A Deadly Menace
Friends of mine lost
a pet sheep recently when it accidentally ate the remains of one of those
wretched Chinese lanterns. The poor sheep experienced a very painful and hideous
death. A death that no innocent animal should ever have to experience.
These Chinese lanterns are all the rage these days and since they are so
cheap to buy, people release them at every opportunity: weddings, birthdays,
festivals and barbecues. There are two main dangers. First, of course, the
consequences when a lantern crash lands (they all do eventually) and leaves
debris in a garden or field for animals to eat and swallow – often with fatal
results. Second, since the damn things carry a flame, they can, and do, set fire
to buildings and dry woodland. Anyone who lets off one of these lanterns is
extremely selfish and very stupid.
Incidentally, I don’t believe there’s
any such thing as an environmentally friendly Chinese lantern. Every single one
is a deadly menace, as is everyone who releases one.
Germany, Australia
and parts of New Zealand have banned them. Our politicians are always quick to
ban and regulate things that don’t need banning or regulating. How much longer
do we have to wait on something which does need banning.
(Please
print out this article and send it to everyone you know. Also, give copies to
shopkeepers who sell Chinese lanterns in their shops).
Copyright Vernon Coleman 2011
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