[Dwight Southerland]

Well, Bruce, you sure are funny. Who said this is a Democrat vs. Republican thing? Who said anything about Bush? You sure are touchy for no reason.


The calcs go like this:
According to the Boeing web site stats, a 747 uses approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile. On a full trip, you have to add an additional 1800 to 2300 gallons for the takeoff acceleration and taxi time. The air miles from Washington, DC to Hawaii is 4762 miles. That calculates to 4762 * 5 + approx. 2000 or 25810 gallons of fuel one way, or 51,620 gallons round trip. The last two vacations included three 747s for the secret service and White House entourage. So that calculates to 154,860 gallons of fuel.


Let's say that an average of 500 sportsman level cars participate at each of NHRA's 23 national events and that the cars each average 5 runs per event. That's a total of 57500 runs for the season. I would say that it is generous to say that a gallon of fuel is used on each run and that is a total of 57,500 gallons. Then let's say that an average of 250 sportsman cars participate at each of NHRA's 42 LODRS races and that each of them averages 5 runs per race. Than is a total of 52,500 gallons of fuel. The total for the season then, is 57,500 + 52,500 or 110,000 gallons. Hhmmmmm . . . Which is the larger number? Now, you can argue about my estimates and assumptions for racer participation, but I do not think I have selected numbers that are particularly skewed to make my statements have credibility. And what if the President takes TWO vacations?!? Heaven, forbid!


Incidentally, I am just as critical of all the brands, levels and persuasions of politicians in office. It's just that some are easier to fault than others because they are so smugly snide about their self righteousness.