Staples Harm Living Trees

(Brighton, England) This is an example of the irrational eco-friendly mindset that is infesting societies worldwide.

After losing two of his prized paintings, Anton Cataldo decided to make a direct appeal to the public.

The 28-year-old artist, who specialises in pet portraits, made posters of his missing paintings and pinned them to half a dozen trees in his local park.

He included his phone number and email address as well as the offer of a £100 reward for their safe return.

However, the city council was not pleased and informed Mr. Cataldo that he is being fined £75 for harming the 'living' trees.

'Some of these posters had been stapled to trees. You appear to have little understanding that trees are living things.

'Wounding the bark of a tree in any way can lead to attack by airborne fungal spores which, in the worst-case scenario, could lead to the loss of the tree.'

The email, from a Brighton and Hove City Council enforcement officer, went on to inform Mr Cataldo that while several of his posters had already been taken down by the council, he should make every effort to remove the rest himself.

Heh. This is what happens when a bureaucracy and environmentalism join together. Effectively, you get a partnership of people with fountain pens trying to save the planet and having the authority to use it as a hammer over the citizenry.

It's somewhat similar to a same-sex relationship. Sure, they have a great time but, at the end of the day, nothing good is conceived or produced.

Fortunately, wisdom won out in Mr. Cataldo's case and his fine was canceled. A spokesman for the council said the enforcement officer was overzealous.