Thursday, January 8, 2009

Please READ!!

Okay, my mom emailed this to me.  It is true, it is from Homeschool Magazine, there are tons of links at the bottom that you can read.  This is not false, it is real.

This is from a Homeschool newsletter I get.  It is very upsetting.  Please read.  ~~Andrea~~
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: HS-Notebook <heather@familyclassroom.net>
Date: Thu, Jan 8, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Subject: HS-Notebook :: All Children's Books to Be Banned as of 2/10 :: Vol 10, No 2 :: January 8, '09
To: luvlucy68@gmail.com


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==========================================================
               The Homeschooler's Notebook
    Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
 ==========================================================
  Vol. 10 No 2                         January 8, 2009
                     ISSN: 1536-2035
 ==========================================================
  Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
 ==========================================================

 Welcome to the Homeschooler's Notebook!

 If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
 And please visit our sponsors!  They make it possible.

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   =================


   =======================
      Notes from Heather
   =======================

 The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned

 ---

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

 Effective February 10th, 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
 cancelled 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 manu-
 facturing 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 informa-
    tion, 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 the complete story, read 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 require-
 ments -- 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 Pedtrician
 http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/

 ---

 Do you have comments to share?  Please do!
 Send your emails to:  mailto:heather@familyclassroom.net


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3 comments:

  1. You do realize this whole fwd thing is garbage, right? They can't stop selling children's books because they have led in them. Thats bull crap.

    ReplyDelete
  2. No, they can. It's real Sam. It might take a little bit longer than they think, but it is true.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, plus my mom got an updating email from someone AT the homeschool magazine and it was saying how librarians are posting about it and all kind of stuff.

    ReplyDelete