Nord interview Hugh Hewitt

[meredithdillman]

Don't think this has been posted. I haven't listened to it yet.

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/3eb0a3bc-051b-4aed-b52a-071a5c0b55e9

[dottiesdream]

Interesting. Thanks for posting this.

[honoluluhoneybaby]

GOSH!!!! I just read the transcript and I'm even more upset/disgusted! I wasn't previously aware that the CPSC staff met with the Congressional staff when the CPSIA was being written and pointed out that the CPSC's hands would be tied AND THAT THE CONGRESSIONAL STAFF SPECIFICALLY WANTED IT THAT WAY! And now congress is trying to make CPSC the scapegoat -- especially Nancy Nord! Here's the quote I'm talking about:

Nancy Nord: You know, when the law was being enacted, the professional career staff of this agency went up and met with the Congressional staff. And with respect to exclusions pointed out to them, very explicitly, that the language that they were using was going to tie our hands, and that we should be able to have at least some sort of de minimus standard with respect to how these exclusions were going to be implemented. The Congressional staff’s response was that is exactly what we mean. We are not looking for a de minimus exclusion standard here. When we say there can be no lead in these products, that’s exactly what we mean.

[Former_Member]

There aren't enough painkillers for the headdesking this warrants.....

*single headdesk*

[Former_Member]

Nancy Nord gets it! Why can't Congress??? :-(

[Former_Member]

The more I hear of her, the more I respect Ms. Nord. I know that she's from industry (which makes her "suspect," I guess, for all those pesky little "consumers" groups) but after watching her recorded speech at the toy fair in NY, and now this, I think she's trying her best in difficult circumstances and balancing the needs of consumers and businesses well.

It explains, to me, a little more about Congress and the reactions and responses that we have been getting from our elected officials. 1) They knew (i.e., the consequences weren't fully "unintentional" or "unforseeable"). 2) They don't care ("millions of kids will be saved!" by punishing the eeeevil businesses). 3) Deal with it. Sorry congressmen, but I'll be thinking of this on election day.

*stepping off soapbox to email more media outlets*

[Former_Member]

ITA littlethings....the problems Nord is facing makes me think of something a social worker once said to me about the problems I was having with my family at the time....

"You've been through hell and you're doing an awesome job under the circumstances."


Sorry congressmen, but I'll be thinking of this on election day.
-----------
Yep, me too...I will be very surprised if each and every congressperson who either supported this law or did nothing to fix it doesn't get voted out of office in the next round of elections. I'm sure if they're asked about it when they're campaigning they'll say they had no idea what the consequences were going to be (BS!), IMO if they didn't understand the bill they shouldn't have voted for it! Aren't they supposed to read and understand these things BEFORE they vote on them??

Hey, where's Nancy Nord from? Maybe she should be in Congress. ;-)

I think Hewitt makes a good point about putting the exemptions in place and let the courts deal with it, if there's going to be blood on anyone's hands like he mentioned it should be on Congress and the stupid "public service" agencies that are pushing CPSC into a corner, NOT Commissioner Nord and the people at CPSC who are working so hard to try to make sense of all this chaos.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Nord talked about this from the beginning. They hate her because she was a Bush appointee. Bush didn't even want to sign the darn thing but it was veto proof. I'm so disgusted with the lot of them, they think they can do whatever they want. And aparently they can, hardly anyone will stand up to them.

[Former_Member]

FayeMalone, we all know the mainstream media won't question them.

[Former_Member]

I am soooo tired of them chewing Nancy Nords face off about this law. She already admits that this CPSIA LAW is a badly written law.

They need to do some public chewing on the people in Congress who voted for this law. Maybe after they have put them in the hot seat making them sweat it out, they will finally get off their duff's and do something about this law.......

[Former_Member]

ArtisansGifts, you're so right. How can anyone be heard when Congress (namely Rep. Waxman), sets the hearings? I get that "it's politics," but the scapegoating should stop, like, now. They aren't putting Americans' interests first, I fear.

[Former_Member]

Hugh Hewitt is our man!!! Yeah!! He just had 30 minutes on his radio again today and gave a site that has info too


http://overlawyered.com/

[Former_Member]

This is so sad! We are always lead to believe we have a voice in Congress and that we can affect how this country is run. While I do not make childrens items and do not intend to do so, I have written with my objections to this law. It appears the people we elect can do anything they want to and if anyone objects they can say it is not there fault or that one is reading the law wrong. I have lost faith in the American political system with this law and the responses everyone is getting. It is a sad day in this country!

[Former_Member]

Wow! At least "we" have gotten through to Nancy Nord. Now, efforts need to get stepped up on Congress and the White House. This interview is encouraging in the effect that the commission understands what is wrong. As she says, it is their job to enforce exactly what Congress has created - and now Congress must be forced to repair the damage, repeal this law, and put into effect a new bill that would do what the original was supposed to do without the damage. It is discouraging in that Congress is going to sit on their butts while we go down the tubes and in the meantime, million dollar bonuses are being paid out with the last of our money.

[TheWrapScrapPony]

I think we should all write Nord a "thank you" note. She's been getting nothing but "you suck" from Congress and we all agree that she understands how crappy the law is. I know the CPSC could have done a better job informing us about the laws requirements ect., but I''m glad we've got someone in charge of the CPSC who gets it.
Anyone know Nord's address?

[Former_Member]

There should be a contact link for her on the CPSC website, I'm going to head over there and see if I can pop her an email....

[Former_Member]

Found it!

http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/commissionernord.aspx

Here's what I wrote:

Ms. Nord I just want to say thank you for your committment to true safety in children's products. Your recent interview with Hugh Hewitt shows that you really "get it" and also that Congress isn't really acting on the public's behalf in this matter. The comment you made stating that the Congressional aides CPSC met with actually WANTED CPSC's hands to be tied by this law is truly frightening. Where are we going as a society when those officials that are charged with representing the people are actually doing their best (or worst, depending how you look at it) to take away our liberties and control every aspect of our lives? What's going to happen next?

I have heard that there is going to be a rally in Washington DC on April 1st to protest Congress' continued lack of action on this matter, as I understand it members of Congress who have shown support for having the law changed are being invited to attend. I sincerely hope you will be there as well and continue to be a strong voice for protecting children's safety and protecting the livelihoods of the people in the children's products industry, many of whom are parents themselves. I'm glad to see you understand that the two goals are not incompatible.

[Former_Member]

Oh, and I didn't find it directly through the CPSC website, I googled "Contact information CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord". The Contact Us link on the CPSC website is a dead link (surprise, surprise....)

[Former_Member]

Thanks Ruths for finding that address and thank you to Meredithfor posting this interview. AHHHH this whole thing makes me want to scream till my head explodes. I can think of no better way to stimulate the economy then put thousand out of work and make businesses eat billions in inventory, while simultaneously killing the small businesses. Pretty soon the only options any is going to have is big business items from China and food from Corporate farms. Thank you American Legislation.
Thanks Nancy Nords for trying.

[meredithdillman]

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/contact.html

[Former_Member]

Thanks!!