ICYMI: Texas Doesn’t Need to Participate in Daylight Savings Time. Change My Mind.
There are some opinions that always seem to bring out the knives whenever they're discussed.
Politics. Sports. And Daylight Savings Time.
Yes, we've all heard the old line of bullcrap: "Spring forward. Fall back."
Twice a year, we go through a time-honored ritual of needing to reset the clocks on all of our non-internet connected devices, such as microwaves, VCRs (editor's note: OK, Grandpa!) and car stereos, all because of this fallacy that we really, seriously need more daylight in the afternoon during the summer so that (allegedly) farmers and ranchers can work later into the day.
Way.
Especially since we've just "sprung forward," the movement to do away with the concept of changing the clocks altogether and keeping Daylight Savings Time year-round has picked up steam, with Congress (and their 21 percent approval rating) siding with the idea.
In my opinion, those people who support the concept of full-time Daylight Savings Time are affectionately known as idiots. I'm not for changing the clocks or keeping year-round Daylight Savings Time. In fact, my idea is getting rid of the concept altogether. Set them back next fall and just keep it that way.
Here in West Texas, the concept of full-time Daylight Saving Time is a bit problematic, mostly due to geography.
We're really close to the edge of the Central Time Zone, which is pretty darned big. It's the same time here in Lubbock as it is in Pensacola, Florida, except for the fact that they are also 20 years behind us culturally. In contrast, El Paso is an hour behind us. In summer, the sun doesn't set in Lubbock until 9 p.m. It's also 7,000 degrees outside, so the idea of having more daylight for outdoor work is pointless.
The other issue is that in wintertime we're not going to see the sunrise in the LBK until nearly 9 a.m. That's just too depressing to think about...unless you were born in Alaska. In that case, welcome home, Nanook.
Personally, I have no problem with a 5:45 a.m. sunrise and 8 p.m. sunset in the summer. Get that work done early and stay out of the heat. Having the sun out at 9 p.m. does nothing for me since I have to get up early anyway to do a mediocre radio show.
Of course, our friends in New Mexico may not agree since they'd have a 4:45 a.m. sunrise and 7 p.m. sunset. But...screw New Mexico. It's their cross to bear for living there.
You can see our point, especially as it pertains to Lubbock and West Texas. Arizona has the right idea, as do some counties in Indiana. Daylight Savings Time needs to be retired and never spoken of again.
Now, how do I get my VCR to stop flashing "12:00"? More importantly, WHY DO I STILL HAVE A VCR???