Comments on: CPSIA chronicles, March 4

By: NPR on CPSIA: “Public Concern, Not Science, Prompts Plastics Ban”

NPR on CPSIA: “Public Concern, Not Science, Prompts Plastics Ban” — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:47:42 +0000

[…] and child care items, costing business billions in inventory and other losses; 2) vast numbers of vintage dolls, board games and other existing playthings are noncompliant, which means they cannot legally be […]

By: Barb

Barb — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:10:04 +0000

Is it true that Montpelier, Vermont "voted a Barbie ban"? The 1997 Salon article you linked to (Barbie banned in Vermont) actually just says that Barbie is unpopular with parents in Montpelier and that the one toy store in town chooses not to stock it. Nothing about a legal ban. Nothing about votes. Is there a better source for this? A google search for "montpelier barbie -eldridge" turned up nothing but references to the Salon article.

By: Proposing new laws to “start a dialogue”?

Proposing new laws to “start a dialogue”? — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:51:41 +0000

[…] oath of office, says Ken of Popehat. More on the West Virginia lawmaker’s proposed Barbie ban here and from Scott […]

By: Lora

Lora — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:06:03 +0000

Why all the kicking and screaming over “tests” and “certificates” ?

Everything should be TESTED and CERTIFIED!!!
Just because you “honest” business people tell me it’s cotton — how can I know for sure? It’s not that I am stupid and mistrusting and gullible – I simply need data and documents approved by my faithful Government (that’s where I put all my trust and my money in the form of taxes – and a lot of it, too).

How can I be sure paper is really PAPER?
An apple really an APPLE?

I am all for being afraid of everything – we have every reason to be!

For all I know, I may not be sitting in this “chair” right now, in front of a “computer”. Neither my chair nor my computer have been certified by my Government ensuring me that they really are what they claim to be!

Oh dear! I am lost now. How will I ever be safe?

I do hope that this gets resolved so that only Government manufactured products (or at least Govt. approved manufacturers, like the Federal Reserve (they make such pretty money) will be on the market and then distributed in rations, as they should have been all along!

Let’s band together to make us even safer by adding more regulations! There are just too many dangers out there to not take this seriously.”

By: S. Walter

S. Walter — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:35:07 +0000

I’m involved with several service and charitable organizations in Maui. Sadly, “rummage” sales have always been a large part of fundraising efforts…which now must be reconsidered and perhaps abandoned. The impact will be much greater than the average citizen realizes, I believe, especially in a tourist based economy. Why?? Think about these issues:

In Maui, there are companies which rent toys, beach items, strollers, etc. to tourists. If I’ve read the Act and the excellent material provided here correctly, those companies are certainly under the umbrella. Further, one must wonder about privately owned condominiums which are rented. Does the Act apply to the toys, ballpoint pens, books, etc. which are in the unit? Could a guest sue the condo owner and/or the management company for not providing items which comply? Just some ramblings from Paradise….

By: DeputyHeadmistress

DeputyHeadmistress — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:59:49 +0000

Towards the melting of Waxman’s heart, maybe somebody should throw water on Waxman.

By: Tristan Benz

Tristan Benz — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:02:00 +0000

I can tell you, while I’ve got a home page that is basically a HUGE STOP SIGN to my potential customers (even including a note warning them of the email they WILL receive), I’ve had a few customers respond to my “double check” on their intended use saying, “gee, I must not have see it” and “yes, it was for a child so please cancel.” I can’t say it’s not without the thought in the back of my mind that these folks are a “set up” – sorry to disappoint, if so – it may be I’m one of the last of a dying breed, but I do, in fact, practice what I preach and maintain my integrity. So, whatever.

But I can see how this camel’s nose under the tent will one day have us all sleeping with either one hump or two on our heads…it’s a slippery slope! Thanks for covering the “secret shopper” component – another great way for the government to generate jobs (since they’re cutting so many with CPSIA in effect)?!

FYI, if other citizens, parents, businesses, etc. feel they’d like to become an activist, they are more than welcome to stop by my blog and use the image I created today – to show solidarity for this movement to take on Waxman and OUR public servants and ensure our laws are born of our will. http://www.tristansepinion.blogspot.com/ (note, it’s not a website for wet noodles – it’s for people who really want to put their money where their mouth is – er, what’s LEFT of their money that is! :-).

Thanks again – I’m going to notify folks about this post because it has more “it’s too bizarre to be believed” content. Sadly, I fear I’m growing numb…but remaining vigilant!

Warm Regards,
Tristan Benz
Maiden America

By: Walter Olson

Walter Olson — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:12:14 +0000

Whoops, no, I wasn’t joking, I just didn’t enter the link properly. It’s a real program. Link works now.

By: Happymom4

Happymom4 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:59:33 +0000

And if you’re wondering about the CPSC “Internet surveillance project”, in which agents of the commission pose as consumers in order to trap detect persons selling forbidden goods on eBay or Craiglist, you can find out more about that here.

You are joking, right?? The link is “dead” for all practical purposes, but maybe that is the point?!

And I love your Henry Waxman’s joke about his heart melting! Great use of English–much needed humor in these dark times!