Politics & CR4

Well said Fredski.

Fredski-

Who, me? I would never do that! Heaven forbid! My Mama would slap my behind if she even thought I would do those things you mention.

Good Statement. The message is very intelligent but some of us rather dumb bucks might have trouble getting the message out of the analogies.

Good Luck, Old Salt

See my last post on your windmill thread.

If we're all going to pretend that politics isn't a driving force in just about everything, there should just be a rule that all topics and posts be of a technical nature.

There are a lot of driving forces in everything. Pleasure seeking, survival instincts, motives from pure altruism to profit, procreation, and curiosity to just name a few. I and I believe Fredski are not pretending that politics is not a driving force in what people do. I, for one, am very tired of hearing one political bias repeatedly brought into so many discussions here at CR4. An occasional reminder from a member instead of an administrator to all that CR4 is not a venue for promoting one political bias or another seems appropriate to me.

It's a little late for this, isn't it?

"ever hear of Obamacare?"

"In the US, losers are not only proposed, but started.

Think Solyndra...and a bunch of other green energy companies.

They scoop up millions of, (taxpayer), dollars, then go out of business."

<unsubscribe>

I just come here for the free ice cream.

The verbal beat downs are of a purely recreational intent.

Agreed!

We've got a series of political discussions going in the breakroom, for anyone that's interested.

They've been just that...discussions; not fights.

It's a shame that it's reached the point that politics touches every aspect of our lives...but it has. I think we ignore what those in power are doing, at our own peril.

It's up to us to keep them honest...or at least try.

From CR4 rules....

"There are plenty of places on the Web to talk about politics or religion. CR4 isn't one of them. "

That seems pretty clear.....

And then they started an OT section.

It's simply impossible to talk about certain things that involve some sort of science and technology, without venturing into politics. They wouldn't exist without politics...

AGW

Surveillance and attack drones

Forced ethanol in our tanks

Massive spy networks

GMO crops

The list goes on. I would suggest to people that are scared of politics, to avoid any subject matter that may involve the government in any way. That will make it easy.

Some folks just don't grasp the concept Kram, that's all.

Just like the folks that want a smaller gov. while denying the fact that the country is getting bigger and so must the government that runs it.

Or those who seem to think that services grow on trees and are free for the taking. Nevermind the guy driving that snowplow with three kids to feed probably wants to get paid for his labor just like anyone else.

And those choice individuals that seem to think governments role is to ensure corporate profits over everything else.

And then there are those select few who deny human nature entirely in favor of the rose colored world of "lets all sing kum by ya" and everything will be fine.

Most of these folks told the Allies in 1945 that they new nothing of the extermination camp right outside their back door too.

It's a lot easier pretending that politics is somebody else's problem to deal with. I did it for most of my life, and was much happier living in ignorance.

Unfortunately, both corporate cronyism and political agendas, now touch just about everything.

I don't think govt needs to get bigger, but way more efficient.

Can't give you a GA so consider this a GP(ost).

While the occasional wisecrack definitely helps season some otherwise dry threads, too often they seem to get hijacked by it. Especially when the posts change from being politically flavoured to outright political statements or attacks on others, with little content of value to the original discussion.

Everything in moderation (including moderation of course).

Proposed references to politics based on personal views and opinions here and there (be they valid or not) is one thing but I for one am getting a little tired of being beaten over the head what feels like every other thread lately with references to the current American administration like it is all their fault followed by the ongoing arguments.

Lets face it, things weren't perfect before the current administration and they sure won't be perfect after.

When it all boils down to it political views are similar to religious views and even pesudoscience views. People will become polarised on the issues and be able to justify either side with seemingly valid (to them) arguments and neither side will be able to convince the other side otherwise. In the end the ongoing arguments detract from the original question regardless of the original intent and actually harm their side of the view.

I guess it would be political to start a thread on 40 and 60 watt incandescents becoming illegal in the US, come January, so I'll just sneak it in here.

This is a Bush ban, and I will have to stock up, because I use 100 watt bulbs to keep my well head from freezing, (which I've already stocked up on)...and 60 watt bulbs to keep my dog warm in his dog house.

It's difficult not to vent about this incredible stupidity...particularly when all of the replacement bulbs are made in China, and poisonous.

Now, now. I am not a Bush fan but this is a world-wide political issue and effects a number of countries, not just the US.

We have to suffer the same thing down here. Don't get me started on the RoHS lead in electronics politically-driven mess.

Another point often missed is that engineering IS political.

Think NASA

Think SR71

Think......and the list goes on.

These were technological achievements that would never have happened had not a government pushed it and backed it financially.

just sayin.....

And I could have sworn I've had to deal with government inspectors and government rules and regulations and government established standards. ASME, OSHA, Etc. Sounds like an awful lot of government in my engineering world to me.

Lots of it good.

So why not identify the bad stuff?

I thought they were going to stop at 100 watt bulbs.

This is just one tiny example of how it's just about impossible to escape politics. There is no evidence that CFLs have done any good...especially when considering the mercury that is going into landfills.

If nobody makes any noise about these things, the politicians, (that live in comfy bubbles), never know that people don't want it.

If nobody makes any noise about these things

Well the horse has bolted on that one, and I believe the evidence against the change to CFL was put out there but didn't effect the overall ban (except perhaps a time extension/phased ban, etc).

I was under the impression the biggest reason for the change was energy efficiency rather than disposal/recycling. In the end however the overall increased efficiency of the CFL wins the day (which also helps the planet - less coal burned = less pollution).

I thought they were going to stop at 100 watt bulbs.

Thank yourself lucky you don't work in specialty lighting fields like hazardous area lighting where incandescent bulbs in Ex d flameproof lamp housings are allowed but lights with electronics (CFL) are not.