And in 1.20b we'll have...

[Rowyne]

Blaming the Japanese and the Japanese auto industry for all or any of that makes you a racist.

Common sense would be recognizing falling American manufacturing and design standards over the years that led to Japanese auto makers making such headway into the American market because they made cars that people wanted to buy and mismanagement at the big 3.

Deriding people for driving Japanese calls, calling them "rice grinders" (from the implication, and even your ridiculous stereotypical assertion that rice is an appropriate cultural identifier for anything Japanese), and wrinkling your nose at them just makes you sound extremely petty and really explains a lot of your racism tinged posts on this forum.

LOL, I'm not blaming the Japanese auto industry. I'm disappointed in Americans who don't support our own economy. And people like you, who clearly don't care, are a big part of the problem. It happens every day. Do you ever pick up that item you're getting ready to purchase, turn it over, and see where it's made? Do you ever opt to visit a shop owned by someone in your neighborhood instead of going to Wal-Mart? Do you ever buy your produce from local farmers, instead of something imported? Labor is outsourced and goods are imported when it could be done locally. Do you turn a blind eye, or make informed choices?

I'm not denying that there has been mismanagement within Chrysler for years, and that GM's misleading statements regarding its loan payback hasn't earned it some scorn, such as the nickname 'Goverment Motors'. But Ford refused government money and pulled itself up by its bootstraps, maintaining a level of integrity you can't help but respect. And quality? The Ford Mustang is not only an American icon, but the bare bones V6 is 305 HP and gets 31 MPG, and costs less than $25K. GT, even better. Or better yet, hand one over to Roush, Saleen, or Carol Shelby and see its full potential.

You're clearly fixated on making this into something it's not. I'm not deriding anyone, and made no such insults. In fact, I clearly said that if anyone wants to drive such a vehicle, that is their choice. I may not agree with it, but that is their choice, and I defended their right to make it.

If this is truly an issue over the choice of a nickname I used (something that is widely used by people in gearhead circles across the country every day and I have yet to meet anyone who has ever found it to be offensive), I will be the first to apologize. To anyone. Just step right up and say so. I also edited my original post just in case it really does genuinely bother someone.

However, you jumped in guns a blazin' and outright called me a racist (now deleted by the forum mods) and turned a perfectly good thread into a flame war. Again. Pretty much like the server merge thread where you irrationally and repeatedly called anyone who was in favor of regional servers racists, as well. Which leads me to believe this has nothing to do with your being 'offended'. Your rude posts, name calling, paranoia, and continual need to somehow make yourself a better person than everyone else by bringing down others indeed lead me to see how people call you elitist. I seriously can't tell if you're trolling at this point, or if you really believe the outrageous things that come out of your mouth.

All I said is that people like choices. Just like everyone has different tastes in cars, people have different tastes in mounts, so let them choose and be happy.