To those 'Baggers who think keeping incandescent lights is a god-given right...

[DainBramaged]

Why do you think they use fluorescent in commercial buildings? To piss you folks off? Because you want to keep the illegal immigrants you are so afraid of from getting jobs as light bulb changers? Because yellow is not a color you folks like especially at work? Complain all you want 'Baggers, you're simply banging the drum stupidly because it saves electricity and oil moving the Country to CFLs, and your revered Booshe SIGNED the law, what you didn't protest then. Fools.

[Drale]

1. Its not about the light bulbs themselves

its about trying to distract America with a non existent problem, so that they don't have to deal with real problems like job creation.

[EstimatedProphet]

17. Actually, it's not about the bulbs themselves, it's about the president being black

[Drale]

21. Its about both issues

I think the bottom line is they hate America. Thats something we can all agree on.

[Llewlladdwr]

2. Actually, there are good reasons to oppose CFLs.

Mercury is one.

[AndyTiedye]

6. LEDs are the Lighting of the (Very Near) Future

[DainBramaged]

12. I have a 3 Watt spot LED, cost $23.00. When prices come down, they are the future

absolutely

[TreasonousBastard]

8. No it's not-- the amount of mercury is minscule compared to the amount...

emitted by coal fired plants-- is anyone complaining about CFLs complaining about the mercury in tuna from those coal plants? And very little of what little there is in a CFL ever gets out.

Besides, there's mercury, a lot more mercury, in all those other fluorescents where the complainers live and work, but I guess that's OK.

[DainBramaged]

14. And there are good reasons to use Google

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf


CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams (mg). By
comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in
125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is
released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use.

Most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their fluorescent lighting products. Thanks to technology
advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average
mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent or more in the past several years. Some manufacturers
have even made further reductions, dropping mercury content to 1 mg per light bulb.

Most mercury vapor inside fluorescent light bulbs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is used. EPA
estimates that the rest of the mercury within a CFL – about 11 percent2 – is released into air or water when it is
sent to a landfill, assuming the light bulb is broken. Therefore, if all 272 million CFLs3 sold in 2009 were sent to a
landfill (versus recycled, as a worst case) – they would add 0.12 metric tons, or 0.12 percent, to U.S. mercury
emissions caused by humans.

[Mariana]

16. Then tube fluorescents should be opposed as well.

But you never hear the 'baggers babble about them.

[GoCubsGo]

23. You know what's funny?

Full-size fluorescent lights have been around for decades. Many of us have them in our homes, and so do many of those who are pushing this meme that CFLs are dangerous. Standard fluorescent tubes have LOTS more mercury there is in a whole pack of CFLs. Yet, I never heard complaints about how dangerous they are. I still don't. This business about them being "dangerous" is nothing but right-wing scare tactics in an attempt to smear the environmental movement.

[Mariana]

24. Bunch of stupid sheep they are.

I swear, they don't have a single thought of their own. They can only repeat what they're told on RW radio or on Faux. Limpballs tells them CFL's are dangerous because they have mercury, and they freak out about it. It never even occurs to them to wonder about the tube bulbs.

[NightWatcher]

3. they dont want the guvment telling them what to do. it'd be like following them to the Dr. and ....

telling them what they...

Nevermind

[JohnnyRingo]

4. A right wing friend sent this link to me last week:

It was a forward he thought made great sense and was titled "Once again the government makes things ex potentially worse".

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/75548.html

Notice even Tom Tancredo, seated behind him, can't keep a straight face.

I don't know why, but I spent half an hour researching and documenting the nonsense contained in this idiot's House floor tirade and sent it in a reply. It wasn't fair because all he had to do was take 2 seconds to click "fwd" to send it to everyone he knows. He replied that he was "just yanking my chain", but it was addressed to "undisclosed recipients" so I know he passed it on to everyone and felt stupid when faced with facts.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

5. It's the concept of choice being taken... less freedom.

Taking choices away never has a great reception because on a basic instincual level it is a loss of some freedom. We all have a right to freedom, but the question becomes, do we have a right to make choices of preference not in our best interest? And if not, where does that stop? To what limitation do other people have the right to make preferrential choices for us?

Seems kind of silly that I can't use a lightbulb that uses a few more watts... but I can choose to drive a car that gets 12mpg and crank my thermostat to 80 in the winter and 65 in the summer.

In about 75% of the other rooms I choose CFL because they're cheaper to power and rarely need replaced.
In some rooms in my house I choose to incandescents. I like the warmth of the light. I like having that choice.

[Hangingon]

7. Best answer I have seen.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. Too bad it's so difficult to find the CFLs that imitate incadescent light...

I know they are made because I used to sell them-- a lot of them after the hard work of educating people that they exist.

[Capitalocracy]

11. If we really had a choice

we could choose to have non-polluting sources of electricity on the grid. I'd love to have that choice.

[WinkyDink]

9. I get migraines from those ceiling fluorescent lighrs, so jape all you want.

[TreasonousBastard]

13. I know you don't have control over all of them, but...

there are electronic high-frequency ballasts that don't make the tubes flicker. And even with the old ballasts, a lot off of that flickering is from a weak tube that should be replaced.

[Phentex]

20. Yes, we had them put in for our clinic where some kids can be affected...

many of them cannot tolerate fluorescent but there are alternatives.

[DainBramaged]

15. Oooohhhh sorry, it's the cycles, and you have very sensitive eyes

How about candles?

:hi:

[Nye Bevan]

18. Cleanup instructions for CFL bulbs (careful with that mercury vapor)

Before Cleanup

* Have people and pets leave the room, and avoid the breakage area on the way out.
* Open a window or door to the outdoors and leave the room for 5-10 minutes.
* Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.
* Collect materials you will need to clean up the broken bulb:
o Stiff paper or cardboard
o Sticky tape (e.g., duct tape)
o Damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces)
o Glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or a sealable plastic bag(s)

Cleanup Steps for Hard Surfaces

* Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Vacuuming of hard surfaces during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
o Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
o Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available; and
o Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.
* Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
o Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.
* Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.
* Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.

Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rugs

* Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Vacuuming of carpeting or rugs during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
o Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
o Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available, and
o Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.
* Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
o Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.
* Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.
* Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.


Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rugs: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

* The next several times you vacuum the rug or carpet, shut off the H&AC system if you have one, close the doors to other rooms, and open a window or door to the outside before vacuuming. Change the vacuum bag after each use in this area.
* After vacuuming is completed, keep the H&AC system shut off and the window or door to the outside open, as practical, for several hours.

http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup-detailed.html

Perhaps CFL is not quite as environmentally friendly as people think. I'm fine with giving people the choice, and I use CFLs myself in my basement and garage, but I prefer softer incandescent light for my family room. So I guess that makes me a "bagger".

[DainBramaged]

22. Much easier to clean up than radioactivity

[Maine_Nurse]

19. Not a bagger, but that regulation is ridiculous...

there are quite a few applications where CFL's or LED's are nearly or completely useless. And allowing a loophole for "specialty" incandescents is a rip off, since most of those specialty bulbs are just plain bulbs with painted or coated lenses that actually reduce their efficiency.