Return to normalcy
By Jennifer Roblez
Originally published 02:02 p.m., October 2, 2007
Updated 02:03 p.m., October 2, 2007
I may be alone in this opinion: I’m looking forward to Sunday, Nov. 4, because we go back to regular daylight time.
I just don’t like Daylight Saving Time. Some go so far as to blame Benjamin Franklin, who wrote a whimsical story suggesting it. But it’s been with us since World War I when it was used to save fuel, nationalized during World War II, experimented with in the early 1970s and this year Congress decreed that we should have DST three weeks earlier and one week later.
“Fall back” is a month away and this is how my day is now: I wake up in the dark, walk my dog by flashlight and the sun doesn’t rise until after I’ve been at my desk for 15 minutes.
When we leave DST behind, I’ve got a chance to see sunshine on my way to another day of work, here, at the Gazette. And it will be dark earlier in the evening. But I believe it’s the way nature intended us to live — without government interference. I don’t want to spring forward when March 9, 2008, comes around.
Arguments are made that farmers need DST but I’m not sure that’s still the case. Most farmers I know have to get up at daylight no matter what time it is.
And as far as saving energy goes, as a nation, we can’t seem to do that very well at any time of the year. I’m also not familiar with conclusive studies that say DST actually saves energy.
Americans are big energy consumers but I think we’re rather hypocritical about reducing our demands. I would be very happy if we had half the cars we do now, and they all were hybrids. But I’m not looking at a hybrid myself.
I ride a bicycle probably more than most, which maybe saves only an ounce of energy over the course of my life. I recycle, too, but there’s still global warming, which many don’t even think exists.
I don’t think this country has ever been serious about saving energy, even now that we’re in a war, to some extent, because of Iraq’s rich oil fields.
I think the downside of springing forward is rough. It costs U.S. companies billions to reset automated equipment, it puts us further out of sync with Asia and Africa time-wise, and inconveniences most of the country, especially our body clocks and sleeping cycles.
I’m happy to get my hour back next month. I just don’t ever want to give it back.
citizenT (anonymous) says...
I am just the opposite. I love Daylight Savings Time and dread the return next month! I will go to work in the dark and I will get home in the dark when we switch. I won't be able to walk my dogs in the light when I get home, and feel like my whole day is spent before I get off work. I guess that it is a good thing we have two different systems, this way each of us can enjoy at least part of the year!
October 2, 2007 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...
I too love the light later in the day. I don't do anything outside before work in the morning, but spend as much time as I can enjoying the longer evening light. Long live DST!
October 3, 2007 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
I agree with citizenT. DST is the best. I'm not a morning person at all. It doesn't matter to me if its light or dark I don't want to get out of bed. Give me a long sunny afternoon any day.
October 3, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wanderer (anonymous) says...
Well, I'm afraid I have to agree with the writer and disagree with the crowd. I have hated DST and its annual robbery of an hour of sleep for years. Give me well-lit mornings any day of the week!
October 3, 2007 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )