I smelled BS when this story just got off the ground. Maybe that has something to do with the 2386 metric shitloads of BS popping up all around this story.
First, an interesting look at NTSHA stats on overall reported cases of accelerator problems over the past decade.
[T]he trend of the total number of unintended acceleration complaints to NHTSA over the years.
2000: 1415
2001: 1345
2002: 1460
2003: 1446
2004: 1426
2005: 1112
2006: 878
2007: 876
2008: 456
2009: 251
So while the numbers of cars on the road increases, and the manufacturers go to electronic throttle controls, the number of reported problems with sticky throttles drops dramatically. Whoda thunk, that if you replace a system with moving parts with one without, that the problems decrease?
Hide the decline, MSM.
Then at the Atlantic, Megan McArdle digs up some more stats:
The Los Angeles Times recently did a story detailing all of the NHTSA reports of Toyota “sudden acceleration” fatalities, and, though the Times did not mention it, the ages of the drivers involved were striking.
In the 24 cases where driver age was reported or readily inferred, the drivers included those of the ages 60, 61, 63, 66, 68, 71, 72, 72, 77, 79, 83, 85, 89--and I’m leaving out the son whose age wasn’t identified, but whose 94-year-old father died as a passenger.
How odd that old people are having all of the problems with pedals sticking, having electrical problems, and having interference from magnets and cell phones.
Then we have this bit of Twilight Zone:
“On the very day Toyota was making a high-profile defense of its cars, one of them was speeding out of control,” said CBS News--and a vast number of other media outlets worldwide. The driver of a 2008 Toyota Prius, James Sikes, called 911 to say his accelerator was stuck, he was zooming faster than 90 miles per hour and absolutely couldn’t slow down.
It got far more dramatic, though. The California Highway Patrol responded and “To get the runaway car to stop, they actually had to put their patrol car in front of the Prius and step on the brakes.” During over 20 harrowing minutes, according to NBC’s report, Sikes “did everything he could to try to slow down that Prius.” Others said, “Radio traffic indicated the driver was unable to turn off the engine or shift the car into neutral.”
Damn thing’s haunted! Hearkening back to the worst sitcom ever produced:
But it turns out that, despite this being reported on the infallible CBS and NBC news,
In fact, almost none of this was true. Virtually every aspect of Sikes’s story as told to reporters makes no sense. His claim that he’d tried to yank up the accelerator could be falsified, with his help, in half a minute. And now we even have an explanation for why he’d pull such a stunt, beyond the all-American desire to have 15 minutes of fame (recall the “Balloon Boy Hoax” from October) and the aching need to be perceived as a victim.
Well, dearie me. Why didn’t those professional journalist peoples check this? In fact, this alone should have been reason to check their boots:
Now here’s the potential smoking gun: Sikes told the reporters that “I was reaching down and trying to pull up on the gas pedal. It didn’t move at all; it was stationary.” That’s awfully daring for somebody who insisted he didn’t even want to take a hand off his steering wheel, notwithstanding that he did so to hold his phone.
Try that sometime. You’re barreling down the freeway doing 90. Now this guy who was too much of a pussy to find the transmission shift lever was able to reach the gas pedal? Maybe if he’s a chimpanzee.
So why did he do it? Sleuth work at the Web sites Jalopnik.com and Gawker.com reveals that Sikes and his wife Patty in 2008 filed for bankruptcy and are over $700,000 in debt. Among their creditors is Toyota Financial Services for a lease on a 2008 Toyota Prius, with value at time of bankruptcy of $20,494. The Jalopnik Web site shows a copy of Toyota’s secured claims form, though when Jalopnik questioned Sikes by e-mail he denied being behind on his Prius payments.
Sikes also has a history of filing insurance claims for allegedly stolen items that are slowly coming to light. In 2001 he filed a police report with the Merced County Sheriff’s Department for $58,000 in stolen property, including jewelry, a prosumer mini-DV camera and gear, and $24,000 in cash, according to Fox40 in Sacramento. His bankruptcy documents show a 2008 payment of $7,400 for an allegedly stolen saxophone and clothes.
Oh. Maybe he wasn’t being completely honest with us. I feel used.
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Tags: Toyota
I knew this one was a scam…
Score one for the jammie-wearing rabble!
