(February 15, 2021 at 8:24 pm)brewer Wrote:(February 15, 2021 at 7:31 pm)Brian37 Wrote: I get being angry at the GOP, but some things are simply to damned absurd to me to get angry at. Lots of reasons to hate the GOP for sure.
But just today on Twitter someone started a thread and posted video of a congress person taking a drink coaster off a chamber desk, implying it was theft. If someone wants to argue it is, I'll be happy to read and consider. But I'd argue it is no different than congressional pens. Both parties take them to keep as a momento and keep them or hand them out. Just like when one, for example goes into a NAPPA or car insurance company and take a pen, they let you because it is a form of advertisement for them.
The only real argument one could make is cost of having to replace them. That would be a better argument. And whatever cost to replace that congressional coaster pales in comparison to the tax breaks billionaires get that adds to long term debt and the money we spend on the military weapons industry, in any case.
Long ago, back when Bush Sr was President, my mother waited in line for a WH tour, she didn't meet him, but it was shortly after one Christmas, and after the tree was taken down, they handed out the decorations to those at that tour that day. I think this is more along the lines of why that particular Congress person took it. But if anyone thinks Dems in congress don't take pens or coasters, I think that would be a mistake to assume.
Am I missing something here?
You're clearing your conscious for taking hotel ashtrays and towels?
I never did that. But back when I was a kid and teen, when airlines still had metal utensils my mom would swipe a spoon with the airline logo on it. I wish I had bothered to keep them. I had one from Islandic Loflander (SP) back in the early 70s when we flew to France.
But in the case of the Congressional Coasters or Congressional pens, those are taken and handed out all the time. I think in that case it is like when you go into a business with pens with the company name on them, and they let you take it. It is a form of advertising.
Again, one could argue that by having to constantly replace them, it adds to the cost for the complex. That would be a good argument not to do it. But again, I don't think either party thinks of it as "theft".
And I wouldn't limit hotels to ashtrays and towels. The soaps and shampoos the hotels expect people to take even if they don't use them during their stay.
The towels and ashtrays would be more akin to stealing Pelosi's lectern, and not the mere soap they expect you to take.
