Britain has barely finished shaking from the Great Earthquake Controversy of 2008 (was it Osama, was it ghosts, was it a conspiracy by government-funded scientists raise taxes?), but already a new story has soared to the top of some pages in a few of the papers. Yes, Marks and Spencers has started charging for carrier bags.

(All comments are real, and come from BBC's Have Your Say [1], and the Daily Mail website [2].)

On the face of it this shouldn't be a Big Deal because frankly, nobody has regularly bought groceries from Mark's and Spark's since the Thatcher era. However, it's opened up a debate in the supermarket industry with other chains lining up similar policies, and Gordon Brown (who?) talking about government regulation. So what do the great unwashed think about all this? Let's see a selection of reactions:

Failing to properly understand the concept of a financial incentive: "Why not give shoppers 1p for using their own bags - it will make them feel good"

Eagerness to escalate the war: "Well done the PM - leading the way in the fight against plastic!"

Idiotic right-wing paranoia (Part 1): "Forcing supermarkets to stop giving free bags is COMMUNISM. Remember they said ... its for our own good. NO ITS NOT. Its the same communist mentality to control other people's lives through all kinds of excuses."

Idiotic right-wing paranoia(Part 2): "The environmentalists are like watermelons -Green on the Outside and Red Inside." - Nice tribute to Dr. Joseph Obi with the capitalization there..

Seeking an international solution: "Good for Tesco. If people can't be bothered to dispose of these bags properly they should be sent on a boat to China."

Pointing out that millions died for our right to use plastic bags: "millions of lives were given over the last century for freedom which our new labour is taking away"

Complaining about the importance of a debate by ironically contributing to it: "Another smokescreen project by GB and his useless government to cover up the real issues concerning UK citizens such as war, pensions, inflation, crime etc etc need I go on?" - I'd rather you didn't.

Slight scariness: "We are just as awash with the devil plastic bags as Britain".

Failing to figure out a use for body parts: "Am I supposed to carry things in my bare hands?" - no, they're just for eating, typing and masturbation.

Looking at it from the nationalist perspective: "The system in the unoccupied part of Ireland works very well."

Winning the LayScience No Shit Sherlock Award: "This HYS seems to have been hijacked, yet again, by the terminally uneducated."

Being proud of hurting other people: "[I] burn them in my incinerator (stick your pollution !)."

(Incidentally, a previous quote from the same person says (in complete ignorance of any facts): "Her Majesty OWNS EVERY INCH of the UK (whether you have a mortgage or not) and you WILL do whatever the Queen wishes. People like you make me ill.")

Don't you just love democracy...

[1] BBC News
[2] The Daily Mail