SALON

Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 9:26 PM UTC

Penguins, bunnies and diesel engines

A Honda commercial blows sunshine up your tailpipe

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Topics: Globalization, How the World Works, Garrison Keillor,

I try to be timely here at How the World Works, but sometimes, when sledgehammer-wielding penguins and hopping diesel engines, in the key of “Yellow Submarine-style” animation, are suddenly thrust in your face, you feel compelled to pass the word on, even if the advertising propaganda in question is almost two years old.

Hate something? Change something! And don’t blame me if you can’t stop whistling after watching the advertisement that launched Honda’s first diesel car in Europe. I learned about it today from a posting to the Burnveggies mailing list, where all things diesel are appreciated with a mixture of veggie-oil worship and techno-geekish expertise. Described accurately by the poster as “blowing sunshine up your tailpipe,” it really has to be seen to be believed. Make sure you watch the film.

And c’mon, sing along with Garrison Keillor:

“We’d like to know… why it is so
That certain diesels must be slow and thwack and thrum
And pong and hum and clatter clat.

Andrew Leonard

Andrew Leonard is a staff writer at Salon. On Twitter, @koxinga21. More Andrew Leonard.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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