Popcorn Ban: Strange But True!

Some cities have tried to implement bans on everything from smoking - to cell phone use - to public displays of affection. But in a highly unusual move, the city of Seattle is picking a fight with one of Americas favorite snacks: microwave popcorn. At Seattle City Hall, there are rules: no weapons, no animals, no loitering, no alcohol, no lying down, no smoking, no music, no fighting, no trespassing. Could the next thing prohibited be microwave popcorn? "It can be a significant problem in the future," says Pedro Vasquez, Seattles Facilities Director. The City Facilities Department has just issued a memo to all city employees, informing them of a possible ban on microwave popcorn, stating: "The Justice Center has been evacuated eight times in three years, forcing evacuation of more than 400 people. If the problem continues, it will result in a ban of all microwave popcorn." As for what happens to an employee who doesnt follow the ban, Vasquez says hes not sure of any punishment, but the city is continuing to look into it. The biggest offenders are at the Justice Center, but overheated popcorn has also forced evacuations at the Municipal Tower. Its true, popcorn is not the easiest thing to cook. Who knows if its really two, two-and-a-half or three minutes? An unsupervised bag can destroy productivity for all your co-workers, but just the mention of a possible ban at city offices has employees talking. "Perhaps what would happen is thered be an underground market for microwave popcorn, people would sneak the microwaves into their offices, theyd do illicit popping," says Seattle City Council Staff Employee Frank Video. The city just wants employees to follow this simple rule: listen to the pop, to know when to stop.