Is this typical?

[Former_Member]

I just spoke to my child's school librarian. He had not heard of this CPSIA law!
It seems that I have yet to talk to anyone who knows about this (except the town librarian.)

[Former_Member]

totally typical. send him the link to the ALA'a info

[Former_Member]

I told him about the ALA info. I'll see him next week, I'm sure he'll be on it, he's very proactive.

[GulfCoastCottagePDF]

My Hubby asked the local librarian (children's section) about it this week. She never heard of it!

[Former_Member]

I talked to the director of our local public libraries a couple of days ago, and she was very concerned. She was hanging her hopes on meetings between the ALA and the CPSC, but said her understanding was that as the law stands, on Feb. 10, they will have to either remove all childrens books from the libraries or ban children under the age of 13. I talked to the manager of a craft mall that sells lots of handmade items, many of them for children, and she had never heard of this new law.

[Former_Member]

Well, I guess the CPSC will be having a field day soon.
That is if they have enough book/toy "police."

[Former_Member]

I also talked to local toy store owner. He didn't seem concerned, he thinks the resposibility rests on the suppliers. I'm not sure he realizes he can't sell untested toys.

[Former_Member]

Ah but don't you see,

they'll enforce via the 'snitch on your neighbor' policy, with rewards of course.

Serious, there are some blogs posting on this, the CPSA I believe, or the CPSIA, one of the two, has set up an 'informant' hotline,

gee, how nice, suppose its cheaper and more environmentally friendly than burning Books in the street, a.k.a. Third Reich style.

Today its possible lead contaminated books [what I read today, its all metal parts/including staples, any plastic covers, inks, etc and they aren't budging, like fabric/toys its somewhat vague on parts].

Tomorrow, its 'what you read', be careful,

someone may be watching.

In case some think this is not relevant, let me share something,

Russian Literature, about Children's books, toys, items, been thinking about this short story [which was true] a lot these past few days,

"Kolyma Tales-A Child's Drawings" by Varlam Shalamov [witness to the Eye of a huge star's Still tightening vice., {Akhmatova}**]

"the child's notebook--It was an ordinary child's drawing book. Its pages were all carefully and diligently colored, and I began turning the bright cold naive pages, grown brittle in the frost. I also used to draw once upon a time, sitting next to the kerosene lamp on the dinner table. A dead hero of a fairy tale would come alive at the touch of the magic brush, as if it contained the water of life."...

"The more I strained to recall my childhood, the more clearly I realized that it would not repeat itself and I would not encounter even a shade of it in the drawing book of another child."...

"The child saw nothing, remembered nothing but the yellow houses, barbed wire, guard towers, German shepherds, guards with submachine guns, and a blue, blue sky. My companion glanced at the notebook and rubbed a sheet between his fingers."

"Find some newspaper if you want to smoke." He tore the notebook from my hands, crumpled it, and threw it onto the garbage pile. Frost began to form on the notebook....

(1980)

** From Anna Akhamatova's "Requiem" , 'Prologue" 5

....Censers ringing, tracks from a far
Settlement to nowhere's ice.
And everywhere the glad
Eye of a huge star's
Still tightening vice.

[Former_Member]

Told the librarians across the street about the action alert on the ALA page and today , when I donated 4 ,gently used children's books they assured me that they were working on it.

[Former_Member]

Well, I hope they amend/hell, repeal this law, but if they don't,

guess that ole black market underground of books will be a calling, I can see it now,

smuggling pages, secret meetings in back alleys, hiding Narnia or Treasure Island pages in my back pocket,

sssshhhhhh

[Former_Member]

Yes, it is typical. Few libraries and schools are aware of CPSIA. Few people in general are aware of CPSIA. Most people call me crazy when I try to tell them about it.

National Children's Book Burning Day is still February 9. 2009!

