I hate to say I told you so, but ... no, wait. I don't hate it at all. In fact, today is one of those occasions when I love to say I told you so.
For years I have discussed the benefits of the manual transmission for our motor vehicles. Well, I call it discussion, but it was really more like shouting into the wind. People just don't want to shift their own gears anymore, no matter how much you point out that it makes you a better driver, more in control of your vehicle, and all that malarkey.
They don't even respond when you bring up what I consider the number-one argument in favor of a manual transmission: Theft deterrence. As in (big-budget Hollywood movies about glamorous auto thieves notwithstanding) most people today have no idea how to drive a stickshift, and while their behavior might indicate otherwise, carjackers are people. And as such, can't shift their own gears. Need proof? Try this on for size, fresh from the World Wide Interweb Thingie:
"Two armed men attempted to carjack a Corvette, Orlando police say, but were unable to figure out how to work the manual transmission.
"The Corvette's owner, 51-year-old Randolph Bean, told WKMG-TV he was sitting in the yellow vehicle waiting for his wife to get out of work at the Orlando Regional Medical Center at around 11:20 p.m. He saw two men approaching the car with a gun pointed at him. Bean says they opened the door and forced him out of the vehicle. One man held him on the ground at gun point.
"The second man, he says, got into the vehicle and, after some apparent confusion, started screaming, 'How do I start the car?' at Bean."
There you go. Car theft foiled by a manual transmission. And, I might add, a helpful owner. This is where Bean and I diverge. Bean told the guy to push in the clutch. My response would have been different - "I don't know, I was just trying to figure that out myself" perhaps, or "First, you have to sit on the gearshift."
Either way, this would probably lead to a point where Bean and I diverge again, because they took his wallet and house keys but left him alive and I don't think I would have gotten that "consideration." Granted, I would have died with a certain amount of satisfaction bred by defiance, but they still would mostly likely have killed me, and that's not in my plans at the moment.
Anyway, my point is reinforced: Chances are, most of today's car thieves can't drive a stick. Bad guys with a gun were stopped by a good guy with a manual transmission.
And because of this, I am really, really upset that the aforementioned manual transmission is disappearing from American automobiles.
Oh, sure, you can get one in Randolph Bean Model Chevrolet Mid-Life Crisis, but it's next to impossible to get a pickup with a manual transmission. Good grief. You'd think if the auto companies offered stick shifts in anything, it would be pickups. What could be more appropriate, especially since I'm truck shopping at the moment?
Oh well. For now, I'll take my victory in knowing that in this one instance, at least, logic won. A car with a manual transmission proved to be un-stealable.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
Someone had to take the fall for President Barack Obama thoughtlessly drawing a “red line” threatening serious consequences if Syria used chemical weapons. It turns out that it is the president himself.
There were other issues that had potentially greater financial impact or will leave a more resolute imprint on people’s lives, such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core.
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
Commentary
Discussion
Sticking it to car thieves
By Mike Redmond CNHI
I hate to say I told you so, but ... no, wait. I don't hate it at all. In fact, today is one of those occasions when I love to say I told you so.
For years I have discussed the benefits of the manual transmission for our motor vehicles. Well, I call it discussion, but it was really more like shouting into the wind. People just don't want to shift their own gears anymore, no matter how much you point out that it makes you a better driver, more in control of your vehicle, and all that malarkey.
They don't even respond when you bring up what I consider the number-one argument in favor of a manual transmission: Theft deterrence. As in (big-budget Hollywood movies about glamorous auto thieves notwithstanding) most people today have no idea how to drive a stickshift, and while their behavior might indicate otherwise, carjackers are people. And as such, can't shift their own gears. Need proof? Try this on for size, fresh from the World Wide Interweb Thingie:
"Two armed men attempted to carjack a Corvette, Orlando police say, but were unable to figure out how to work the manual transmission.
"The Corvette's owner, 51-year-old Randolph Bean, told WKMG-TV he was sitting in the yellow vehicle waiting for his wife to get out of work at the Orlando Regional Medical Center at around 11:20 p.m. He saw two men approaching the car with a gun pointed at him. Bean says they opened the door and forced him out of the vehicle. One man held him on the ground at gun point.
"The second man, he says, got into the vehicle and, after some apparent confusion, started screaming, 'How do I start the car?' at Bean."
There you go. Car theft foiled by a manual transmission. And, I might add, a helpful owner. This is where Bean and I diverge. Bean told the guy to push in the clutch. My response would have been different - "I don't know, I was just trying to figure that out myself" perhaps, or "First, you have to sit on the gearshift."
Either way, this would probably lead to a point where Bean and I diverge again, because they took his wallet and house keys but left him alive and I don't think I would have gotten that "consideration." Granted, I would have died with a certain amount of satisfaction bred by defiance, but they still would mostly likely have killed me, and that's not in my plans at the moment.
Anyway, my point is reinforced: Chances are, most of today's car thieves can't drive a stick. Bad guys with a gun were stopped by a good guy with a manual transmission.
And because of this, I am really, really upset that the aforementioned manual transmission is disappearing from American automobiles.
Oh, sure, you can get one in Randolph Bean Model Chevrolet Mid-Life Crisis, but it's next to impossible to get a pickup with a manual transmission. Good grief. You'd think if the auto companies offered stick shifts in anything, it would be pickups. What could be more appropriate, especially since I'm truck shopping at the moment?
Oh well. For now, I'll take my victory in knowing that in this one instance, at least, logic won. A car with a manual transmission proved to be un-stealable.
I told you so.
© 2013 Mike Redmond. All Rights Reserved.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
May 17, 2013
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
May 17, 2013
The federal government recently announced new regulations for buying fast food.
May 17, 2013
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
May 17, 2013
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
For my neighbor.
That’s what it’s like at his feeder.
May 14, 2013
On April 27, Dr. Jeff Butts demonstrated a rare form of servant leadership as he participated in the Go Love Indy westside service project.
May 13, 2013
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
May 13, 2013
Someone had to take the fall for President Barack Obama thoughtlessly drawing a “red line” threatening serious consequences if Syria used chemical weapons. It turns out that it is the president himself.
May 13, 2013
There were other issues that had potentially greater financial impact or will leave a more resolute imprint on people’s lives, such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core.
May 13, 2013
It happens every year at this time; I make a little dandelion whine. So here goes.
May 10, 2013
Follow me on Twitter
Will you be attending this year's Indy 500?
Tires
Telecommunications
Beauty Salons
Government
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
May 19, 2013 3 Photos 3 Stories
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.
May 17, 2013 1 Photo
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
May 19, 2013 3 Photos 3 Stories
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
Restaurants in avon
Tires in avon
Telecommunications in avon
Pizza Restaurants in avon
Beauty Salons in avon
Government in avon
Click for More
Powered by Local.com
Site Map
© 2013 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. · CNHI Classified Advertising Network · CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2013. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope. Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
Privacy Policy | AP News Registry privacy policy
Terms and Conditions
Advertiser Index
Hendricks County Flyer, Avon, IN 8109 Kingston St., Suite 500 Avon, IN 46123