My plans for February 10th

[Former_Member]

If the law stands as is on February 10th, I feel it’s my responsibility as a good American to stand by the laws of the land. The State Attorney General has been appointed to prosecute violations, so I will let him know of any I find.

It’s my intention to take my digital camera out to my local mall, bookstores, video stores, toy stores, and Public Library to document some of the items I find that should not be on the shelves. I have no intention of "going after the little guy" like our lawmakers have said, but will concentrate on the big box stores etc...

Now being a conscious citizen, I don’t intend to fill up an email to the Attorney General, CPSC, and each of my State Representatives with 500 pictures that would take forever to download… But I may spread out my emails to contain 5 or 6 violations each spread out across 5 or 10 emails.

I mean, if there are violations out there, I am sure they would want to know about it. They plan to set up some sort of hotline anyway… I just prefer to use email for my contact so there is always a record of what has been sent.

Hopefully by doing this, I will help our officials and law makers realize the scope of the laws they have put in place. It didn't hit me till earlier today that even the nice cases that kids videos and dvd's are packaged in will also need to be tested.

Care to join me?
Yarrr!!!

[acorngirl]

I will be out there with CodePirate...

If we all flood the offices with reports and photos, the Attorney General will probably be having words with the CPSIA folks about clarifying the freaking law.

I will NOT be looking at any small businesses! I will NOT be looking at Etsy!

My idea is just a lot of, "I saw this in Baby Gap and I could not tell if it had been tested or not because it didn't say anything on the label about meeting CPSIA requirements" and "Our library still has kid's books, how do we know they are safe?"

If a lot of us did this I think it would highlight how stupidly vague and broad and scary the law is currently.

[Former_Member]

That's a damn good idea! lol!

[Former_Member]

It may get the State AG's to contact the law makers asking what to do.

[acorngirl]

Plus it would annoy Waxman. Maybe annoy him enough he would break down and rework the law?

[Former_Member]

this is funny.

[Former_Member]

I'll turn myself in for having my mother's old books from the 50s and my books from when I was a little kid. I'll demand that I be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I may even bribe my stepdaughter into licking them while I take pictures. Oh, the humanity! Of course, she just turned twelve, so they may not care...

[Former_Member]

Very Very Sly!!! I will be on the look out too,matie!

[Former_Member]

LOL faerieland!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is good. Possibly the best idea yet :)

BTW, did someone actually say to "go after the little guy????"!!!!!?????

[Former_Member]

girls at 12 can get pregnant, but they better not have any lead around
i think this is crazy...

[Former_Member]

Great idea except: I'm not sure the government understands sarcasm. It could really backfire if they decide oh no, we can't change the law -- our inboxes are full of support for it!

[acorngirl]

I think the Attorney General's office is more likely to put on the brakes if they realize they might have to close down all the libraries and book and video stores. "We would have to do WHAT???! Um... congress... we can't possibly enforce this law... it's stupid. Fix this NOW!"

Oh, how nice that would be...

[Former_Member]

that is too simple
they like bullshit complications

[acorngirl]

Sad but true.

[Former_Member]

My daughter is 11 and they use microscopes at school, I'm going to call and complain about her school educating her with a hazardous item! hmmmmm.......shoes that I purchase for her could possibly have lead, I better see a label somewhere stating that they have been tested and are ok for my 11 year old to wear. My 3 year old's class at church are they going to test for the toys she plays with? How about the state of the art gym they created for her age group? hmmmm......seriously they just did not have the "smarts" to write this bill lol

[Former_Member]

go after the public and private schools also - the more "big" business you go after the more attention it will bring -

aside for all the little kids that will be walking around naked b/c we wont have clothes to put on them b/c it hasnt been tested - maybe that will get the attention of the media a whole lot of naked babies and children.

[Former_Member]

This is brilliant, LOL, and I applaud you taking your responsibilities as a U.S. citizen seriously!
Good for you!
(No, I'm not being sarcastic.)

[LittleElephantCo]

Have you called your state AG? I actually spoke to the MO AG's office - Dave Angle, he stated he would be the one going after me if I broke the law.

Angle said, in the state of MO, they do not consider library books and textbooks (those that are not intended to be toys, that is) to fall under the CPSIA - after just defining for me that the CPSIA covers ANYTHING intended for children ages 12 and under.

Yes, it some good old political double speak, but at least I know the MO libraries and schools won't be prosecuted for having children's books.

[Former_Member]

I have not tried calling the AG yet... But do think I will drop his office a note over the weekend to see where he currently stands.

Thats part of the problem with this law. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is in charge of regulating it, but it's up to each state AG to interpret and decide what to prosecute.

[Former_Member]

I agree with where you are going with this idea, but maybe it should start now?

The reason I say now is that the law will be easier to change before Feb. 10th than after. If the CPSIA is inundated with questions and concerns now, they might get a broader idea of just what it is they are asking for with this awful law.

[acorngirl]

You have a point there, Wren.