How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?

December 3, 2007

I live in Texas. To maintain my sanity, I have capitulated to enduring all the unsophisticated quirks that make Texas unique. However, just when I thought I had seen it all, Texans outdid themselves by attempting to designate compact fluorescent lamps as the State Bulb.

Maybe I think this move is odd because I am a foreigner here. I used to be a proud bi-coastal American. I was raised and educated in California in eyeshot of the Pacific coast. I was then refined in Massachusetts within a stone’s throw of the Atlantic. So, maybe I am the only person who thinks designating a state light bulb is strange.

By moving to the Dallas Metroplex, I voluntarily relegated myself to a lifetime of cowboy hats instead of baseball caps, people “hollerin” at each other instead of telephoning, and continuous agitation from locals who feel that the Texas flag should be flown above the American flag because Texas is actually an independent county.

Nonetheless, when I read “Mayors promote fluorescents as ’state bulb’” on Yahoo! News, I thought it was a joke: how many Texans does it take to screw in a light bulb? However, this initiative is no joke. It is a serious attempt by the mayors of the major cities in Texas, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, and Austin, to promote compact fluorescents as a means to fight pollution and cut public expenditures for new power plants.

So, although it is quirky, naming the compact fluorescent the State Bulb is one Texas oddity I think I may come to love.

Posted by Matthew Traum on December 3, 2007 | Comments (8)

April 3, 2008

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
Hawaii Guy commented:

Politicians have strange ways in promoting the common good.

February 1, 2008

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
Len commented:

Mr Myles: How stingy do you have to be to complain about one zero-cost (and likely zero-effect) resolution by a council or assembly? Man! It's not like they're actually going to make anyone use tha bulbs or anything realistic, such as California or Ontario.

January 25, 2008

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
David M Myles commented:

Your tax dollars at work?

Are we really spenfding tax dollars on this sort of tripe?

January 3, 2008

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
Unsophisticated Quirk commented:

I bet you can find a stagecoach that will get you back to some coast more desirable without much trouble.

Do you really think it is such a bad thing for us retarded rednecks to be a little more energy efficient?

Spare us your patronizing attitude and you might be more warmly received.

December 22, 2007

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
Bill Dale commented:

Yes, CFs (compact fluorescent) having official status is quirky, and yes, I agree with you that it''s something Texas should be proud of, but there''s a caveat: CFs contain hazardous mercury and must be disposed of properly

December 12, 2007

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
puterman commented:

come on george, excessive spare footage of living space? I am sooo tired of hearing people talk about moving to the "City" and live in your proscribed cardboard box. If you can find ways to be energy efficient then, I think, you shouldn''t be herassed about the large home you pay for.

December 8, 2007

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
Concerned Reader commented:

It's the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.

December 4, 2007

In response to: How Many Texans does it Take to Screw in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?
George Evanick commented:

Watt a waste of time. When are the "concerned citizens" going to set a real example by giving up frivolous carbon emitting luxuries like private boats, private planes, snow mobiles, excessive square footage of living space, less leisurely and business travel, smaller wardrobes, hot tubs, etc.

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