Golden Anvil

It’s interesting that there have been a couple of posts about books today because I got the following in an email from a friend at work and thought you all should know too.  I have made it a habit not to forward emails that I receive that would be considered chain emails.  However, I don’t consider this email a chain email per se and I do think it’s very important that we act before we lose our Liberties.  While this may not something that endangers our Liberties directly, I do believe it starts us as a country down a slippery slope.  When I read this I thought about the scenes of book burnings in a Berlin plaza from the Indiana Jones Last Crusade movie.  Perhaps I am reading too much into this.  I can understand the need to keep our children safe from lead poisoning.  But it seems to be a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water. 

As a family who is looking very seriously into homeschooling, not allowing the purchase of used books will place a substantial financial burden on us.  And how many of us have in the past or currently love to peruse used book stores, thrift shops, libraries, and other used book distributers?   If these places are not put out of business they will be suffering due to decreased selection on the shelves.  As I understand it, all books printed prior to the date whether new or used will be affected by this law.  Please review and act according to your thoughts and feelings on this.

 I keep getting emails about this and was wondering the implications of this.  I finally got this one from a company whose booth I worked at last year at the convention so feel it is a concern.  This potentially means we can no longer resell used curriculum after the date as well.  I have included two emails I have rec'd with information about his bill.

 Read on...

 You can sign a petition here:

 http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476

 Oh, how I wish this were a joke!  But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.

Effective February 10, 2009, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED.  Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used.  New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale. 

What does this mean to the homeschooling family?  

Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be canceled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling.  Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!  Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army. 

Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling.  Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.

No more library sales.  Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations.  It is unsure yet, however, how  the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away).  The key word, however, is "distribution" --   libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".)

 Just how serious is this new law?

Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.  No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance.  And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manufacturing stage.  At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print books.  It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s.  My punishment for selling a book after February 10th?  Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail.  And yes, it is a felony charge.  For selling a SINGLE book.

 (Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.)

 So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children's books?  Or that homeschool curriculum business?  Or your EBay business selling children's items?

ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1.       Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070.  http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx   Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.  Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2.       Contact your local representatives. For their contact information, just enter your zip code.      http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3.       Make your voice heard by voting on this issue!  The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.  http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4.       Sign the petition.  http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5.       Spread the word!  Forward this article.  Send an email.  Write about this on your blog.  Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same..

For complete story and documentation of facts, read at the following links:  http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

 Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries

Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory requirements -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009 http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html

Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

 Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found on our web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf

Getting the Lead out:  There is no lead in children's books http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html

There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pediatrician http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/

More information from Hands Of A Child...

We can mark our books and CDs to say "For Educator Use Only," but we will no longer be able to market Kit Packs, folders, library pockets, etc...

"Most commonly, young children get lead poisoning from lead-based paint, which was used in many U.S. homes until the late 1970s, when the dangers of lead became known and the government banned the manufacture of paint containing lead." http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/lead_poisoning.html

Think about that "Most commonly, young children get lead poisoning from lead-based paint" and then consider the far reaching implications of this new law that encompasses a plethora of products specifically geared for, or that may be used by, children 12 and under.

How many small to mid-size businesses will have to close their doors?

How many people will be out of work?  How many people will be unable to get used products, which may be the only kind they can afford to buy?

And just how devastating will the total aftermath of this be to millions of families and the economy of this country?  Looking at the big picture should cause every American citizen to take pause and reflect on the ramifications this law can and will have on individuals, families, businesses and this country as a whole.

Every single person should be calling, writing and emailing their senators and representatives.  We should each be doing the same with all the big news media outlets; FOX, CNN, MSNBC, et al.  We should each be telling everyone we know about this law and encouraging them to follow the suggestions I've outlined above.  This law needs to change quickly, before many Americans find themselves in a leaking boat.

This law is called Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.  It goes into effect on February 10, 2009.  This date has come to be called "National Bankruptcy Day" and for good reason.

 Contact your congressperson here:  https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Contact your senator here:   http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Contact the media here: 

FOX email: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,77538,00.html  Phone: 1-888-369-4762

CNN email: http://edition.cnn.com/feedback/  Phone: 404-827-1500

MSNBC email: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18616878/  Phone: 212-664-4444

CNBC email: info@cnbc.com <mailto:%20info@cnbc.com  Phone: 201-735-2622

ABC email: netaudr@abc.com <mailto:netaudr@abc.com  Phone: 212-456-7777

CBS email:   http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php  Phone: 212-975-4321

PBS - The News Hour with Jim Lehrer: newshour@pbs.org  Phone: 703-739-5000

You CAN make a difference.  Just let your voice be heard and help galvanize others to do the same!

 Zephaniah 3:17 (New International Version) The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

To learn more about the sidney_area_homeschoolers group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sidney_area_homeschoolers