[Former_Member]

What is so infuriating here is now we have librarians and writers/publishers scared sh**less that they will be Fined and JAILED for even Donating a book,

THAT IS CENSORSHIP, no ands ifs ors butts about it,

it is flat out Government control over Intellectual Freedom.

and over the minds of our children,

to me, this is far more serious than the clothes/garments, in exactly what it entails as far as government encroaching and taking away our freedoms and if people don't think government putting you in Prison for

a book, they obviously have not a clue. This is America,

and we have a Law on the books that says any book not tested [including ones that the publisher/author is long dead] even donated/given away to be read,

is punishable by prison. They mean truly, Gulag.

And what do you bet, today its the library, tomorrow its American KGB coming into your home demanding to see if you are poisoning your children with books in your home. Don't think it can't happen,

well, remember, five years ago, we didn't think a law like this would ever happen either.

janedoethreads

[Former_Member]

"Yo... you got any Berenstain Bears in there...?
I'll pay big for it..."

[fabricfanatic007]

I was at both TJ Maxx and Homegoods today and I asked both store managers if they were "doing away with" their baby/kids departments because of the new law. They looked at me VERY confused and asked if I knew something they didn't know?! I thought... "Whoa!"

[Former_Member]

Today my husband called the organization that we donate bags of items to each year and asked if they were still accepting children's items.
They said at this time they are waiting and watching to see what happens with this law and that they are telling all potential donors that children's items may not be acceptable as donations.

[Former_Member]

Few people in general are aware of CPSIA. Most people call me crazy when I try to tell them about it.

-----------
I get lots of "she's lost it" looks when I start talking about it...

[ShannynsSheShed]

Janedoethreads, I agree. Even grouchy Etsians will be snitching on other Etsians. The "cannots" and "have nots" bring out the worst in people.

I have no problem shutting down my store - I make my things with gift-giving and my own children wearing the items if I can never sell them - or donate, whatever, but I feel bad for Etsy who built this marketplace for us. They will take a bigger hit than any of us will ever feel, and they are not big business either.

[Former_Member]

Ditto, hear you on that one sassygraceboutique,

my husband and I were talking about this, this morning...as we often do [both of us met years ago in college/non-traditional students/single parents studying politics/international policy], and we've been having the debates for about ten years now. from literature to philosophy to Marxism to Keynes, etc.

anyway, exactly, the division of labor BUT, here's where the Cottage Industry is both free market but also communal and Why it is so powerful, in making Real Change, from the Bottom up, rather than the Top down and Why,

it is such a threat, to Both POWER hegemonies of either unbridled capitalism or the boot foot of socialism/communism,

and why to, because the industry is a threat to Both, when under attack as it is now, it is extremely difficult to form solidarity enough to Gain support from the overall public, because the way labor works in the public, etc., meaning public economy.

And that is what we are seeing here, not only that, but because the cottage industry is what you could call the Underground economy to a large extent, its very easy for the Power mongers of those who control 'markets' to swoop in either with legislation or in some countries, police terror, and wipe them out.

Put it this way, the cottage industry is in a lot of ways like the intellectual and creative segment that is also just as much a threat to power. This is why, in every despotic revolution the intellectuals are the ones they target first, get rid of them, get rid of any diverse community and Especially get rid of any type of independent communal OR individual type of economy that is monumental and that works.

And in the cottage industry you have Both self-interest driven [which isn't all bad] and communal driven [which isn't all bad] and so when they rise up to fight to save their economy, there is a split. [it many ways its the same way with feminism]

So what happens, well, as I saw on one site yesterday, a protest march with a huge banner saying, "Capitalism Rocks", and I couldn't help shake my head,

because it was capitalism that is in conflict with the cottage industry, Just as much as socialism/communism [the latter EVEN more so], and by that I mean the monopoly that results in capitalism [corporatism]. Not so much talking free market here and we haven't had a true free market since, when, Caesar? LOL,

but, I find it ironic that corporatism and socialism, have more in common than they do apart. Both are at odds with the Cottage Industry, small business, crafts people and artisans Especially. We flourish in a free market sure, enough to sustain, maybe grow UNTIL we become incorporated [then out goes the soul of artisan in that process],

and in socialism/communism [and let me emphasis, what we know as socialism/communism is extremely distorted and vanguardish--dictatorial and down right Feudalism with a gun, to put it lightly or serfdom, either way, its NEVER been the People owning squat, why its so deplorable and the most clever LIE there has been to lure the poor/working poor into its snare. Thank Lenin for that one, even worse now with the new influences since 50s, merged today with the worst form of fascist nationalism].

