Blown away

Three cheers for Newton, Mass.! It wants to ban those infernal leaf blowers that are the worst invention since the annoying “Baby on Board” placards.

An alderman in Newton wants to outlaw gas-powered leaf blowers. The electric version, which is quieter and less powerful, would still be allowed.

Don’t laugh; its been done or discussed in Los Angeles, Calif., Aspen, Colo., and many other places. Personally, I think it ought to be done everywhere.

As one Newton woman was quoted by the Boston Globe, “I hate them. They go all day long. It really spoils the neighborhood and the peace and quiet we used to have.”

She’s right, of course, but there’s a bigger drawback to leaf blowers. It’s one so basic that most people don’t understand — until they’re on the receiving end of the problem.

Simply put, where are the leaves, grass and debris supposed to be blown to? It’s going off of one piece of land, but where does it end up?

A neighbor’s yard, so it looks like hell? The street, where cars can scatter it even more? Down the sewer, so the gunk can clog up when it rains?

I can tell you this: Nobody blows that stuff from one side of their property to another. It’s headed out, and if it lands where it’s a problem for you, well, tough luck.

On top of everything is that noise. That’s just what our world needs — more decibels.

Leaf blowers are one of those ideas that sound good on paper but fail in the real world.

Rake it. Mulch it. Or leave it lie.

Just don’t blow it over your property line and think you’ve accomplished something.