Yes, Margaret, a hybrid car CAN go 100 mph

And here's the proof:

The 24-year-old son of former Vice President Al Gore was arrested for drug possession on Wednesday after he was stopped for speeding in his hybrid Toyota Prius, a sheriff's official said.

Al Gore III -- whose father is a leading advocate of policies to fight global warming -- was driving his environmentally friendly car at about 100 miles per hour on a freeway south of Los Angeles when he was pulled over by an Orange County sheriff's deputy at about 2:15 a.m.

Read the rest. Discuss.

  • spicey (unverified)
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    why discuss? I don't feel the need to talk about Paris Hilton or Gore's son. This is news, it happened. I see that it's relevant - Gore might run for Pres. again. He's one of us... but discuss? Discuss what?

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    Hybrid cars going 100 mph?

  • Mam (unverified)
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    Spicey....I wholeheartely agree with you....you said it very well....thank you.

  • ro803ck (unverified)
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    m350k

  • Rusty (unverified)
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    The funny thing is, when you hear this story, the most shocking thing really is the speed of the Prius...

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    Hybrid cars are actually more powerful than non-hybrids, which is one use of the technology (to boost power, not fuel economy). We got a Prius last fall, replacing our mid-90s Civic, and I was surprised by how much more power it has. I feel like I'm driving a sports car--but getting 45 miles to the gallon.

  • Becky (unverified)
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    I, too, was more interested to learn that the Prius can haul ass than I was to learn that the Gore family maybe isn't as perfect as I thought. While I have yet to find a silver lining to the Bush twins' and their cousins' screw ups, there sure seems to be one here.

  • Dave Lister (unverified)
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    Remember, a diesel-electric locomotive is basically a hybrid, and there are few things more powerful.

  • Jesse B. (unverified)
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    That hybrid and electric cars "can't go fast" is a myth that has been wrongly associated with them. Sadly, it probably keeps buyers away. Like Jeff stated, the great thing about them is really that they can be versatile. Range, fuel economy, power. It's all up to the engineers.

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    No, what keeps buyers away is the price tag for a new eco-whip (because you can't get one used), and in the case of the Prius, that unfortunate body line (of course, people buy the Scion boxmobile, so there's no accounting for taste).

    Whoever comes out with a ground effects kit for the Prius could probably afford to have West Coast Customs homeschool their kids in metal shop.

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    Didn't Al the Father get a speeding ticket on Highway 26 on a visit here not too long ago? The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.

  • jLI (unverified)
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    Gore Family Values. Ha.

    This is the 3RD time the kid's been busted driving with drugs/alcohol, which means he's done it a million times without getting caught probably. Nice parenting. Maybe Al should buy some retarded-son offsets.

  • DJ (unverified)
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    Addiction is a serious matter; prayers for Al III with his struggle.

    It's interesting to note that while the father preaches that the size of YOUR carbon footprint is a PUBLIC MORAL ISSUE, he finds it AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH when the carbon tracks lead close to home.

  • raul (unverified)
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    How many of you parents have complete control of what your grown children do? As a parent, I feel sad for Al Jr.

    For Al the 3rd, I hope he gets the treatment he needs, and because he was risking the lives of others by driving recklessly, he gets the full force of the legal penalty.

    This is how I felt about the Bush twins, about W himself, about Jeb Bush's daughter and son, and Paris.

    Is this politics? No, not really. It's a DUI.

  • Leslie Carlson (unverified)
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    No, what keeps buyers away is the price tag for a new eco-whip (because you can't get one used), and in the case of the Prius, that unfortunate body line (of course, people buy the Scion boxmobile, so there's no accounting for taste).

    There's an article in yesterday's NY Times that claims people are actually buying the Prius because it looks different. Hybrids that look like traditional cars aren't selling at all; the Toyota has sold 1 million Priii (what is the plural of that word???) so far.

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    No, what keeps buyers away is the price tag for a new eco-whip (because you can't get one used), and in the case of the Prius, that unfortunate body line (of course, people buy the Scion boxmobile, so there's no accounting for taste).

    Also, it's actually not that hard to a find good, low-mileage used Prius. My wife just bought one three weeks ago (2006 model) and it looks and drives like new.

  • JLI (unverified)
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    The only reason to feel sorry for Al III is he has to drive a Prius.

    Anyone who tries to compare Al III to the Bush twins is a moron. The Bush girls didn't get DUI or DWI - this kid has been caught twice. He's 24 years old now. An adult.

    Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious matter; shows a lack of character and personal judgement. Too many people die as a result of morons like Al Gore III getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

    I say throw the book at him.

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