Another Idiot Reporter

[Presto]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jkash @ May 27 2007, 04:49 PM) [snapback]450764[/snapback]</div>

I wrote this author when I read the article earlier in the week. I asked if they actually did any research on their own. To quote 33 MPG is absurd. I think I said something like: "You'd have to drive like a crazy person to get on 33 MPG in a Prius." I have not received a reply.
[/b]

I regularly drive like a "crazy person" on my trips to the Interior. A day of pedal-to-the-floor driving, and I was at 37MPG over 1100km. I don't see how any 'normal' driver could do any less then 40mpg on a really bad tank. Maybe with a fully loaded vehicle. 33MPG was probably achieved by moving the car from the street up onto the driveway, and into the carhole. :P

[Topgas]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chogan @ May 25 2007, 03:48 PM) [snapback]450013[/snapback]</div>

So true, and yet it brings up a point: Are any other cars subject to this constant stream of disinformation and propaganda? I mean, does anybody say Corvettes aren't fast, or an F150 can't tow a trailer, or Hummers aren't macho-looking, or Mercedes have a crappy ride? Why us?

Has any other car ever been subject to similar treatment via disinformation, and why does anti-Prius propaganda play so well?
[/b]

I think the Prius is seen as a threat to the good old American life style that we are entitled too in this country. The car makers are scared they won't make it with low 20K cars since their fixed over head costs are so damn high. Car buyers don't like the idea of being crunchy and to have to sacrifice their 0-60 mph acceleration. The image of the hippie movement doesn't help either, look at the bumper stickers on the bumpers of Priuses and you'll see why some people don't want the assocation with hybrids. I say "bring it on" , just a quote from my fearless warrior George. 3rd quarter of this year will bring a whole new meaning to hyrbids.

[Newsmom]

In defense of idiot reporters:

Yes, the best reaction is to contact the reporter directly, AND his/her supervising editor. You would be well-advised to take a very gentle approach to correcting some "misunderstandings" that the reporter passed along. It doesn't do you any good to vent at the reporter, rather you want to urge the reporter to take another look at the data behind the story. You also want to urge them to correct any online versions of the story, lest their mistake (errrr... misunderstanding) be passed along and cited by "the many people who scrutinize these articles for accuracy."

Stupid, idiotic mistakes happen. I'm sorry, but they do. They're not always an indication of hostility, just carelessness.

I've been in news a mere 35 years. I got someone's age wrong once. It happens. We're not ALL idiots, but we do have our share.