PHAT CAR - FAT BEHIND

Any excuse for a Scirocco picture 

We know that people are getting bigger in size, that news isn’t new.

What may not be more obvious is that cars are getting bigger and heavier as well. An example the Mk1 VW Scirocco is 1625mm wide and 3880mm long, theMk3 VW Scirocco is 1810mm wide and 4256mm long.

Certainly, some of this can be attributed to how much space you need to house all the electrical gadgets from ABS to Air Con and everything in between. The public now demand safety and luxury features in their cars in the bucket load so, they have to go somewhere.

The other reason for this is people. Yeah that’s right, people are getting bigger too, and therefore the amount of space they require in their cars will have to be bigger as well.

So what are car manufacturers doing about this?

Well, BMW for example have now got some 800 volunteers helping them work out how to design cars for obese people. Mercedes are planning to strengthen grab handles, Honda have widened their seats by approx 50mm and Porsches now have steering columns that retract and lift when the car is switched off, much like the top of the range Japanese cars.

It’s the small things that make all the difference, from the size of the doors to how far apart the pedals are. Reverse cameras and blind spot warning systems have all been added too which are designed to help the larger person manoeuvre their vehicle.

Is this really such a good idea? Or should we as a society not be concentrating on improving people’s health instead?

THE VOTE IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD

Phil McCarron on the recent violence muddying the waters of protest.

Napoleon Bonaparte once said that “There are only two forces in this world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run, the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.”

Liberty in blood

The Occupy protests have remained firmly entrenched on the battle field of social and economical change, proving that this is much more than a half-hearted fad.  Remaining true to the routes of the movement, they have been orderly and peaceful.  However, those that wish to see an end to the fight for social equality have grown weary of listening to the voice of the people and are stepping up efforts to shut them down.  The tipping point on the seesaw of forceful and peace has quivered.

All across America, city ordinances and curfews are being put into place in an attempt to stamp out the movement, with some cities even resorting to tear gas, baton rounds, and rubber bullets. 

Violence is contagious and is always destined to escalate…it should never be bilaterally used to promote change, as a change bought in blood will always be stained, and the memory of that blood always lasts longer than the wound.

“When liberty comes with hands dabbled in blood, it is hard to shake hands with her.”

~Oscar Wilde

 Non-violent solution

In the London riots, the police were criticized for not clearing the rioters out.  They were scorned for not using force.  In hindsight, they did the correct thing.  At a heavy financial cost, they merely contained the rioters and let their blind rage peter out.  Had the London Police met violence with violence, the escalation would have torn the city streets apart.

The Occupy movement MUST remain non-violent at all costs in order to succeed.  Victory for the movement can only come from the method that first bore this inequality.  Legislation.

Your contract is up for renewal Mr. Senator

In one year’s time, the election polls will be open for business.  The representatives and senators of both parties that have struck down jobs bills, avoided tax loopholes, bailed out corporations instead of the working class, had their pockets lined by lobbyists and kept the 1% appeased, will be interviewing to keep their jobs.  Though the politicians work for the 1% of the country, it’s the 99% that employ them.

A final message to the elected officials,

“You are one election away from being unemployed like the rest of us.”

~Phil McCarron

Article by: Phil McCarron