Greens getting a little bored again…
March 23, 2008 by Seb
Green calls for ban on bottled waterThere are calls to abandon bottled water for the tap variety, amid claims its causing a major plastic landfill problem.
New figures show Australia’s thirst for bottled water is expected to grow by nine per cent, reaping drink companies $460 million this financial year.
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says it is a disturbing trend that needs to be reversed.
“We survived before we had water in bottles. It is unnecessary.”We need to clean up our act and for many of them it’s just a huge waste of resources.“When you see water imported from Fiji in plastic bottles, you know it’s bad for the environment all round.”
Bottled water, plastic bags, whales…could there be issues of less significance? Yes we survived before bottled water, just like we survived before sanitation, running tap water or electricity…damn resource wasting luxuries. Ban this, ban that, something new every week from these people. Who on Earth is voting these crackpots into the senate? Damn compulsory voting and the apathetic uninformed masses! It’s like these policies are written out over a coffee and a Tim Tam, the Greens are becoming increasingly dangerous.
Now on a more sober note, bottled water may well be a waste of resources but that totally misses the point. What is the alternative here, we are in the middle of an obesity epidemic, and people will buy bottled drinks regardless. Which wastes more resources, a bottle of cola or a bottle of water? It is clear their objection lies in the fact that this business is extremely profitable as opposed to any quasi-environmental concern, their anti-capitalist socialist agenda is the bulwark of their parties success after all.
Rhiannon claims Fiji Water is clearly bad for the environment, but what she fails to mention is that it is also incredibly good for the Fijian economy, representing over 15% of their exports. Fiji Water supports several local hospitals, has built several schools, and has contributed greatly to disaster relief efforts with the Red Cross in the region. In fact, thy have even won the prestigious U.S. Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence for “doing good in the global marketplace.” But hey, what does Lee Rhiannon care, she was raised in a prosperous country where her education, like her insane little political party, was likely funded on the capitalist dime. What does she care of the welfare of a developing country? She does not offer any evidence to support her claim of environmental damage, but she won’t bother with that as the environmental concern is so “clear” after all.
I’m with Ms Rhiannon and the Greens, to hell with Fiji, let their economy fall to ruin once more, I’m sure the Greens would have no objections to sending troops there again right? Maybe we can send Ms Rhiannon into Suva first this time around, it would probably the best thing we could do for their economy.
*Note: Sarcasm, this is not a death threat.
“…written out over a coffee and a Tim Tam…”
I was thinking skim latte and tofu hot dog.
If my memory serves me correctly, these environuts also want the flushing toilet, the light bulb, the motor car, the plastic bag, the clothes dryer and also to limit the amount of toilet paper the masses can use. Now they can add bottled water to the list.
I had no idea that water exports were doing such good in Fiji, but it’s on par for these greenies to want to ruin that. Most green or mad left policy intentionally or unintentionally ends up hindering humanity.
Oh and thanks for the link.
I must admit I was quite annoyed when John Howard suggested we shouldn’t be drinking bottled water - he was more concerned about the fluoride and went on about how his kids had perfect teeth all because they didn’t drink bottled water - not that the very expensive dentists didn’t help.
I’d much rather some overweight kid to drink water from a bottle rather than some sugary softdrink.
hey there an interesting site. I generally agree with you on the fire arms issue. On the bottled water issue I have to say im sympathetic with the greens. It seems a bit mad to me that we fly water thousands of miles in a plastic ottle that we then throw away when there is perfectly good water in the tap. I know it sounds old fashioned but just get a glass of water and drink it!
On the poverty of Fiji I’d have a look at what Rihnon was doing before she was an MP I thought she did good work in the organisation AidWatch which actually made sure our money went to help poor countries and not just give free cash to companies.
Anyhow on the firearms front the laws havnt made much difference to me but I know a lot of skeet shooting mates were frustrated about losing auto shotguns.
cheers
“It seems a bit mad to me that we fly water thousands of miles in a plastic ottle [sic] that we then throw away when there is perfectly good water in the tap.”
It really does seem odd but I think Lee makes a good point here. How is water any different to lemonade or cordial for example? Some people say there is a subtle difference between brands but they all taste the same to me. Why do we allow imports of lemonade and cordial? I honestly believe arguments against bottled water are silly, and it truly is an issue of little consequence. If people are buying bottled water it is not adding to the amount of waste produced as they are likely not buying some other pre-packaged drink product.
I agree on Lee Rhiannon’s worked on Aidwatch, although I think their focus is more on reforming how the aid is given as opposed to how much is given…regardless though, it does not excuse such a reckless disregard for the global consequences of a policy she is pushing, especially considering the Greens’ pious condescending attitude when it comes to talking about issues of global importance.
They talk about environmentalism like they are chastising you, so it is satisfying to expose their hypocrisy.