California city nearly bans water.

MSNBC ^ | 3/15/2004 | AP

[minus_273]

City officials were so concerned about the potentially dangerous properties of dihydrogen monoxide that they considered banning foam cups after they learned the chemical was used in their production.

Then they learned, to their chagrin, that dihydrogen monoxide — H2O for short — is the scientific term for water.

[minus_273]

As an example of how stupid people are these days, there is this story of a California city that was gripped in fear and rushed to draft and schedule a ban of dihydrogen monoxide (H20) becasue of a prank "activist' website made by a 14 year old.

This would be extremely funny if it weren't so patheticly sad. Of course this is the same state that taught Ebonics instead of English to black kids...

[Phantom Lord]

From the SacBee...

City falls victim to Internet hoax, considers banning items made with water

[Phantom Lord]

Dihydrogen Monoxide FAQ

[bearkat]

It is sad. What bothers me is that they really weren't looking for facts, they were looking for something to support their argument... and they found it. HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA....

[mtbopfuyn]

Mama was right; don't go in the water after you eat.

Ban H2O and only fish will have H2O.

Got milk?

[laotzu]

excerpt:

"It's embarrassing," said City Manager David J. Norman. "We had a paralegal who did bad research."

The paralegal apparently fell victim to one of the many official looking Web sites that have been put up by pranksters to describe dihydrogen monoxide as "an odorless, tasteless chemical" that can be deadly if accidentally inhaled.

As a result, the City Council of this Orange County suburb had been scheduled to vote next week on a proposed law that would have banned the use of foam containers at city-sponsored events. Among the reasons given for the ban were that they were made with a substance that could "threaten human health and safety."

The measure has been pulled from the agenda, although Norman said the city may still eventually ban foam cups.

"If you get Styrofoam into the water and it breaks apart, it's virtually impossible to clean up," Norman said.

[cinFLA]

Please use the real title. Posting protocol.

Local officials nearly fall for H2O hoax

I note also that your title distorts the content of the story.

[expat_panama]

"an odorless, tasteless chemical"

Say what you want but that stuff can eat a hole clear through an iron plate!

[Steve Van Doorn]

This is classic government at its best!

[Delphinium]

So funny. I heard about someone going into a huge group of enviromentalists with a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide (H20) and everyone signed it.

[4mycountry]

pranksters to describe dihydrogen monoxide as "an odorless, tasteless chemical" that can be deadly if accidentally inhaled.

Well, they didn't lie, exactly. You can die if you inhale (a lot of) water..

[vessel]

I don't think you thoroughly researched this subject before posting this alarmist article. There is a very real need to control DHMO and the City of Aliso Viejo are not dissuaded by your antics. They are moving ahead with plans to inform the public and enforce regulations they have already put in place. see this "City of Aliviso Viejo, CA: DHMO Management"

[quietolong]

City falls victim to Internet hoax, considers banning items made with water
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1097449/posts


dihydrogen monoxide Is NOT water!
The chemical formula for water is HOH or H OH
That is a Hydrogen atom ( H ) attached to a Hydroxide radical ( OH ) OR
Hydrogen Hydroxide.. The right chemical name for water.
H2O is the simplified or imperial formula ( 2 hydrogen 1 oxygen atoms )

The Jokes on both of them!

[kaktuskid]

Next we must discuss the pollution of our oceans by SODIUM CHLORIDE!..the horror, the horror!

[Ditto]

LOL. I bet this could happen to any number of Rat dominated city councils.

[Ditto]

An industry sponsored group called Friends of Hydrogen Hydroxide dispute the false impression and scare tactics perpetrated by the radical fanatics of the DHMO organization. They say it's not really that dangerous and simply use the term 'monoxide' to further frighten people. Of course, they are an industry sponsored group so they are most likely not impartial. ;~))

This is all so much fun.

[boris]

"H2O is the simplified or imperial formula ( 2 hydrogen 1 oxygen atoms )"

Before you presume to instruct us on the intricacies of inorganic chemistry, it might be wise to learn the difference between imperial and empirical.

I guess Aqua Regia is "Imperial".

--Boris

[boris]

"Next we must discuss the pollution of our oceans by SODIUM CHLORIDE!..the horror, the horror!"

Both sodium and chlorine are toxic!

Not only that, but many horrid substances can be constructed of common harmless chemicals. Examples include cyanide, (Hydrocyanic acid, made from harmless hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen), anhydrous ammonia (nitrogen and hydrogen), and nitric acid...

[MrB]

What's a leftist's favorite whine?

"It's for the common goooood..."

[kaktuskid]

Not to mention the massive quantities of hydrogen sulfide and methane gases produced by the ingestion of eggs, beans, cauliflower, and other noxious foods.