Comments on: All Aboard The Hypocrisy Reduction Train (Or is it the Limo?): At a Literal Crossroads, The Devil’s Choice Can Be Subtle

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:11:42 +0000

Your site looks good (and affordable!) Mario. I’d just add that you might find a vegetable oil conversation of one vehicle pays for itself quickly both in lower fuel costs (it sure did for me) and in a marketing bonanza as the NY area’s “Green Limo.”

And thanks for the link, Perkyshai — the Zipcar site looks intriguing, too.

By: mario vargas llosa

mario vargas llosa — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:42:15 +0000

Great Blog! I actually got a quote to change my limo to biodiesel but the prices are too expensive for the moment, anyway keep up the good work! http://www.nyclimopickups.com

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:37:41 +0000

I really like what you are doing here, Doug, I’ve been following your blog for a while!
Good luck finding a ride!

By: Perkyshai

Perkyshai — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:05:36 +0000

I looked at sustainable travel in Philly, and found this: http://www.zipcar.com/?redirect_p=0

I’d suggest you ask the travel agent to call and see if they at least have a Prius. It’s not as guzzly as a limo, it’s not as good as public transport, but at least you’re REDUCING the impact. Rideshare is a halfway measure but half is at least better. Plus, you save time and make living as hypocrisy-free as possible more feasible.

By: Garn LeBaron

Garn LeBaron — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:55:18 +0000

This gig is at a college, right? I am sure that some of the local students would be happy to run the transportation for you. When we hosted speaking engagements where I went to school, we always made sure that the speaker had transportation from the airport, for the entire duration of the stay, and back to the airport. One less thing for you to worry about.

By: JustMeKimberly

JustMeKimberly — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:02:30 +0000

Have a rental car waiting for you….a hybrid of course. Or see if one of you adoring fans live nearby and have them pick you up in their R.O.A.T. good luck

By: Kara

Kara — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:25:36 +0000

P.S. The boyfriend and I are still hooked on Farewell, My Subaru. My recommendation of it to him has lead to much chatter about him making his very own R.O.A.T….

By: Kara

Kara — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:23:56 +0000

JTTL.

…But only if it serves organic champagne.

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:03:17 +0000

Its nice to see you are serious about all this, but its clear this sort of thing could drive you crazy in the long run. Can you buy some carbon offsets that will neutralize the negative effects of the limo ride?

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:49:01 +0000

Wow. Dress like a Bag Man. I’m loving these suggestions. I wanted to add that I just got this note from my Pennsylvania travel agent: she wanted me to mention that the limo actually gets 24 MPG. We’re also keeping our eyes open for an eco limo option.

By: judyofthewoods

judyofthewoods — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:14:27 +0000

You can travel a lot lighter if you wear your outer clothes for the three days. That is not such a long time when you have access to soap. A spare shirt and underwear won’t brake your back.

As for the books, I take it you are leaving the signed books with the people who want them signed, and who, presumably, are buying them?

Can you cadge a lift with someone from the venue?

And if the limo is not the type of vehicle that is pictured above, but a normal car, I don’t think an exceptional use of one should be such a big deal. If the net result of the book is that you will make a number of people make positive changes in their lives, the net benefit justifies a little pragmatism. That is not hypocrisy. I am not an appologist for cars. I don’t have one, live off-grid and detest rampant consumption, so I am coming from a similar place as you..

Trouble is, us on the soap box are easy targets. You are a hypocrite if you do even the slightest thing out of line, and an extremist if you live completely according to your values. You just can’t win on that one. So just do what is the best you can do in a situation.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000

Ain’t moral consistency a beeyotch? Can you get someone from the Univ. with a hybrid or diesel to drive you to or from? Is there another limo service with a hybrid in their fleet? Otherwise, take the train - it’ll be more blog fodder.

By: Chloe

Chloe — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:57:41 +0000

Doug,

That Debra who posted just before me is one smart lady…take her advice! Looks like there is an active Penn State Environmental Society and the president’s email is right on their home page. I’ll bet they would love the publicity, if nothing else, by helping you out.

Please don’t take the limo if you can possibly help it! It will come back to haunt you…

By: Debra

Debra — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:29:07 +0000

Your publisher is in New York which is significantly closer than NM to Pennsylvania. See if you can make arrangements with them to get you the books you need to wherever you are staying in Penn. Pack lighter–I can take everything I need for a 3 day trip in a carry on and I don’t dress in sweats and I care about my appearance in public, I do wear makeup, need a curling iron, carry at least four outfits and extra dressy shoes. I’m also 55 and not in the best shape so let’s not forget my meds. Contact the college’s environmental club/ group (Penn State’s Environmental Society for example) and get them to help you solve this. Get someone to find you a hybrid to cart you around if necessary–your Doug Fine for heavens sake–surely your connections can find someone to pull this off more sustainably. But please don’t sell out–in my opinion it is the thing I get the most flack about every time someone who’s “known” in the green scheme of things does something outrageous (like a limo). You don’t need to be a hero all the time and you don’t need to hurt your back but you can still be creative and lead us all to rethink our choices. Don’t take the limo.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:48:14 +0000

JTTL

I think the need to reduce stress and lead a healtheir life justifies the decision. But, I also wondered, what are the cost and green implications of shipping the books via FEDEX rather than schlepping them around while you travel?

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:16:08 +0000

You know, seeing these creative early suggestions (heck, I just posted this Dispatch twelve hours ago) reminds me that I faced this dilemma before. In Burbank, CA, the Tonight Show’s producers solved it by picking my up in a Prius, complete with uniformed driver.

And Al, I’m working on it – though it’ll be at least a year-to-eighteen monthdss before you’ll see the next book on shelves or in Kindles. So keep getting younger!

By: Sharper

Sharper — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:01:23 +0000

JTTL, but only if the other comments don’t break you out of this dilemma.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:24:37 +0000

Maybe someone in the area could pick you up in their Hybrid or French Fry burning car? Renting a hybrid is another option. If neither works, JTTL.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:29:30 +0000

Check out the Lancaster airport. They might be able to get you to the Phila airport in time to make your connecting flight. Or, just take the limo.

By: Cyndy

Cyndy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:11:52 +0000

Ask the agent about flying in and out of El Paso. May be better, may be worse, but the schedules would be completely different.