solidsurfacealliance.org Blog

Below is the latest MIA newsletter to their members. They are getting a bit testy about our site posting them for all to read. Our comments are in bold, interspersed with their newsletter.

Dear Fellow MIA Member,

Over the past several days, many of you have expressed concern about the unprecedented attacks on our industry by our competitors and other vested parties. It may not be immediately evident, but I want to assure you that our response has been aggressive and multi-faceted. In fact, on Tuesday, MIA officers and senior staff spent an entire day meeting and planning with our outside legal and communications experts. OoooHHHH! and entire day with the lawyers and the big tobaccoPR firm! One would think that meeting with a few scientists would have been good too!

We want to share some general details of the outcome of our meeting, though as many of you already know; member communication has a way of finding itself posted on public web sites. That would be us! To be perfectly frank, I\’d prefer that this message didn\’t show up on an Internet message board or in a blog, where our detractors might twist the steps we\’re taking to defend our industry – and all our companies.

(Hi Jim Hogan, sorry about this, but as you can see we aren’t twisting anything. We just feel that this way forces you guys to be more honest in what you tell your members. While not a member of the MIA myself, a half dozen of MIA members believe having this out in the open is the best way to stop you guys from lying. Otherwise they wouldn’t supply us your communications, got it?)

As you all know, this attack is by far the most aggressive and well-funded we have ever faced. It appears that someone has been planning this for several years. No, actually very little planning was done. You guys are just an easy target. Although our preference was to take the high road in responding, the repeated assaults that our opponents continue to launch at us have forced us to take forceful and decisive action. Much of what we have faced results from the New York Times story, which continues to get attention because the story was distributed by the New York Times Syndicate.Many of you have encouraged us to simply reject the allegations out of hand or share the findings from previous studies to end the accusations. The research we have does not match the allegations being leveled. Well, we agree on that at least. Our attackers have had years to review our studies and anticipate our positions and – as a result – have created more sophisticated attacks that can only be fended off with new more comprehensive research and additional scientific analysis. No, not years, thirty minutes will do when your PR firm posts unpublished “studies” that directly contridict each other. This is why we are undertaking comprehensive, additional research to further assess the radon and radiation risks associated with granite (if any). This is good, Jim, but tell everyone why Dr. Steck dropped out of your stable of experts? You guys were naming him as on your team as recent as late June. I want to stress that work completed to date continues to support the findings of earlier studies that granite countertops are safe. Uh oh, Jim, your nose is growing longer and longer! None of your “studies” were reviewed or published, that makes them articles written by an expert, not studies. However, several media stories have featured what seem to be nonconforming stones that appear to be more active than what we have analyzed in the past. Now why is this, Jim? If you truly studied this issue in the past, why would you only study the “conforming” stones? From your own internal documents (yeah, we have a few of them) you appear to know as far back as 10 years ago that plenty of granite types had high levels of uranium. With that in mind, why did you set up Dr. Chyi with 13 quiet samples? Why was only one even remotely hot? Let’s get real, you guys are the experts in stone and you want us to believe that this is about “nonconforming” stones?

We want to track down those exotic samples (if they in fact exist), to assess the risk they may pose – if any. Oh, Jimmy boy, you know they exist. Tell us who came to you years ago and showed you this issue. Stick to just two organizations for now, just two.To date, our attackers have been unwilling to provide these samples to us. Bull sh*t, Mr. Jim. You had several chances to see the samples and obtain samples, but you insisited on non disclosure agreements being signed. That way you could sue anyone that brought the issue up again. Did you really think anyone would agree to doing that? However, we know that this battle requires more than scientific data to defend the industry. To that end, we are:

Recruiting allies from among the scientific and health communities, who can dispel the groundless fears about granite countertops. Unsolicited support has already come from the Health Physics Society, some radon testing companies and the Washington State Department of Health. All have substantiated our position that granite countertops are safe. Sure, they did just that, but out of ignornace. Watch them scramble for higher ground as they learn the facts.

Aggressively reaching out to all forms of media – including national television networks and newspapers, as well as Internet message boards, chat rooms, radio stations and blogs – to secure news stories and spur discussion that balances out the reports based on questionable science that are being trumpeted by our competitors. Many outlets appear receptive to balancing information. And the allies on our side are meeting you in those message boards and chat rooms, pointing out your ridiculous arguments. Some of which contridict each other. Here is a hint, give a talk to Silvyia and Tiffany, have em read and understand stuff before they use it. Let’s face the facts, you guys brought a knife to a gun fight, then held the knife by the wrong end.

Developing materials that countertop retailers and fabricators can use to balance the unfortunately negative publicity that has created needless consumer concerns. Sure, materials that will drive the nails in your coffin. You guys are being investigated as I write this, don’t you think it is time to stop telling lies? We hope to forward additional materials soon.Working with scientists and government agencies to find common ground for uniform testing in order to reassure consumers about the safety of granite. We hope to have an update report on this in the coming days.

Exploring a variety of legal options to thwart this ruthless assault by our competitorsAnd we\’re not stopping there. Not by a long shot.

In fact, in the MIA is considering:

Ways to enhance online communications through the creation of an MIA blog, where we can host a dialogue with consumers and others who have legitimate questions and concerns about granite countertops. Gee, I sure hope I can ask questions. How about it Jim, are you going to answer my questions on your blog?

The launch of an aggressive advertising and promotion strategy, to take our reassurance message – and new scientific findings – directly to consumers.

The creation of a new Web site to demonstrate clearly the benefits of granite countertops, while addressing the attacks.

Government outreach to determine what is really motivating the sudden attacks on our industry. How is that working for ya Jim? Was asking an attorney general’s office to investigate us such a good idea? It will be the end of you at the MIA cause your board is going to have to throw someone under the bus to walk away from what you started.

Our biggest challenge is that we are fighting a highly organized, well-funded campaign. To do so effectively requires financial support. That is why contributions to the Truth About Granite Fund are so critical.

Please contribute by sending a check to the Marble Institute of America/Truth About Granite Fund. You can send those checks to Marble Institute of America; 28901 Clemens Road; Suite 100; Cleveland, OH USA 44145.

We need to end these attacks once and for all. If we do not, our industry can look forward to ongoing assaults in the future. The MIA is fighting on multiple fronts, but we need your help to succeed in this endeavor.Sincerely,Jim Hogan 2008 MIA President Carrara Marble Company of America