T O P

  • By -

1980techguy

I fully support this even though I hate DeSantis


MyFaceSaysItsSugar

Yeah, this is a very useful law. The question is, why is it on this sub when it’s just regular news?


Magic-man333

1) it's DeSantis 2) it's also kind of random. I wanna see how often it actually gets enforced lol


Geraldo_Ferrari

It'll be one of those things that get enforced by tickets and warrant checks and pat downs in certain neighborhoods and by verbal warnings in others, just like everything else.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Magic-man333

>Some group of libs did a Biden balloon release or something so now it’s illegal. I can't find anything like this? Maybe? The bill was sponsored by someone from a coastal district, passed, and DeSantis didn't veto it. Credit where credit's due, he's consistently pushed to help the environment (in the short term)


Doc_ET

Florida is super dependent on tourism, and if the beaches are polluted nobody will visit them. Offshore oil drilling is banned in Florida for the same reason (as are offshore wind farms). It's all about keeping the beaches pretty for the tourists.


Defiant-Peace-493

Hear me out: glitter-encrusted wind turbines!


rascal6543

This is brilliant. The light reflected from the glitter can be shone onto solar panels, giving us a 2 in 1!


RachelRegina

That's okay, Florida will be under water by 2100 and then it'll be all offshore wind farms.


kanst

It seems like this was one of the rare good results of lobbying. Some eco group called Oceana was pushing this bill hard and found some sponsors in coastal districts: https://usa.oceana.org/press-releases/florida-bans-intentional-balloon-releases/ It passed 102-9 so there wasn't really much pushback at all. Sometimes even Republicans can support a decent bill


wallflowers_3

He passed a bill to allow radioactive materials to be used in roads, allowing that material to leach kn the environment. Florida has a problem where we have a type of radioactive material as a byproduct of something that we try to store and contain, but a lot of times it leaks out and causes a lot of damage. Its also not easy to store. So ppl are trying to discard of it in other ways, and they came up with using it in road construction, and it was formed into a bill and passed by Desantis. That means it can potentially leak into waterways and harm the environment. It's now up to the EPA to either refuse it or allow it or something. So Desantis hasn't always pushed for the environment 


chiefs_fan37

Then why did he [do this](https://www.npr.org/2024/05/16/1251769080/florida-desantis-climate-change-law)? This heavily outweighs the balloon thing lmao


Magic-man333

Oh for the culture war points. But he's also done a decent bit to try and protect the Everglades and fight the red tide blooms.


RChickenMan

I've heard this described as "green vs grey" environmentalism. "Green" environmentalism is largely about preserving green spaces, including (though certainly not limited to) superficial green spaces. "Grey" environmentalism is about making structural changes that actually address humanity's impact on the earth. These include things like mixed-use zoning, higher density housing options, investment in mass transit, etc. Green environmentalism is never a bad thing, unless it conflicts with grey environmentalism--for example, building high-density housing near transit stations. Sure, building that apartment building will probably require removing a few trees, but that style of housing will allow people to live a much more environmentally-friendly lifestyle, e.g. by reducing car usage (or even allowing people to choose to live car-free), and it will save a hell of a lot more trees elsewhere by reducing the need for low-density suburban sprawl. DeSantis, like most Americans, is actively hostile towards grey environmentalism, and the necessary structural changes we'll need to make if we have a chance in hell of averting a climate catastrophe.


mouse_8b

Never heard of this but it's an interesting framework


toetappy

This explained how the green movement can be hijacked by folk that are against major change to help "the poors" (making the world a better place)


ian2345

Well the article mentions gender reveal parties so maybe he just put his fingers in his ears and shouted "BAN IT, I DONT CARE WHAT IT IS JUST BAN IT" the second he heard the word gender.


LoveANR2021

Balloon releases, for whatever reason, are known to kill dogs and other animals that eat them once they land. I know of people who have lost an animal because of that. Maybe he signed it because it was the right thing to do and it’s the only way to stop animals from dying unnecessarily.


a_charming_vagrant

i think that's just a broken clock being right twice a day. desantis lacks the required humanity to care about people's pets, or animals in general.


