why I am not always convinced living in EU makes sense

[Borek]

Children are to be banned from taking part in traditional Christmas games, from blowing up balloons to blowing on party whistles, because of new EU safety rules that have just entered into force.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8816601/Children-to-be-banned-from-blowing-up-balloons-under-EU-safety-rules.html

[D H]

And the odds of such an incident happening are ???

Up next: The barrel with a bung hole technique for raising children. At least they'll be safe.

[lisab]

Rules like this are rampant in the US, too.

I think overprotecting children creates adults who don't have a good idea of how to judge risk in general. This could mean that they overestimate their capabilities and take unwise risks, or they keep too far on the safe side and never take any risks.

Personally I think a society made of people who are afraid to take risks is a doomed society.

[russ_watters]

In the US, we just banned millions of a certain class of cribs because a small handfull of kids were killed by improperly maintained ones.... at $11 million per life saved if implementation takes 10 years.

[mheslep]

All because the Congress has the power To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes, at least according to the twisted notion put forth by FDR era courts.

[mheslep]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8816601/Children-to-be-banned-from-blowing-up-balloons-under-EU-safety-rules.htmlIn Europe the MEPs are not elected by the people? Is that correct?

[Borek]

Personally I think a society made of people who are afraid to take risks is a doomed society.

Makes me think about this discussion: http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=242698&page=5

[lisab]

Makes me think about this discussion: http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=242698&page=5

You have an encyclopedic knowledge of PF history :approve:!

[AlephZero]

In Europe the MEPs are not elected by the people? Is that correct?

That's not correct, but the European Parliament isn't where the power lies. That is in the European Council and the European Commission, whcih pretty much appoint themselves.

[DoggerDan]

And the odds of such an incident happening are ???

Up next: The barrel with a bung hole technique for raising children. At least they'll be safe.

Although a little smelly.

[shashankac655]

I think the question should be the other way :smile:

If the governments over there are able to pay so much attention to such silly things,that shows the level of development ,while some other countries are grappling poor education and child malnutrition.

[Borek]

that shows the level of development

of bureaucracy perhaps.

[DoggerDan]

Rules like this are rampant in the US, too.

I think overprotecting children creates adults who don't have a good idea of how to judge risk in general. This could mean that they overestimate their capabilities and take unwise risks, or they keep too far on the safe side and never take any risks.

My Mom and Dad let me skin my knees, and then some. It lead to a life of self-sufficiency and self-employment. After my years, I can't go down anymore, so I'm out of the diving business, but I can still consult.

Personally I think a society made of people who are afraid to take risks is a doomed society.[/QUOTE}

Life is a risk. You succeed, or you die. Hopefully, we'll help one another out in times of famine!

I'm not there yet, though!

[Borek]

Life is a risk. You succeed, or you die.

Actually, you die even if you succeed.

[DoggerDan]

Actually, you die even if you succeed.

True, but you're missing my point. :)

[shashankac655]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8816601/Children-to-be-banned-from-blowing-up-balloons-under-EU-safety-rules.html

look at the contrast (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/diwali-damper-hospitals-get-92-burn-eye-injury-cases/866304/)

[sfs01]

Would like to point out that this has little to do with the EU as such, but is the UK's overzealous interpretation of EU law. The UK, especially with health and safety regulations, are masters at coming up with bizarre rules and then blaming the bizarreness on EU rules although strangely no other European country interprets the rules that way.

[DoggerDan]

Rules like this are rampant in the US, too.

I think overprotecting children creates adults who don't have a good idea of how to judge risk in general. This could mean that they overestimate their capabilities and take unwise risks, or they keep too far on the safe side and never take any risks.

Personally I think a society made of people who are afraid to take risks is a doomed society.

Nicely said! It's sort of a death spiral, too, where the more "safety" rules are made, the more folks are afraid to step out, and when they grow up and are in charge, they make even more rules.

I grew up collecting snakes and other reptiles. Some were even poisonous! These days, there's probably some rule against doing that.