To the editor:
This is in response to the article “Hummer had no place in Portage Lake parade.” After reading Mr. Nathan White’s article, I was left both confused and angered. Confused by the idea that Mr. White would write such a hurtful piece toward someone he obviously did not know.
It was obvious to us “locals” that this was written by someone from away due to the fact that if he was a local, he would have known that there was a huge family reunion in town, and the owner of this so called “log skidder decorated in ripe canola” had driven cross country to be with his family and loved ones, not because he was eager to find a local parade to join in just so he could show of his new Hummer, which Mr. White implied.
But these points have already been made by friends and family who wrote their articles to the editor last week. So, I am going to move on to the anger part. Your story was a good one Mr. White, until you turned an innocent story of small town America into a vicious hate letter against the owner of this yellow Hummer and Hummer owners in general. This being said, I am going to take this opportunity to correct your exaggerations, and shed some light on the Hummer brand.
On the subject of fuel economy, 3 miles per gallon sounds good for your story but is simply not true. According to Consumer Guide Automotive, a Hummer H2’s corrected fuel consumption is 10 mpg, not great, but a mere 2 mpg less than a GMC Sierra 2500, and 3 mpg less than a Ford F250. And I saw plenty of those vehicles there but did not hear you complain about them.
You also complained of the $80,000 price tag, this too is incorrect. The full size H2 can be purchased for around $60,000, expensive yes, but so was the Lincoln Navigator I saw there and you didn’t complain about that. Isn’t one of the greatest ideals of America, that we all have the same right to succeed and prosper limited only by our own drive and ambition?
I would also like to make a point that although the Hummer H2 may not get great gas mileage, it at least passes today’s emissions test which I am sure your “84 Nova and Dodge Dart” do not — therefore making the Hummer more environmentally friendly than the vehicles you drive!
You speak of American symbolism, but you seem to discount Hummer’s deep American roots. Hummer has been an iconic American symbol stemming from its stellar performance in the military. Since 1984, it has carried troops and supplies, been used as ambulances, and M220 tow missile carriers, along with countless other military uses. It has served our country very well. Then there is HOPE (Hummer Owners Prepared for Emergencies) which is a group of Hummer owners that have worked directly with the Red Cross to train members to help the Red Cross during times of disaster. Basically neighbors helping neighbors, very small town America indeed.
And if all of this wasn’t enough, I’d like to point out the impact Hummer has had on our immediate area providing hundreds of jobs at the Loring Humvee Maintenance Center.
Ashland
