Bag the Bag!

The Austin American Statesman editorial by the Editorial Board indicates plastic bags are recyclable but wreck havoc on the sorting machinery. The Austin City Council has been wrestling with the ban on bags for nearly five years. Apparently, certain single use plastic bags will be exempt from this ban for example, those unique to the newspaper industry. This editorial initially appears to be in support of the ban. If plastic bags, like those used for keeping newspapers dry, were on the chopping block they would be singing a different tune. The author stated they generally supported a ban with limits but a few paragraphs later says if bags can be picked up at the curb his position may change. It is hard to tell what his position is. The author throws the ball to Bob Gregory, the president of the Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) who has a proposal to add plastic bags to the current curbside pickup. Millions of dollars will be wasted in the name of educating the public. This author calls it educating residents on the new reality of life without plastic bags. As for the Bag the Bag idea, small bags have been put into big bags and placed curbside for some time now. The neighborhood in which I live currently has three huge trashcans for trash day. One is for regular trash, one is for compost and one is for recyclables. We pay for bottled water, paying for plastic bags is just another way to squeeze the consumer. From where I sit, the public will be paying for plastic bags or cloth bags one way or the other.  The editorial suggest the Austin City Council put the bag ban on hold and consider TDS's proposal. The is no mention of the environment in this article so I see it as an attempt to garner support for the TDS' proposal.  I disagree with the author's idea that exempting some bags is helpful. I also disagree with the notion that most residents would eagerly accept another curbside box, bag or trashcan. Partial bans are impractical. Before there was a ban on smoking inside an entire space, we would sit in a no smoking section in a restaurant and choke on smoke from across the room. It was just sensible to ban smoking in the entire room. As for the ban on plastic bags, the author seems to be for the ban if it works in his favor.

In a previous assignment, there was a discussion about whether or not Texans exhibited Exceptionalism.  As I read this article, I can only shake my head at the notion that this writer believes Texas´ shifting primary dates matters. Even if it is due to redistricting with congressional district boundaries "up in the air", the Texas primary will not determine the winner of the Republican race. The fact that Governor Perry endorses Newt Gringrich leaves a lot to be desired considering Mr. Gringrich said he hoped to be about even with Romney after the Texas primary. To even say that Texas can shape the race is clearly an exceptional frame of mind. I believe if you want to catch a glimpse of how big Texans really think of themselves and their ability to shape America, you just might enjoy this article.