The Off Topic Topic

[Barrister]

As I say I do think a lot of these types of regulation basically favour the big players who can afford legal advice on what to take a risk on and what not to.

Sure.  I remember when we hired a nanny.  I wanted to make sure we did everything by the book, so we registered a business number, withheld taxes, did up tax forms at the end of the year, all that sort of thing.

If we were a proper business employing even just a handful of employees all of that would be pretty standard, but it was kind of onerous on a family hiring just one person.  In a lot of ways it would've been easier just to pay her under the table, and I'm not sure how much the tax authorities would've even cared.

[The Brain]

For anyone who isn't an outlaw outfit it's not only about the threat but about not doing illegal things. You can't knowingly break the law.

Of course you can knowingly break the law.  People do it every day.  Anytime someone exceeds the posted speed limit you're breaking the law.  Every time you jaywalk you break the law.

I have never worked for an organization that considers it OK to break the law. But then I've never worked for the government.

[Barrister]

For anyone who isn't an outlaw outfit it's not only about the threat but about not doing illegal things. You can't knowingly break the law.

Of course you can knowingly break the law.  People do it every day.  Anytime someone exceeds the posted speed limit you're breaking the law.  Every time you jaywalk you break the law.

I have never worked for an organization that considers it OK to break the law. But then I've never worked for the government.

I can tell you in my job we have to ask both "does this break the law" but also "do we care if this breaks the law".

[The Brain]

For anyone who isn't an outlaw outfit it's not only about the threat but about not doing illegal things. You can't knowingly break the law.

Of course you can knowingly break the law.  People do it every day.  Anytime someone exceeds the posted speed limit you're breaking the law.  Every time you jaywalk you break the law.

I have never worked for an organization that considers it OK to break the law. But then I've never worked for the government.

I can tell you in my job we have to ask both "does this break the law" but also "do we care if this breaks the law".

Your organization considers itself to be above the law? Good to know.

[garbon]

For the record I have nothing to do with this London bike forum. Another forum just linked to their writeup amidst their panic.

It is an easy, palatable rant. But nevertheless still a rant when that individual actually has 250k users across all the sites they host.

[Josquius]

A big on-off paranoia of mine is about lead pipes and the kids getting brain damage due to it.
Replacing the lead pipes would apparently cost thousands upon thousands and I've been recommended a under the sink filter instead.
Apparently these are fairly common in NA. Anyone got one?

[HVC]

You can get a instant RO filter. Or if you want to go whole hog a whole under counter RODI with holding tank. They remived more TDS and impurities, But then you have maintain it or you get a hilding tank of bacteria. Not sure how bacteria grows in "clean" water, but i guess nature finds a way

Undercounter brita like carbon filters do nothing.

[Barrister]

A big on-off paranoia of mine is about lead pipes and the kids getting brain damage due to it.
Replacing the lead pipes would apparently cost thousands upon thousands and I've been recommended a under the sink filter instead.
Apparently these are fairly common in NA. Anyone got one?

Get your water tested.

Way back in university I had a summer job at a testing laboratory, and a big chunk of what we did was water testing (I mostly did arsenic testing).  It will 100% tell you the amount of lead in your water.  Your local government may well be able to do this for free, but otherwise the cost I seem to recall was reasonable.

If your water is fine then you have nothing more to worry about.

If your water isn't fine - well then at lest you know what you're dealing with.  There are options to try and purify water but they can either be expensive, or of questionable use.  I don't know that Brita filters "do nothing" but I don't know that they'd give you the peace of mind you're looking for.

[Grey Fox]

Around here, it's only the inlet valve that is lead for regular houses. Something that is not complicated to replace.

Our big problem is schools. It's costing millions retrofitting the pipes. My children schools have 2 pipe network, a drinkable water supply and the older full of lead, now only for washing, network.

[Barrister]

Honestly if lead was a concern I think it would be easier to just use bottled water.  That's what I used to use back when I relied on well water - the water was safe to drink but tasted terrible.

Is that "a thing" in the UK?  Having a big 5 gallon water jug in the kitchen (or wherever) for drinking?  The cost is again pretty modest.

[mongers]

A big on-off paranoia of mine is about lead pipes and the kids getting brain damage due to it.
Replacing the lead pipes would apparently cost thousands upon thousands and I've been recommended a under the sink filter instead.
Apparently these are fairly common in NA. Anyone got one?

Alternatively, just run off half a bowl of water it you haven't used the tap in the previous 30-60 mins, before using as drinking water; that's what the local water company recommends here.

Also your water company will allow you to send water for lead testing, but you'll likely have to pat for it.

[garbon]

Honestly if lead was a concern I think it would be easier to just use bottled water.  That's what I used to use back when I relied on well water - the water was safe to drink but tasted terrible.

Is that "a thing" in the UK?  Having a big 5 gallon water jug in the kitchen (or wherever) for drinking?  The cost is again pretty modest.

In my neighborhood it is very common among African immigrants.

[Barrister]

Also your water company will allow you to send water for lead testing, but you'll likely have to pat for it.

I'm repeating myself, but if Jos is "paranoid" about lead in his water this is absolutely essential.

[Tamas]

Ok after years, finally something funny in the random crap Facebook shows me:

[mongers]

Ok after years, finally something funny in the random crap Facebook shows me:

That from the country that allows mineral oil as a food additive.