The fact that electricity bills (here) are something like 1/10th of the
oil bill needed to heat the place, shows that bulbs are not the biggest
source of carbon dioxide pollution in the average house. The fact that the
CFL's cost about ten times what the ordinary bulb does indicates SOMETHING
about its energy of manufacture, too.

I can assue you that you don't have the average house.

Energy of manufacture of bulbs is tiny compared with the energy they emit
during their lifetimes, but you are right to indicate that this should
always be included in any comparison. Although not affecting the bottom line
in bulb comparisons, they because very significant in comparing electric and
hybrid cars, which do not cut the mustard, IMO.

Christian.