...about the level of absurdity to which we have sunk:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Lawmakers Mull Low-Flow Toilets
By Catherine Strong
Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, July 27, 1999; 6:13 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some members of Congress want to flush
away a federal law that requires new toilets to use less water.
The new low-flow commodes are intended to save water, but some
lawmakers complained Tuesday that you have to flush again -- and maybe
again -- to rinse all waste out of the bowl.
A 1992 conservation law requires less water for any new toilets installed
in homes, along with lighter sprays in shower heads. New toilets are
limited to 1.6 gallons of water per flush; the older toilets allowed 3.5
gallons.
Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich., author of legislation to repeal the law,
testified before a House subcommittee that he has received thousands of
complaints ``from disgruntled consumers who are angry that their new
toilets repeatedly clog, require multiple flushing, and in the end do not save
water.'' Dozens of those complaints were written on toilet paper, he said.
``Their message is clear and straightforward: Get the federal government
out of my bathroom,'' Knollenberg told the House Commerce
Committee's subcommittee on energy and power.
The subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said he
supported the repeal legislation and hoped to move it forward.
However, other lawmakers said water was a scarce resource that must be
conserved.
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., said the low-flow toilets also would ``reduce
the amount of dollars this country has to spend on waste treatment.''
Manufacturers say they have improved low-flow toilets in recent years.
The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute wants to keep the standard, since
manufacturers have invested in retooling for the 1.6-gallon toilets and
could be subjected to a patchwork of state and local ordinances without
it.
George Whalen, of the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors, told lawmakers that flushing toilets account for nearly 40
percent of all water consumed by an average household.
``Every day we flush more than 5 billion gallons of water down the drain,''
Whalen said, adding: ``Switching to water-efficient plumbing fixtures could
save the average household as much as $50 to $100 a year on water and
wastewater treatment bills.''
Still, the plunger has become a regular bathroom fixture for frustrated
toilets owners who are not exactly bowled over by the new commodes,
home builders testified.
``I've heard of new home owners putting instructions on their bathroom
doors for guests instructing them how to help make the toilet flush with
plungers and extra cups of water. That is absurd,'' said Gerald
Kosmensky, president of Gerald Building Co. in Southgate, Mich.
Plumbers and handymen say the old toilets may be outlawed in new
homes, but there is a black market for them because they flush better and
don't back up.
``It has gotten to the point that many Americans are crossing the border to
Canada and Mexico to purchase these now illegal toilets,'' said Glenn
Haege, a handyman who hosts a nationally syndicated radio show based
in Detroit.
The fine if you get caught, Knollenberg says, is as high as $2,500.
© Copyright 1999 The Associated Press[/quote]
BLACK MARKET TOILETS???
INTERNATIONAL TOILET SMUGGLING???
I urge every freedom-loving American to exercise civil disobedience by installing high-capacity septic tank feeding devices in your homes!
-boing
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Lawmakers Mull Low-Flow Toilets
By Catherine Strong
Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, July 27, 1999; 6:13 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some members of Congress want to flush
away a federal law that requires new toilets to use less water.
The new low-flow commodes are intended to save water, but some
lawmakers complained Tuesday that you have to flush again -- and maybe
again -- to rinse all waste out of the bowl.
A 1992 conservation law requires less water for any new toilets installed
in homes, along with lighter sprays in shower heads. New toilets are
limited to 1.6 gallons of water per flush; the older toilets allowed 3.5
gallons.
Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich., author of legislation to repeal the law,
testified before a House subcommittee that he has received thousands of
complaints ``from disgruntled consumers who are angry that their new
toilets repeatedly clog, require multiple flushing, and in the end do not save
water.'' Dozens of those complaints were written on toilet paper, he said.
``Their message is clear and straightforward: Get the federal government
out of my bathroom,'' Knollenberg told the House Commerce
Committee's subcommittee on energy and power.
The subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said he
supported the repeal legislation and hoped to move it forward.
However, other lawmakers said water was a scarce resource that must be
conserved.
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., said the low-flow toilets also would ``reduce
the amount of dollars this country has to spend on waste treatment.''
Manufacturers say they have improved low-flow toilets in recent years.
The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute wants to keep the standard, since
manufacturers have invested in retooling for the 1.6-gallon toilets and
could be subjected to a patchwork of state and local ordinances without
it.
George Whalen, of the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors, told lawmakers that flushing toilets account for nearly 40
percent of all water consumed by an average household.
``Every day we flush more than 5 billion gallons of water down the drain,''
Whalen said, adding: ``Switching to water-efficient plumbing fixtures could
save the average household as much as $50 to $100 a year on water and
wastewater treatment bills.''
Still, the plunger has become a regular bathroom fixture for frustrated
toilets owners who are not exactly bowled over by the new commodes,
home builders testified.
``I've heard of new home owners putting instructions on their bathroom
doors for guests instructing them how to help make the toilet flush with
plungers and extra cups of water. That is absurd,'' said Gerald
Kosmensky, president of Gerald Building Co. in Southgate, Mich.
Plumbers and handymen say the old toilets may be outlawed in new
homes, but there is a black market for them because they flush better and
don't back up.
``It has gotten to the point that many Americans are crossing the border to
Canada and Mexico to purchase these now illegal toilets,'' said Glenn
Haege, a handyman who hosts a nationally syndicated radio show based
in Detroit.
The fine if you get caught, Knollenberg says, is as high as $2,500.
© Copyright 1999 The Associated Press[/quote]
BLACK MARKET TOILETS???
INTERNATIONAL TOILET SMUGGLING???
I urge every freedom-loving American to exercise civil disobedience by installing high-capacity septic tank feeding devices in your homes!
-boing
Tactical toilet owners unite! I have 2 pre ban high capacity models. The only modifications I have made have been to the "grip" area. Soft "grips" are a definate plus. One is a good old American Standard, high wall, 3 plus gallon magazine,aftermarket "grip" added for safety and comfort, certain internal modifications that I fear to explain here, (never know who may be reading). I enjoy using this lightly customized model on a daily basis. I seldom have ejection problems, and there are never any failures to feed. I find it highly reliable and very accurate, except in certain instances when I have had a bit too much amber ammunition. I like the standard double action (seat-up/seat down) models the best, and that is what I purchased for my home use.At work we are issued two standard double action, plus two on the wall limited action models. The work models are post ban limited capacity models. I prefer the extra power of my home models, and can honestly say I am more comfortable with the extra power they have. Since I have no class twelve federal toilet licence, I am awaiting a visit from Reno and the masked raiders to confiscate my pre-ban beauties. I am going to be in deep do-do over the raid, since I also have some furniture that I tore the tags off of. Are there any sources for pre ban high capacity replacement parts? If I replace the limited capacity upper on my (work)post ban with a high capacity upper am I in violation of federal laws? Are there restrctions concerning Cowboy Action events and equipment allowed?