“Did you hear they’re going to execute the guy who was responsible for the poisoned pet food?”
“Really” I would say, “Why?”
“Well, he brought a lot of grief into people’s lives.”
“I don’t think that’s why they’re executing him” I’d say to some people who CLEARLY thought I was missing the point.
Some of my friends really thought this was about American Cats and Dogs and the wrong that was done to their American owners.
In other words…it was all about us
But of course it wasn’t- it was about ALL OF US.
from the LA Times
Zheng Xiaoyu was convicted of taking bribes worth about $850,000 and dereliction of duty.
During his tenure, the administration reportedly approved six medicines that turned out to be fake, including an antibiotic blamed for at least 10 deaths in China.
In North America, authorities this year have blocked or recalled toxic seafood, juice made with unsafe color additives and toys coated with lead paint imported from China.
This followed the death of several dogs and cats last year who ate pet food containing Chinese wheat gluten tainted with the chemical melamine, a fire retardant.
In Panama last year, dozens of people died after ingesting medicine contaminated with highly toxic diethylene glycol, an ingredient in brake fluid, that originated in China and was confused with harmless glycerin.
Counterfeit Colgate toothpaste containing traces of the same liquid was found on store shelves in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. No deaths have been reported from the counterfeit toothpaste…
read the entire article HERE–
Like I said, this is about all of us.
amm
Irregular Bones 
I fear that this is the effect of jumping up and down in our governments haste to jump into bed with these emerging economies. I cringe every time I see the three words “made in china”. Not because I have anything against the chinese, but I think we all know that the powers that be in China have a questionable human rights record, a questionable approach to industrial development, and have generally questionable ethics.
I also resent the general clamour for the super cheap goods imported from these economies … there’s a very good reason for this – our economy (if not yours aswell) is completely bolloxed …
I’ll say it is Alasdair
The thing about this is- once you’ve proven it does indeed PAY to cut corners- no matter the cost, the pressure to keep racking in the cash gets heavier and heavier so what if someone’s cat or Aunt dies?
So what?
Because what counts is that money.
And as far as China- you know in a way I think my Government and Businesses here in the States may not like them- but they envy them.
Look what they get to do and GET AWAY with as long as it doesn’t hit the news wires.
amm