Intelligent use of taxpayer money or the usual college campus socialism?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

You can pretend all you want, your Francophile tendencies are well documented in this thread.

Do you think the same people who changed it to "freedom fries" would change it to "freedom kissing"?

[The_Dude 1,142]

sooooo the security people at my previous school had ford rangers and golf carts

Did you go to OCCA too?

You're assuming, of course, that the hippies in charge took those factors into account.

It is well known that when spending taxpayer money, hippies never do.

Ford Rangers are OK, but I like Christina's Escalades idea a lot more.

So we shouldn't even bother looking at purchase and operating costs of any vehicle made outside of the U.S.? Gotcha. Should they look even further to ensure that all parts were made and assembled in the U.S. too?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

sooooo the security people at my previous school had ford rangers and golf carts

Golf carts! The original electric car!

[^_^ 5,021]

Do you think the same people who changed it to "freedom fries" would change it to "freedom kissing"?

I call it the liberty kiss.

So we shouldn't even bother looking at purchase and operating costs of any vehicle made outside of the U.S.?

Of course we should. But hippies drunk on taxpayer money don't think about such things.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I call it the liberty kiss.

Do you get Liberty Cabbage on your hot dogs?

[^_^ 5,021]

Do you get Liberty Cabbage on your hot dogs?

No cabbage at all. Just lots of all-American Heinz Ketchup and Mustard.

[Amby 490]

I went to Indiana University you #######!

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I call it the liberty kiss.

Freedom from contraception?

Mustard.

Dijon?

[chri'stina 190]

They used Buick lowriders at my university for campus security. That is definitely American!

(I'm making it up, just thought I should be clear)

[The_Dude 1,142]

Of course we should. But hippies drunk on taxpayer money don't think about such things.

So university administrators are incapable of making an informed decision simply because of their position?

I went to Indiana University you #######!

Boobs? Wait a second, I thought you cared about the #######.

[Amby 490]

So university administrators are incapable of making an informed decision simply because of their position?

Boobs? Wait a second, I thought you cared about the #######.

I care about all anatomy

[^_^ 5,021]

So university administrators are incapable of making an informed decision simply because of their position?

You trust hippies and believe they respect where taxpayer money comes from.

Me, I know better.

[The_Dude 1,142]

You trust hippies and believe they respect where taxpayer money comes from.

Me, I know better.

You would prefer that universities only buy American, regardless of any other factors. This is against free market principles and I argue is even more un-American.

[^_^ 5,021]

You would prefer that universities only buy American ...

Yes, because sustaining an American middle class as opposed to a French one is a worthwhile policy goal.

[^_^ 5,021]

You also have to take into account the cost of operating a fleet. It wouldn't surprise me if the smartcars were cheaper to buy and operate ...

A fleet of two? See the article below. A lot of talk about being green, very little about cost of ownership.

Kean police buy smartcars for patrolling

By Carlos M. Reynosa

Published: Monday, October 11, 2010

In February 2010, Kean University purchased two cars from Smart USA.

...

The Smart Cars are used for security purposes, as well as transportation for students with disabilities. They have a five-speed automated manual transmission and an anti-lock braking system. They also have a zinc-plated steel body lined with airbags to ensure safety despite its compact size.

"I think they're cute and tiny, they make me feel like [this school] is actually working on something," Katy Kyne, a communication major at Kean said. "I just wish they had spent more time on something else."

Kean's newly purchased cars are usually sold in the base model for $11,990 which includes standard features such as a central remote locking system and a two-spoke two seat comfort. It comes with a leather steering wheel as well as navigation and blue tooth capabilities. For safety purposes, its back seat is equipped with weight detection and seatbelt recognition.

"What's good about the SmartCars is that there is less gas needed, making it very environmental," said Officer David Lopez of the campus police. "Because they are driven in the campus, we are quicker to respond to any call."

These calls include being trapped in the elevators or having to unlock rooms that need to be opened. The SmartCars are also useful for parking security.

...

If you think these cars will be put away when it starts to snow, think again. These SmartCars have traction control, cornering brake controls, anti-lock brakes and electronic brake distribution that allows the campus police to remain in control of the car in all types of weather. In order to ensure the comfort of the driver, the SmartCar comes with heated windows, mirrors and seats.

...

The SmartCars are an example of how Kean University stays green while keeping its students' best interest in mind.