Estimated reading time: 4 – 7 minutes

I was wary of iBlogZone, at first. But it isn?t one of those ?get rich quick,? ?monetize your blog,? and ?make money online? sites. Oh, sure, the navigation bar reads like this: Make Money, SEO, Blogging, Internet Marketing, AdSense, Affiliate Marketing, Twitter 101, Domain 101. But DiTesco is a real human being whose desire to help others reach their blogging goals ? whether they are income generating goals or personal goals ? seems refreshingly genuine. I have to confess that the DiTesco’s Weekly Echo #1 provided the inspiration for this post, earning it top billing.

The CPSIA saga continues, with no relief in sight. Despite the fact that I am so at odds with Republicans and right-wing conservatives on most social issues, I have been amused to find my blog posts linked to some of theirs ? and amazed to find that we do share some common ground. I?m not anti-business. Anti-monopoly, yes. But I?m very supportive of small- and micro-businesses and ethical corporations, and I am sick of watching while money greases the wheels for some, while other constituents are ignored and battered by poorly written laws that are utterly lacking in common sense and serve no legitimate purpose. The Wall Street Journal ran a scathing opinion by Walter Olson, A Destructive Toy Story Made in Washington. For more of the latest (fairly depressing) news on the CPSIA, visit Overlawyered.com.

Just how ridiculous and far reaching are the provisions of this law? ??products ranging from library books, pens and socks to bicycles and ATVs have been pulled off the shelves, not because they cause any danger to kids, but because of the way Congress wrote the law. Even rocks and fossils must be tested for lead if they might be handled in class by a child 12 or younger. Schools will teach Earth Science class with posters of rocks because it’s legally safer to do so thanks to the CPSIA.? (See More Than 100 Small Businesses Send Letters to House Energy & Commerce Committee on Problems Caused By CPSIA)

My friend Vivian Zabel, President of 4RV Publishing, blogs at Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap. She writes about the incredibly creative promotional strategy employed by children?s book author, Suzy Koch, whose book Being Jacob: First Day of School is officially launching this month. I read the manuscript a year ago, shortly after my own book, Trockle, was released. It?s a winner ? definitely something parents and children alike will enjoy and relate to as kids head off to school for the first time, full of excitement and apprehension.

Vivian also reflected on the Shadows of 9/11 eight years later, and asked readers to share their memories of where they were when the planes struck the Twin Towers. There are moments in history where everything stands out in sharp relief, where the most mundane details of the day are etched into our minds forever. This is one of them. As I wrote my comments on Vivian?s blog provoked me to post my own reflections and perspectives on 9/11.

Heather Kephart roped me into giving her an in-depth interview, creatively titled Holly Jahangiri, which you can read on her new blog, Textual Medium. I like my text medium rare, but maybe that?s because I?m a ?plucky hellcat? according to Heather.

Speaking of quirky ? not to mention timely, what with H1N1 breathing down our necks ? check out The Influenza Bloggers. They?re a charming combination of shameless and sexy, but don?t worry too much about their brag that they?re a porn site. They?re almost work safe. Really. Read this, though, if you want to prevent swine flu instead of suffering a little less miserably with this motley crew.

Here are a few more links I found interesting, this past week:

God Angrily Clarifies ‘Don’t Kill’ Rule | The Onion – America’s Finest News Source

Trockle: from Exasperation to Inspiration to Illustration

We had a mighty contentious week, last week, didn?t we? I hope this week goes a little smoother. Strive to understand first, then to speak. Keep an open mind, but not so open your brains fall out. Value what your government gives you, because in the U.S., the government is US. ?We, the People,? remember? So let?s all try to be a little more common-sensical and a little more compassionate, and try to get through this week without hurting each other.

Peace and love!