I include that because there is So much ignorance really, on what those theories are on both sides of the fence to no fault of their own, just what has been spewed propaganda wise on both sides.

anyway, POINT of this all being, here we have the Cottage Industry, the majority of the spirit behind it at conflict with Both economic systems, so when they [we] try to get public support, we find that two things,

one side, sees us as part of the echalon that drives the majority into low wage labor due to how the market works [corporatism] and if you want, throw in the racial stratifications 9sic0 in there with the class division, we are seen as the privileged.

On the other side, we are seen as a part of the radical who contribute to the ideas of economy of communalism because we are OUTSIDE the box, so to speak. We are harder to regulate and to control,

we are what I would say, the peculiar lot. We have strength in numbers, yes, we have strength in that we, our type of economy/work is due to the content, a thorn in the side, you could say to the overall controls of market/or Aims of market...especially when you get into the macro side of things,

we are a threat to the mechanism. Especially women, Native cultures or Ingenious cultures who, btw, are the birth of our type of economy, [and why even in the most anti-corporatist revolution these groups are the first to be thrown under the bus and destroyed, same with women's rights, good case in point, Venezuela, both segments fought for Chavez's policies, and then Both, were not only thrown under the bus but they are now considered the 'class enemy' or 'friends of the west because of the Democratic ideas'.

And this, I think strongly is what we all here need to remember, while we may be yes, in support of free market, that works against us too, and I surely don't think its a wise idea to be marching under the banner of capitalism rocks when there are thousands of women/children working in sweatshops/and not just sweatshops but these places are literally slave camps,

and women/families here working three jobs at minimum wage and having to beg for food,

it will move more public support away from us, not with us. AND the social engineers will USE That to their advantage,

[and they already are doing this, the Pelosi's etc], painting us as some privilege 'white' bourgeoisie class that is a part of the problem, etc.,

demonizing us AND of course, what better way to do that than to make us appear as not caring for children and only for our self-business interest.

Lets face it, this law was brilliant, for those social engineers [and don't think there wasn't a few behind this law, esp in the Science community, ever get a chance, read what Bakunin said before splitting from Lenin on the Scientific Elite, talk about economic eugenics, Bakunin was right on target with predicting That and we are seeing it come full force today.]

People here Really need to read about the Russification of Ukraine because one if not the most brutal attacks was against the artesans and the women, the pagan Slavic cultures/of course mixed with Orthodoxy] and

how after, millions starved in one if not the worst famines in that region. I use Ukraine as example because its one of the best when it comes to the stories on how a rich, rich independent artesan community, women included, was almost completely eradicated.

When the Native American Indians say this law is cultural genocide, they are not exaggerating, IT IS. This is why, I cannot stress enough, the importance of all of us, to pull together and work against this together AND if we can't change the law,

to do all in our power, to see to it, that the art and love of creativity does not die. Is not eradicated, because it is So much more, than just business,

so much more.

Solidarity,

janedoethreads

[Former_Member]

janedoethreads, this is exactly what our newly elected president and his cronies want. The far left of this country want to control the minds of our children. They want them to be taught their version of history and current events. Look at Colleges and Universities that invite Ward Churchill and the President of Iran (know his name can't spell it) to speak.

