The CPSC has a recall of two types of overalls sold at Dilliard’s. What’s wrong with the overalls? They have “coatings on the snaps in the overalls and shirt contain excessive amounts of lead, posing a serious risk of lead poisoning and adverse health effects to young children.” This is a bad idea. Isn’t the first rule of children’s clothes…no lead? It’s at least the second rule.
Government Policy
Xenadrine, TrimSpa, CortiSlim, One-A-Day Makers to Pay $26 Million
By 1.5.07
- Bayer AG and several smaller companies agreed to pay the U.S. government almost $26 million to settle allegations of false weight-loss advertising claims, the Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday.
Man’s $179,000 401k Plan Hacked Drained; No Federal Laws Protect Him
By 1.5.07
David DeSmitdt’s retirement plan with J.P. Morgan got hacked and emptied, and there’s no federal laws to protect him.
iTunes Lawsuit: iPod Software is “Crippleware”
By 1.4.07
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has posted a PDF of the complaint in the iTunes/iPod lawsuit. Here are some choice quotes:
Do I Need To Report This Income?
By 1.4.07
The IRS wants to eat all your money. They don’t care where you got it, even if its from bribes or selling drugs.
Cloned Meat Info Roundup
By 12.29.06
You guys have been asking for information on cloned meat, so here you go:
FDA Even Closer To Allowing Cloned Meat With No Special Labels
By 12.29.06
We reported Tuesday that the FDA was expected to find in favor of allowing cloned meat and milk from cloned animals to enter the food supply without special labeling. On Thursday the FDA issued the expected statement in favor of cloned meat.
HOW TO: Make A Fake Infomercial
By 12.29.06
They then hooked up with infomercial producers, actors and a licensed dermatologist to create an authentic looking infomercial.
Stoned Master Criminals Threw Stuff Over Walmart’s Fence
By 12.28.06
Two men, seen here, were apprehended after being caught by beach police while throwing merchandise over Walmart’s fence. On Dec 27, a Walmart employee flagged down the Virginia Beach Police and informed them, “there was a customer in the store who was taking items outside to the Lawn and Garden section and throwing it over the fence.”
HOW TO: Donate to Charity
By 12.28.06
It’s the end of the year, so we thought we’d offer some tips on charitable giving. There are only a few days left to donate items before the end of the year. Giving to charity is about more than just saving on your taxes, it’s also about helping a cause that’s important to you. You could save a panda, or cure a disease, or help someone who is hungry. Giving to charity is a way for you to decide where your money goes.
Some Acura Owners Stuck With Useless OnStar Units
By 12.28.06
Reader Charlie writes in with a complaint about Acura and OnStar. Charlie has a 2003 Acura TL that came equipped with OnStar. Usually he renews for 2 years at a time, but this time something was wrong. OnStar wouldn’t let him renew because his Acura had an analog OnStar system, and due to a FCC ruling, the wireless carriers that provide service to OnStar will no longer be required to maintain analog networks.
HOW TO Reduce Real Estate Taxes
By 12.28.06
How can you make sure you’re not paying too much real estate tax?
Charitable Cash Donation Deductions Now Require Proof
By 12.27.06
Blueprint for Financial Prosperity scrutinized the new IRS rules about charitable donations and found an important change.
FDA Expected to OK Cloned Meat
By 12.26.06
Is cloned meat safe? The government seems to think so. According to the Seattle Times, “A long-awaited study by federal scientists concludes meat and milk from cloned animals and their offspring are safe to eat and should be allowed to enter the food supply without special labeling.”
Taco Bell e. Coli outbreak Catches the Eye of Congress
By 12.22.06
- In Congress, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who will chair the agriculture subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, intends to hold her first hearing on food-safety issues. She hopes to haul in Taco Bell executives, along with other industry figures.
Wii Wrist Straps: Let the Lawsuits Begin
By 12.20.06
Law firm Green Welling LLP has filed the inevitable Wii wrist strap class action lawsuit, wherein they claim, ” Nintendo’s failure to include a remote that is free from defects is in breach of Nintendo’s own product warranty.” What’s the point of suing Nintendo?
FDA Calls For Stricter Warnings on Tylenol and Other OTC Drugs
By 12.20.06
“Non-prescription pain relievers used by millions of U.S. consumers need stronger health warnings regarding liver or stomach risk, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.” The drugs in questions are acetaminophen (Tylenol), and NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). In particular acetaminophen is associated with liver problems.
Charges Dropped in “Liquid Terror” Plane Plot
By 12.19.06
A Pakistani judge has dropped charges against the main suspect in a purported terror plot to blow up airlines with half a sports drink bottle full of dangerous liquids. This plot is the reason you now have to fly with a ziplock bag full of tiny toiletries, and the reason we have started to pay attention to the quality of hotel soaps. From BBC News: “Anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi found no evidence that he had been involved in terrorist activities or that he belonged to a terrorist organization. As well as forgery charges, Mr Rauf has also been charged with carrying explosives. But his lawyer says police evidence amounts only to bottles of hydrogen peroxide found in his possession.”
