Posted on 08/13/2008 7:13:32 AM PDT by yankeedame
An anonymous reader tips a guest posting up on the MAKE Magazine blog by the author of the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments. It seems that authorities in Massachusetts have raided a home chemistry lab, apparently without a warrant, and made off with all of its contents. Here's the local article from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
"Victor Deeb, a retired chemist who lives in Marlboro, has finally been allowed to return to his Fremont Street home, after Massachusetts authorities spent three days ransacking his basement lab and making off with its contents.
"Deeb is not accused of making methamphetamine or other illegal drugs. He's not accused of aiding terrorists, synthesizing explosives, nor even of making illegal fireworks. Deeb fell afoul of the Massachusetts authorities for... doing experiments...
"Pamela Wilderman, the code enforcement officer for [the Massachusetts town of] Marlboro stated, 'I think Mr. Deeb has crossed a line somewhere. This is not what we would consider to be a customary home occupation.'
"Allow me to translate Ms. Wilderman's words into plain English: 'Mr. Deeb hasn't actually violated any law or regulation that I can find, but I don't like what he's doing because I'm ignorant and irrationally afraid of chemicals, so I'll abuse my power to steal his property and shut him down.'"
Can we get a ping to the Libertarian list for this?
Thanks FRiend.
According to the Globe, she's a former theatre major that the town is paying $50,000 per year. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/09/she_keeps_an_eye_on_citys_eyesores/
Mr. Wizard... This is the Marlboro Police... Raise you hands slowly and move away from the child...
Libertarian ping! To be added or removed freepmail me or post a message here.
Good find, thanks!
OMIGOSH! He had CHEMICALS in his house!!!!!!!!!! Hang ‘em high, boys!!!!!!!!
[”I am a firm supporter of the notion that we are a de-evolving culture. An Idiocracy.”]
I hate to think that you’re right about that, but here’s your evidence....
“Pamela Wilderman, the code enforcement officer for [the Massachusetts town of] Marlboro stated, ‘I think Mr. Deeb has crossed a line somewhere. This is not what we would consider to be a customary home occupation.]
This “war” started in the 70’s when the highly successful space program was diminished in favor of the government social spending spree that has gotten us well on the road to idiocracy. You can also see it in the politicization of science and the continuing de-emphasis in math and science in our public schools.
I guess the state will qualify my refrigerator for raiding a few weeks after canning season ends when I learn what I botched trying to preserve my garden harvest.
They wouldn’t need a warrant if they believed there may be imminent danger to life or property.
If a cop hears screaming and gunshots in a house, does he need to get a warrant before he goes in and investigates?
That being said, the court is going to look closely at whatever justification they say they had.
Also, I doubt the city just went on a fishing expedition. I’m going to assume they had a complaint from someone who had personal knowledge, either visual or from comments of the chemist, of what might be going on there.
“This is not what we think” Good o’l group-think.
The city is wrong. Politicians are finding more and more excuses to violate privace and illegally seize private property. Fascism is wrong even when practiced by the government.
All I’m saying is let’s first get all the facts. I really am disgusted with these sensationalized articles that give you just enough info to get you outraged but not enough to form an informed opinion. It’s like they know their readers are stupid and play on it.
Reminds me of the Enquirer...
Soon in the blue states a customary home occupation will be a man and a man living together in "marriage" with their cloned baby.
They have a county undercover rat who drives around and pulls up in your drive and asks you if you'll fix his axle, shaft, or frame of whatever he's got in his truck-bed? If you say "sure, just pull it over here" , you're busted.
When gubmint gives someone a title and a salary, you can bet your bottom dollar that someone will find a way to justify said title and salary. Think climate pimp, EPA, BATF, etc.
Put it this way, if the guy was a Muslim, people on this thread would be cheering.
Firefighters go to the house to put out a fire and find a basement filled with all kinds of chemicals. If would be irresponsible for them not to respond and check it out.
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