When HPS lamps cycle, some people think they are telekinetically causing it to happen.

I think that instead of MV being banned it should be HPS

from a distance looks like a tree is on fire at night

Causing MVs to lose to the ridiculous ban. Not to mention it again, horrible CRI and tree killers.

If you spend enough time under HPS light, it will "feel" normal. Then, incandescent and fluorescent lights will seem very off-color. So will natural daylight. 
I'm not an HPS hater though...the lamps DO have their uses, and the golden-white color they produce makes a nice accent light and reminds me of a sunset.

They cut through well in snow and fog.

Efficient light source for greeenhouses to supplement natural daylight and extend  daylength in winter.

Lights reliably in extreme cold weather

although efficent in raw lumens,the spectrum provides poor vision.