Suckers - PBS falls for debunked Prius/Hummer story
Stalwart PBS is moving into the interactive science show realm with the new program called Your Week. Currently in beta version, Your Week has figured out that controversial topics are one way to get viewers like you involved. Topics in the new show include Frankenfoods, Christopher Hitchen's views on American politics and that debunked CNW report on the energy use of the Prius vs. the HUMMER. You know the one, it's the story that just will not die, even though it should - many, many times Called, Prius Envy, the preview clip that's available after the jump shows co-host Michelle Cottle (of the New Republic, hosts Your Week along with Rich Lowry of the National Review and Fox) talking to CNW's president, Art Spinella. Spinella says he doesn't have anything against the Prius, but that it's on its way to obsolescence. Oh, and any new data to back up CNW claims? Nada.
Watch the clip after the jump.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Win39 8:51PM (6/23/2008)
That clip is amazingly devoid of any facts. Usually one sees a controversial statement and then facts are marshalled to prove the point. There is just an assertion that is unproven or even explained. The main point that the Prius will become obsolete in the future is true, but that is currently true for the Hummer comparison. I suspect this new programming is a result of the Bush appointee who now controls PBS. Thanks. Will not bother to look for this show.
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Dad 9:09PM (6/23/2008)
"Suckers - PBS falls for debunked Prius/Hummer story"
PBS is a questionable source for anything of quality. They are just another network looking for viewers and having too little time to spend on quality.
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sidewinder 11:44PM (6/26/2008)
Add me as number #3 to the dissenting list - what a piece of junk "reporting". We could certainly hope that PBS will get back on track after the coming election.
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armmat 11:58AM (6/24/2008)
"That CNW report TAKES AWAY SOME OF THAT GLOW..."
And that FOLKS...is PRECISELY the ONLY reason why they made that report. There's a word for this...it's called Propaganda.
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Guenther 7:35AM (6/24/2008)
Never ceases to amaze me when poor reporting on PBS becomes GW's fault. Probably his fault that I'm losing my hair, too.
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Pacman 7:45AM (6/24/2008)
The vaunted "Top Gear" from the UK also discussed the "Prius uses more energy than ..." story. Top Gear softened it a little by replacing Hummer with Land Rover. I guess the BBC is no better than PBS or ABC (Boston Legal also discussed this story). I guess the Prius is off limits to discussion.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/video-first-episode-of-top-gear-season-11-is-out/#comments
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Dad 7:57AM (6/24/2008)
"The vaunted "Top Gear" from the UK also discussed the "Prius uses more energy than ..." story. "
It is with great hesitation that I point out (with tongue firmly planted in cheek AKA joking) about I suspect this new programming is a result of the Bush appointee who now controls the BBC.
Many Liberals will take this and run with it, becasue they read it on the internet.
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brown eye 9:22AM (6/24/2008)
Suckers - BBC falls for debunked Prius/Land Rover Story! Lol, maybe its not so debunked. Maybe since its in the third iteration they have fixed some of the holes in it. Cant say anything bad about a Prius - oh no.
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Pacman 7:58AM (6/24/2008)
That chic is also on Fox...hmmm must be a conspiracy to smear the Prius!
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Pacman 8:03AM (6/24/2008)
Top Gear also "raced" a Prius vs a BMW M3 around the a track. The Prius was at full throttle and the BMW just had to keep the pace. The M3 came in with BETTER MPG than Prius after the race. The BBC must be run by a former Exxon-Mobile Executive/Bush Guy/Satan. LOL
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phil easler 9:07AM (6/24/2008)
So, does this mean Prius owners are a little less "green" with envy?
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stevefazek 9:07AM (6/24/2008)
top gear just hates anything thats green because they are not as sporty as they like,
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StarFire 9:43AM (6/24/2008)
HA ha ha ha ha ha - Prius lovers have panties in a twist! All bow before the infaliable Prius!
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s13hybrid 9:52AM (6/24/2008)
I totally understand where Top Gear was going with the BMW and Prius comparison. And if you think about it, it makes sense. It was not really about which car got better mileage, it was the fact that driving a car easier, and not flooring it will get better gas mileage. They even state it in Top Gear.
On the other hand, I see where CNW is coming from with this argument (not saying it is true), but I don't think the consumer really cares how the car is made, they just care that they can look green (ignorance maybe) and not have to pay as much at the pump.
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Munson 10:26AM (6/24/2008)
Hey if Top Gear says the Prius is less enviromentally friendly than a Land Rover I beleive them. The BBC is the best TV in the world and everything they say is truth and gospel. It is European so it has to be good. PBS is just crappy American TV run by Bush and corporate danations. Its American so it has to suck. American sucks Europe is awsome and perfect.
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Pacman 10:22AM (6/24/2008)
s13hybrid - Yes I totally agree with you on the M3/Prius greater point, but why is Top Gear not recieving the same vitrol as PBS for having a segment discussing the same CNW study? Top Gear never mentioned any detail or anything about the story being discredited. The CNW study is not saying the Prius is bad, just simply looking at the entire product life cycle. Ignoring the life cycle does not make it not exist. Hybrids are not the solution but a stop gap. I dont know what is wrong with the story. Who exactly discredited the study - enviromental groups, bloggers? Is there a counter study by a credible source? Not being contrary just asking.
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Turbofrog 10:22AM (6/24/2008)
The ignorance in this thread is staggering. It has nothing to do with the Prius being 'infallible,' and everything to do with the original "study" being a complete and utter mockery. It has little no factual basis to support its assertion, and has been debunked numerous times in the past on the basis of several different factors.
Please, people, engage in a little critical thinking and research before you run your mouths. Even if the rhetoric supports your views, it only hurts your credibility when you embraced terribly flawed arguments.
https://www.rmi.org/images/PDFs/Transportation/T07-01_DustToDust.pdf
Also, it is important to remember that Top Gear is not an authority on cars - it is, first and foremost, entertainment. The full-throttle vs. relaxed driving is an important point, but doesn't really prove anything against economy cars in real life.
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armmat 12:00PM (6/24/2008)
TOP GEAR is composed a bunch of underworked, overpayed, British pompous assholes.
God only really knows how long it takes for them to shoot a series because their real driving skills are utter crap.
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Charles S 12:39PM (6/24/2008)
As usual, if PBS/NPR doesn't support "neo-conservative" agenda, then it must be faulty or liberal. Please, let it go already.
No single news source will ever be "perfect" or completely unbias. Reporters are after all humans.
All that said, however, I'm still thankful that NPR exists as a news source versus info-tainment that is much more likely to kill news just because their sponsors may get upset.
Just to keep the record straight, there was a Bush appointee on PBS that tried very hard to cripple PBS and punished those who were critical of Bush Administration. That person was removed and under investigation. It not made up news by "liberals" one certainly would not find such news on any info-tainment stations.
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Charles S 12:39PM (6/24/2008)
As usual, if PBS/NPR doesn't support "neo-conservative" agenda, then it must be faulty or liberal. Please, let it go already.
No single news source will ever be "perfect" or completely unbias. Reporters are after all humans.
All that said, however, I'm still thankful that NPR exists as a news source versus info-tainment that is much more likely to kill news just because their sponsors may get upset.
Just to keep the record straight, there was a Bush appointee on PBS that tried very hard to cripple PBS and punished those who were critical of Bush Administration. That person was removed and under investigation. It not made up news by "liberals" one certainly would not find such news on any info-tainment stations.
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