Yesterday, while the more sane among you were live-tweeting The Bachelor (or live-tweeting NHL players’ live-tweeting it), hugging your families, making not very good pasta sauce or working, the Park Slope Food Co-op debated whether or not they would stop giving out free plastic produce bags. Slate’s Miriam Krule is a member, and being a journalist, decided to do some citizen journalism by live-tweeting the entire meeting. Krule’s tweets are the final chapter in the story of the last famous blow by blow account of a PSFC meeting, that also happened to be about plastic bags.
Who’s ready for a #coopbagmeeting? pic.twitter.com/x7Hf8m5RV8
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 25, 2014
Trying to figure out if the Open Forum is the appropriate time for me to bring up the missing hyphen #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/Sri2wxvjsG
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 25, 2014
Co-op couple reading the literature #coopbagmeeting @ Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School http://t.co/oRi91tezHN
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 25, 2014
Favorite part of the #coopbagmeeting (so far) is how much we care abt plastic and how little we care… http://t.co/ild0ef7DVh
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 25, 2014
In case you were wondering, this graph is equally illegible in person #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/LmQW6mn9jc
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
We have a Glass user! #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/aXy5TLudBI
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
The Gazette photog & reporter are here. We’re supposed to tell them if we don’t want our photo taken when they try to do so #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
More than half the people here are first-timers. WELCOME! #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
And we’re off! First up: people talking about random YouTube videos on GMOs! #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Woman was told to be brief. Her response “I’ll be short!” Now on her third topic. Stale Brazil nuts. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Man after my own heart wonders why co-op doesn’t have free wi-fi. Met with applause. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
While we wait for the important stuff, we can enjoy the psychedelic screen saver #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/BpIOE5sIlP
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
We’ve been told to stop applauding. There was light clapping for news of new express checkout. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“People who get to the front of the line don’t remember how hard it was to wait.” #coopbagmeeting out of context
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
We’ve now been discussing how soon the checkout person should yell next for 10 minutes. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
The mic has developed a lovely staticky sound. Just warming up! #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Loan committee made one copy of a card they want the entire room to read. At least they’re saving paper? #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
I did not know that the co-op has a concert committee! #coopbagmeeting Third Friday of every month! Not free.
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Calm before storm. Ground rules involving lots of math and warning about the step at the end of the aisle. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Video time! With dramatic voice over! Scenic farm shots! “Every piece of plastic made today will exist forever” #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Plastic is dirty and causes fracking: things this video has claimed. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Proposers’ video is here, I think: http://t.co/aZI55jun9c
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
Proposal (the one printed out) is now being read aloud. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Wired mic being used instead of wireless. No more static! #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
First point of order! Not a clarifying question. Someone wanted more options available before vote. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Possibility of compostable bags has been brought up. Sounds like they’re too expensive? #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“Please don’t shout out so everyone can be part of the conversation” we’re trying to stay civilized #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
How are people going to be charged? Committee says not in their purview. Want general coordinators to figure out logistics. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“Where does the 20 cents go?” Back to the co-op. #coopbagmeeting suggestion is made to donate to environmental org
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Old man asks why paying 20 cents is more ecological (sic?) #coopbagmeeting timid applause (at least from the guy behind me)
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Response: members recommended charge over phase out #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Question of egress: how will checkout people know if bags are reused? Woman says she washes and they look like new #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Local carrots aren’t prebagged. Ones from California are bagged. Is this about antilocavore movement? (Audible gasps) #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Back to question of income inequality. Gentle reminder for people who can afford. Cruel tax for those who can’t. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Enviro committee member outlines costs, ends off by saying he doesn’t bag wet carrots. I think we have a #coopbagmeeting mascot.
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
For the record: the bag charge would not be able to be paid via EBT.
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
Told that this is the final line of questions (for now) guy quickly sneaks in #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/Ifx1RKcRso
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Down to one question per person #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“If this passes there’s still a lot of work to be done” environmental committee keeps dodging affordability question #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Repeating questions: people keep asking why proposal is not to get rid of bags altogether. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Someone is yelling out. Not time for debate yet, told to hold off on critique of clarifying questions. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Fracture in the anti-bag coalition beginning to appear. Some want a total ban, confused why proposers tacked to center. #teabagparty
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
Seatmate describing his ideal weekend at co-op bag workshops #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Man wants to know if co-op’s bag recycling program in the past was a sham. Video said they couldn’t be recycled #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Why 20 cents, member asks. Why not 5 cents? “20 dollars!” someone in the audience shouts.