Suitable-Lake-2550

Well, we know it’s not because he cares about the environment


croholdr

I remember some event like in the 70/80s when they released like millions of ballons in a major US city which sparked a lot of chaos and interrupted all flight traffic and left thousands of pounds of latex to be cleaned up. I wanna say it was chicago.


particle409

Probably some algorithm told his team that Facebook boomers have been complaining about gender reveals.


sanctaphrax

Florida's government isn't just one guy. Not every law that passes in a given state is motivated by the personal agenda of its governor.


PM_ME_YOUR_NICE_EYES

No. The bill was passed with wide bipartisan support. In the house it got 114 Yeas to 1 Nay and in the Senate it got 38 Yeas to 2 Nays.


bnelson7694

It won’t. Watching that state over the years, suddenly there will be millions of balloons “accidentally” released just to be assholes and buck the law.


Relative_Business_81

I think because everyone expects this guy to do something insane and then when he does even one reasonable thing everyone makes a double take 


A_Furious_Mind

DeSantis passing legislation to keep people from doing stupid shit to the environment was not on my Bingo card.


toylenny

He's such a dipshit I'd be unsurprised if had been the opposite, like "Desantis signs bill requiring the release of helium balloons into the environment after one time use." 


Fuzakenaideyo

To own the libs


zenyattatron

Because to someone not in the know, it sounds like a very silly law.


Gadritan420

It’s also very jarring to see “DeSantis,” + anything good.


hwc000000

Perhaps they thought it was related to his other nonsense about banning bridges from being lit up in rainbow colors during Pride Month. https://old.reddit.com/r/jacksonville/comments/1d5w66n/rainbow_lights_shine_on_jacksonville_bridge_after/


isimplycannotdecide

I’m assuming the oniony part is that a republican would do something good for the climate… or the fact that many balloons are accidentally released by children.


Toymachinesb7

100%. This is a huge pet peeve of mine and it’s so infuriating. Saw a group set off a ton of balloons for someone they knew dying and I was seething with anger. It’s so ignorant. Please ban gender reveals of the same wastefulness.


redrumakm

He go this one and the one limited HOAs right recently.


Duellair

Yeah I don’t understand what’s happening. It’s like wait, you could have actually been doing good stuff this whole time but you just like chose not to???


krisalyssa

A stopped clock shows the right time twice a day. Or, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.


big_sugi

The cruelty and the bigotry and hypocrisy and the stupidity aren’t bugs. They’re features, verging on the entire purpose of the GOP.


Sudovoodoo80

Agree wholeheartedly. One other time he did something rational, he required financial education for every student in the Florida public school system. He sucks royally, but I would suck as bad as he does if I couldn't admit when he was right.


Dogzillas_Mom

That’s fair. Trump made animal abuse a felony and I have to give him credit for that. Well, for signing off on it.


hiricinee

I'm sure despite what I'm sure is a wealth of things you disagree with him on, you could find a few dog catchers he appointed you don't mind and a few things along those lines.


a_random_user_

in todays news, the worst person you know just did a good thing


WinoWithAKnife

Tragic, etc


ButtBread98

Same. Balloon releases are terrible for the environment


wallflowers_3

Also it seems like this bill revises previous prohibitions, one of which I find I bit concerning, in where it says >deletes exemption from such prohibition for certain biodegradable or photodegradable balloons Isn't that a bad thing? If it degrades then i don't see that as bad


MyFaceSaysItsSugar

Those can still pose a hazard to low-flying aircraft


le-quack

And a number of animals, for example sea turtles regularly eat balloons mistaking then for food. Even the "biodegradable" ones (which don't really biodegrade particularly quickly) are harmful.


RoughhouseCamel

“Biodegradable” is often a slow process. It’s still bad to litter plant-based plastics, even if it’s not as bad as traditional plastics


Betterthanbeer

“Yes officer, those balloons we let go and are now unrecoverable were definitely biodegradable.”


