Going Green = outsourcing to China

[supportthewarmth]

The CFL bulbs that Congress is making everyone swith to are only made in China. Thats means Congress is telling us to stop buying American products in order to buy Chinesse products. Haven't we had enough trouble with the tainted dog food and lead paint from china. Here is a link to an informative video from Congressman Poe on the situation: YouTube - IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ENERGY SAVER LIGHT BULBS!

[zach]

I'm sorry but that congressman is either pushing a hidden agenda or is very short on brain cells and I hope you aren't here just to promote your blog (I've replaced the link so it goes directly to the youtube video).

1. I just looked through all the old incandescent bulbs in my cupboard and they are all made in China. The majority of the products in this country are made in China which is an entirely different topic. So incandescent bulbs are made in China and CFLs are as well. That invalidates that argument.
2. The interference with radio signals is not valid either. CFLs have a small electronic ballast. Any electronic device is going to interfere with radio signals to some extent. His turning the lights out to watch the Super Bowl comment is nonsense and he's just trying to play on people's fears. These bulbs have a far smaller ballast than the ones in fixtures used with traditional fluorescent tubes and I've never heard of anyone complaining about those lights interfering with their TVs. Most people get their TV signal from cable or satellite and if they are using a set top antenna worst case scenario they made need to adjust it. Your cell phone is going to interfere with the TV more than any CFL light bulb will.
3. Disposal is an issue. But if people dispose of them properly and preferably recycle them it doesn't matter. It may take some time to educate people but the same goes for all of the batteries we use. His comments about breaking a CFL light bulb are just fear mongering. The same rules apply to the fluorescent tubes that have been around for years. And CFLs are made with much thicker glass than incandescent bulbs making them much more difficult to break in the first place. The amount of energy these bulbs save will far outweigh the occasional broken bulb.

I don't really have anymore time right now to invalidate anymore of his ridiculous arguments...

[zach]

Oh and any light damages photographs... doesn't matter if it comes from a CFL or the sun.

[supportthewarmth]

Thank you for pointing out his mistakes. I don't think the Congressman is trying to frighten people (fear mongering as you put it) into stockpilling incandescent bulbs to save until 2014 when we aren't allowed to use them anymore (even though I might because I really like the light that comes from incandescent bulbs more than the CFLs). I think he is trying to point out that the actions of congress have unforseen consequences. Passing legislation like this one in the name of "going green" I feel is a waste of time and tax payer money. I think the true fear mongering going on is by all of the companies selling their "green" products. They are out to make you feel guilty unless you buy their products. I support being good stewards of what we have, alternative energy sources, but I feel we are throwing away billions of dollars to fight something that isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be (this is obviously not the correct forum and I do not have the time to go into the lies being thrown left and right to guilt people into going "green" as well as the potential benefits of global warming).

[zach]

even though I might because I really like the light that comes from incandescent bulbs more than the CFLs

You won't have to worry about this. The light spectrum that CFLs emit are getting better. The technology still has a little way to go but by 2014 I'm sure we'll get there.

this is obviously not the correct forum and I do not have the time to go into the lies being thrown left and right to guilt people into going "green" as well as the potential benefits of global warming

I wouldn't say that. It's good to have people from both sides and I didn't mean this as an attack on you. I just thought the congressman's speech was a load crapola. I agree with you that a lot of companies are throwing a lot of half truths or outright lies around just to sell their products.

[supportthewarmth]

I'm not trying to shamelessly promote my blog... but its the easiest way for me to link to things. Talking about global warming lies... the founder of the weather channel feels man made global warming is the "greatest scam in history"... for his full report click here: Support The Warmth: Greatest scam in history

Another good sight that discusses the lies and misperceptions about global warming is Global Warming Hype

[zach]

Regardless of whether global warming is real or not, would you agree that air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels are major problems that need to be addressed before anymore damage to the environment is done?

I'm just curious because I see that as the real problem and global warming/climate change just as possible symptoms. I don't think we really truly know the consequences of our fossil fuel burning, air polluting ways and if we continue on our current path it won't be good for future generations and quite possibly for this generation.

So personally I'm more worried about making the world a better place for my son to grow up in and could care less whether global warming is real or not.

[Matt Johnson]

Good job in the response Zach. There will always be people with valid points arguing in both directions. It's always just a matter of throwing out the fallacies & getting to the truth. You did a good job of that.