Comments on: Plastic Bag Ban http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/ Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:46:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: crystal cobweb http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19054 crystal cobweb Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:37:44 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19054 Hi Gillian P (and with apologies for the delay in replying - it's Christmas). I'll tell you what. Let's make a deal. If you agree to support the repeal of the smoking ban, then I'll agree to the banning of plastic bags. Do you see? There's got to be a compromise. People can't be expected to give things up ad infinitum just because someone else gets an idea into their head. The smoking ban was a hysterical reaction to a lot of carefully-manipulated propaganda. There are many medics who aren't convinced of the dangers of passive smoking but, of course, they would never, ever be published or asked to speak. In fact, they'd probably be too scared to say anything in the present climate that rules this free-speaking country of ours. As for the argument - if the Americans do it, then why don't we - I'm afraid that doesn't hold much water with me. The Americans are the worst offenders for carbon emissions and consistently avoid tackling the subject at every summit meeting possible. So they use paper bags - wow. That just seems a palliative measure to me, which looks good but won't really have that much effect. If we are to imitate the Americans in any way, why not take some of their finer things? Like American Abstract Expressionism - brilliant painting and a damn sight better than the unwholesome crap that is being produced in England. Might even raise the falling standards in education. I don't actually know about rain and paper bags. I have a car... but I CAN imagine the scenarios, I really can! If something HAS to be done - why not just do away with all the unnecessary packaging in supermarkets? That should get rid of plenty of plastic (and leave me with my beloved...sob...plastic bags). As for plastic Xmas trees: those are rejected on aesthetic grounds. I agree with you - totally boring. Hi Gillian P (and with apologies for the delay in replying – it’s Christmas). I’ll tell you what. Let’s make a deal. If you agree to support the repeal of the smoking ban, then I’ll agree to the banning of plastic bags. Do you see? There’s got to be a compromise. People can’t be expected to give things up ad infinitum just because someone else gets an idea into their head. The smoking ban was a hysterical reaction to a lot of carefully-manipulated propaganda. There are many medics who aren’t convinced of the dangers of passive smoking but, of course, they would never, ever be published or asked to speak. In fact, they’d probably be too scared to say anything in the present climate that rules this free-speaking country of ours.

As for the argument – if the Americans do it, then why don’t we – I’m afraid that doesn’t hold much water with me. The Americans are the worst offenders for carbon emissions and consistently avoid tackling the subject at every summit meeting possible. So they use paper bags – wow. That just seems a palliative measure to me, which looks good but won’t really have that much effect.

If we are to imitate the Americans in any way, why not take some of their finer things? Like American Abstract Expressionism – brilliant painting and a damn sight better than the unwholesome crap that is being produced in England. Might even raise the falling standards in education.

I don’t actually know about rain and paper bags. I have a car… but I CAN imagine the scenarios, I really can!

If something HAS to be done – why not just do away with all the unnecessary packaging in supermarkets? That should get rid of plenty of plastic (and leave me with my beloved…sob…plastic bags).

As for plastic Xmas trees: those are rejected on aesthetic grounds. I agree with you – totally boring.

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]]> By: Gillian P http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19053 Gillian P Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:32:06 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19053 Hi Crystal-Cobweb. A bit more fun, a bit less diktat. Quite agree. However, if the US can make brown paper shopping bags capable of holding their weekly shop (OK, in manageable sized bags), surely we can? They do hold up in the rain - honest. They even last a three mile walk in the rain and get used as pedal bin liners after that. (No, I'm not some two-homer - just an underpaid traveller.) Did you see that news item this morning when Declan Curry was valiantly trying to say that a plastic Christmas tree used for 20 years is as carbon-OK as a fresh tree? Someone must have VERY careful removal men, angelic children/dogs and really boring parties. Hi Crystal-Cobweb. A bit more fun, a bit less diktat. Quite agree. However, if the US can make brown paper shopping bags capable of holding their weekly shop (OK, in manageable sized bags), surely we can? They do hold up in the rain – honest. They even last a three mile walk in the rain and get used as pedal bin liners after that. (No, I’m not some two-homer – just an underpaid traveller.)

Did you see that news item this morning when Declan Curry was valiantly trying to say that a plastic Christmas tree used for 20 years is as carbon-OK as a fresh tree? Someone must have VERY careful removal men, angelic children/dogs and really boring parties.

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]]> By: crystal cobweb http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19052 crystal cobweb Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:12:43 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19052 Before this blog closes for comments, I'd like to agree with PaulD. Yes, repeal the smoking ban - you'd get a third of this country's votes. It's a HUGE 'minority'. (Bringing down the price of cigarettes should do the trick as well.) As for plastic bags - so the Nanny State is being replaced by the Domestic Gestapo! I like plastic bags. I use them over and over again. I prefer trees to paper bags. And have you ever tried to walk home with paper bags in the pouring rain and watch them disintegrate? It rains in this country - it rained throughout the summer for those who didn't notice - and not everyone has a car. So I echo SeanL's comments above - no more banning! I am getting so, so wary of the evangelists. They're not creating a happier country. We need more FUN - less of the daily grind. Lower prices (for everything, definitely including homes), less bureaucracy, less drudgery and form-filling, and just more normal friendliness. Before this blog closes for comments, I’d like to agree with PaulD. Yes, repeal the smoking ban – you’d get a third of this country’s votes. It’s a HUGE ‘minority’. (Bringing down the price of cigarettes should do the trick as well.)

As for plastic bags – so the Nanny State is being replaced by the Domestic Gestapo!

I like plastic bags. I use them over and over again. I prefer trees to paper bags. And have you ever tried to walk home with paper bags in the pouring rain and watch them disintegrate? It rains in this country – it rained throughout the summer for those who didn’t notice – and not everyone has a car.