ViolentBee

Yeah same


PatSajaksDick

A few years ago at a park here in Florida, there was a family finishing a birthday party and they let all of their Mylar balloons go intentionally and I shit you not, yelled “screw the environment!”. Well I got the pavilion number and time e-mailed the county parks department and they actually responded and said they would issue a citation to the family and thanks for letting them know.


Remote-Crow3980

Same. I hate ballon releases. They are trash literally.


ptwonline

I know. I read the headline and thought: "This sounds good but it's DeSantis, so what's the catch?"


DaxDislikesYou

Literally the only thing I don't despise him for, that said if you need to vote against DeSanctimonious: If anyone reading this lives in Florida and needs to register to vote: [registertovoteflorida.gov/eligibilityreactive](http://registertovoteflorida.gov/eligibilityreactive)


firedmyass

“The most whimsical form of littering”


Esc777

And wasting helium. Helium is a nonrenewable resource. The amount we have in the ground is IT. And all applications of it cause it to escape into the atmosphere where it rises to the top and flies away from the planet. Trace helium is usually discarded from natural gas mining unless it's naturally rich and then it's separated. Like all gases that is a pain to work with and a hassle. Helium has several applications that no other element can be used, most with liquid helium providing the necessary cooling for powerful magnets and superconductors. Some of our top level science and top level medical equipment require helium to continue to function, like MRI machines. When the helium runs out we won't be able to do that anymore. At all.


ian2345

Time to bring back the hydrogen balloons


Truckyou666

Birthday parties with a bang!


cutelyaware

Probably more of a woosh unless mixed with an ideal amount of oxygen.


jmy578

Oh, the humanity!!


Doc_ET

More fun too.


Northern23

Is it possible the helium used in balloons isn't pure enough for the other useful applications? For example MRI machines require helium with purity level of 99.999%. Do we just grab that impure helium and purify it or need to start with a better source?


KingGatrie

You are kind of right and wrong at the same time. “Balloon grade” (grade 4) helium is at 99.99% purity so that would not work for an mri machine obviously but helium is normally transferred in the liquid state which ends up being closer to 99.999% purity (grade 5). That is good enough for spectroscopy, chromatography, cooling etc. So its quite likely that balloons are filled with 99.999% purity. It all depends on if the supplier for the shop invested in dilution equipment to reduce the higher purity helium to grade 4 or if they are just shipping grade 5 gas to the final customer.


Northern23

Oh, didn't expect balloon grade to be that high, I thought it was in the 95%


KingGatrie

I was honestly surprised too. I have worked with equipment that uses liquid helium as a coolant and never realized it was basically the same as balloon helium. You could probably use lower purities but it seems like the extra effort to dilute it would cost more than just using higher purity.


Pyrhan

I've been trying to wean my labs off helium (we mainly use it for gas chromatography) by switching to hydrogen.  It's harder than I thought...


dlanod

That's an explosive call.


Pyrhan

Eh, as long as you have proper ventilation and monitoring, shutoff valves, and make sure the tubing is all stainless steel, it's not nearly as hazardous as people think.


User-NetOfInter

“And monitoring” is usually what does people in. Or the monitoring of the maintenance of the above.


Rich_Bluejay3020

My idiot self only got to the parenthesis before I started picturing Labrador retrievers with high pitched barks 🤦🏻‍♀️


ZealousidealEntry870

I thought the helium used for balloons was unusable for the scientific applications.


KennstduIngo

Not directly, it isn't but I think any source of helium probably needs additional purification before it can be used for those applications anyways.


ShadowShot05

Until we get fusion up and running. You know whenever that is...


