B.O.P.

..."signs are illuminated with red LEDs, a much more efficient alternative to the traditional neon system." Sounds like the EPA needs to do their homework better. As usual with others, it looks like they too were sold a bill of goods on the "energy savings" of LED's and didn't bother confirming any of the data and just took it at face value.

Interesting article. Yes, Anderson is a growing area. Regarding the nursery, ANY illuminated sign would have done the same thing!

I wish there was an argument here, but there isn’t. At the time, I was approached briefly to join the INA, but never followed up on or (as a manufacture) pursued to join. Looking back on it from what I know now, those facts rather surprise me considering the amount of effort that I have heard (from more than one source) was put into establishing the organization. Unfortunately, no argument here either… and I couldn't agree more!

What jumps out at me is that they will allow repairs, but not new products. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't doing mercury repairs have the potential of putting MORE mercury in to the environment than making new mercury units? What am I missing here...

I still think calling it something else (other than neon) and SAYING it is something else may at least buy some time and perhaps force them to re-write the books, which may buy more time.

By DAVID PORTER - Associated Press Writer EDISON, N.J.(AP) One of the inventions that put this central New Jersey town on the map could go the way of the typewriter and the horse and buggy if some lawmakers have their way. The incandescent light bulb, perfected for mass use by Thomas A. Edison in the late 19th century, is being supplanted by fluorescent lighting that is more efficient and longer lasting. Last month, California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine announced he would propose a bill to ban the use of incandescent bulbs in his state. And Thursday, New Jersey Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis introduced a bill that calls for the state to switch to fluorescent lighting in government buildings over the next three years. "The light bulb was invented a long time ago and a lot of things have changed since then," said Chatzidakis, a Democrat from Burlington. "I obviously respect the memory of Thomas Edison, but what we're looking at here is using less energy." Many states encourage their residents to replace their incandescent bulbs through a federal program supported by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. In New Jersey, the state where Edison acquired more than 400 patents for innovations such as the phonograph and electric railroad car, utility is trumping nostalgia. The state recommends switching to compact fluorescent lamps as part of its Clean Energy Program. More than 1.2 million of the lamps and fixtures were distributed in 2005 through the program, according to the state Board of Public Utilities. If the bulb's demise is on the horizon, Jack Stanley isn't ready to flip the "off" switch just yet. "It's a convenient target. It's easy to see and easy to critique," said Stanley, curator of a museum that celebrates Edison's inventions in the town that has borne his name since the 1950s. "But think about the benefits and compare them to the drawbacks and your argument is already made." Edison perfected the process of making the long-burning filaments used inside incandescent light bulbs so they could be mass produced. Fluorescents, which create light by heating gases inside a glass tube, were developed in the early 20th century and sold publicly by the 1940s. They are generally considered to use more than 50 percent less energy and last several times longer than incandescent bulbs. However, the mercury vapor inside fluorescents can damage the environment if the bulbs are broken, leading some states to require businesses that use large quantities of fluorescent lights to recycle them. Even Stanley acknowledges that, more than 125 years after its invention, the day may be approaching when the incandescent bulb takes its place alongside Edison's original phonograph in the pantheon of revolutionary-but-outdated inventions. "It's a 19th-century invention that was perfected in the 20th century," he said. "That's part of the evolution of all inventions."

Yeah, what he said

Well thank you. I'll take that as a compliment

May I make a correction? They *think* they are buying loyalty. But as we have seen countless times, when push comes to shove they usually tell us to go to hell when we want something in return for the tax payers hard earned money!

I thought flying was supposed to be the safest way to travel? How come aircraft pilots are more likely to die than truck drivers? The way some of those truck drivers drive I would certainly think the opposite

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAREK! :beerparty:

What is the opposite of that disorder for the second pic Joe posted? The "I don't give a shit" disorder?

Yeah, we all know Europeans never do anything weird

Holy...

What? 32? ...damn kids... Happy B-Day!

I got that in an email message a few weeks ago, only if I remember correctly they were talking about North Dakota and not Colorado. Not that it matters. The situation was about the same. It happens all around the north from time to time. I grew up a little south of Buffalo, NY. Our little town of 40K got more snow than the big "B", only we were not big enough to warrant national news coverage. You never heard extended news coverage about the record blizzard in Buffalo this past October where many people lost their homes and businesses and were without some "normal" services for over a month. It's just part of life up there. You either live with it and deal with it or get the hell out! Same for the Big Easy. No one is MAKING those people stay there. But it sure seems like they are paying them to!

Somewhat inaccurate, but a good read for the novice to "wet their whistle".

I guess it all depends on what your perception of 'good' is

Yeah, I think so too. And don't forget to copy me on them while you're at it

I meant to do this the other day but got sidetracked. At the end of a great year, a BIG THANK YOU to our fearless leader Erik for starting this site. It has been loads of fun this past year, and I anticipate it will be as much, if not more fun, in 2007! Thank you Erik for a job well done!

I think that may actually be an understatement in this case.

The report I read said that the actual execution was not recorded. I know SOMEONE must have had at least a camera phone or SOMETHING to get it recorded.

All of a sudden it won't remember me again. Have not cleaned out cookies or cache either. Only thing that I can think of that has changed on this end is a new modem. My other one had me almost down to dial up speed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! You will just have to try harder next year, Travis