Spanky's Place

1 - He's partly right, but the other part is proof (as if I needed more) that Kid Rock is not a role model that I want my teenage driver to emulate.

What he's right about is that fear of idriving on snow is often unnecessary, and unless fear keeps you off the road it is a bad thing because a timid driver is a dangerous driver.

But "bring it on" is bravado, and that's even worse than fear. The correct attitude for snow driving is respect for the conditions, understanding of the techniques you need to keep control of your vehicle, and especially, watching out for the "bring it on" maniacs!

2 - "Every party has a pooper and the pooper is you..."

3 - Richard, I don't think Kid Rock wants to be a role model, nor should he be (at least not for teens). He's just stating a fact about most of us in Michigan. We're so used to the ever changing conditions that we just don't care anymore what the weather has in store for us.

Besides, when you're a rock star, what sounds better... what he said, or:

"98% of the drivers in the world get all scared and cry when they hit snow, sleet, and ice.
The other 2% are from Michigan, and say respect the conditions, understand the techniques you need to keep control of your vehicle, and especially, watch out for the "bring it on" maniacs!" ?

4 - Ray, I don't care if he doesn't want to be a role model. He has made himself a public figure and he is listened to by teenagers. I don't care if he's stating an alleged "fact". He's stating it in a way that makes it sound like you Michiganders are reckless. "Bring it on" has an attitude. It's not just "we don't care". In the context of "get scared and cry", "bring it on" says "you're a pussy if you adjust your driving to snow and ice conditions".

Frankly, I doubt you are reckless, or that Michiganders in general are reckless (hence the "alleged" above). I doubt even that you would encourage anyone to think that you are.

But teenage driving fatality rates are as high as they are (read your local newspaper on just about any weekend) because teenagers do reckless things. And the major reason that teenagers do reckless things is peer pressure. "Bring it on, or your a pussy" is classic peer pressure. IMHO, it's just plain irresponsible for him (or anyone) to make light of it.

What if he said "98% of people are afraid to drive drunk. The other 2% of us can hold our liquor and we say 'bring it on'"?