Author Topic: Gibson factories raided  (Read 480 times)

ajdover

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #15 on: September 01, 2011, 08:30:33 AM »
Here's my take on all of this:
 
We have unemployment at 9.1%; gas prices around $4.00 in some places; a $16 trillion national debt; a GDP of 1% in the last quarter; and a lot of folks that have quit looking for work.  In short, the situation is not good for a lot of folks.  And what does the government do?  They raid a guitar factory.  I mean, don't we have other things to worry about that are more important?  It doesn't matter what side you're on, either.  There are far more pressing problems facing this country than whether Gibson used allegedly illegal wood in their guitars if you ask me.
 
For the record, I am a registered Republican.  And that's not political - just stating a verifiable fact.
 
Alan

hydrargyrum

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #16 on: September 01, 2011, 08:53:04 AM »
My opinion is that the law is the law, and we don't stop enforcing it just because times are tough.  Sure, it would be much cheaper for factories to dump their hazardous waste into our rivers than manage it properly, just like it would be easier for me to lie on my taxes. There are ways to change the regulations within the political process, but simply disregarding them is not an option.

ajdover

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #17 on: September 01, 2011, 09:16:40 AM »
The point of my post is that it seems that there is no one in Washington setting priorities if the Gibson factory raid is any example.  Of course we have to observe the law, but I think we've seen how well the political process works in recent days (look at the debt debate - it took everyone looking into the abyss at the same time before anything got done).  
 
I served 20 years in the military.  On a rifle range, one is taught to shoot at the closest target first, because it is the most immediate threat.  Targets are positioned from 50 meters out to 300 meters.  Using this analogy, those in Washington should be focused on the 50 meter target (jobs, economy) rather than the 300 meter target (in this case, the Gibson factory).  It's all a matter of priorities IMHO, and to me, the Gibson factory and the wood they use doesn't even approach the definition of priority.

hydrargyrum

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #18 on: September 01, 2011, 09:35:20 AM »
. . . it took everyone looking into the abyss at the same time before anything got done. I agree, partisan politics is stifling the recovery process.  We all need to learn to work together and recognize that we each seek a similar goal, and even if our methods differ, we do better to learn from each other than fight amongst ourselves.
 
However, in this instance I doubt that that the Fisheries and Wildlife agency sought direction from any external entity when they made the decision to raid the Gibson factory.  It seems as unlikely as a street cop asking the mayor before he writes a speeding ticket.  Federal regulatory agencies are given a set of rules to enforce, and that is what they do.  The Lacey Act has been in effect since 1900 after all, was signed into law by a Republican, and has survived under administrations from both ends of the spectrum.

rustyg61

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2011, 09:39:15 AM »
It's my understanding that this wasn't even an American law that was allegedly broken, it was the USA's interpretation of an Indian law they thought was broken. Apparently India did not come to the same conclusion regarding their law.
Rusty
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hydrargyrum

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2011, 09:46:09 AM »
Yeah Rusty, that kind of has me scratching my head as well.  Maybe the Indian customs agents who inspected that shipment made a mistake, but the USA has trade agreements with the Indian government that it is obligated to observe.  Just speculation on my part, but not impossible to imagine given the convolution of regulations one encounters when dealing with the laws of two separate governments.

rustyg61

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #21 on: September 01, 2011, 09:46:34 AM »
The Federal Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of U.S. law, but because it is the Justice Department?s interpretation of a law in India. (If the same wood from the same tree was finished by Indian workers, the material would be legal.) This action was taken without the support and consent of the government in India.
Rusty
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hydrargyrum

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #22 on: September 01, 2011, 09:49:21 AM »
It sounds to me like someone needs to start an Ebony and Rosewood plantation in the tropical zones of the US.

rustyg61

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #23 on: September 01, 2011, 09:53:25 AM »
I think the original intent of this posting was not to start a government bashing discussion, but to alert each of us to the possibility that the exotic woods in our instruments could fall under this same scenario. Hopefully that will never be the case as I'm sure all the fine folks at Alembic do everything above board & dot all their I's & cross all their T's so that all the wood they use is legal & proper.
Rusty
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rustyg61

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #24 on: September 01, 2011, 09:55:56 AM »
You might be on to something Kevin! That would help with the unemployment as well as any improper harvesting or finishing of the wood!
Rusty
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mario_farufyno

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #25 on: September 01, 2011, 09:56:13 AM »
Short cuts and fast tracks in politics always means breaking rules and threat democracy. I know because I'm brazilian and we suffered 20 years of military dictatorship (and keep dealing with its consequences till today). May be tempting to throw it all away, but it never worth, not even aparent minor issues.
Not just a bass, this is an Alembic!

hydrargyrum

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #26 on: September 01, 2011, 10:09:25 AM »
It's nice to have the perspective of one of our international club members (on what seems to be ultimately an international issue).  Mario's insights make me feel especially lucky to live where I do, and to be able share electronic space with all of the rest of you and your unique perspectives.

hb3

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #27 on: September 01, 2011, 01:42:16 PM »
Now Dave deleted his post...well gee, I liked his post...but whatevs. Respect to Dave.  
 
There's a new story from the WSJ containing the latest developments. I guess I won't post a link, but it's out there....

rustyg61

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #28 on: September 01, 2011, 01:58:34 PM »
Rusty
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glocke

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Gibson factories raided
« Reply #29 on: September 01, 2011, 03:52:05 PM »
Maybe the USFW just dont like Rock n'Roll.