[Former_Member]

edit, that should be 'before Caesar' and what I mean by that, is the relation of power/over the people, etc., but even before then there was slavery, but without getting here into lengths of philosophy/dialectics here, material AND spiritual],

I want to add, this is why too, this law is targeting Books too, intellectualism,

I don't think many even in the library community [because I've been reading a lot there] really understand the implications of this Law and how dangerous it really is,

using the quote, 'safety' of our children AS the means, to usurp total control over not just what we buy, make, wear, NOT being dependent on the machine,

and also, what our children read or are not allowed to read. The fact that the Scientific Elites who pushed for this law, targeted lead which yes, is toxic and deadly, but it is everywhere too,

and what I can't fathom is how people don't see it, the computer industry is exempt, ONE if not the worst ways to expose us to not just lead but all sorts of toxins, and sure,

we need them, our technical economy relies on them BUT it is becoming a very serious and dire problem with what to DO with the outdated systems/components that are, yes, contaminating toxic dumps worldwide, many where children are recycling in.

how people don't see the correlation there I don't know, but now we have the clever strategy of 'removing books', now, sure,

not that many read now a days, but here's what IS so dangerous,

the old books, many that DID discuss so much of the controversies that I am here speaking of right now, because they are old,

they are going to be Completely destroyed, because they cannot be donated, given away, period. We're talking books from publishers/authors that can't do anything because they are dead.

That is a very powerful political move to remove not just books, but freedom of dissent from our archives,

with a forced reliance on the web/technology for children to learn, and WHO CONTROLS THAT?

Personally I'm a bit shocked that the libraries and those who are avid readers aren't hitting the streets in numbers, so many saying book burning days,

or be in violation of the law.

I say, WHAT?!!!!

Our forefathers/mothers would be rolling in their graves, and lets not forget,

this wasn't a law passed just by Dems, it was signed by Reps too and by Bush.

It should be scaring the hell out of everyone at least to the point of some radical action here, particularly when it comes to the taking control over written materials and removing Thought, Free thought, from our library/book store shelves. And government removing KNOWLEDGE from our children and the future,

that to me, is just, mind boggling, and to see so many say, "oh we are just burning the books",

I just don't get it. I, for one, will hide books if I have to, smuggle them, I don't care, but no way, will I burn them. And I will say, I have a copy of the Constitution,

I will be making sure, it is hidden and safe. Because who knows, they may come in and say, 'it may contain lead',

I know this all sounds crazy and over reaching to many of you, but I beg of you,

to please, please, really think it all over.

janedoethreads

[Former_Member]

I feel bad for Etsy who built this marketplace for us. They will take a bigger hit than any of us will ever feel, and they are not big business either.
____________________________

Etsy may lose a large percentage of sales, but I will lose my only income. My entire income. I will, literally, be homeless. You have a fair point, but please don't underestimate the impact it will have on some of us - in an economy where there are no jobs - even flipping burger jobs are scarce.

[Former_Member]

lordslivingworld
lordslivingworld says:
janedoethreads, this is exactly what our newly elected president and his cronies want. The far left of this country want to control the minds of our children. They want them to be taught their version of history and current events. Look at Colleges and Universities that invite Ward Churchill and the President of Iran (know his name can't spell it) to speak.

Concur, but let me expand on that, not all the far left wants this, its the socialist left allied with other forces [that trust me, will make Stalin look liberal], and there are many in the far left that believe it or not, are Just as opposed to what is going on, but they are a minority AND they have been purged in the left for years, really picked up speed in This country, over the past five years.

But here's the shocker folks, it isn't just those in the far left or liberal left, there are forces in the right that are Just behind this as the left are, but in a different way, macro speaking especially. That is what, many don't grasp,

if this sounds crazy, tell you what, do some quick research, about the development in Dubai, and see WHO is buying up property there like you wouldn't believe, then look up, the slave market in Dubai and that whole region.

And what many may find hard to believe, what we say is the left/far left today, is more a mix of Hitler-Lenin, i.e. Gramsci, and why it can get a tad confusing for some to sort out. One world order, put it that way, for the peace they say,

but at what cost? And who is in control of that, and no I don't buy into many of the conspiracy theories that its this people or that people, systems yes, people no, those too are a part of the plan to divide/conquer and move segments out of the way for progress, that is how Totalitarianism works. [if you haven't ever read Hannah Arendt's Origins of Totalitarianism, I strongly suggest you do so, get a copy before its completely banned]

I will say this, numerous leftists, worldwide, with knowledge of the past, saw what was at work, spoke out, they have either been killed, or have been silenced. They tried to warn, they tried to prevent in many parties/organizations from them being taken over, they say,

but they are either the older generation [not just in this country but worldwide] or those who have read a lot of history and did NOT sell their souls.

