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Friday September 3, 2010

What we're talking about

Daylight saving fanatics should lighten up

Posted by: Bob Maumill | 12 May, 2009 - 12:23 PM
Bob's Blog Want to avoid arguments with fanatical red faced people determined to impose their views on others?

No, I'm not talking about West Coast Eagles supporters, I am referring to the fanatics on both sides of the daylight saving controversy.

Personally, my life will not change much whether we alter our clocks or not.

I have lived most of my life without daylight saving and during that time I have watched our state develop without its introduction. But if a majority of my fellow Western Australians want it, then to me it is no big deal.
What surprises me is the depth of feeling that has been stirred up over this issue.

Some people have taken entrenched positions and their refusal to consider another point of view has resulted in the daylight saving issue becoming the hottest and most contentious talking point on radio.

It's weird. Of all the topics that need our attention and deserve our passionate interest, daylight saving should be somewhere near the bottom.

Public policy issues like health care, the environment, budget considerations, the global economic crisis, paid maternity leave. These are issues that attract occasional attention, yet this ridiculous daylight saving bun fight has resulted in rallies, fiery Town Hall debates, strange alliances, and a prime time television special.

I cannot believe this seemingly trivial issue has become so important in the minds of the Western Australian public.
Then again, maybe it hasn't.

Maybe the whole thing is being driven by a handful of 'Yes' voters who have organized themselves and are astutely working a public relations campaign to give daylight saving an importance it does not warrant.
And maybe those opposed to its introduction are over reacting to a trivial issue they, and the rest of us, should have ignored, and ultimately voted against - again.

Blog comments Your Say

  • when only 44% of the metro population want it, and anywhere between 55% (perth metro) and 80+% (perth regional) are AGAINST it, well, it just goes to show who really IS in the dark now, doesn't it? if you want an extra hour of daylight, what about DST in WINTER? then you WILL have an hour or light when you get home from work, rather than trying to put children to sleep in baking 34ºC heat in summer.

    Aaron Sice Thursday 2 July, 2009 - 2:53 PM

  • I thought you guys in WA had more sense! But sadly you're like my homestate of Qld. And that's why Qld and WA are still considered hillbilly counties as the "ohh we don't want change - we wan't to jog and walk the dog at 4.20am stuff the workers who get home after 6pm and the business economy of WA etc etc" win the day. Until governments can bring in an education process to eradicate all this DST prejudice and fear and sprout the numerous benefits, poor old WA and Qld will remain in the dark mentally and early evenings.

    Greg James Thursday 21 May, 2009 - 10:27 AM

  • I don't think Dr Oakley is wrong or a fanatic. Most people my age (22) say yes but I said no. I agree that in Western Australia, we really do get enough sun! Especially kids - they're not the ones up early in the morning running around. It's better to have cooler evenings in summer to get some exersize outdoors/ or to socialise (if you're worried about the darkness - light some outdoor candles or put up some fairy lights!!) Oh yeah - I HATE getting up for work in the dark!!

    Eloise Monday 18 May, 2009 - 8:44 PM

  • AS AN AVID MEDIA WATCHER AND PEOPLE WATCHER FOR OVER FORTY YEARS , IT STILL AMAZES ME HOW ANYTHING ACTUALLY GETS DONE IN PARLIAMENT AND VARIOUS OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.

    HERE WE ARE IN WA TOTALLY DIVIDED OVER AN ISSUE THAT, IN
    ALL REALITY , IS THE SAME AS DECIDING WHAT BRAND OF TOILET PAPER TO BUY AT THE SUPERMARKET.

    I MAY BE WRONG BUT I THOUGHT DAYLIGHT SAVING WAS ONLY EVER ADOPTED IN WA BECAUSE "SOME" BIG BUSINESSES WANTED TO KEEP CLOSER TO THE EAST COAST AND INTERNATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE TRADING.

    IT DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH FAMILY TIME. IN THE YEARS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE IT, WHAT DID THE MUMS DO WITH THE KIDS AND WHAT DID CYCLISTS DO ?

    IT SEEMS TO ONLY CAUSE CONCERN WHEN WE ARE ACTUALLY IN DAYLIGHT SAVING MODE.

    IT WAS JUST LIKE WATCHING PARLIAMENT QUESTION TIME .

    HOPE IT IS ALL SORTED ON SATURDAY BECAUSE I'M SICK AND TIRED OF TRYING TO GET THE BRASS FILINGS BACK ONTO MY SUNDIAL !!!!!

    ALEC WALKER Friday 15 May, 2009 - 7:23 AM

  • Daylight savings is just for business -- please do not feed the public the lie that it will improve their family life! Light does not improve family time -- LOVE does! If a husband wants to be a bad father he does it with or without daylight savings. If Home and Away is on at 7pm with or without light, viewers will watch it...they are not going to miss it to go to the beach!
    So please get REAL!

    Jacob Thursday 14 May, 2009 - 4:52 PM

  • Daylight savings is for BUSINESS -- not families. If families care for each other and want to spend time with each other, daylight hours or non-daylight hours don't come into play. You can do many activities which do NOT need daylight. Please do not act as if "Families" are going to benefit from daylight savings!

    Annie Thursday 14 May, 2009 - 3:04 PM

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