07 January 2015

Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends

Convinced by constituents and healthcare professionals that Alaska did not need Daylight Savings Time, Rep. Anna Fairclough in 2009 introduced a bill that would have exempted the state from the annual “fall back” and “spring forward” time change. The proposal never reached a vote in the Senate.

Fast foward to 2015, and Fairclough is now Sen. Anna MacKinnon, thanks to a recent marriage, and the Anchorage Republican thinks now is the time to test the idea again. MacKinnon says she will file a bill this session that would scrap Daylight Savings in Alaska.

Last time around, H.B. 19 passed the House by a 22-15 vote but languished in Senate committees.

For what it's worth, I agree that "Daylight Saving Time" serves little purpose, in Alaska. In summer, when we have 22+ hours of daylight, what exactly are we saving?

And in winter, when we have five hours of daylight - or much, much less in the far north - moving the hands on the clock doesn't do anything for us, either.

Yes, there are those who talk about energy savings in warm climates, but others have pointed out that those alleged savings are off-set by increased lighting demands when making folks get out of bed earlier in the morning.

The arrogance of Man, to think we can tell the sun what time it is. Sigh ...

12 comments:

Max said...

I've never understood why we move an hour one mayor the other. Sure, it's lighter/darker at different times but does it really matter at all.
I guess I'm a minority (again).
As usual.

Rev. Paul said...

Max, I agree with your points - including the one about how anyone who has the capacity to actually think for themselves is part of a shrinking minority.

Cathy said...

" . . .in Alaska. In summer, when we have 22+ hours of daylight, what exactly are we saving? "
:)
Oh my. What we'd give for a few of those sunny hours here in northwest Ohio.

ProudHillbilly said...

Not knowing life without DST, I wouldn't know the difference. All I know is that I like daylight. But now that I'm disconnected from the office, I'd be curious to see if it makes a difference to my internal clock. It's just moving an artificial concept, the hours of time, forward and back.

Rev. Paul said...

Cathy, the long days of summer here are what helps keep us here during the long dark days of winter. But you can trust me: it's glorious. :)

PH, it's SO artificial. As if cows and chickens change their milking and egg-laying times ... or anything else. For people who work an 8-to-5 shift in winter, it's dark going in, and dark driving home. In summer, it's always daylight, so ... it begs the question.

Old NFO said...

Yeah, doesn't do you lot of good up that way... :-)

PioneerPreppy said...

I always thought it was a rural thing. The fall back part allowed some more daylight in the mornings for getting stuff done before school etc and the spring forward helped with getting harvesting done and other chores.

Only good reason I can see Alaska keeping it would be so they don't have to figure out when a TV show is actually being shown after it is announced :)

Rev. Paul said...

NFO, you're spot on ... but you knew that. :)

Preppy, we're all pretty good at converting to other time zones, up here. It's a lead-pipe cinch to few others will do the work to figure it out for us.

threecollie said...

I have one thought on the changing of the clock....make it go away!!! LOL

Rev. Paul said...

threecollie - make the time change go away? or the clock itself?

:)

Guffaw in AZ said...

Exactly how many angels do dance on the head of a pin?
Damn Ben Franklin!

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Guffaw - Ol' Ben was a remarkable man but had a few rather ... er, quaint ideas.