{"id":7038950,"date":"2026-08-16T07:09:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T07:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/america-wide-open-rants-autoextremist-com-the-bare-knuckled-unvarnished-high-electron-truth\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T07:09:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T07:09:16","slug":"america-wide-open-rants-autoextremist-com-the-bare-knuckled-unvarnished-high-electron-truth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7038950","title":{"rendered":"AMERICA WIDE\u00a0OPEN. – Rants – Autoextremist.com ~ the bare-knuckled, unvarnished, high-electron truth…"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Editor’s Note: <\/strong>This week, as Independence Day approaches, Peter reflects on what freedom really means and all the privileges of our independence. He also has some things to say about last week’s column (below), because it caused much consternation and hand-wringing by feverish supporters of the current occupant of the White House. In On The Table<\/strong><\/a>, we discuss Chevrolet’s reintroduction of \u201cHeartbeat of America\u201d for our nation’s 250th anniversary. And Peter also comments on Slate Auto and its upcoming all-electric subcompact pickup. Our video this week features the “10 Best Can-Am Moments” at Goodwood. Big-Block Fun! Our AE Song of the Week is “Heartache Tonight” by the Eagles. In Fumes<\/strong><\/a>, Peter brings us the next chapter in his new series, “The Racing Machines.” And finally, in The Line<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>we have results from F1 in Austria, MotoGP from TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands and IMSA WeatherTech Championship from Watkins Glen. Enjoy! -WG<\/p>\n

Editor-in-Chief’s Note:<\/strong> Last week’s column<\/a><\/span><\/span> brought out the usual pitchfork-wielding lunkheads, pathetic, orange-hued apologists and assorted DTIs (D<\/strong>efenders of T<\/strong>he I<\/strong>ndefensible) who took great umbrage with what I had to say about their Dear Leader, while insisting on defending that embarrassing UFC-tinged birthday party by suggesting it was a “patriotic” event for our service members. Oh, do you mean the service members who were ordered<\/em> to be there? As if. I have said this from the beginning of AE: If you don’t like what I have to say, it’s really very simple, don’t read it<\/em>. But don’t tell me to “stick to cars,” which is always rich, or mumble something about being in the auto business for 40 (blah-frickity-blah -WG) years, “but I will no longer read AE because your stuff is offensive and too toxic.” Or the classic “you’re just a cranky old man who should have hung it up years ago.” Why, because I had the temerity to express my opinions on my own website? Well, guess what?\u00a0\u00a0Boo-Fucking-Hoo<\/em>. You DTIs continue to confuse me with someone who actually gives a shit as to what you have to say or think. You also seem to have a warped view that I’m someone who has a compelling need to be liked. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t and I never have. You learn that while herding creatives in advertising. So go ahead, cancel your subscriptions. Oh wait, you’ve been dining on my thoughts and insider industry perspectives for years<\/em> and for free<\/em>, so spare me your indignation, you gutless freeloaders. Better yet, if you think you have so much to say and that people actually care what you think (highly unlikely), then start your own website and come up with a new issue of original content almost every week of the year for 27 years<\/em> and tell me what it’s like. In the meantime – and I’m saying this in the nicest way possible – stop wasting my time and go amuse yourselves elsewhere. -PMD<\/p>\n
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By Peter M. DeLorenzo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Detroit.<\/strong> Since it is Independence Day week, I thought it appropriate to take a time out and think about this country of ours and what it means to be free. If you\u2019re so inclined, you should take the time and read the Declaration of Independence, because it is a most remarkable document with uncomfortable parallels to where we, as a country, find ourselves today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s quite obvious that too many of us have lulled ourselves into taking for granted what it means to be really free, and it\u2019s not hard to see why. Our most solemn national remembrances are now distilled down to days on the calendar for retail sales events, as if all of the sacrifices of the millions of men and women who came before us are mere backdrops for a deal on a couch.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
That this is unsettling for a lot of people across the country is no secret, but it seems that any efforts to quell the commercialism surrounding Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veteran\u2019s Day are dismissed as being inconsequential and unwanted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
No, I am not throwing ice water on what now passes for tradition in this country when it comes to Independence Day – the backyard barbecues, family get-togethers and fireworks – but it concerns me that a large faction of this country goes about making plans for \u201cthe 4th\u201d completely and conveniently ignoring what it all means.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So, let this be the slightest of reminders, that you might pause at least momentarily to think about what Independence Day<\/em> really means.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with independence of thought<\/strong>. In a country that was founded on the fundamental principles of freedom, I can\u2019t think of a more essential privilege of living here than the freedom to intellectually explore without the threat of reprisal. Yes, this one essential ingredient causes this country\u2019s myriad problems at times, but it\u2019s who we are and it\u2019s what we do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s independence of beliefs.<\/strong> Whether it be political or religious beliefs, we have rights in this nation that other people in the world can only dream about. People still want to come here based on these two factors alone, just as the original settlers of this land did.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
An independence to roam.<\/strong> Now, I know this is a quality of living here that most people have all but forgotten, but we live in a vast country that\u2019s as distinctive as the multiple geographies that define it. And we\u2019ve been free to roam and wander and take it all in for so long that we find it hard to believe that places still exist in the world where you simply can\u2019t do that. Dismiss this fundamental freedom of mobility at your peril, because it\u2019s essential to the American experience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Things may feel somewhat grim right now, but I don\u2019t believe for a moment that we, together, can\u2019t rise above the current rancor and savor the independence we all enjoy every single day. And it\u2019s important to remember, too, that it is our unending privilege to honor those that came before us, because we are reveling in the fruits of their sacrifices.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could go on, but I will leave the rest of this to your own thoughts. Think about the big things and the little things that surprise you and at times astound you about living here. We are so very fortunate to be able to call America our home, because it\u2019s a 24\/7 experience that\u2019s simply a wonder to behold.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s America Wide Open, and I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s the High-Octane Truth for this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Editor’s Note: Click on “Next 1 Entries” at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. – WG<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Editor’s Note: This week, as Independence Day approaches, Peter reflects on what freedom really means and all the privileges of our independence. He also has some things to say about last week’s column (below), because it caused much consternation and hand-wringing by feverish supporters of the current occupant of the White House. 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