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
EBT exemption suggested #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
At a certain point you can’t reuse bags (allergies, fall apart) turns into q abt … I’m not really sure. See-through bags? #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Suggestion to read basic proposal. I thought we read already? #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Yep. Second time we’re reading THE THING THAT IS ON FRONT OF ALL OF US #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/1Hdk5NQaoH
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
It’s been seconded. Debate time. #coopbagmeeting first ten people told to come down. Pro or con.
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Fan of idea doesn’t think it’s well thought out. Murmurs of agreement. Mostly about EBT. suggests lots of education & signs #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
We’re back to container idea that has been shot down because of weighing logistics. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
My favorite co-op formality is introducing yourself by what shift you’re on #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“They don’t care about you. This is about publicity.” #coopbagmeeting truther
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“This conversation has veered off into a weird place.” First thing everyone agrees on #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“I appreciate your thumbs down” #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“I’m a little disturbed by the video we saw” not bc of its contents, but bc no opposing presentation #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Lots of suggestions that won’t have desired effects suggested in video/we’re trying to achieve. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“At what point are we accepting amendments” #coopbagmeeting told anytime, needs to be seconded. But also we have 1,000 people to count.
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Already suggestion to postpone to 2015 #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Point of order. Question about time. Leader keeps saying 8, crowd yells 9. Asks “what year is this”? #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
First supporter to get loud applause argues that poor can incur cost, and that impact on peoples’ lives through climate change more dire.
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
“What we have here is a failure to communicate” this meeting could use some more Cool Hand Luke quotes #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“Many of my points have already been made” that usually means you don’t need to make them again #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
10 minutes left for debate #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Took woman 3 weeks to remember to bring bag. “I realigned my neurons” she knows it can be done #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Joe Holtz, eminence and founder of the coop, now at the mic. He’s on the coop’s Mt Rushmore.
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
Closer view of the ballot #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/NYpiZL3WjC
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Ballots now being passed out as Holtz says, “we don’t know how to implement this in a good way. I can give you an example of a bad way.”
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
Suggestion to start charging people to bring car to co-op (in jest) #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Yep, back to GMOs. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Moans from crowd about amendment process. Logistics for counting ballots etc. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
I voted #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/s0VSbrE3Mr
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Committee doesn’t want to amend. Now points of order to try and get around this. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
I might have misunderstood. General amendment confusion. No expedited form. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Procedural insurrection boiling! Enviro Committee wanted to amend, then retracted. Much confusion. In the meantime people have already voted
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
First reference to Bikram yoga! Still no SodaStream. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Suggestion that bag profits should go twd buying reusable bags for those who can’t afford #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Man suggests 20 cents should go toward coop loan fund. “So we can help other coops… and they can also enjoy this debate.”
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
Friend asked me to vote for him in absentia. I didn’t, but now realize I very easily could have. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Estimate that tally will arrive in 10 minutes. Someone begins playing jeopardy music on piano #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Told we can only get credit if you signed up by 5 #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Patiently waiting #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/QWeRfwWLHN
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
“We have to redo vote … No one used No. 2 pencils” gasps than laughter #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Finally! Someone suggests we recycle our 8,000 paper handouts. #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
263 in favor 354 against 5 unreadable votes. Does not pass! #coopbagmeeting
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
That does not mean it’s dead forever. Can come back in altered form, presumably with more thought out implementation.
— Chadwick Matlin (@ChadwickMatlin) February 26, 2014
And the worst part of #coopbagmeeting: signing out for credit pic.twitter.com/klqM4y01Cg
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
The Ks in front of me #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/h9PFTg9GpF
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Good night from No. 366 #coopbagmeeting pic.twitter.com/ZlLyofJQ1j
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Worst part about live tweeting #coopbagmeeting is going back and seeing all your typos
— Miriam Krule (@miriamkrule) February 26, 2014
Did you make it down here? Is anyone still reading? So anyway, equal parts ridiculous and hyper-earnest, but then no one ever said democracy was any fun. And least no one brought up Benghazi or their ideas for Star Wars Episode VII.
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Hilarious! So you go to a store using your eco-bag and bring home lots of food that’s packaged in plastic anyway!
Can we go back to normal mainstream religions like Christianity and Snake Handling for self-actualization and give the Environmentalist a rest? Praise be to Gaia!