And he doesn't even drive
Yes, Nader is a self-absorbed nut. As Jon Stewart said last night of Ralph's claims that he'll attract more conservatives angry at Bush than he will liberals: "Conservatives for Nader? Well, not a large number. About the same ratio as Retarded Texans on Death Row for Bush."
And, yes, even Greenies from Seattle are furious with him.
But let's remember that even worse than entering the race this year -- when his argument that there's no difference between Dems and Reps is so patently false; even worse than four years ago, when his public wanking did to Gore what Ross Perot did to Bush the First. No, his worst crime was making one of the niftiest American cars of the 1960s synonymous with dangerous crap coming out of Detroit.
Inspired by the Porsche and Beetle, with an air-cooled engine in the rear, it had an independent suspension, low center of gravity, and -- in the Monza Spyder -- the first (optional) turbocharged production car. The car was a beauty to drive for enthusiasts and extremely cool European styling. But the very thing that turned them on -- it's ability to do a controlled fish tail on tight corners, was what attracted an ambitious Washington lawyer to launch a career.
The car was unfairly maligned as "Unsafe at Any Speed," as being more likely to roll than other cars, which wasn't true. And that the engine in the back made it inherently unsafe -- tell that to Porsche drivers on the Autobahn.
Curiously, though, Nader is credited with doing in the Corvair. Truth is, the car was too far ahead of its time for GM, too small in size, and with an appeal that just wasn't large enough for the kind of production numbers GM looks for.
But Nader helped to turn the car into a punchline. And for that there is no forgiveness.
But there may be an antidote to Ralph. Judge Moore. Go Judge, go.
And, yes, even Greenies from Seattle are furious with him.
But let's remember that even worse than entering the race this year -- when his argument that there's no difference between Dems and Reps is so patently false; even worse than four years ago, when his public wanking did to Gore what Ross Perot did to Bush the First. No, his worst crime was making one of the niftiest American cars of the 1960s synonymous with dangerous crap coming out of Detroit.
Inspired by the Porsche and Beetle, with an air-cooled engine in the rear, it had an independent suspension, low center of gravity, and -- in the Monza Spyder -- the first (optional) turbocharged production car. The car was a beauty to drive for enthusiasts and extremely cool European styling. But the very thing that turned them on -- it's ability to do a controlled fish tail on tight corners, was what attracted an ambitious Washington lawyer to launch a career.
The car was unfairly maligned as "Unsafe at Any Speed," as being more likely to roll than other cars, which wasn't true. And that the engine in the back made it inherently unsafe -- tell that to Porsche drivers on the Autobahn.
Curiously, though, Nader is credited with doing in the Corvair. Truth is, the car was too far ahead of its time for GM, too small in size, and with an appeal that just wasn't large enough for the kind of production numbers GM looks for.
But Nader helped to turn the car into a punchline. And for that there is no forgiveness.
But there may be an antidote to Ralph. Judge Moore. Go Judge, go.
posted by John at 7:47 PM
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