[ChrisH]

jasoni,

I might trust a media type if they had it on tape and the tape was then examined by an unbiased qualified expert who could tesitify in court that the tape was Dean's voice and undoctored. With digital editing widely available, that is harder than ever.

Dean's alleged comment contained no accusation other than an implication derived from his supposed use of an out of fashion word for a donkey. If the quote had used the word "body" instead it would have been a mere statement of an engineering fact. That it is very wasteful to require two tons of metal to move around 150 lbs.

I regularly move 200 lbs a distance similar to the intended range of the Segway using a 26 lb vehicle. I do this in a time frame similar to the one a 4000 lb vehicle would require. Obviously my 26 pounder is more efficient, but it does have other drawbacks, like I require a shower to present a professional appearance after I reach my destination. Fortunately for me, my employer has shower facilities, so this is not too big a drawback.

Dean's point is that what is currently a necessity is absurd from an engineer's point of view. Actually he was probably being conservative (or pointing at himself?) by using 150lbs, I think on average the public weighs more than that.

Helicopters and Humvees are vehicles designed for specific purposes. Using a helicopter to commute from Dean's house to downtown Manchester NH, every day would probably be wasteful, but if Dean does that I haven't heard about it. Using the Humvee in the summer might be too. But which is more environmentally friendly, Hiring a big snowplow to clear your very long driveway every time a few flakes fall and possibly needing to salt it as well to keep it clear of ice, or having a vehicle that you can just drive out after most snowfalls?

Just a few thoughts.