Windmill Dispute

[Ben]

I found this story interesting from a couple of perspectives:

1) The statement, "At the time, city officials told him the issue needed to go before its Planning Commission because Longview did not have any windmill regulations."

That grates on my nerves because it implies that if there is not a law allowing it, that it is forbidden. I always thought America was all about, "If something is not specifically forbidden, it is allowed". And in this case they're making him pay $2000 just so they can decide if they should have a law or not.

2) The "He has weapons" statement. Because having a weapon always means you're gonna kill the revenuers.

It especially bothers me because of recent stuff I've been a witness to locally. At work, we're working with University of California on a joint building project. The contractor has been slacking off and not paying subcontractors, so there is an ongoing dispute. One of the subcontractors told the University that, "That guy shoots guns." So now every time the University has a meeting with him, they bring the cops with them because he, "...may have a gun in his office".

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/05/10/windmill-reportedly-at-center-dispute-between-washington-state-man-city/?test=latestnews

[Jamie B]

Stupidity rooted in ignorance always causes fear. I hate that.

[Tallpine]

Interesting ... our new neighbors sold out an orchard in Oregon and moved here, mostly or at least in part because of all the ridiculous regulations they had to deal with.

[Ben]

I saw in one of the comments that someone had posted an ordinance in effect stating that if the guy were to attach a HAM antenna to the top of the windmill, he would be okay.

[RoadKingLarry]

[MicroBalrog]

Tripod books? You surely mean Triffids?

[TechMan]

Interesting aside, the wind turbines that they use for "green" energy have some interesting effects on people near them from the low frequency noise that the turbines produce.

[seeker_two]

This looks like a job for a Spaniard with a lance....

[Tallpine]

Interesting aside, the wind turbines that they use for "green" energy have some interesting effects on people near them from the low frequency noise that the turbines produce.

Some people will growl about anything 

[TechMan]

Some people will growl about anything 

SWMBO is an Audiologist, so it interests her.

[CNYCacher]

I once read an article about the effects of sub-audible-frequency sound on humans. From what I remember, it can cause instant and powerful reactions of fear and dread or impending doom, or a sense that there is an unseen dangerous presence with you.

Horror/drama movie directors know this, and use it to build suspense.  Obviously high-quality sound systems are needed to reproduce sound that low, like in theaters.

Another position by the article was the idea that this might explain why certain places are believed to be haunted.  Under the right conditions you could have a resonant frequency in a room or chamber that was sub-audible in frequency but with a large amplitude.  It could be powered by wind passing by, or large equipment running nearby, etc.

[Nick1911]

Interesting aside, the wind turbines that they use for "green" energy have some interesting effects on people near them from the low frequency noise that the turbines produce.

Indeed.  This, and fall radius means that windfarms eat up a lot of useable land.

Plus, that whole cube root law means that energy output drops off quickly at anything less then full design wind pressure.  People see wind turbines turning all the time, and think they must always be putting out considerable energy.  Not so - they manage the transmission and armature winding current to maintain a fairly constant RPM reguardless of actual power output.

[geronimotwo]

no law allowing it?   perhaps we should all stop breathing?

SWMBO is an Audiologist, so it interests her.

 

what does she think about all the frequencies beyond our hearing that we are subjected to?

[mtnbkr]

Tripod books? You surely mean Triffids?

Nope.

http://www.amazon.com/Tripods-Trilogy-White-Mountains-City/dp/0020425716

I read them as a kid.

Chris

[Perd Hapley]

Nope.

http://www.amazon.com/Tripods-Trilogy-White-Mountains-City/dp/0020425716

I read them as a kid.

Chris

There was a comic strip version in, uh, Boy's Life, maybe?


Yup, here we go:
http://the-haunted-closet.blogspot.com/2010/03/white-mountains-boys-life-mar-1981-july.html


I think I may have read the books later.

[freakazoid]

Nope.

http://www.amazon.com/Tripods-Trilogy-White-Mountains-City/dp/0020425716

I read them as a kid.

Chris

I remember reading one of them when I was younger. Every once in a while it would spring into mind but I couldn't remember what it wad called. Now I do.