Posted on 07/15/2008 1:50:31 PM PDT by MissouriConservative
California state Sen. Jack Scott says he didn't intend to "be a party pooper." It's just that helium-filled foil balloons -- like those found at hospital gift shops and office parties -- are dangerous. They float into electric lines and cause power outages, more than 800 in California last year, utilities say.
He drafted a bill to ban foil balloons; it sailed through the state Senate and now awaits a vote in the Assembly.
*****
The pro-balloon people are hoping that even if the bill does pass, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will veto it. At a recent news conference, the governor commented that he couldn't get the legislature to work on the now-overdue state budget. A member of the audience joked that they'd been too busy outlawing balloons.
"Oh yes, a very important law," mocked Gov. Schwarzenegger. "Let's outlaw the balloons. Let's punish the people again."
*****
Mr. Scott, however, insists balloons pose a real danger and must be stopped no matter how unpopular the move may be. "It's not my intention to ruin birthday parties, but children will inevitably let these balloons go up into the air and that's a threat.
In California, the balloon industry has come under regulatory scrutiny before. In 1990, it became the only state to pass a law requiring that helium-filled foil balloons be sold with a weight affixed to them, such as a bag of chocolates or a coffee mug. Under Mr. Scott's bill, someone selling a helium-filled foil balloon on a string could be fined $100.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Are you employed by The Onion?
What a dork you are... To believe this nonsense.
Where did you get that? I deal with one of the largest balloon distributors in the country. Athens, Georgia.
Projecting your own self-image are you? I never said I believed it. A conductor shorting out high voltage transmission lines certainly can cause a problems, but I have no idea whether a metallic ribbon or a bunch of mylar balloons can carry enough current to make that happen. Maybe yes, maybe no. I don't know. The story and information was provided to add to the discussion - not to provoke personal attacks.
I’ll have to remember that and ask to see the charred remains next time....lol. If they ask why...I’ll say I’m making some stew.
lol!!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I don’t think those baloons are made of foil. They’re made of mylar plastic.
Sorry for referring to you as a dork. That was uncalled for.
Just frustrated that people believe this stuff. A large bird is a better conductor to a high tension line than a mylar balloon. And they deliberately sit on the wires.
I have personally had to deal with electrical transmission (>60kV) line outages caused by mylar balloon contacts, and have directed emergency switching to clear transmission lines so crews could safely remove mylar balloons which were deemed a threat to the safe operation of the line in question.
Go figure.
I have no facts. It’s just a belief. Anything wrong with that?
Which wildfires?
There are some that have been set by forestry people, some by homeless immigrants.
There are numerous examples of arson. But it is all because of global warming, don’t you know? Has been for 35 years.
It’s not like fire and drought isn’t already a season in California.
There are no foil balloons.
The baloons are coated plastic film
Why do you see pairs of shoes hanging by the laces from power lines? 02-Aug-1996
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_274.html
The Democrats want to outlaw shiny objects. Then only they will have the power to distract the gullible masses.
Missouri?
Flood victims?
I'd hate for an alien race to vaporize us because they mistook a "Happy Birthday" balloon for an act of war. I say ban them now.
And just how many power outages of this kind have made the news? (I hear crickets chirping)
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