The HateBuster Mobile
by Ed Chasteen
June 2015
From Creston, Iowa up north to Carthage, Missouri down south; out west to Manhattan, Kansas and over east to Columbia, Missouri, my inferno red PT Cruiser, license # H8BSTR, is known as the HateBuster Mobile, I park it on the town square in each of the county seat towns, open the hatchback, take out my red bicycle and go for a ride around town. Then stop at the local mom and pop cafe where the person who invited me has asked me to come. Over our meal we talk about how to like people and how, when and where to oppose hate.
On a rainy May 29, just a few days back, I was stopped at a red light in my HateBuster Mobile when another car rear ended me. My car was declared a total loss. I've been searching since for a replacement so much like it that no one will know the difference. My search led me to Landmark Dodge, Crysler, Jeep in Independence where I found HateBuster Mobile #2.
On Cars.com my daughter had seen a 2009 inferno red PT cruiser at Landmark in Independence, just 11.7 miles from my home in Liberty. Bob Lackland came to greet me. He went to find the car. Recently traded in, he found it tucked behind another car on a lot across the street. Bob went back for a battery to jump start the car and drive it out for me to see. It passed my eye test.
While Bob filled out paperwork in his office, I told him the quick version of my story about riding my bicycle from Orlando to Seattle to Anaheim, alone and without money, to find that spark of goodness and genius I see in every person. I told Bob that HateBusters promises to help free of charge anyone who is hurt because someone hates their race, religion or sexual orientation. Whatever they need, we provide at no cost to them. We give HateBusters membership cards to everyone. We have no dues and no meetings. Just work to do.
I saw past the dirt and the needed repairs that day I first laid eyes on HateBuster Mobile #2. But a week later when I went to pick up the car, it surpased even my fondest hopes. It set on brand new tires. The list of unseen repairs was long. When I drove it back to Liberty to have it checked by my long time mechanic, it took him only 15 mnutes of the scheduled hour to give it his approval, the only problem being that the oil dipstick separated from the handle when he checked it. Bob ordered a replacement. On my drive back to Landmark rain came and I tried to squirt fluid on my windshield. None came. Bob said when I come to get the dipstick, the service department will make it work.
And everywhere my HateBuster Mobile carries my bicycle and me over the next years, I will tell those who have asked me to come how Landmark Dodge Crysler has made it all possible. read more