Update: Sewing Needles

Many of you provided your input on sewing needles, and we debated their merits and dangers for many hours yesterday.  We had made our final decision and were about to release a statement, when we received confirmation that the individuals involved in the needle sandwich incident were not working with any organized group of evildoers.  Our decision remained unchanged, but some of the wording in our official statement had to be changed to remove references to the New Company.  Here is our official statement:

Sewing Needles are plentiful in today's world, and most of them are used correctly.  Sewing machines often have needles, and many travelers carry sewing kits that include one or more needles.  You may not be aware that nearly all of your clothes are made on sewing machines, but it is certainly the case.  As with many implements we encounter in our day-to-day lives, however, sewing needles can be used for evil.  At the GNU Public Dictatorship we are nothing if not concerned for your safety, which is why we recommend the following guidelines when dealing with sewing needles or any other implements that can be used to perforate:

1. Be aware of the sharp end of the needle at all times.  Needle accidents can be very painful.
2. Do not use needles to attack others. They are quite small and will likely damage your tissue nearly as much as the tissue of your enemies if you use them in close combat.
3. Put needles away as soon as you are done using them. The number one cause of needle accidents is improper storage.
4. Do not ingest needles.  If you encounter a needle in your food, stop eating it immediately.

While we believe that sewing needles, used improperly, can cause severe discomfort or transmit pathogens, safe sewing needle use is possible and does not take much effort.  Consequently, the GPD does not recommend ridding your homes and offices of sewing needles.

We would like to ask all of our supporters to step up to the task we have given you and use needles responsibly.  If we hear of too many incidents we will have to reverse our decision and add them to our list of evil implements, which would have serious repercussions for the fashion industry.