Chinese import woes

[styky]

Nerd? You consider someone a nerd who makes a slip on the name of the author of this book?

Yes, you are right, Sun Tzu wrote the Art of War and Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, or The Way of Life.

Congrats, you were correct. And I suppose this incidental factor is more important than the actual content of the writings. Glad I got my priorities straight.

All that was done was a correction to an obvious error. Instead of thanking them you get out your pointed stick. Not nice.

[Brad Saltzberg]

I guess what picked me was to point out a tiny error without including a comment on the actual issues. anyway I would like to move on from the nerd issue...may have been my mis-interpretation : )

[ElimGarak]

Actually, it indicates I was being a nerd by nitpicking the accuracy of your knowledge of semi-unknown ancient Chinese writers.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I believe the mature response would have been "Oops, you're right, Sun Tzu." The snarkiness reminds me of a petulant teenager.

[Brad Saltzberg]

if the word "Nerd" was not included I would have acknowledged your comment in a positive way. Now it would be nice to move on from this...perhaps discuss the issues.

[styky]

Health Canada recalls contaminated toy
Canwest News Service

Published: Thursday, August 07, 2008
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_pape ... ?id=706978

VANCOUVER -A child's toy contaminated with barium has been ordered recalled by Health Canada. The "Geometric Stacker," distributed by a company called Melissa and Doug based in Westport, Conn., is a wooden stacking toy set with 25 pieces painted in red, yellow, blue, green, purple and orange. The manufacturer indicates on the packaging that the toy is suitable for ages two years and older, and the product is stamped with "item No. 094730; UPC# 000772005678." Testing by Health Canada revealed that the surface paint on the toy contains barium in excess of the allowable limit, which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. "Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children," Health Canada said.

[styky]

China's latest deadly counterfeits

By Peter Navarro
web posted August 11, 2008

"Beware of cheap Chinese products that can kill you." In the wake of last year's massive recall of deadly toys, this modern day Confucian warning is proving once again to be all too true. In this latest case, the BBC is reporting the recall of hundreds of thousands of counterfeit Chinese chargers used primarily for Nintendo Game Boys but which also have application for mobile phones, personal digital assistants, MP3 players, and other game consoles.

The "cheap Chinese products" part of our Confucian warning is particularly relevant here because the chargers in question are retailing for less than half of the safe, legitimately branded chargers. Moreover, many of the chargers are being peddled over the Internet where there is far less oversight.

As for the "can kill you" part, you can be electrocuted by the faulty wiring as a 7-year child was by a fake Chinese charger bought in Thailand. Alternatively, the charger can blow up in your face or simply burn your house down while you are sleeping at night. The problems range from detached wires to charger pins that don't fit properly into sockets and thereby overheat.

This incident is particularly troubling given the increasing reliance all of us have on electronic chargers. For example, in my own household, I can count no less than twelve chargers for everything from Ipods, mobile phones, and Bluetooth headsets to, yes, my kid's Game Boy. That's a lot of chargers to be working overnight like ticking fire bombs.

The broader problem here is China's economic addiction to counterfeiting and piracy. In fact, China accounts for two thirds of all the world's pirated and counterfeited goods. The long list of purloined products includes consumables like baby food, soft drinks, and hard liquor as well as common household products like makeup, perfume, and razors. It likewise encompasses big ticket items like air conditioners and refrigerators. It extends even to the lofty elevator and the lowly toilet seat.

Here is one typical "ghost-shift" scenario of how such piracy occurs in what has become a global supply chain of piracy and counterfeiting: A factory in China is hired by a multinational to make 1,000 units of a product per day. However, rather than just run two regular eight-hour shifts to produce the contracted-for amounts, the factory also runs a third "ghost shift" and then ships the extra 500 items out the back door.......<a href=http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0808/0808chinesecounterfeit.htm>continued</a>

[Kishka]

All my family's meat is either shot from the wild, and/or raised on local farms and killed/butchered by local people. Vegetables come from local farmers. Water from our own wells, not from the Turd City sevmer system aka Lake Ontario.

Tools, clothes, etc bought are targetted from Canada or the USA. Ditto for shoes.

Cars from North American or European manufacturers with an eye to the trickery of same producing them in Mexico.

It is possible to buy Canadian unless you live in a city and have to take what the stores offer.

Good for you. I buy strictly organic produce and meat that is raised/grown in Ontario. I buy wine/beer that is made in either Canada, the U.S. or countries that are our allies in the war on terror. I try to practice what I preach.

[Catholic Canadian]

All my family's meat is either shot from the wild, and/or raised on local farms and killed/butchered by local people. Vegetables come from local farmers. Water from our own wells, not from the Turd City sevmer system aka Lake Ontario.

Tools, clothes, etc bought are targetted from Canada or the USA. Ditto for shoes.

Cars from North American or European manufacturers with an eye to the trickery of same producing them in Mexico.

It is possible to buy Canadian unless you live in a city and have to take what the stores offer.

Good for you. I buy strictly organic produce and meat that is raised/grown in Ontario. I buy wine/beer that is made in either Canada, the U.S. or countries that are our allies in the war on terror. I try to practice what I preach.

I've been going to the Healthy Butcher myself at Eglinton and Avenue road, a little pricey, but outstanding.

Can't resist some European wine/beer myself.

But what do you do about shoes? I've always worn Dr. Martens for work, and Adidas for running, now I've discovered both are made in China now. We're hard pressed to find anything that isn't made there.

I won't get started on their food....

[styky]

I understand that all the new breakfast cereals that have the dehydrated berries in them have all come from crops in China.

[Edward Kennedy]

All my family's meat is either shot from the wild, and/or raised on local farms and killed/butchered by local people. Vegetables come from local farmers. Water from our own wells, not from the Turd City sevmer system aka Lake Ontario.

