California would be first state to ban foam containers

[Captain Oates 911]

And that's the problem. We've become a disposable society, with no real market for the disposed of raw material. I am not a fan of bans or the prohibition of things. Education is the key with these types of things, but it is difficult as most don't have a trash to steam or landfill in their backyard, so they can't relate to what they're being informed of.

If we gave the chinese work visas, they would come and pick it up and take it back and make it into stuff to sell in wallymart. Useful things like cuckoo toys for cats with flapping US flags for tail feathers or styrene bird baths with flashing lights on top which said 'welcome feathered children of the lord' in chinese

With a labor cost of $10 a year, its economic sense

The main thing is that we don't regulate such essentials off the market - as we would all be the poorer

Edited August 29, 2011 by Alan the Red

[kytwell 179]

Education is not the key. Cost is the key.

If we could find cheaper alternatives, or closer alternatives, I'm sure we'd use them. A lot of folks out there will go green if the cost difference isn't significant. But, not all of us can afford to shop at Whole Foods and until the prices are similar, we'll continue to buy pre-packaged everything.

We have seen a drastic reduction in the number of plastic bags used at supermarkets, not because of bag bans or that the costs of a reusable bag are cheap...but because most people realize all that plastic is no good. Not everyone has a house with enough yard for chickens(I am fortunate enough to) but that doesn't stop people from being able to talk to a farmer or a relative with a yard or creating a co-op with friends/family, like minded individuals. For what it costs you to buy 4 dozen eggs a month you could buy, raise and feed 2 chickens and never have to buy eggs at the supermarket again, thus eliminating the containers they come in and eating a healthier free range egg. I was able to convince my brother, sister and mother into splitting the cost of a pig and cow (about 3k total including butchering) and split it with the farmer who lets them free range. We now have some family friends and relatives in on it too and our costs have gone down and our split is higher now and the farmer is happy he gets more meat for his family. All it takes to do this is to knock on a door and start a conversation. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

As for the Chinese one...that's where we are lacking. They send their people off to different countries to learn things and observe...engineering, manufacturing, architecture, medicine and so on and so forth...then they go back to China and implement the best of things that they learned from their time abroad to make China a better country than it is/was. We are the opposite and try to attract these people to come here and then once here try to retain them...but where do their loyalties lie with their home country? or with the new? I think we have this backwards or are too naive or conceited and think we are the best at everything.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Because maybe they ought to be. But, why are they required to be?

There's a disconnect between people who think there should be mandatory things and optional things. Choice goes a long way in this country.

Yes, but only in a world occupied with responsible people who have functioning brains and ethics. If everybody was responsible, we didn't need the "don't drink, don't drive" laws. Nobody would, as it is quite irresponsible. We would not need to lock our houses and cars, as nobody would take anything from them. You could leave your house open, I would never go in there an take anything, so the laws punishing breaking and entry, theft, and so on are pointless.

If all people were like me, we wouldn't have much trash. I recycle everything, but if you look how many aluminum cans and plastic bottles are thrown in the trash, you have to acknowledge that the average American is a stupid moron who don't give a sh*t about anything but Fast Food, Jerry Springer, and guns.

Speaking of which, maybe the Loughner guy who shot Congresswoman Clifford in the face should not have had the "option" to buy a gun.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

wouldn't it make more sense to increase the fines for littering?

This is California were talking about. If it doesn't make any sense then that state is all for it.

Can I have a cool custom member title that hasn't been translated by the mods yet?

http://www.google.com/search?q=Póg+mo+thóin!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Given that the Government (and by extension, the public) have to pay for refuse collection and disposal, yes containers should be biodegradable.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This is California were talking about. If it doesn't make any sense then that state is all for it.

It makes perfect sense, Kip if you know (which you don't) that the fine for littering in CA is around $1000.

[Captain Oates 911]

We have seen a drastic reduction in the number of plastic bags used at supermarkets, not because of bag bans or that the costs of a reusable bag are cheap...but because most people realize all that plastic is no good. Not everyone has a house with enough yard for chickens(I am fortunate enough to) but that doesn't stop people from being able to talk to a farmer or a relative with a yard or creating a co-op with friends/family, like minded individuals. For what it costs you to buy 4 dozen eggs a month you could buy, raise and feed 2 chickens and never have to buy eggs at the supermarket again, thus eliminating the containers they come in and eating a healthier free range egg. I was able to convince my brother, sister and mother into splitting the cost of a pig and cow (about 3k total including butchering) and split it with the farmer who lets them free range. We now have some family friends and relatives in on it too and our costs have gone down and our split is higher now and the farmer is happy he gets more meat for his family. All it takes to do this is to knock on a door and start a conversation. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

As for the Chinese one...that's where we are lacking. They send their people off to different countries to learn things and observe...engineering, manufacturing, architecture, medicine and so on and so forth...then they go back to China and implement the best of things that they learned from their time abroad to make China a better country than it is/was. We are the opposite and try to attract these people to come here and then once here try to retain them...but where do their loyalties lie with their home country? or with the new? I think we have this backwards or are too naive or conceited and think we are the best at everything.

