"California motorcycle dealer and industry icon Malcolm Smith says he plans to sell kid’s ATVs and motorcycles to consumers next Thursday (6 am PST, March 19, 2009) in protest against a federal law that limits the amount of lead that can be contained in products made for children 12 and younger."
"...So, here we have an industry icon, who is a small business owner, and arguably, the Number One motorcycle dealer in the country, challenging the authority of a federal agency which is enforcing a lousy law that threatens to put a lot of people out of work and, possibly, unnecessarily endangering a lot young off-r0ad riders."
http://dealernewsblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/top-dealer-to-challenge-cpsc-lead-content-rule/
Our best wishes to Mr. Smith -- and hopes and prayers that he doesn't end up in jail because of this crazy law.
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Found a great blog about why the ATVs and other vehicles are getting so much more coverage than other industries, such as books, apparel, etc:
ReplyDeletehttp://organicbabyfarm.blogspot.com/2009/03/why-ohvs.html
Today is the today, and there are reports that the sales will go through later this afternoon. While most of us following this law and its effects are attempting to follow the law to the best of our ability, I think it is safe to say that many of us are rooting for Mr. Smith and his actions today. When does "Civil Disobedience" become necessary?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-03-18-motorcycle-kids_N.htm
Even the NY Times is picking up this story. Maybe the publicity from it will help all of us that are fighting this law. We need to keep the momentum going!
ReplyDeleteStory in Kentucky paper: MotoCross kicks off this weekend.
ReplyDeleteImportant news there: "This Sunday will see an interesting event, as Missouri State Representative Tom Self appears to discuss the effect the new lead level standards in toys will have on the motocross industry....Self has started a campaign to have the Consumer Product Safety Commission exempt the motorbikes and has raised about 70,000 signatures on a petition to the commission, according to his Web site."
http://www.thetimestribune.com/entertainment/local_story_078091252.html?keyword=topstory
Malcolm Smith's Civil Disobedience seems to have gone well. He is covering it on one of his one sites (http://www.kidslove2ride.com/) and much coverage was given to it at dirtrider.com (http://blogs.dirtrider.com/6491556/editorial/malcolm-smith-s-cpsia-federal-offense/index.html)
ReplyDeleteAnyone paying attention yet in D.C.?
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ReplyDeleteMotorcycles continue to get much coverage in the CPSIA issue. Another well written article on the topic, this one at dcexaminer.com: Voting to kill and injure kids: A congressional CYA endangers children: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/Hugh-Hewitt/Voting-to-kill-and-injure-kids-A-congressional-CYA-endangers-children-42502857.html#comments
ReplyDeleteThe CPSC denied the motorcycle/ATV folks request for an exemption -- based on the law, not safety! http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/nord040309exclusions.pdf
ReplyDelete