Full disclosure: I don't own a hybrid. I drive a VW. I even drive an SUV sometimes for work.

But I aspire to drive a hybrid. I admire people who drive hybrids. Why? Because gas dependency is a critical national security issue. Being energy efficient is not just some 1970s, Jimmy Carter, 'save the yellow butterfly' social movement. Energy efficiency is patriotic in the same way that being against terrorism is patriotic. Both issues are critical to our long-term national survival.

So, articles mocking the people who drive hybrids irritate me the same way that articles mocking people with patriotic stickers on their cars irritate me -- even though, ironically, the people that mock those who drive hybrids are often the ones waving the flag.