So I echo SeanL’s comments above – no more banning! I am getting so, so wary of the evangelists. They’re not creating a happier country.

We need more FUN – less of the daily grind. Lower prices (for everything, definitely including homes), less bureaucracy, less drudgery and form-filling, and just more normal friendliness.

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]]> By: markgamon http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19051 markgamon Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:47:38 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19051 errrr.... Couldn't we just ban packaging altogether? Nice to see you travelling in the right direction, Boris. Keep up the good work. errrr….

Couldn’t we just ban packaging altogether?

Nice to see you travelling in the right direction, Boris. Keep up the good work.

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]]> By: Sinead Henderson http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19050 Sinead Henderson Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:51:30 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19050 'it is hugely to the credit of London's councils - chaired by Merrick Cockell - that they have taken a lead that will now be no doubt imitated across the planet.' Just to note, this has been done in South Africa for some years now. ‘it is hugely to the credit of London’s councils – chaired by Merrick Cockell – that they have taken a lead that will now be no doubt imitated across the planet.’ Just to note, this has been done in South Africa for some years now.

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]]> By: Mc http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19049 Mc Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:53:54 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19049 svengali:he loves to rubbish the "nanny state", but feels if he dresses up in a drole way (tee hee, titter) he can get away with cherry-picking a few things he would like the state to intervene on.' What Boris wishes to practice is called democracy. The relation between desire to change and winning concession in a theory of rational action can give us some insights into his thoughts and intentions. Boris tends to make powerful impression on people in order to persuade them to be attentive of their environment. He is conducting an assessment on making his ideas plausible, far from forbidding he uses persuasion. He is advocating by giving lessons to negligent people to care about their environment - as we do. svengali:he loves to rubbish the “nanny state”, but feels if he dresses up in a drole way (tee hee, titter) he can get away with cherry-picking a few things he would like the state to intervene on.’

What Boris wishes to practice is called democracy. The relation between desire to change and winning concession in a theory of rational action can give us some insights into his thoughts and intentions. Boris tends to make powerful impression on people in order to persuade them to be attentive of their environment. He is conducting an assessment on making his ideas plausible, far from forbidding he uses persuasion. He is advocating by giving lessons to negligent people to care about their environment – as we do.

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]]> By: Elizabeth Obisanya http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19048 Elizabeth Obisanya Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:07:51 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19048 Way ahead of Britain already written the smash hit movie of 2008 with green tones..CASHBACKpaper or plastic,. In my film the supermarket has either paper bags or light eco friendly plastic bags, like they do in the states. Have you change your bank details yet - talking about the CHildbenefit lost disc data fiasco? Way ahead of Britain already written the smash hit movie of 2008 with green tones..CASHBACKpaper or plastic,.

In my film the supermarket has either paper bags or light eco friendly plastic bags, like they do in the states.

Have you change your bank details yet – talking about the CHildbenefit lost disc data fiasco?

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]]> By: PaulD http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19047 PaulD Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:23:50 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19047 <i>So - will you & the Tories repeal the smoking ban, the ban on hunting, the Terrorism (and other) oppressive acts, once in power?</i> (Paul) That would be the ultimate challenge for a visionary party - a pledge to undo all those laws where the erosion of civil liberties can be shown to outweigh the gain. You say they are irreversible; they are not. I would start by allowing well-ventilated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs. Non-smokers and staff would not be troubled by them; youngsters would no longer be impressed by the cool sight of 'smirters' outside; and those ridiculous, energy-guzzling patio heaters could go. Everyone happy. It makes perfect sense. The blanket ban has done nothing that couldn't have been achieved by a sensible compromise, apart from alienating a third of the population. So – will you & the Tories repeal the smoking ban, the ban on hunting, the Terrorism (and other) oppressive acts, once in power? (Paul)

That would be the ultimate challenge for a visionary party – a pledge to undo all those laws where the erosion of civil liberties can be shown to outweigh the gain. You say they are irreversible; they are not.

I would start by allowing well-ventilated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs. Non-smokers and staff would not be troubled by them; youngsters would no longer be impressed by the cool sight of ‘smirters’ outside; and those ridiculous, energy-guzzling patio heaters could go. Everyone happy. It makes perfect sense.

The blanket ban has done nothing that couldn’t have been achieved by a sensible compromise, apart from alienating a third of the population.

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]]> By: PAUL http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19046 PAUL Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:27:44 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19046 I`m in agreement with you Boris as usual. Whilst banning plastic bags, can you get plastic CDS banned as well, that way Darling Brown will not be able to play and fast & loose with out details.In fact, can we ban Darling Brown, that would be the best idea!!! I`m in agreement with you Boris as usual. Whilst banning plastic bags, can you get plastic CDS banned as well, that way Darling Brown will not be able to play and fast & loose with out details.In fact, can we ban Darling Brown, that would be the best idea!!!

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]]> By: Paul, South Moreton http://www.boris-johnson.com/2007/11/15/plastic-bag-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-19045 Paul, South Moreton Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:19:14 +0000 http://80.82.117.242/?p=384#comment-19045 Dear Boris So - will you & the Tories repeal the smoking ban, the ban on hunting, the Terrorism (and other) oppressive acts, once in power? I doubt it. That's the problem with the erosion of civil liberties: they're irreversible. Once the politicos get in, however charming they appear, just you trying prising powers away from them. No wonder no one trusts the bastards any more. love, Paul Dear Boris
So – will you & the Tories repeal the smoking ban, the ban on hunting, the Terrorism (and other) oppressive acts, once in power? I doubt it. That’s the problem with the erosion of civil liberties: they’re irreversible. Once the politicos get in, however charming they appear, just you trying prising powers away from them. No wonder no one trusts the bastards any more.
love,
Paul

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