In a message dated 98-06-23 22:00:58 EDT, you write:

<< t's deja vu all over again... The recycled plastic 2 x 4's cost more than
 the wood, but are also more durable, never need painting, and are making
 productive use of waste that would otherwise endure millenia longer than we
 do in the landfills of America. Value judgements, please?
  >>
Assuming the plastic 2x4's aren't used in the restoration of the ranch. We
need to keep the correct historic thread in the fabric, otherwise future
dreckorians will be hopelessly lost.