When the going gets tough, the tough realize that they do not need a fuckin' tank to drive 10 blocks to their Beverly Hills salon.

Gas in LA has almost hit the 3 buck mark. There are more asshicles on the road than ever. This just goes to show that the intelligence standards for driver's licenses are way too low. But don't worry, BushCo has chosen this moment to abandon their stand on fuel economy standards (NYT):

DETROIT, Aug. 15 - The Bush administration is expected to abandon a proposal to extend fuel economy regulations to include Hummer H2's and other huge sport utility vehicles, auto industry and other officials say.

The proposal was among a number of potential strategies outlined by the administration in 2003 to overhaul mileage requirements for light trucks - sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and minivans. It had been seen by industry officials as likely to be adopted.

But the impact of the tougher requirements would have been borne almost solely by the increasingly troubled domestic auto industry, a concern for the administration.

See, they're concerned about the auto industry. That's why.

And the auto industry deserves our concern. Because they really have done everything within their power to make more fuel efficient vehicles. Really. And they have NOT dragged their feet on developing new electric and fuel cell technology. Not at all. They are the blameless, innocent victims in this risky, ill-advised, and shall I say, more than a little communistic fuel economy scheme.