Starkemann! Oh my Gosh!
I would have never dreamed that my comments would/could have such an impact. They are just my opinions. I know that some others have referred to whatever symbolism the emblem had in their minds was similar to what I said. I, and probably you, was deeply embroiled in the military mind-set during the Viet Nam period wherein the term was heard on the radio as reference to the casualty count. They (the radio reports) were so pervasive that after a while they didn't mean much on an intellectual level, but the long lasting subconcsious effect gave the term a very negative and painful connotation. If you look at it another way, the way we look at the term "POW" as an honorable and and hopeful one, then I guess the same or even deeper honor can be applied to "KIA". I guess it's just reverse psychology of sorts. I personally choose to change the badges to the "lazy K" type. Not only because I think that they are attractive, but they forward the classy image that the vehicle deserves. Some would say that changing badges (or removing them) is because there is some shame in the car-maker. For me, it is because of what you and I are talking about right here and that I think the badge is ugly. Yes, Kia should have thought it through more thoroughly when they spent millions (billions?) designing, engineering, and marketing such obviously great cars. If they couldn't set these cars apart with another echelon or level and with a new name (e.g., Genesis for Hyundai), then they could have at least devised a new emblem or symbol to decorate and denote the vehicle manufacturer in a more attractive way. I'm sure, seeing as though "kia" has a meaning in Korean (I think it's something like "to the world"), KDM would stick with that name. In Korea "KIA" probably has very little meaning because of their national language and experience as a country, which is different than ours.
I feel terrible that you would consider getting rid of a fine car because of some thing that I put into your mind. It was not my intent. The beginning posting of this thread is from the Optima Forums wherein the OP submitted a very well thought out dissertation of his feelings. I happen to personally feel that he was very eloquent and thoughtful in his statements. I felt as though it was good "food for thought" and applied to our forum and would be interesting to see if the perspective of the (probably mostly a little older) community here is similar. Again, my thanks to Buckeye Optima.
Starkemann, Thank You so much for your proud service to our great country. I am proud to be your "Brother-in-Arms"! I am impressed that the crux of what I said was so deep, intimate, and painful in your mind that you would forgo the pleasures of such a fine car because of it. Please agree with me that it can be said that if it's in our minds as such, that if you choose to keep the car (and badge) that the badge can be in your mind as a tribute to our brothers who never returned. (Do it for them)
(soapbox out)
Thanks, Brother!
John
