Paladin brushes

Interesting.

I thought it was to stop the potential spread of diseases to different parts of the world back in the day.

I don't have any depth on the topic besides a turned neck and a sigh occasionally.

The thing that always irks me about ambiguous situations such as this that involve seemingly pointless time/money wasting processes is the beurocratic indifference. The, "because it's the rule" or "I don't make the laws I just enforce them" attitude that I imagine is involved.

If the reason for the rules is vague and the effects are harming domestic business then we ought to change the law.

I would make a horrible lawyer. I abhor pendantic displays of technicalities and citations of dusty old precedence. Horrifying how uncommon application of common sense has become.

I picture dealing with forms and applications being like a scene from a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy where the pompous bloviating Volgans can't get anything practical accomplished without the proper forms, stamps, and procedures first.

June Foray, voice actress and lifelong political activist passed today at 99. She will be remembered by older members as the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Natasha Fatale and Nell. Neat lady, I met her once protesting something or other. So, in the words of that graduate of Whatsamatter U. "watch me pull something out of my hat" and change the damn law. Now, where did that Ralph Nader book on community action go?

I believe that's a possibility. Anyhow, it's on my list.

Interesting.

I thought it was to stop the potential spread of diseases to different parts of the world back in the day.

I don't have any depth on the topic besides a turned neck and a sigh occasionally.

The thing that always irks me about ambiguous situations such as this that involve seemingly pointless time/money wasting processes is the beurocratic indifference. The, "because it's the rule" or "I don't make the laws I just enforce them" attitude that I imagine is involved.

If the reason for the rules is vague and the effects are harming domestic business then we ought to change the law.

I would make a horrible lawyer. I abhor pendantic displays of technicalities and citations of dusty old precedence. Horrifying how uncommon application of common sense has become.

I picture dealing with forms and applications being like a scene from a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy where the pompous bloviating Volgans can't get anything practical accomplished without the proper forms, stamps, and procedures first.

There is definitely a bureaucracy in place, but the fact is that it and the laws and implementing regulations it exists to carry out are there for good reasons. They just don't work well in all respects. And since Rubberset went away, what US brush-maker is going to engage in the process of making them work well in relation to badger-hair shaving brushes?

I should say in fairness that without exception every one of the half dozen or so US F&WLS employees I've talked to has impressed me as earnestly dedicated to doing an important job. But they don't have latitude to exercise in relation to enforcement, except as dictated by resource constraints, which is why the law as related to shaving brushes is overwhelmingly observed in the breach. My biggest problem is that I won't run those risks. I was a lawyer for too long, I've seen too many things go bad in spite of the odds, I've read Kafka, and I don't trust my luck. It would only take one zealous supporter of another brush-maker (could even be a European brush-maker), to order a brush from us for shipment to England or Germany and then post about it on one or the boards or write an anonymous letter. The potential fine for violation per incident is $60,000. That probably wouldn't happen, but what could easily happen is that I'd lose my import license.

I'd rather preserve good standing and make a run at bringing about some revision of the regulations based on adherence to policy objectives and an appreciation of unintended, anti-competitive consequences.

First step is to self educate on the history of badger-people interactions in the U.S. early FAMILY agriculture raising dryland crops like wheat and corn valued the Badger and God's Dog highly. These two practice the uncommon species cooperation. Badger will dig out a prairie dog and Coyote catch the fleeing rodent and
share alternately. This WAS the vermin control against tunnel complexes killing entire crop rows. When major irrigation projects and corporate food production took over both animals became pests and the wanton eradication program of trapping and infamous cyanide 'coyote getters' killed many species from the black footed ferret to wolves and domestic dogs. The anthrax scare involved horse hair, but periodically when a new disease ( that's been around unnamed for centuries) becomes pandemic people panic and find easy targets. There was a disease outbreak in the horseworld a few decades back that saw people destroying all grooming equipment in panic ( grooming brushes in particular.) We need to 'flesh out' the badger's social history in the US and demonstrate the lack of threat by
brushmakers to start.

June Foray, voice actress and lifelong political activist passed today at 99. She will be remembered by older members as the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Natasha Fatale and Nell. Neat lady, I met her once protesting something or other. So, in the words of that graduate of Whatsamatter U. "watch me pull something out of my hat" and change the damn law. Now, where did that Ralph Nader book on community action go?

That is indeed sad to hear. Thanks for the post; I hadn't yet read that news. I seem to remember mother speaking of her involvement in radio projects prior to TV. Quite a versatile voice to be sure.

US F&WLS employees should enforce all laws equally - nice hearing they are dedicated.

Sounds like a well-meaning congressman found a solution to a non-problem or an all-inclusive broad solution to a specific problem. A potential $60,000 fine for a $160 brush seems excessive. While the impact is only on a few honest brush artisans, nice to help them.

Question: Looks like retailers (BullGoose for example) can ship badger hair brushes to international locations. Also, freight forwarders can ship internationally. Perhaps a brother-in-law in Minneapolis could set-up a company and need some help (I work for Moe's in Moonjava or PK-47 in Purple Haze)

Phil posted on TSN's early posts about his surprise and frustration with customs and costs regarding brushes. IF he has found a legal solution it is proprietary knowledge

My observations:
- For exporting, one on-line shaving site specifies a restriction on shipping shaving products with alcohol. No restriction on brushes listed on any site.
- Many unhappy UK and EU buyers with customs and other fees on US imports (shipments).
- For importing, I have no direct knowledge , however, I could understand "not easy" for a small vendor