Responsibility it seems is being shifted from the people who exercise their right of free choice, to the people who conceal the harm which may result from that choice.

• Mary A. LaClair

This was originally written and posted in Dec. 27, 2006. It seems to have disappeared. It is re-posted here in 2023.

Approving questionable practices is costly.

Three hiker- climbers died on Mt. Hood in 2006.

The questions that lingered in people’s minds were two fold.

Ques. Why would the climbers have gone so late in the season 

Ans.  They went because they wanted to go, and they wanted challenge.

Q. Should the state deny permission to go when conditions were not right? (This question was asked by a reporter covering the story. And the answer below is the kind of answer given by those in authority at the site on Dec. 19, 2006)

A.   ‘If the state permits someone to go and if something happens, the weather gets bad or something happens, the state would get sued and the taxpayers would pay. The best they could do, they said, was to require that all climbers carry a GPS system with them; but to grant permission would be to assume liability.’

To states authorizing same-sex unions of any kind, I repeat: “Take heed.”  You could be held liable for health costs and possible wrongful death lawsuits because of the assumption of safety which goes when permission is granted.  In addition, state health departments know in advance what ‘risky behavior’ is. To sanction such is to put your state taxpayers in a position of fiscal liability.  The authorities at Mt. Hood understand this principle.

Responsibility it seems is being shifted from the people who exercise their right of free choice, to the people who conceal the harm which may result from that choice.

Tobacco companies were successfully sued for astronomical amounts because they advertised for public use their product which was proven to be physically harmful to many.  In other words, they remained silent on its dangers.  They were not against smokers, but are they for smokers?

MacDonalds was sued for injury because coffee was too hot; and now there is a case pending because their food causes obesity in vulnerable youth.

Think of the punitive damages, even for wrongful death by Aids for states who approve an activity without warning of the dangers of that activity. The scenario would be no different from the scenario established in the asbestos cases and successful cases against  tobacco companies, gun companies, breast implant companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc.  If states remain silent on known but hidden dangers, states who grant approval run the risk of being ‘set up’ for mass torts later, charging non-disclosure of hidden dangers.

If, however, the state is sovereign and cannot be sued as in ‘the king can do no wrong’, then we are equally being set up, because that is the type of government from which many people sought relief and immigrated to America. 

Lesson learned: A half truth is still a lie. And, people who know better, need to tell  the whole truth.   Paul Harvey says:  “And now you know the REST of the story”.   Lawyers and plaintiffs, Go to it!

SAFE PICNIC WARE?

7/10/2023 – Mary A. LaClair

400 words

Would you take something that came from China and put it directly into your mouth? 

I think not.

Yet, many people unknowingly do exactly that.  Take a look at the plastic silverware used in abundance for summer gatherings and picnics.  Taken directly from China and put directly into our mouths. 

At my home, plastic food utensils made in China are washed and stored ahead of time. It would be time consuming when preparing the actual meals. Expecting to use them, it may be done weeks ahead of time.  Then, when used can be tossed into the garbage or in the sink.

Grocery bags: Most of us are now taking our own personal grocery bags to the store ‘to save the planet’ so to speak.  Mine are handmade from hand towels. Fold a hand towel in half whichever way you choose and use cotton rope as handles. No seam binding needed.  These draw many compliments. They are washable and sturdy. The small size makes them better for heavier objects, like juice and canned goods. Being easily washable they will also be good for meats.

In brainstorming this further: If I take my own bags going to the grocery store, I now think it would be a good idea to take my own take-out containers when going to a restaurant, (in one of those towel bags I keep in the car for impromptu times.) Granted, some restaurants, for sanitary reasons, may not be able to take your container back to their kitchen; but nothing prevents you from putting extra contents from your plate at the table into your own clean container. Who wants to put food to eat into a container which was made in a factory somewhere in China?

Even when taking my own pre-washed disposable plastic container to a small local home-town deli, I received a discount.  The rectangle black re-usable containers found at the Dollar Store say Made in Canada.  Marked safe in dishwasher and micro-wave. Good choice ! While we are saving the environment, I mention EARTH BREEZE LAUNDRY SHEETS. I like them and feel comfortable in recommending them. Google their site…

My guess is that many people may wash some ‘made in china’ new clothes before wearing next to their skin.

Wanna’ think again about that plastic silverware that people put into their mouths…and even lick for tasty remains?

I knew an elderly lady who carried her own fork in her purse for eating at Chinese salad bar restaurants regardless of the type of table ware offered there.

She lived to be 100 years old, but she also ate a lot of cabbage…!  (<:

END