After appearing on a television program with him a couple of months ago, I received an invitation to Mark Lanier’s Christmas party (special guest Sting):
The non-transferable invitation consists of a booklet with a password; and, most strikingly, a metal wind-up toy Ferris wheel, about seven inches in diameter. (I have not investigated whether the Ferris wheel is CPSIA-compliant.)
Should I go? I’m charmed by the hospitality, but I don’t have a date, and, moreover, it’s kind of blood Christmas cheer. (On the other hand, in the words of a former CCAF attorney, “Think of it as a modest tort tax refund.”)
11 Comments
As the invitation was not intended for a child, I do not believe CPSIA applies
Oh, but any reasonable person could conclude that the recipient of such a toy would pass it on to a child. Or, in the alternative, that the presence of such a toy would be an attractive nuisance to any child within 10 feet of it!
Go to the party and give out gift certificates for your new book.
That’ll show ’em. đŸ˜‰
I should also note that the Ferris wheel comes with a detachable key, and there is no warning on the package not to let small children play with it, lest they swallow and choke on the key.
Get a kid to choke on the Ferris wheel key and sue him.
Sue on behalf of the class.
Bob
Oh, just go. Sounds like a great party.
Just go collect your tax refund, and report back in nauseating detail the excesses of big-time plaintiffs’ bar entertaining. And finding a date shouldn’t be that hard – Mr. Lanier’s entertainments are legendary, and I’m sure there are lots of nice young ladies (or young men, as you prefer) who would go along just to revel in the excess.
We so need to take up a collection to have the Ferris wheel tested for leaded brass in the clockwork mechanism or if a lead-bearing pot metal was used anywhere in the construction (especially if the key is cast or brazed together).
Why are you hating in a guy who is trying to raise money for the underprivileged? You should donate money and take the party for what it is — a good fundraiser!
I understand Bernie Madoff gave a lot of money to charity, too. I hope that doesn’t preclude me from criticizing Madoff over things he did wrong.
Anyway, a series of court deadlines precludes me from going, but I hope to make it next year. I hope Karen has a good time at the party, and I hope the party raises a lot for charity.