I am still reeling from the disappointment that free range eggs are not free

If you would like me to shoot your cow with my AR-15, I would do it for free - but you would have to get it to Washington State in a horse box and then rent a refrigerated van for the return trip. It usually takes a full 30 round magazine so the occasional 5.65mm bullet is to be expected in the meat - just like shot in quail

There are California inmates who would butcher it for you for free too - Charles Manson would have it in strips in no time

For the cost of some second hand rock climbing gear you could collect seagull eggs - common gulls are not endangered

Yes all it takes is a bit of lateral thinking and the world could be a much better place

[slim 1,530]

Yes, but only in a world occupied with responsible people who have functioning brains and ethics. If everybody was responsible, we didn't need the "don't drink, don't drive" laws. Nobody would, as it is quite irresponsible.

How is it irresponsible? There are plenty of people who drink and drive and do just fine.

We would not need to lock our houses and cars, as nobody would take anything from them. You could leave your house open, I would never go in there an take anything, so the laws punishing breaking and entry, theft, and so on are pointless.

Since we have laws... why do we still have crime?

Do people change their behavior because of laws?

the average American is a stupid moron who don't give a sh*t about anything but Fast Food, Jerry Springer, and guns.

Agreed.

Speaking of which, maybe the Loughner guy who shot Congresswoman Clifford in the face should not have had the "option" to buy a gun.

Nobody shot Congresswoman Clifford in the face.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I have no idea how Budweiser, Miller, Coors, etc., are still in business.

Beer should be refreshing, not a test of manliness.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I can't believe you guys are knocking Budweiser.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Beer should be refreshing, not a test of manliness.

Those are the beer equivalent of sodas. Filthy.

[Ban Hammer 13,498]

I can't believe you guys are knocking Budweiser.

i can't believe they're knocking springer.

[kytwell 179]

Given that the Government (and by extension, the public) have to pay for refuse collection and disposal, yes containers should be biodegradable.

I agree to an extent. But it doesn't matter whether it breaks down or not when it comes to paying the disposal/tipping fees. A biodegradable or styrofoam container will weigh the same. Environmental impact will be lessened with the biodegradable one yes. What would be better is to change this culture of fast food, disposable products and containers. And eating prepackaged unhealthy foods. Go hunting, go fishing, plant a garden, build a root cellar, learn how to can and preserve things naturally are better alternatives economically and environmentally.

Food waste and yard(grass, branches, brush, etc) debris are 2 of the largest components of our waste stream. They make backyard compost containers if you don't want to have an open compost pile. And you get excellent nutrition for your wife's houseplants and your garden if you have one, from the broken down material. Eliminating these materials(food and yard) from the waste stream will greatly reduce costs related to disposal while at the same time benefitting the environment as a whole. Again not much upfront costs, but isn't "convenient" for all people to take the initiative and do some manual work and use their time in this way.

[Captain Oates 911]

Beer should be refreshing, not a test of manliness.

I always laugh when booze is called 'refreshments'

If I had 5 pints of Timothy Taylor's championship ales and felt 'refreshed', I would ask for my money back - you are supposed to feel totally blathered and unable to walk and a slobbering wreck - not 'refreshed'

Americans simply can't grasp the concept - probably because American beer is like frozen ferret wee (I would imagine) and therefeore the drinker would be startled and shocked well past 'refreshment'

Beer is supposed be live and kept at 52 degrees F in a damp cellar - not turned into a popsicle for students and the uninitiated and goatee - bearded. When I lived in Otley, It had the distinction of having more pubs than ANY town in England. About 50 pubs in a very small town. A University for imbibers

i can't believe they're knocking springer.

I want to see them springing knockers

Edited August 29, 2011 by Alan the Red

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Beer is only supposed to have four ingredients - water, malt, yeast and hops. Budweiser contains about 15 ingredients, including rice (incidentally, why it tastes like piss)

Edited August 29, 2011 by fishdude