[gridlock]

I have had a self-imposed ban on all Chinese electrical products since a cheap set of Chinese Christmas lights nearly burned down my house in 1993.

I threw out the set that was burned, and plugged in another, to test them, and they burned as well. Brand new out of the box.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

I have had a self-imposed ban on all Chinese electrical products

Wise decision. Not only are they poorly made, Chinese manufacturers often do not scruple to forge U.S. safety certifications.

Here's a not-too-widely publicized story from last year, in which Dollar Tree had to recall thousands of extension cords made in China due to counterfeit UL labels.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06230.html