Some musings,
$1:
For example, millions of people drive SUV's which use more energy and are a huge strain on our natural resourses, increasing the risk of global warming. A vast majority of people either dont realize this, or simply dont care. No matter how much information is thrown at them, how many advertisments they see, or how many uncommon extreme weather disasters occur they just dont make the connection.
They have poor fuel economy - yes, some do - especially truck-based models. I noticed how you conveniently left out the specific models that actually possess decent gas mileage (RAV4, CRV, etc) and what about the 4 cylinder versions? Are they bad on gas too? Where is your comparison to Minivans? They are actually WORSE than most compact SUVs? What about sports cars? Aren’t they guilty of being gas pigs? Furthermore, some sedans (especially older V-6s and the newer V-8s) suffer from gas addiction- are you implying their fuel mileage is acceptable? Also, what about transport trucks - even moderate environmentalists suggest they contribute to declining air quality just as much - if not more - than SUVs - and how is their gas mileage? By singleing out one trendy form of transportation, you’ve erroneously made it the scapegoat for a problem that is not entirely its own making.
$1:
Another example, millions of people buy Nike clothing, not suspecting or again, not caring, that they may have been made in a sweatshop, or through the exploitation of children.
Again, another high profile scapegoat. Are you really suggesting that WE (that includes you) aren’t guilty of indirectly contributing to some of the worst consequences of globalization? Do you wear Adidas? How about drive General Motors? Shop at Wal-Mart (nice unionization!)? Guess where some of their manufacturing and outsourcing is done? What about Volkswagen? Do you think that their Mexican assembly plants are cheaper than European counterparts? Please. We are all guilty of supporting this rather ugly component of globalization – every time we buy a cheap product we run the risk of indirectly supporting some sweatshop – in fact, how do you even know that your products has been constructed according to the highest moral standards available. Answer? You don’t. Many try to purchase products that don’t exploit children (and, granted, many don’t do the research (or have time) necessary to find out), but let’s be realistic. Until you are free from globalization guilt, it’s unfair to chastise others for committing the same offences.
CKA Moderator 