GravitasIsOverrated

To my understanding, I think this is a bit overstated. Helium is produced in the earth via radioactive decay. As you mentioned, our current supply largely comes from natural gas wells. Today, drillers won’t tap a well if there’s too much helium in it, and most wells aren’t set up for helium capture anyways. So the moment there’s enough of a shortage that we really need helium we’ll start adding helium capture systems on wells or tap some high-helium wells. There’s lots of supply in the earth still, especially relative to essential demand. 


swan_song_bitches

Is the method of littering woke or is banning it woke? He must have struggled greatly with this decision.


firedmyass

he prayed on it and the truth was sorely revealed he just misunderstood it and accidentally did something rational


rsnbaseball

Good lord I hate when i agree with someone like him.


Hvarfa-Bragi

"Governor performs minor formality related to job" It's only really notable when governors veto something.


InterestingContest27

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Banning a littering event can't be wrong - especially with that much ocean around.


ForceOfAHorse

What's oniony about that? It's a very good idea. What kind of nonsense is to throw trash to be taken by the wind for fun?


chain_letter

at least paper lanterns are only degradable paper and wax, and a fire hazard in dry areas


AntiDECA

Don't they have metal support rods? 


chain_letter

seems like some do. hopefully using very rustable iron that will turn into dirt after a year or two in the elements. plastic and latex is forever, clogging up storm drains and washing up on shores


[deleted]

It’s oniony because it’s DeSantis


hellfootgate

So if they say 'whoops' when releasing them it's fine?


[deleted]

[удалено]


2ndprize

the goofy thing about this bill is that it has language saying it doesn't apply to people age 6 or under. So if you are 7, totally fucked but your 5 year old little sister can reenact the movie UP if she wants. I can also see shitty tiktokers having little kids do this just to try to skirt the law.


Not_ur_gilf

I think that is to protect the dumb kids who let go of balloons by accident due to their brains lacking object permanence


2ndprize

I just thought 6 was a wierd age to use in a law.


Rich-Pomegranate1679

Ah ha! Everybody in this thread was baffled why DeSantis would pass a bill that seems like it's a great idea for everyone... The catch was that he wanted to use it to put seven year olds in jail! /s (but...he really might actually want to do that, so maybe not /s ??)


WendigoCrossing

Surprised this wasn't already illegal, wouldn't it be covered under littering?


andygchicago

In Chicago there's this new trend for murder victims where they do a [balloon release at the end of the memorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62kMYV8XgEY). Dozens of mylar balloons are released, people cheer loudly and news crews film it. I find it incredibly tacky weird.


RaphaelBuzzard

What happened to shooting into the sky?


FauxReal

This is NOT Oniony. It's actually a good move from DeSantis for once, some but not all issues are... Animals sometimes choke on them, sometimes they cause powerline shorts/fires, it's litter, and it's also a waste of helium, a non-renewable resource. here's an extreme version of what can happen. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloonfest\_%2786](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloonfest_%2786)


brickyardjimmy

The first sensible piece of legislation to emerge from the skeeter swamp.


AntiDECA

DeSantis has actually been one of the kinder governors in recent memory to the environment. Hate him in every other regard, but he's generally better about protecting our environment than dick Scott, Charlie, and Bush were. 


Key_Lime_Die

DeSantis is going woke!


Sir_Jax

Holy shit! The dude did something we can all get totally on board with!


theboyqueen

Not sure why Florida is leading the way here but this should be the law everywhere.


joshhupp

While I agree with the sentiment, why does this feel like a direct attack on Disney World?


pichael289

Because he opposes most all environmental regulations as a way of showing how Republican he is. So this just seems like he has some alternate motive


[deleted]

[удалено]


uncutpizza

I can imagine them wondering around Disney World everyday and writing down as many fines as they can come up with


Captain_Comic

I mean, I can kinda get behind this one - can we ban gender reveals next?


Explorer_of__History

I don't usually find myself agreeing with DeSantis, but I agree with him on this. Released ballons end up popping in mid-air and the debris create litter on which animals can choke.


NJ_Legion_Iced_Tea

$150 fine? Sounds like a $150 permit to someone who doesn't care.


deadone65

This is a good thing because balloons kill wildlife and pollute. But fuck desantis.


bdplayer81

This is pretty woke for him.