Well done as per usual snork. My BS radar went off on this story too. He should be charged for this. Or maybe subjected to a “Massa-massage”.
i never believed this guy. what kind of an idiot responds to the 911 operator after she asks him if he tried to put the car into neutral with “i’m trying to control the vehicle” or some such. at 80? puhlease! i grew up in CA and learned to drive in CA and regularly visit there now and have for 22 years. 80 is their normal!
That ain’t no graph, that’s Jimmahs, uh, ‘man-hood’ after gittin’ a peek at iceweasel.
@ Kirly:
Most of my drive home is on country roads doin’ 80+. And he was sceered? Sheesh! grow a pair!
@ Kirly:
Yup. Same here in Colorado. I keep my cruise control set at 84 when I drive between here and Denver, and I really don’t pass that many cars. I’m going about the same speed as everyone else.
I suppose there’s a difference between going that fast in a Mustang and doing it in a Prius, but still.
OT
But soon to be the only topic.
1. There is an out of control drug war going on in Mexico.
2. This drug war HAS crossed the border of the U.S.A..
3. The drug lords are in control of all the illegals comming into the U.S.A..
4. The drug lords do not want “amnesty” it would cut their income, they do not want drug made legal. They will spend Re-election money to make sure their buss. stays in the high $$$$.
5. The drug lords do for high $,, very high $ pass Muslim’s across the border , “with up to 2,000 lbs of “personal effects”. Current price $2,000.00 each and $10,000.00 for the stuff.
6. The drug lords have beheaded more people than the islamic ones of terror.
7. Fully 1/2 of the Mexican Army is on the take from the drug lords.
8. Our D.E.A., Border Patrol, U.S. Army/Navy “have to”, “share intel”, which means the Mexican Army/Navy have spys for the drug cartels who pass operational info to the drug lords. Who then know what/where/when of our operations as well as who our people are.
9. This knowledge got our spys who operate out of the Juarez consul killed.
10. It has spread to ALL areas of Mexico and soon will spread to your home town no matter where in the U.S. A. you are.
your only solution
http://www.blowoutcongress.com
Without Borders you do not have a Country.
Check this video out, insanely hilarious!
MrPaulRevere wrote:
There are always frivolous lawsuits, like this one.
I laughed about it, because I knew the plaintiff. She had a history of filing false claims, and this one made the papers. Her husband was a co-conspirator. His mother was a piece of work as well…
@ taxfreekiller:
You forgot “Border Patrol Riddled with Cartel employees”
OT Attorney General’s Duplicity Overlooked by Media Cheerleaders
“Holder has now decided to be open and transparent with the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding his lapse remembering to turn over copies of his legal filings, including Amicus briefs on behalf of detained terrorists and enemy combatants,” said Mike Baker, political strategist and private practice attorney.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/20965
@ lobo91:
So damn smug he thought he’d get away with it.
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/104282/
Called this last week on these pages. They need to toss his ass in jail with the Balloon boy ass and let them rape each other.
Toyota needs to stand up to each of these claims and fight them. It’s the only way to kill it – and it’ll be cheaper than a class action suit.
MrPaulRevere wrote:
Even worse to be involved in a Massa ‘tickle fight’! The mind truly boggles at the goings on in the Beltway. These DC denizens truly are from a different planet!
I think it would be awkward to go parking with someone on a date if your Mom was the car.
“dead” center
or we buy all the members of the MSM one of these and just could be they are “f’n” stupid enough to kill themselves because they do not know how to put a car in f’n ,,,, N….@ savage:
@ savage:
That’s too funny! What’s the name of that video anyway? I need to forward that to my smug-ass friend.
savage wrote:
HAHAHA! HilFukkinLarious!
@ savage:
They need to show that video at that loser’s trial.
@ Bunk X:
You really have to wonder about the mental acuity of these people. Do they not know their past will be scrutinized? With a fine tooth comb no less?
@ savage:
Classic!
MrPaulRevere wrote:
There is much more to the story that I’d love to tell, but I’m not going to post it here. All I can say is that they got what they deserved: Nothing. I cut ties with them long ago.
Submitted without comment: iceweasel Sun, Mar 14, 2010 8:26:08pm replyquote
* 0
* down
* up
* report
re: #951 brookly red
I don’t address you… I am still waiting for you to ignore me like you say you will. Now that is all, please feel free to pretend that this is a music awards show and just keep taking turns giving yourselves awards & leave me alone. OK?
Fuck off, liar. You address me all the time. Now piss off.
@ MrPaulRevere:
Asswhistle is the future Irish hose.
MrPaulRevere wrote:
Big love fest going on tonight?
