California Auto Show, full of hybrid cars?

One might expect that the California International Auto Show would be different this year, considering the state of California just recently passed the most stringent regulations for pollution emissions in the country, possibly the world.

Perhaps hybrid cars, or at least hybrid SUVs like the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, might even take center stage.

Instead, standard internal combustion powered SUVs continue to be the marketing platform for the American market, and the buzz at this year's show is the Hummer H3 and the Jaguar Sportswagon.

While I'm sure that the H3 is an excellent performance vehicle, what purpose does it serve for America?

Is bling, bling flossing the only thing Californian's care about?

The only good thing that I can say about the H3 is that it will double it's fuel efficiency. Still, in real world driving, expect to get far less than 20 mpg.

So that is buzzworthy, less than 20 mpg? Well, hey, that's better than less than the 10 mpg of the standard Hummer, I guess.

It's called responsibility in my book. Just because no one will see me throw a piece of trash on the ground, does that make it acceptable? I mean what will one little piece of trash do?

Just as a little extra pollution from my SUV won't make that much difference. Of course, like trash, if everyone does it, it turns out to be quite a big issue.

Around the world, what people envy - and hate - about America, is how little responsibility we take for our actions. Cheap gas for Americans and how that affects the Middle East, terrorism, and oil wars - not my responsibility. Gas-guzzling emissions affecting SMOG, global warming, and endangering the entire planet - not my responsibility.

So, if bling, bling is all you care about, check out the Hummer H3, or almost any other Detroit-made car.

Or, if you care about your effect on the world, ask your local dealer about the hybrid cars they offer. Let them know you care, and ask them if they care.

While a world full of people driving a Toyota Prius, or a Honda Accord Hybrid, might look a little boring, a world without SMOG, Global Warming, Oil Wars and Terrorism, would sure be something to sizzle the world's shizzle.

Now, bling-bling your way to a hybrid vehicle!