news & Commentary
Common Good's Society Watch is a collection of recent news and commentary illustrating how law is undermining
our common institutions and our freedom to use common sense.
CG in the News is your source for recent news about Common Good and our efforts to restore
common sense to American law.
The most recent articles from each section appear below. SocietyWatch Gov't Studies Health Risks of Playground Surface
Rita Beamish, Associated Press, June 4, 2009
The Environmental Protection Agency is reconsidering its endorsement of using ground-up tire surfacing for playgrounds, pending the results of an Agency study into recycled rubber’s potential health effects. A reversal of the EPA’s recommendation would be the latest example of the ever-changing safety guidance given to recreation providers. For example, as the Associated Press reports, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recommended that the White House use such tire surfacing under the Obama daughters’ recently installed play set. An NRPA official told the AP that the Association “relies on the industry’s safety assurances and recommendations by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for cushioning the impact of falls.” » article
Gov't Studies Health Risks of Playground Surface
Rita Beamish, Associated Press, June 4, 2009
The Environmental Protection Agency is reconsidering its endorsement of using ground-up tire surfacing for playgrounds, pending the results of an Agency study into recycled rubber’s potential health effects. A reversal of the EPA’s recommendation would be the latest example of the ever-changing safety guidance given to recreation providers. For example, as the Associated Press reports, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recommended that the White House use such tire surfacing under the Obama daughters’ recently installed play set. An NRPA official told the AP that the Association “relies on the industry’s safety assurances and recommendations by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for cushioning the impact of falls.” » article
Playground Injury Case Heard in High Court
Bill Lambdin, WNYT (Albany, NY), June 4, 2009
New York’s highest court was recently asked to decide whether the family of a girl who broke her leg and collarbone in 2000 can proceed with their nine-year-old lawsuit against the
Gloversville
School District for “not installing the proper shock-absorbing surface around a playground slide.” The girl, who was ten at the time, suffered her injuries after her older sister “gave her a push from the top of the slide” and she fell off. A trial court ruled that the case should go to trial, but that decision was later reversed on appeal.
Albany’s WNYT reports that the only thing remaining in the playground in which the incident took place is the frame of swing set. » article
CG in the news Rescue Recess
Letter to the Editor, New York Times, December 21, 2007
Common Good President Janet Corcoran responds to an article in the New York Times on the growing trend to ban recess, "School Recess Gets Gentler, and the Adults Are Dismayed."
Will the Net Prevent the Collapse of the Common Good?
Digital Age, December 2007
Digital Age asks Philip K. Howard how the Internet has helped spread Common Good's message. Howard highlights the work Common Good is doing in health care, education, and civil justice.
Man Sues McDonald's for $10 Million
Interview with ABC Radio, August 12, 2007
ABC asked Common Good Chair Philip K. Howard to comment on another frivolous lawsuit, in which a man is suing McDonald's for $10 million.
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