@ Bunk X:
For now, she seems to have the run of the place.
last post of the night for what it’s worth
Reconciliation Health Care bill posted online! 2,309 pages! Bill includes language to federalize student loans and is called America’s Affordable Health Choice of 2009
The Obama / Pelosi / Senate health care bill has been posted online! It is 2,309 pages long and includes language to federalize student loans! There is even mention of a public option (see page 1167. Sec 221). There is no H.R. number yet, and the bill begins with this language:
wow. the reconciliation bill is over 2300 pages long, just to fix a bill that is how many thousands of pages long?
@ gulfloafer:
Here’s the direct link…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ4PtafRB9c
@ Bunk X:
Oh yeah, its only a matter of time, we all know it. I’ll bet she will be MUCH more vicious when that time comes.
WAY too quiet around here…
@ rain of lead:
“Hark!” the hairy* Speaker sings!
“We do legislative things!
We’ll write bills that drive you wild
House and Senate reconciled!
We’ll take over all creation
As we jam our bill on the nation!
Hark!” the hairy Speaker sings!
“We do legislative things!”
++++++++++++
*”Pelo” in Spanish means “hair”; one must therefore assume that “pelosi” = “hairy.”
@ MrPaulRevere:
She must have Jimmah up her ass.
@ rain of lead:
“last post of the night for what it’s worth”
Lot of reading to catch up on?
@ buzzsawmonkey:
Does that make a difference? I thought Диктор Пелоси was Italian in ancestry.
@ savage:
Thanks, I already bird dogged it and sent it out.
@ buzzsawmonkey:
What does it mean in Italian?
On this evening’s local news in San Diego, the DOT and Toyota cannot reproduce the alledged uncontrolleld acceleration of this Pris.
Macker wrote:
Up her pelosi ass?
gulfloafer wrote:
Unfortunately, I don’t know Italian as such—but since I found that the languages are so similar I could speak Spanish in Italy and be understood by Italians—in fact, they encouraged me to speak Spanish in preference to having to witness the agonizing spectacle of my attempting guidebook Italian—I can only assume that “Pelosi” means “hairy” in Italian also.
I will humbly accept correction from anyone who knows better.
@ buzzsawmonkey:
http://translate.google.com/#it|en|pelosi
There you go, bro.
@ Bunk X:
While it does not translate “Pelosi” from Italian to English, it does translate “pelo”—which in Italian, as in Spanish, means “hair.”
Accordingly, “Nancy Pelosi” can be taken to mean “Nancy Hairy.”
Or, perhaps, “Nancy Furry.”
Not to be a conspirator, but my B.S. Meter tells me there is something a lot more nefarious going on in this supposed Toyota acceleration crisis then bad sensors, sticky gas pedals, and clogging floor mats.
Goodbye_Natalie wrote:
Yes, I agree.
I suppose there’s no possible way to express skepticism about the Toyota-kerfuffle, without hammering on Detroit and “Gubmint Motors.”
Ah, well…this too shall pass.
@ Goodbye_Natalie:
I am always suspicious when there is a sudden blaring of information about a “serious problem” that has supposedly existed over a period of years that nobody has ever heard about until the day before yesterday.
What is sickening is people generally think “Crap Japanese Imports”
I think the reality may be, cars built by American workers.
@ buzzsawmonkey:
I think the biggest suspicion I have is that if it is indeed electronic, I would think with the multi-millions of Toyota products on the road, you would have more than the periodic problem that technicians can’t ever seem to duplicate.
If it is the floor mats or sticky gas pedal, I find it hard to believe somebody from a Toyota dealership wouldn’t have noticed this phenomenon during the millions of test drives.
@ Goodbye_Natalie:
You’re more specific, but we’re in the same place.
OT – should I upgrade to IE8 ?
I usually use Opera but Fox News, Trulia.com, and Topix.com won’t work with Opera.
& gravatar works with neither
Good story, snork. Makes sense, and we all know how the media & congress love to over-hype any panic.
@ Bunk X:
Woo-hoo! Gatemouth Brown. I got to shake his hand once. One of the real greats.
So this is where it is hot and happening.
@ buzzsawmonkey:
Hair today- gone tommorow- or in November.
We’ve had an unintended acceleration problem recently here in New Orleans:
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/03/woman_killed_in_valet-parking.html
This was a valet parking a LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. Now that’s a vehicle that can do some damage.
We’ll be seeing an upswing of accelerator issues blaming the manufacturer for driver negligence.