Comments on: Some days I don’t feel like blogging

By: Julia

Julia — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:53:37 +0000

Kathleen:
Many kudos to you for all of the hundreds of hours you have put into this fight (and I know you are still at it!), and to everyone else who has been keeping the rest of us abreast of the CPSIA insanity.

We, as an entire industry, must stick firm to what we know is the truth and what is right. Unfortunately, we have people as the so-called consumer protective groups, Congress, and the rest of the government in charge of things that they truly have no knowledge about. They’re strictly going on the basic fear factor instilled upon them by the special interest groups. Sorry, but I am very tired of parents not taking the responsibility of their own children (hello, Octomom is a prime example of irresponsibility and madness for motherhood (i.e. more like publicity and quick buck) gone awry, but that’s a whole other story). That’s why this law was pushed so fast because it had the phrase “safety for our children” when in fact, it only does the opposite because truly good and conscientious businesses will be no more. It has been all so very sad.

We CANNOT give up. We have a lot of work ahead of us and hopefully something rational will come about sooner than later.

By: Kysha M

Kysha M — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:52:05 +0000

Kathleen, you are invaluble to us and so many others that benefit from your work and knowledge yet don’t even know it. Many thanks. Please rest and recuperate.

By: bente

bente — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:03:50 +0000

I say like the above: take a rest first, be with your family, laugh….we will be here for you….thanks for pushing us forward and putting everything in perspective and understanding everything for us when the rest of the “pro’s” and “politicians” seams to not getting it neither “in” or “out”!

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:12:51 +0000

I closed my business today with more anguish than I even expected.
But it aint over.

By: Chrissie

Chrissie — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:55:50 +0000

I don’t think you should be embarrassed today or tomorrow for publishing your post. While I do not have a business that is directly affected, I have been following along (the best I can, some of it is so very confusing) and you are entitled to feel overwhelmed and defeated after all of your hard work.

The pessimist in me doesn’t have much faith in the government and their handling of things, this is one more massive mess up on their part…

Best of luck,
Chrissie

By: dosfashionistas

dosfashionistas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:54:12 +0000

It’s all been said, but I just wanted to add my thanks to that of all the others for all your hard work on this issue. I hope you will not despair, but feel triumphant that you have been instrumental in educating so many people to the realities of this law. You have spoken to us and for us most effectively. Just look back to when you first brought this up. I know that my first reaction was “huh?” Now your blog is one of the centers of a community of people trying to establish a better law for all.

Thank you, thank you thank you. And keep fighting. But take a rest first.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:01:14 +0000

Hold your head high. It was a valiant fight. It was a fight for the people, for the small business’ of America. Many people feel your disappointment and sadness. You are not alone. Dreams and aspirations have been dashed today.

This is what happens when government gets involved in business; they squash the entreprenur. They make laws broadly that only the largest of companies can compete in. I’m still trying to figure out how toys and clothing are comparable except for the intended age group. I feel that went about this law all wrong; they looked at the end product and said it needed to meet this specification instead of looking at the raw material and saying that everything that goes into creating a product needs to meet the criteria. Is it not easier to have ink products from Company A do the testing before it gets to the manufacturer in Company B,C,D,E etc.?

Thank you for all your hard work and energy into this cause.

By: Lora

Lora — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:07:09 +0000

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=105312&catid=2

can we confirm that the law has been stayed — i hate to get all excited.

By: Mark C.

Mark C. — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:38:11 +0000

I echo the sentiments of Marguerite Swope, “Ditto all of the above. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed nor unappreciated.

Thank you.”

I don’t post here very often; I’m too busy dealing with my own stuff. But I’d like to say that after chasing my tail and putting bits of info together for nearly four years, I finally knew enough to actually get started after I read your book. And you provide a great service with this forum as well. Your efforts are very much appreciated.

Look…I’m a “see the glass as half empty” kind of person, and if you’re anything like me, then all this chatter may not amount to much; I know how it is. But hopefully it’ll amount to *something*.

Chin up, kid!

By: Tristan Benz

Tristan Benz — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:52:01 +0000

Kathleen,

I was in this emotional ditch on Friday – testament is the blog post that had traffic through the roof. You will snap back – no one with the courage and dedication that marks your character is going to be satisfied to remain in this emotional stage, healthy as it is.

I want you to know that I am SO PROUD OF YOU. SO PROUD.

I’m working on refining my links / message on my homepage – posted a BOLD STATEMENT today to include your tireless efforts.

Further, in HONOR or your NOT feeling humorous, I dedicate my humorous post on my blog today TO YOU. I, like you, do not know how to put a face on – it just happened the feelings you have today, I had on Friday. I am FILLED today, with hope – because February 10 is not the end all / be all. ALL of your hard efforts and the efforts of so many others are NOT wasted. They are CELEBRATED today – and will be put to good use in the days and weeks to come.

I believe our job is not to simply raise our voices to our legislators and media, as you know. I believe we now share the burden of coming together and educating ALL of our FELLOW CITIZENS – to strike the chord that IS DEEP WITHIN them. People are ruled by fear when in solitude or abandoned. But fear cannot survive when we all come together and present a wall of shelter, on behalf of our children – to confront our public servants and rise up.

My mom, a well known poet in Monterey Peninsula, wrote two very political poems – one about the movement for solidarity / uprising in Poland and another about the student protest in Tiananmen Square, China. I have requested her permission to post these on my blog today – she has granted it and, once I’m done with this commentary, I am going to go and post them. I beg you to come and read these – the fact is, it is not over – we may have lost a battle, but the war is far from over.

The truth cannot be destroyed. You are a CHAMPION of TRUTH. I send you love from the deepest part of my soul.

Warmest Regards,
Tristan Benz
Maiden America
Blog: http://www.tristansepinion.blogspot.com