Heraldnet.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009 10:10 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Herald Editorial Board

Bob Bolerjack,
Opinion Editor
bolerjack@heraldnet.com

Carol MacPherson,
Editorial Writer
cmacpherson@
heraldnet.com


Allen Funk,
Herald Publisher
funk@heraldnet.com

Kim Heltne,
Assistant to the Publisher
heltne@heraldnet.com

Send letters to the editor by e-mail to letters@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-339-3458 or mail to The Herald - Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday


From behind bars, pal tells Colton Harris-Moore...
Commercial airlines would cause few problems at...
Fund set up to benefit children of couple kille...
Thursday


5 die of swine flu in Snohomish County
Red Cross honors acts of heroism, many by ordin...
Barista clothing rules delayed by County Council
Wednesday


Father gets 13 years in 6-year-old's fatal shoo...
‘One bad choice' blamed in death of 4 fri...
Reps. Larsen, Inslee split on Obama's plans for...
Tuesday


Lynnwood swimmer turns therapy into competitive...
Highway 9 crash is worst alcohol-related accide...
Crash victim warned his students against DUI
Monday


Victims of Highway 9 crash ID'd; suspect booked...
Suspect in officer killings eludes law in Seattle
New laws for Snohomish County bikini baristas?
Sunday


Extended lack of work takes its toll on Snohomi...
Four die in car crash near Marysville
Gathering in Tacoma mourns slain Lakewood officers
Saturday


Contest inspired by ‘Biggest Loser' helps...
Everett building rules may be loosened
Marysville 's Electric Lights Parade goes dark
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Editorials   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
 
HAVE YOUR SAY
Feel strongly about something? Share it with the community by writing a letter to the editor.
You’ll need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 250 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. If your letter is published, please wait 30 days before submitting another.
Send it to:
E-mail: letters@heraldnet.com
Mail: Letters section
The Herald
P.O. Box 930
Everett, WA 98206
Fax: 425-339-3458
Have a question about letters? Contact Carol MacPherson (cmacpherson@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3472).
 
Published: Monday, October 13, 2008

Common sense is good consumer protection

When will the highly successful "Law & Order" TV franchise of shows reflect reality and offer us "Law & Order FLU" -- the Frivolous Lawsuit Unit?

Like the other series, episodes would be based on real-life cases, of which there is seemingly no end. For example:

A brave Superior Court judge in Connecticut threw out a lawsuit against the cosmetics company L'Oreal Inc., filed by a woman who claimed that her "naturally blonde" hair had been ruined by a tube of hair color that turned her tresses brown. Charlotte Feeney said in her suit that "she tried to return her hair to its natural color but it remains brown." Wow. L'Oreal really invented a true "permanent" hair color. Women trying to keep the gray at bay would pay big bucks for that. Of course, cosmetic companies would go out of business if that were the case, so rest assured, Charlotte Feeney, your hair will return to its "natural state." Whatever it is.

But apparently the dye caused Feeney's hair to stop growing because "I can never go back to my natural blonde hair." Feeney said in the suit that she feels "fake" about not having her blonde hair. It does stir the soul, but the judge was not swayed. Even when she added: "Also blondes do get more attention than brunettes, of course, emotionally, I miss that." Of course.

Feeney's attorney declined to comment. Hopefully in shame.

Closer to home, a King County woman is suing the Applebee's restaurant chain, claiming their menus dramatically understate fat and calorie counts. This isn't exactly frivolous. But it's not exactly virtuous consumer protection either.

The plaintiff is specifically targeting the restaurant's Weight Watchers menu, saying independent lab tests show that the items had two to three times the fat calories listed. Attorneys have asked that the case receive class-action status, allowing other customers to join the suit. Toward what end? To say they were misled? They were misled and gained weight because of it? They can prove the weight they gained was due to a meal at Applebee's? Or they didn't gain weight, it was just emotionally troubling being lied to like that? And they want compensation? If it isn't enough to just not eat there anymore, how about asking Applebee's to pay for the lab tests, loudly publicize the results, and call it a day. Now, with a lawsuit, the Applebee's lawyers must get involved and it will come down to what you "mean by fat calories," etc.

Where are the consumers armed with common sense? Emotionally, we miss that.

READER COMMENTS
Be the first to comment.
You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet.

To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click hereLog out

1. From behind bars, pal tells Colton Harris-Moore to keep running
2. A student by day, he's homeless by night
3. Colton Harris-Moore’s mother says he’s not out in the cold
4. Vigil at Mariner High School honors two crash victims
5. Attorney’s daughter: Mom had to have deal with Tiger Woods
6. Sen. Haugen’s husband sued by her former aide
7. Korean Air to buy Boeing 747-8 passenger planes
8. Fund set up to benefit children of couple killed in crash
9. Everett approves a tribute to key figure in its history
10. Snohomish County home sales up; prices fall
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis
‘Nutcracker' times three
Road warrior
Mavericks reloading
Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings
Cities prepare for winter blast repeat
Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney
This Weekend in Your Town
Tips for the stormy season
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


$2.99 Chili Dog
$3.99 Fish Burger

$2 OFF
at Box Office

Nutcracker
Family Packs Available

Always Free
Transmission Diagnostic

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
30yd Carpet Purchase

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE

Buy 1 Dinner Entree
Get 2nd 50% Off

Holiday Getaway
$99 dbl Occupancy

Over 1 Million Lights
Lights of Christmas

75% OFF
Many Items. Hurry!

$95 Dryer Vent Cleaning!
$99 Whole House Duct Cleaning Special!

Holiday Specials
up to 25% off!

$5 Off
Stylecut

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!

Special Rebate Offers!
Plus Get Additional 30% OFF!

We've Got You Covered for hte Holidays!
20% OFF Re-Upholstery or Custom Furniture!

15% Off
All Repairs!

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Lube Oil Filter

Oil - Snohomish County
Low Prices - Fill Now!
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT