GOOD

Not so Smart Cars?

USA Today has a piece announcing that Smart cars-the tiny vehicle ubiqituous in Europe that launched Stateside in the summer-are sitting in the lots. Combine the recession with a dropping of gas prices, and people are less interested in buying Smarts. Or are they? The actual article, in typical trend..

 Morgan Clendaniel
03.27.09

USA Today has a piece announcing that Smart cars-the tiny vehicle ubiqituous in Europe that launched Stateside in the summer-are sitting in the lots. Combine the recession with a dropping of gas prices, and people are less interested in buying Smarts. Or are they?The actual article, in typical trend piece fashion, doesn't really back up the claims of the first paragraph. Yes, some people are asking for their fully refundable $99 deposit back and not buying the car, but Smart's business model involves keeping virtually no cars on their lots, so it only takes a few rejects to start them "sitting in those lots." The cars are moving, on average, in 28 days. The industry average (thanks, one would imagine to a lot of SUVs no one wants anymore) is 95 days.What people seem to not understand-as if their brain resets every year-is that the price gas is going to go up again in the summer, like it does every summer, and then they will want their Smart cars. For a few months, you wont be able to turn your head without seeing a frantic journalist ask if we will have $4-gallon gas forever (it will probably happen on this very site, even). Then, around September, gas prices will drop, and we'll all forget about it until next summer.Maybe you want to buck the trend and buy a Smart car? You can do it here.
Articles

Las Vegas is letting people pay for their parking tickets by donating to a food bank

via Douglas Muth / Flickr

Sin City is doing something good for its less fortunate citizens as well as those who've broken the law this month. The city of Las Vegas, Nevada will drop any parking ticket fines for those who make a donation to a local food bank.

A parking ticket can cost up to $100 in Las Vegas but the whole thing can be forgiven by bringing in non-perishable food items of equal or greater value to the Parking Services Offices at 500 S. Main Street through December 16.

The program is designed to help the less fortunate during the holidays.

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Communities

A 'rude' encounter between Susan Collins and one voter might just end the Republican's career

For more than 20 years. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has served the citizens of Maine in the U.S. Senate. For most of that time, she has enjoyed a hard-fought reputation as a moderate Republican who methodically builds bridges and consensus in an era of political polarization. To millions of political observers, she exemplified the best of post-partisan leadership, finding a "third way" through the static of ideological tribalism.

However, all of that has changed since the election of Donald Trump in 2016. Voters in Maine, particularly those who lean left, have run out of patience with Collins and her seeming refusal to stand up to Trump. That frustration peaked with the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

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Politics

Magic mushrooms are a powerful way to treat depression, addiction, and anxiety

via Theo Crazzolara / Flickr

Along with LSD, marijuana, and MDMA, magic mushrooms have been a mainstay in the drug repertoire of the counterculture.

Powered by the active ingredient psilocybin, magic mushrooms create audio and visual hallucinations, feelings of euphoria, unbridled laughter, and a dreamlike state of consciousness.

The drug can take users on an internal journey filled with deep spiritual and psychological revelations.

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Health

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez jusst endorsed Bernie Sanders for president

via Truthout.org / Flickr and Dimitri Rodriguez / Flickr

Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign looks to be getting a huge big shot in the arm after it's faced some difficulties over the past few weeks.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading voice in the Democratic parties progressive, Democratic Socialist wing, is expected to endorse Sanders' campaign at the "Bernie's Back" rally in Queens, New York this Saturday.

Fellow member of "the Squad," Ilhan Omar, endorsed him on Wednesday.

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Politics

A report on climate change is calling to ban frequent flyer miles

Photo by HAL9001 on Unsplash

The U.K. is trying to reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, but aviation may become the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.K. by that same year. A new study commissioned by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) and conducted at the Imperial College London says that in order for the U.K. to reach its target, aviation can only see a 25% increase, and they've got a very specific recommendation on how to fix it: Curb frequent flyer programs.

Currently, air travel accounts for 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, however that number is projected to increase for several reasons. There's a growing demand for air travel, yet it's harder to decarbonize aviation. Electric cars are becoming more common. Electric planes, not so much. If things keep on going the way they are, flights in the U.K. should increase by 50%.

Nearly every airline in the world has a frequent flyer program. The programs offer perks, including free flights, if customers get a certain amount of points. According to the study, 70% of all flights from the U.K. are taken by 15% of the population, with many people taking additional (and arguably unnecessary) flights to "maintain their privileged traveler status."

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The Planet