Stormdancer

Woah, weird! I actually agree with something that jackass supports?! I need to check my medications.


radio9989

I can’t believe Desantis would take away my freedom! What kind of crap is this? I better still be able to fire semi-automatic weapons into the air on religious holidays!


DisturbingPragmatic

[This is the state where a sheriff had to warn residents not to shoot their guns at a hurricane, after all...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/09/10/florida-sheriffs-office-warns-people-not-shoot-hurricane-irma/650909001/)


Fetlocks_Glistening

Wait, I'm *not* supposed to do that??


bigsoftee84

No, it only enrages it further.


cfgy78mk

that just means you failed the DPS check


BiggusDickus-

I suppose it's fine as long as you're firing that gun at balloons


spesimen

i'm genuinely surprised this wasn't a law banning local ordinances that ban ballon releases


iamtehryan

Well, hell officially has frozen over. Desantis did something I actually agree with.


AvleeWhee

Heartbreaking: the worst person you know makes a great point


Prudent-Ad8005

The only good thing he’s ever done


aryukittenme

But I thought helping the environment was woke??? /s


buncle

I’m actually shocked he didn’t just ban balloons that aren’t red, white or blue.


LexLuthorJr

I’m from Cleveland, so I totally get it.


Vegabern

Still too soon?


Darigaazrgb

He probably thought it was some anti-LGBTQ thing


HarryStraddler

Did he get confused and think releasing balloons is good for the environment or something?


NN11ght

This is like one of those comic scoreboards where there is now 1 point on the good side of the scoreboard


VitaminDprived

Stopped clock, twice a day, etc. etc.


HALLOWEENYmeany

What , desantis made and passed a good bill?


Jedi_Ninja

Wait, does he know he just signed an environmentally based law?


ExperienceDaveness

There's finally one issue I agree with him on.


ptraugot

He must have misunderstood the wording in the law, because that one actually makes sense.


Hirokage

Good law, and I'm not sure, but I imagine it was made for the wrong reasons. Celebration?! No! Something like that.


IndigoRuby

Probably to spite Pride events. But a broken clock is right once in a while too. Releasing balloons is just festive litter.


RotisserieChicken007

Proves that a broken clock can be right occasionally. He probably doesn't even realize he's pushing the green agenda here. Great.


Casul_Tryhard

I'm actually pretty okay with this.


Sarasota_Guy

So was it balloons causing my FL homeowners insurance to sky rocket, Ron?


restore_democracy

Depends, was it a helium-filled policy?


a2089jha

Finally, somebody is doing something about the scourge of gender reveals!


YesterdayFew3769

What a woke bitch


karma-armageddon

The bill also says you can't throw your tobacco product on the ground (cigarette butt litter) Also kids six years of age and younger are not penalized because it takes more work to make them work. So they will be able to sentence 7 year olds to litter pickup duty in the road right of way.


CameoAmalthea

This is good because pollution is bad, this is bad because gender reveal parties that don’t use balloons usually involve doing something much worse.


kuchikirukia1

I thought this was AMERICA! Damn Big Government East Coast Liberal Elite fascists violatin' muh FREEDOM OF SPEECH!


SnarkSnarkington

Strange that it doesn't mention that we only have a finite supply of helium. So, ocean pollution was the first time - and preserving helium was the second time he was right . Twice a day, on the rest of his days, he probably is right about what pudding cups taste best.


Big_lt

How does one quantify intentionally? It's purely subjective unless the person keeps doing it in front of you or admits.


Im_with_stooopid

Now how is Matt Gaetz suppose to carry around his coke?


mustangnick88

Even a broken clock is correct twice a day. Lol


Investigator516

The ONE THING I can agree on. These balloons kill all kinds of wildlife and water dwellers.


TheB1GLebowski

Great job.....reads article again, Florida!   Didn't have that on my "shit I didn't think I would say this year" BINGO card. 


SpiritualAd8998

No 99 Luft Balloons?