That is why, in other parts of the world, you will see its the far leftists who are fighting what we are seeing in America, who are being imprisoned [Iran, especially, which is what if you think about it, is so damn ludicrous of the ignorance here in the West, among the liberal left, I mean complete stupidity here and total lack of knowledge of not just history but what happened to both socialists and communists in Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, its unreal].

But I will say, any spoken or written warnings of this here, there are forces that are doing all in their power to silence, and I know this,

I so know it and if people ONLY knew, their blood would curdle. This is why yes, so much of what many in the Right warn about, is so correct.

And how do I know this,

I was one of those 'silenced ones'. I worked IN it, very much so, and dared to speak up, and stood firm. Personally I came back full circle to my faith, but I feel it is my duty,

to speak up as much as I can, to warn, to at least, not so much to those who know, but to those who think, they are seeing good,

not all that seems good, is.

Let me put it that way...

janedoethreads

[Former_Member]

Yup, I had dinner with some girlfriends last night. It was a baby shower. They raved about the hat I made for my friends new baby and said "oh, you should put those in your shop". When I explained the new law to them they all thought it was crazy and my one friend said "why don't we just stop buying from China? that would solve this problem". Good point, I think.

[Former_Member]

"why don't we just stop buying from China? that would solve this problem". Good point, I think."

true but not true, [sorry I don't mean to be spamming here, I really don't, its not my intent, and in case any wonder now, I am politically independent, work solely on my own, outside both the right/left/fringe boxes ok. so let me make that clear, IF you want to know more about some of what I interject here, email me, I'd be glad to share, but lets just say, I saw the effects of 'central politburo' and when I read dissenters now, I KNOW not just mentally, but I KNOW, exactly what they are saying and let me just say, the changes we are going to see are and have been working for a very long time and in ways that are so subtle, including on the internet, Especially on the internet and why I strongly suggest, read, read, and read..get your hands on everything and start reading and find out for yourself and by reading I'm talking, read past writers, esp theories/debates in 30s to 60s, on Both sides, not just one, you'll be able to connect a lot of the dots if you do this].

Ok but anyway, its NOT just China, see that's the thing,

its Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, El Salvador, Mexico, Indonesia, etc. And its not just like one factory that makes all one product, for one company, it doesn't work like that so even if, lets say you boycott China,

it won't matter because they'll just transfer production to their other 3,000 factories worldwide. In countries where yes, there is huge environmental violators and that includes lead recycling. China is at the top of pyramid, sure, but they aren't there alone. And here's where it gets really ugly,

lets say you boycott China, o.k., you put a few out, but the way it is set up, is that it hurts the workers more than it hurts the Multinationals/governments. And THIS is why, those of the cottage industry that work and do a lot for Fair Trade and Environmentalism,

are more of a threat, and why this law is a clever means in eradicating that threat. I know, many scholars/experts say, that wasn't the 'goal' and that big business will be hurt by this too,

Correct, that is correct, it doesn't just effect the cottage industry, and yes this law wasn't just some conspiracy to close down all small retailers and shops and individuals, Granted, hear the advocates on that and concur. But there ARE some, yes, who did write this law with that agenda,

kid your self not and some of that, sad to say as it is, is also due to economic necessity [looking at long term] because of the crisis with the global economy. It isn't just the US that is in trouble, our economies due to globalization are interdependent. But its the Why they are, that is where you begin to really see the culprits,

oh, sure, it was to create new markets and privitization (sic) and democracy,

its done anything But. Its created a huge gap is what its done, with more Despotic regimes increasing in power than vice versa. Or despotic forces taking over, not by bombs or violence, but by states within states, much of that feed by migrant labor which in many parts of the world was necessity as well, OR due to the results of strife/conflict in other parts of the world. [refugees especially]