Tools, clothes, etc bought are targetted from Canada or the USA. Ditto for shoes.

Cars from North American or European manufacturers with an eye to the trickery of same producing them in Mexico.

It is possible to buy Canadian unless you live in a city and have to take what the stores offer.

Good for you. I buy strictly organic produce and meat that is raised/grown in Ontario. I buy wine/beer that is made in either Canada, the U.S. or countries that are our allies in the war on terror. I try to practice what I preach.

I've been going to the Healthy Butcher myself at Eglinton and Avenue road, a little pricey, but outstanding.

Can't resist some European wine/beer myself.

But what do you do about shoes? I've always worn Dr. Martens for work, and Adidas for running, now I've discovered both are made in China now. We're hard pressed to find anything that isn't made there.

I won't get started on their food....

Runners are New Balance made in USA BUT the material is imported from China. Work/climbing boots are made in Canada, Terra Lites, dress boots made in Italy, a few bucks but quality.

[styky]

Company recalls children's cosmetic bags after Health Canada advisory
Canwest News Service
<a href=http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=7d37cd1f-7279-4aee-b180-1e659618a140>source</a>
Published: Friday, August 29, 2008

About 55,000 Bonne Bell Children's Cosmetic Accessory Bags - sold in Canada between September 2007 to August 2008 - are being recalled, it was announced on Thursday.

According to the company the recalled cosmetic accessory bags, which were produced in China, are made of plastic and have a zipper and carrying handle. Testing by Health Canada and The Bonne Bell Company found some of the metal clasps on the bags' handles contain lead in excess of a safe limit.

Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects, according to Health Canada.

As a result the company is asking that all recalled bags be taken away from young children immediately.

Health Canada said Thursday it has received no reports of illness related to the use of the bag.

A consumer in Alberta kick started the process when, after breaking the clasp on the purse, she noticed that she could write on paper with it.

Items with a high concentration of lead often leave a greyish mark when rubbed against a piece of white paper, said Health Canada spokesman Paul Spendlove.

Subsequent testing determined the clasp contained lead in excess of a safe limit.

Health Canada then contacted The Bonne Bell Company in the United States, which resulted in Bonne Bell testing all their products for lead.

The Model Names and UPC Code Numbers of the products involved in the recall include:

. Smackers Sweet Treats Collection - 0 50051 50575 7

. Smackers Sparkle & Shine Collection - 0 50051 50576 4

. Smackers Glam It Up Collection - 0 50051 50577 1

. Bonnebell Natural Neutrals Collection - 0 50051 22640 9

. Bonnebell Pretty Pinks Collection - 0 50051 22641 6

. Bonnebell Fresh Pinks Collection - 0 50051 22642 3

. Bonnebell Glamorous Neutrals Collection - 0 50051 22643 0

The cosmetic accessory bags also contain Smackers and Bonnebell Style Gift Collection marketed to children and young adults. The company said the cosmetic products contained within the bags do not pose any health risks.

Consumers are asked to contact the company - at www.thebonnebellcompany.com/recall - for a free replacement bag.

[styky]

<a href=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/09/12/20080912TaintedFormula0911.html>Tainted China baby formula stirs warning</a>

[styky]

Mr. Brown instant coffee could contain melamine: CFIA
Updated Tue. Sep. 23 2008 8:08 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

For the second time in as many days, products linked to China's tainted milk scandal have been recalled from supermarkets in Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a new warning that certain types of Mr. Brown 3-in-1 instant coffee may contain melamine -- a chemical often used in plastics.

In a press release, CFIA said the instant coffee products were initially recalled in Taiwan and now the Canadian importer, Thai Indochine Trading Inc., is voluntarily following suit.

The affected products, sold in 450 g packages, have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the product, CFIA said.

In China, more than 50,000 babies have become sick after drinking tainted baby formula.

Chemical melamine was found in the formula and other milk products from 22 of China's dairy companies.

The chemical was blamed for causing kidney stones and kidney failure in babies.

On Sunday, CFIA warned Canadians that a dessert product sold in the country may contain milk contaminated by melamine.

The product, Nissin Cha Cha Dessert, is distributed in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia by Regent Long Marketing and Distribution Ltd., of Richmond, B.C.

Regent also voluntarily recalled the product. CFIA said the product was made using Yili Pure Milk, in which melamine was detected by food safety agencies in Hong Kong.

There have been no reports of any Canadians becoming sick after consuming the dessert.

Melamine is not allowed to be used as a food ingredient in Canada.

<a href=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080923/coffee_recall_080923/20080923?hub=CanadaAM>source</a>

[Conservative_Toronto]

Check out this story about some chick that got free cash from some government/private sector charity called Canadian Youth Business Foundation. She used it to buy parts for her product from...China. She ended up getting screwed when subsequent shipments were damaged and had to be repaired here, by Canadians. Then the dumb bitch goes and continues to source her parts from China.
Now I normally never criticize someone who's trying to run a business, but this story is another example of how the public and private sectors in North America have an obsessive drive to send all industry and jobs out of the country. http://www.financialpost.com/small_busi ... ?id=812447

[styky]

Check out this story about some chick that got free cash from some government/private sector charity called Canadian Youth Business Foundation. She used it to buy parts for her product from...China. She ended up getting screwed when subsequent shipments were damaged and had to be repaired here, by Canadians. Then the dumb bitch goes and continues to source her parts from China.
Now I normally never criticize someone who's trying to run a business, but this story is another example of how the public and private sectors in North America have an obsessive drive to send all industry and jobs out of the country. http://www.financialpost.com/small_busi ... ?id=812447

What's with you people today. Clean up the language please this is a family site.