Nissan's Arrogance - My Destiny Poem by James B. Earley

Sudden...Acceleration…itself systemic
…Of regulatory agencies…gone awry
Governmental oversight…nonexistent
…It's up to us…whether…we live…or die

‘Tis ……the malady…of collusion…
Car manufacturers…long derived
….Government….as willing partner
Despite the many souls who've died

There's nothing more….intimidating
Nor more threatening…God it's true
….Than have your vehicle unresponsive
Terror controlling that part of you

I've been there…indeed believe me
…Sudden Unintended…Acceleration
Potential disasters….in the making
Every byway throughout the Nation

Nissan ignored...our...every message
.....Will not respond despite our plea
Abject neglect toward motoring public
....Nissan's arrogance....life's...destiny

……Politicians all...hold…..accountable
‘Cause in…that Body….our future delves
…..No foreign crisis…Ebola...nor ISIS
The danger looms…within ourselves

Sudden Unintended…Acceleration
…Governmental lack…of oversight
Democrats/Republicans…all in concert
…When/wherever the money's right

…..We need vote….upon the basics
Too long…Hobgoblins…cloud our way
Politicians bedded with Business governed
…None greater cause come Election Day
*
*
Sudden...Acceleration…itself systemic
…Of regulatory agencies…gone awry
Governmental oversight…nonexistent
…It's up to us…whether…we live…or die


Author's Note:
One of my many letters to Corporate Nissan addressing critical concerns:
'In previous correspondence I expounded on an acceleration issue specific to our family's 2007 Xterra, and conceivably extending to other Nissan vehicles as well. The letters explained, some reiterating in detail the horrifying experience of having suddenly found myself behind the wheel of a lurching runaway Nissan SUV. While determinedly applying the brake pedal, the vehicle still continued forward in a violent bucking fashion some 50 - 60 ft, until I was able to shift transmission to neutral position, and turn off engine. Fortunately, nothing was in my path, and other than frayed nerves, the moment uneventful.

As directed by Nissan Consumer Affairs, I sought diagnostic information from your local dealer. As we were both informed, the computer inquiry found nothing mechanically amiss. Nissan's computer diagnosis suggests to the world that this entire incident is all 'my' imagination. Thus it's quite clear to me, that had there been that morning, God forbid, in the vehicle's path, perhaps a mother and babe, any other creature, or object, your computer would have claimed by inference, to that very same world - 'DRIVER ERROR, there's absolutely nothing amiss with the vehicle.'

I'd like to share a bit of personal history, in some degree establishing the fact that I'm no mere novice at the wheel of an automotive vehicle. Having some forty years plus commercial driving experience; the last 21 of those years in the employ of Robert Mondavi Winery, permanently assigned to Mr. Mondavi as his personal driver. My duties included ferrying Mr. Mondavi's immediate family members, his corporate guests, most of the principal artists of the Robert Mondavi Summer Concert series, logging well over a million, accident-free miles, during my tenure. All the while, maintaining an exemplary DMV record throughout, admittedly with a bit of good luck, and more importantly, immaculate driving, and associated analytical skills. Skills, that indeed served me well the morning of 18 April 2015.

During my 21 year association with Robert Mondavi Winery, I witnessed firsthand, integrity's noble art, initiated and practiced by Mr. Mondavi himself, and demanded of every single employee throughout the organizational structure. Appalling is the degree Nissan fails in comparison. There seems a corporate culture toward an acute intent to subject America's streets and highways to the insidious threat inherent within our Xterra. Nissan absolves itself of any willingness to further mechanically explore and evaluate our SUV. Nissan Consumer Affairs' representative flatly refuses to put in writing, his statement that Nissan will offer us no further assistance in this matter, and in response to our request that Nissan repurchase our tainted vehicle, Nissan sends a letter of refusal…..UNSIGNED. A far cry, I insist from the acute level of integrity I experienced at Mondavi.

In view of Nissan's denial of responsibility going forward, our request is thus: 1. Nissan exchange the tainted vehicle with one of similar stock and value. Or; 2. Purchase the Xterra outright, that we may, on our own, find a suitable replacement.'

Nissan's adamant response to the last paragraph, dated June 10,2015 was thus: 'Nissan carefully considered your request during a review of all available facts pertaining to your situation. Unfortunately, Nissan is not in a position to repurchase your vehicle at this time.' JBE