
Here's the Alameda Times-Star (September 2003): "Swerving SUV kills 92-year-old woman." If we read the story, we learn that the woman was killed when the SUV was sideswiped by another car, forcing the SUV onto the sidewalk. And what was the make of the swerving car? We never learn. Doesn't matter. What's significant is that the SUV killed the poor woman.
Here's a CBS Internet headline from November 2004: "Man dies in SUV accident on Long Island." You'd think the SUV picked the man out of a herd and iced him. In reality, the man crashed his Ford Explorer into a cement barrier after sliding on a rain-slicked road. Presumably, he'd still be alive today if he'd been driving a more popular vehicle.
Just one more, this one from an NBC affiliate in Philadelphia in February: "Police say out-of-control SUV killed blind woman."
Not only do SUVs consume more gasoline than is morally defensible, but they run down old ladies, murder spouses and blind women, and will kill their own drivers in bad weather. If you insist on owning one anyway, the L.A. Sheriff's Department is ready to change your mind. (That's a joke.)
All may change soon as auto manufacturers are turning SUVs into the coolest hybrids ever. Lexus has debuted a luxury SUV with low CO2 emissions and great mileage, and others are riding their bumpers. All those SUV haters out there soon will have to find a new demon to despise — and I have utter faith — but I don't expect to clip many news stories that begin: "Hybrid runs down elderly, blind woman."
Or, "Ten deputies stop hybrid in hail of bullets."

Edited by Father2Five on Jun. 28, 2007 at 4:02 AM

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About Me

Sharing my trials and triumphs, rants and raves, and how God has blessed and continues to bless me and my family. I am truly a blessed father of five children, a foster dad to two, and a husband to a wonderful wife (BlessedMommy). The picture above is from the inside of a covered bridge in Stamping Ground, Kentucky. My wife's Grandfather was baptized as a young boy underneath this bridge.