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Loud exhaust is extremely common in North Idaho. Back in the Deep South, where I grew up, loud pipes are mostly for the 15- to 20-year-old crowd, high school kids. They are given a temporary pass to be loud and obnoxious because they are young and dumb. Folks put up with it.

But here in Sandpoint … I’m surprised to see grown men riding around with loud mufflers. Lots of them. Diesels, gas-burners … imports. Loud rumbling is a constant background noise here.

It’s just confusing to me. There’s no need, no purpose. Perhaps it’s inadequate men trying to appear more masculine. Maybe if they rev their trucks up enough and pollute the area with noise they might feel manly and in charge. Maybe they’ll scare a kid eating an ice cream cone.

To me, it just doesn’t make sense.

It’s lame. Its embarrassing. It makes people look dumb.

BOBBY JENKINS

Sandpoint