Feds target Gibson

[bwalker42]

There's more than one source Bent.
What about this one...... True or False?


http://

I think "They" don't want anybody happy.

[BentSailor]

Flattered as I am you look to me first for validation of whether something is true or not, bwalker42, you'll need to be a bit clearer exactly what you want verified here.

If you are asking whether the Feds raided Gibson Guitars in relation to suspicions of supporting illegal logging - I believe that to be true. After all, it's reported widely across the entire political spectrum and has been admitted to by the Feds themselves.

If you are asking whether Gibson Guitars are indeed guilty of violating the Lacey Act again, recalling they have been caught importing illegal timber before, I cannot say without access to the evidence seized by the Feds. I assume they will be putting it before the courts when they've built their case.

On the face of it, I have to wonder why Gibson are wailing about this... having spent years supporting GreenPeace & other environmental groups on the laws they now claim are too problematic for them to adhere to. To be rallying the troops around an issue that you previously were touting your support for is very... Romney-esque

[bwalker42]

Originally Posted by BentSailor

On the face of it, I have to wonder why Gibson are wailing about this... having spent years supporting GreenPeace & other environmental groups on the laws they now claim are too problematic for them to adhere to. To be rallying the troops around an issue that you previously were touting your support for is very... Romney-esque

Maybe, just maybe, the laws are unjust, and target people. ans just to be fair,
Why is it that big refineries and chemical companies break far worse laws and are not called out on it.
(hipocrytical)

But, I do not even understand why you made that last statement.
If it is cuz I support Hemp/Cannabis legalization, instead of cutting down trees, that's right. But the response from the tree people is this,
"plant another tree", so having said that, why can't they take their own advice on this type of tree, while using hemp/cannabis for All the other industries saving multitudes of forests, creating new industry in and earth friendly fashion??

The Feds are not;
a fair
b logical
c in it for the people of the Homeland
d having the people of the Homeland's best interest at heart.
e earth friendly



Is your last statement intended as an insult by comparing me to Romney? IDK

[BentSailor]

Originally Posted by bwalker42

Maybe, just maybe, the laws are unjust, and target people. ans just to be fair,

That might be the case, but the Feds don't make the laws - they just enforce them. More to the current subject of investigation, the laws in question were happily and publicly supported by Gibson. If they wanted them changed, they could have done so - instead they decided the publicity of siding with Greenpeace and the like would garner them more guitar sales and took that road. That they are entangled in the laws they supported can be laid at their feet.

Why is it that big refineries and chemical companies break far worse laws and are not called out on it.
(hipocrytical)

Different laws and different areas of enforcement to start with. Gibson are guilty of breaking import/export laws, most refineries and chemical companies guilty of breaking laws tend to be breaking the environmental ones. Get the EPA onto it because the police will only be useful in arresting the suspects, not really that good at the investigation part of pursuing environmental crime.

I do agree that there is hypocrisy in the pursuing of crime, but that is part of the corruption that comes with lots of money. Hell, the only reason this is getting any kind of attention is because Gibson IS one of the rich guns. If this was some small-time guitar manufacturer, the raid would have gone completely uncommented on. Crimes to do with import/export are pretty boring stories, so this one only makes prime-time status because the rich guys are bleating about it.

But, I do not even understand why you made that last statement.
If it is cuz I support Hemp/Cannabis legalization, instead of cutting down trees, that's right. But the response from the tree people is this,
"plant another tree", so having said that, why can't they take their own advice on this type of tree, while using hemp/cannabis for All the other industries saving multitudes of forests, creating new industry in and earth friendly fashion??

I mentioned Gibson's support of GreenPeace and other environmental organisations because it is a part of the story. The very laws for which they are being investigated for alleged breaches are those they supported standing alongside GreenPeace, the Rainforest Alliance, etc. Gibson were happy to support the laws and reap the publicity amongst musicians that entailed but are now complaining about the very same legislation they supported. That is important due to the very word your brought up earlier - hypocrisy. Gibson are the hypocrites in this equation, the federal police are simply doing their job to enforce the laws they swore to uphold.

The Feds are not;
a fair
b logical
c in it for the people of the Homeland
d having the people of the Homeland's best interest at heart.
e earth friendly

Well, we can debate about the fair and logical part (so far, at least in this case, you've presented no evidence of them being unfair or illogical). The other three don't matter. They are not the ones that write the laws they are sworn to uphold. That is the politicians. Import/export control is Constitutional, meaning the laws they uphold are also constitutional. They may not be fair, they may not be for the benefit of the USA's citizenry, but that is something you can lay at the feet of those that wrote the legislation and those that supported them in doing so... you know, companies like Gibson

Is your last statement intended as an insult by comparing me to Romney? IDK

Not an insult to you, just a minor slight to Romney. Take it as you will (not like I can stop you!).