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Daylight Saving Time: A Spring Forward or a Step Back?
universetoday.com ^ | March 5, 2014 | David Dickinson on

Posted on 03/05/2014 5:32:18 PM PST by BenLurkin

We’ll put our unabashed bias as a lover of the night sky right up front: we loathe Daylight Saving Time. And it’s not just because of the biannual hunt through our home for the dozen-odd non-networked clocks that it instigates twice a year. For astronomers, the shift to DST means that true darkness falls much later in the evening, marking the abrupt end of the school star party season not long after March. You don’t have to go far north to about latitude 45 degrees to find areas where it doesn’t get dark until about 11PM local towards mid-summer. And sure, we gain back an extra hour of morning darkness, albeit that too soon dwindles towards summer as well.

The primary rational behind DST use is to cut energy consumption. Studies done by the U.S. Department of Transportation during the adoption of DST during the 1970’s OPEC Oil Embargo and the energy crisis showed a small but measurable net savings during the implementation of DST, as well as a small decrease in the crime rate. On the down side, many find it difficult to adjust their body clocks to the shift, with many morning commuters now confronted with darkness.

...

But there are some rumblings of change. This year, Idaho is pushing to scrap DST altogether. And, as is the norm in the often curious state of Florida, lawmakers have proposed to swing even further in the other direction, with a bill dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act” looking to put the entire state on permanent DST year round in hopes of increasing tourism.

And just last year, a failed White House petition brought up the issue of ending DST.

(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...


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To: BenLurkin
Well I happen to like Daylight Savings Time.

During the summer, it's nice to come home from work and have a couple hours of daylight to sit on my deck or in my yard with a cold beer, usually with something cooking on the grill.

I usually don't get home until around 6:30pm so without DST, I would only have about a six-week window of coming home to broad daylight. With DST, it's more like four months.

21 posted on 03/05/2014 5:53:29 PM PST by SamAdams76
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To: okie01

It would explain so much...


22 posted on 03/05/2014 5:55:06 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: MeshugeMikey

One more Californian here to add to your list of support.


23 posted on 03/05/2014 5:55:21 PM PST by Lurkina.n.Learnin (This is not just stupid, we're talking Democrat stupid here.)
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To: BenLurkin

Damage to sleep patterns and other routines is bad for productivity. And summer? LOL! Summer booms are history.


24 posted on 03/05/2014 5:56:39 PM PST by familyop (We Baby Boomers are croaking in an avalanche of corruption smelled around the planet.)
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To: Lurkina.n.Learnin

One word. YEP


25 posted on 03/05/2014 5:57:43 PM PST by jonsie
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To: Lurkina.n.Learnin
Im not clear as to whether online petitions count toward getting the proper number of signatures to get this on the ballot>

I suspect making a printable pdg file and posting it online for people to print and them copy...for signatures would be the way to go.




26 posted on 03/05/2014 5:58:12 PM PST by MeshugeMikey (Jesus came to Save not Entertain / Ground John Kerry Now!)
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To: BenLurkin

At winter’s end, I’m ready for longer days with more sun. However, by the end of the summer, I can’t wait for darkness to come sooner...it’s very cozy when it’s cold.

But this weekend seems to early to begin DST. There’s still snow on the ground here.


27 posted on 03/05/2014 6:01:28 PM PST by CatherineofAragon ((Support Christian white males----the architects of the jewel known as Western Civilization.))
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To: BenLurkin
we loathe Daylight Saving Time

I loathe time zones all together. Local time was good enough for the Founding Fathers and it's good enough for me. There's no reason why I should be forced on the same time as someone a few miles east or west of me. < /sarc>

Seriously, I love DST. Living 9° west of the center of the time zone (I should be in Central time rather than Eastern) means sunset is after 9pm in June. I love it. Yeah, sure I could get up and go into work an hour earlier. I won't be going home any earlier so that wouldn't help.

28 posted on 03/05/2014 6:09:30 PM PST by KarlInOhio (Republican amnesty supporters don't care whether their own homes are called mansions or haciendas.)
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To: KarlInOhio

I was in Dayton last summer and loved that it was still a little light around 9:45 pm.


29 posted on 03/05/2014 6:11:31 PM PST by Half Vast Conspiracy (The bill was the subject of a truly awe-inspiring tsunami of poorly informed indignation. Rich Lowry)
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To: BenLurkin
I EFFING HATE EFFING DAYLIGHT EFFING SAVING EFFING TIME!!!!!

Leave it to the damn govt to tell us when to get up and when to go to bed!!!!

EFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 posted on 03/05/2014 6:13:04 PM PST by Manic_Episode (GOP = The Whig Party)
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To: BenLurkin

I think the “rationale” for DST is absolute bunk. It’s been shown that DST adjustment causes more heart attacks than normal.

In my little ol’ humble opinion...it’s population control.


31 posted on 03/05/2014 6:15:05 PM PST by Thorliveshere (Minnesota Survivor)
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To: BenLurkin

It is a stupid idea. A few years ago Congree moved the date to even earlier......telling us they were “ giving us more sun.” Right. Enough, just leave nature alone.


32 posted on 03/05/2014 6:17:23 PM PST by SkyPilot
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To: BenLurkin

I remember well, the “Energy Crisis” of 1973-74, they mandated daylight savings, year round, to save energy. It was great, waiting for the school bus at 6:45am in the pitch black darkness, in the New England Winter, freezing my behind off. /s

Fast forward four decades. Work in an office that is overwhelmingly whiny females (sorry, you regular gals). Sure as ‘stuff’ is brown, twice a year, I would have to listen to a torrent of complaints, about how difficult life was, because the sun wasn’t where they were accustomed to it.

In other words, I agree - leave the friggin’ clock alone ;)


33 posted on 03/05/2014 6:17:46 PM PST by jttpwalsh
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To: SamAdams76

Agreed. This Californian likes DST. If something has
to give then make DST the standard.


34 posted on 03/05/2014 6:17:47 PM PST by Sivad (NorCal red turf)
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To: Sirius Lee
Split the difference and leave it there year round.

I agree! This is a logical way to deal with it. Spring ahead 1/2 hour, and the @#$%ING LEAVE IT ALONE!!!
35 posted on 03/05/2014 6:18:03 PM PST by Thorliveshere (Minnesota Survivor)
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To: BenLurkin

I also despise DST.

If we must play games with the clocks it wwould make more sense to at least limit it to months warm enough to enjoy the “extra” hour. Say May through September.


36 posted on 03/05/2014 6:21:41 PM PST by hoosierham (Freedom isn't free)
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To: Veggie Todd
That extra hour of sunlight is what causes global warming.

Best comment I've seen today.

On a related note, DST is stupid and just needs to be dropped.
37 posted on 03/05/2014 6:35:42 PM PST by Svartalfiar
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To: napscoordinator

How does losing one hour on a Sunday morning have such an impact on Monday.

It is no different than taking a flight from New York to Chicago and losing an hour.


38 posted on 03/05/2014 6:39:06 PM PST by Oliviaforever
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To: Oliviaforever

I know that you are right but psychologically leaving at 5 when normally is 6 just seems to make the day longer. I know it is not logical but what is now a days…lol.


39 posted on 03/05/2014 6:42:59 PM PST by napscoordinator ( Santorum-Bachmann 2016 for the future of the country!)
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To: BenLurkin; a fool in paradise

40 posted on 03/05/2014 6:45:02 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong! Ice cream is delicious! We reserve the right to serve refuse to anyone!)
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