General Motors is full of crocks
Everybody and their mother has already blogged on the anti-science declaration by GM Vice Chair But Lutz, who dismissed global warming as a “total crock of shit.”
I didn’t think I had much to add to the well-deserved trashing he received — until I looked up the word “crock.” Wikipedia explains:
Hmm. What car company makes crocks? Could it be a car company that has been losing market share for decades?
This meaning of crock may well derive from “Norwegian krake, sickly animal, and Middle Dutch kraecke, broken-down horse” — yet another perfect metaphor for General Motors.
How can a global manufacturing and technology company run by someone who doesn’t believe in science — and if you think global warming is a “crock of shit” then you definitely do not believe in science — succeed in the advanced car market of the 21st century? The question answer itself.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I think your are full of crock for believing for what many scientists also believe is not true. They are just as many scientists who disbelieve that theory. It’s just a theory and anyone can be just as right as the other in believing what they want.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:01 am
@Kimchi Joe-
Sort of like the theory of evolution or a theory about gravity, eh?
February 28th, 2008 at 10:19 am
First commenter Joe seems to be the perfect GM employee or customer. On second thought, is he a GM board member?
February 28th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Hey this post is classified as humor, so that comment fit right in.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Ah the old “it’s just a theory” crock. Joe (not Romm) above must not have been paying attention when theory was defined.
How do these denyers manage to be the first commenters so often? Don’t they have anything better to do than sit around and wait for new blog entries? I guess I shouldn’t complain; at least they’re not driving around in their SUVs.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
We can criticize the chairman of GM, but the stress over there must be enormous. GM lost 38 billion dollars last year. That he would try to get some favor from the global warming is not man-made crowd is somewhat understandable. I don’t envy his job and I don’t envy people who have to make the decision between an income or livelihood for my family and working in an industry that is polluting the planet. This global warming thing runs thru so much of everything we do.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
General Motors is the American leader in clean car technologies. They produce a widening array of quality hybrid and flex fuel vehicles. They are heavily invested in plug-in development. No car company other than Toyota can match its positive achievements. They are as committed as you to carbon free transportation. Yet, you vilify them because the reason for their commitment differs from yours. To you it is a matter of global warming. For GM it is economic survival. The desired end result is the same and you will reach that result much faster if you abandon the divisive negativity and find areas of shared interest to work together.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
You want “areas of shared interest to work together”? The GM Vice Chair didn’t exactly show that with his bone-headed remarks. Why are you defending him, given your standard? What about asking him to abandon his “divisive negativity”? We little people aren’t nearly so powerful and influential, but swing away if it makes you feel better.
OK, I’ll give them this: Many people believe GM (finally) is truly serious and committed to the green car cause, whatever its motive. While there is good reason to stay skeptical, given its history and Lutz’s comments, I’m willing to give them the benefit of doubt. I really hope so, for the benfit of the consumer, the planet, and GM itself. If the Volt or plug-in Vue is close to meeting expectations and I can afford one, I’ll eagerly buy a new one as soon as possible.
But in fairness, one parting swing that I think GM deserves. In addition to its sorry history (EV-1, etc.), last I checked GM still ranks dead last in fleet MPG, no matter how you spin it. And the flex fuel feature is OK for flexibility on down the line, but does nothing for greenness in the present or near term, and is very possibly a net environmental detriment in the long term.
If GM fails, the blame won’t fall on bloggers.