shortformblog:
Michael Bloomberg’s next potential regulatory victim? Foam-based packaging, such as trays, cups and bowls. The Soup Nazi would not approve, though the environment might dig the NYC mayor’s move. (photo by Philip Scott Andrews/The New York Times)
Point 1: What we know as “Styrofoam” is usually not actually Styrofoam, but rather polystyrene foam — which is what Bloomberg is talking about.
Point 2: As a person with a severe aversion to this type of material (no clue why, but touching it drives me insane), I’m all for this.
“I didn’t know what trans fats were. I thought it had something to do with transsexuals, obese transsexuals, or something. Anyway, he made a great deal about that.”
London mayor Boris Johnson, talking to NYT about NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Raymond Hernandez for The New York Times covering NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s call for President Obama to do something about gun control in this country. Speaking to Peter King, a Republican Representative from New York (and the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee):
But Mr. King said he doubted that the shootings in Connecticut would alter the gun debate in Congress, saying that outside the Northeast a gun culture exists that is resistant to any kind of firearms regulation. “I hope I am wrong,” he said, “but I don’t think it will have a major impact on the debate in Congress. We’ve had a number of gun tragedies in recent years without any action being taken.”
A senior aide to a top Democrat in Congress echoed that sentiment, saying he was doubtful that there would be enough votes, even now, for passage of a ban on assault weapons.
Serious question: how many people have to die in the next inevitable tragedy before something actually gets done? Apparently, 27 — including 20 children — isn’t enough. So what will it take? 50? 100?
The pathetic reality is twofold. First, of course, there shouldn’t have to be a number — but at some point, with a high enough number, the political fall-out would be too great if something isn’t done. Second, I’m afraid that number is far higher than even 100 — and make no mistake, we will see a tragedy of that magnitude in our lifetimes. Probably sooner than any of us would like to acknowledge.
If a foreign terrorist killed 26 people in this country, we would invade their country in a heartbeat with few questions asked. When a domestic lunatic kills 26 people with little effort enabled in large part by our own laws dating back 200+ years, we do nothing. And we’ll keep doing nothing.
High-res
