Should Patriotism Be Measured In Miles Per Gallon?

"[For many] there is no contradiction between patriotism and driving a gas guzzler. [Few believe] that individual Americans, by buying more fuel-efficient vehicles, can make the United States less dependent on Middle Eastern countries [or that] American dependence on oil may in a variety of ways help nurture terrorism... S.U.V. owners, especially women, say they picked their vehicles because they make them feel safer. But when pushed a bit, most say that they simply love being in huge vehicles that make them feel powerful on the road."