KaiYoDei

Something good for once


Historical_Hysterics

This is something everyone in FL wants. The balloon releases are heavily documented to kill hundreds of birds and sea animals. The bill has been a long time coming. 


HonkedOffJohn

Ok but how are you gonna enforce this?


Yikert13

For once I agree with the clown. Good move Ron.


Shankar_0

Some enlightened soul must have told him that democrats love balloons


x372

I hope this doesn't go on my permanent record but.. good job DeSantis


Jump_Like_A_Willys

This is a good thing.


PhtevenSaid

So he did something good for once.


[deleted]

This is actually a good bill! Are you SURE it was DeSantis?


fighter_pil0t

You would be surprised the amount of jet fuel that gets wasted chasing Mylar balloons.


CaptCaCa

I aint mad at this, but fuck DeKlantis either way


Syltraul

Age 6 and under are exempt. I’d like to see a cop go after a 7-year-old


visioninstrumental

Finally, the bastard did something actually good!


EvLokadottr

This is the first time I have ever seen him do something good and beneficial. Ever.


Zer0sober

Things DeSantis has done - Good - 1 Evil - 942


Serapisdeath

He did something… right? Huh.


T-RexLovesCookies

I think this is the first thing he has done that I agree with. I don't think it belongs on this sub.


torero15

Wow Florida leading the way on something good. Weird. Is this because some liberal group released balloons that landed on his mansion? The why to this is the interesting part to me.


Darklord_Bravo

He's still a piece of shit.


1975hh3

While I agree with this….Fuck this dude.


Pilsner33

Rare W from Florida Man. Plastic is extincting our entire fucking planet. Should have been banned 30 years ago


mtheory007

Broken clock I guess.


jturner1982

Wait!?! How will they do gender reveals!?


rjdevereux

A lot of commenters here probably don't realize the EPA was started by Nixon.


Awkward-Train1584

So this has been something we have been trying to enforce under littering, but this just makes it more cut and dried, gender reveals aren’t even the big one, it’s actually all the remembrance/vigils I dunno what you call them, they release balloons and sometime place those paper lanterns in the water or release some in the air.


zahnsaw

But but but mah freedums!!!!!


nukidot

It's about time someone did this.


nimajnebmai

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.


Kind_Bullfrog_4073

How do you prove it's intentional?


Awkward-Friend-7233

There was that crazy incident where they released a bunch of balloons and it was disastrous.


ronomaly

Given the media’s typical coverage of DiSantis, there’s probably more to the story.


CaptainZ42062

His first correct decision.


facinationstreet

One thing I can support that he has ever done. They end up in the ocean.


piceathespruce

This is a completely reasonable rule, especially in a coastal state.


Nabrok_Necropants

Florida UFO sightings drop to all time low


DauOfFlyingTiger

Only good thing I have seen him do.


rjross0623

Ron DeSantis, like Greg Abbott, is still a little piss baby. I do agree with this law, though. Save the manatees!


DrMikeH49

A Republican did something to impinge on people’s freedom— because it will protect the environment??? When are they going to revoke his GOP card?


KakaakoKid

The bill was intended to ban the release of baboons, but no one in the governor's office knew how to spell "baboon." /s


UsefulImpact6793

Holy shit Desantis actually did something right for once.


RaphaelBuzzard

This has to be some kind of attack on NOAA right? Did weather go woke?


Lokarin

headline sounds like one of those fake fluff stories that would ticker by in SimCity 2000


C_IsForCookie

Great news! …and there’s nothing oniony about it…


edvanhal

He got something right


tmwwmgkbh

Because Florida has solved all of its other problems and this was the only one left to be dealt with…


1983Targa911

This has to be fake news! DeSantan would never intentionally do anything that was good for the environment. He probably didn’t sign it for environmental reasons, he just wanted to take some fun out of children’s birthday parties.


Wazootyman13

Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made A Great Point


GBinAZ

I do support this.


thevelourf0gg

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.


[deleted]

DeSantis actually passing a sensible law? My brain believes it, but my heart is SKEPTICAL 😂😂