Not here saying 'its the migrants', no, just explaining the Shift in global economy and domestic, and How those have been cleverly used to solidify corporatism, pitting worker against worker, etc. Throw in other forces in there and you got one hell of a mess,

and lets face it, we are in one hell of a mess. Even if, lets say we wanted to stop buying from China, the fact that there is a majority segment in This country who are barely paying mortgage/rent or who work for bare minimum, they are they ones that are paying/demanding the cheap goods, so those who boycott China, wouldn't even make a dent.

One solution is yes, Made in the USA market, no doubt, but unfortunately there is that trade deficit/debt, especially debt and so called 'agreements' for Free Trade, you know, hey, that promise for democracy,

its a double edged sword is what I'm saying. I Do think, however, that there should be some boycotts WITH a very loud message that its with solidarity for the workers who are forced to work for bread in China, against sweatshops, against trafficking of labor, etc. Against human right abuses,

and against governments usurping complete control over people and economy. Bottom line, the destruction and/or eradication of cottage industry does NOTHING to elevate workers worldwide,

it does the exact opposite. That is the message that really needs to get out. One of the arguments that the social engineers [and let me say, just for the record, the misogynists because they are extremely misogynist and anti-family],

used against cottage industry or over seas, micro development, was that those micro loans to small business development failed, because the businesses failed within a year [read this in several journals from the Balkan region to East Europe]. Most of these micro loans were given to women to combat poverty/trafficking, etc.

Well yes, they did fail, but why? Because the corrupt governments, the mafia's, the Corporations [or those in bed with the thugs] did all in their power to monopolize to where these small businesses/micro and many of them cottage industry couldn't compete, they folded, leaving so many women/communities vulnerable to exploitation.

So the anti-micro interests [and those who want mass control] said, "see, here, look, these westerners with their imperialist capitalism come in and exploit via micro loans and so forth", [and they not only use that argument on that aspect, you'd be shocked to see several so called feminist scholars and so called 'concerned for people' who are now using that same damn logic to end micro-loans and laws against sexual trafficking, that say, oh its empowerment and all that b.s., I hate them, God I hate them, they are the Worst traitors to humanity],

so, yes, I concur with you, on the need for boycott/support of cottage industry but we need more than that.

janedoethreads

[Former_Member]

BTW, I don't buy from stores, not just due to China, no way would I buy EVER, not even with a gun to my head, Anything from Gap, Old Navy, etc.,

any of them, I have met face to face the men and women who were slaves in their overseas shops, one woman that was Trafficked, told there was work in one country, only to find her passport taken, beaten, and forced to work. And if they didn't make those quotas at the end of the day they were locked in with children, like cattle,

so, I do agree with boycotting, but just do so with them in mind. Because on that same note, I have talked to women working in factories in Mexico who too, same thing, even Menstrual Period checks if you can believe that s**t, because if they are pregnant it slows production down,

women raped, etc., anyway I asked her about boycotts, and She said, it works more to hurt them because it is so widespread/hegemony now that once workers begin to form unions and demand human rights OR when international pressure is put on, these sweatcamps just pull up and go over somewhere else, so the workers who don't have a choice BUT to work in those shops,

get up, and shop isn't there. Neither is there any other place for them to go, other than begging or prostitution, drug cartel, etc.

Its a damn if you do damn if you don't, no easy answers, but that is just it, by producing homemade, that says something, when consumers shop with a conscience, that says something and when that message is sent out that changes public consciousness/awareness,

why do you think those who are Pushing for this Law/against modification are so vocal in painting us as the 'problem', rather than the solution?

The Last thing they want, is for the public to be informed, completely informed and then Demanding, ethical responsibility.

So, they silence us by removing us instead...very clever of them, got to say, and in using the welfare of children to do so,

sorry ass b**tards is what they [those in cohoots with destroying the very industry that was/IS making a difference there] are.

janedoethreads