Posted on 02/02/2014 8:21:52 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
In 2011, the Department of Justice raided Gibson Guitar facilities in Memphis and Nashville, alleging a violation of the so-called Lacey Act, a law that bans the importation of certain kinds of wildlife, plants and wood.
At the time of the raid, Gibson Guitars CEO Henry Juszkiewicz told Hugh Hewitt on his radio show that the feds confiscated tonewood imported from India for the guitar Gibson manufacturers which would result in a cost of $2 to $3 million for his company.
At a great expense in legal fees and time, Juszkiewicz fought the federal government tooth and nail. But in August 2012, he settled with the Department of Justice by agreeing to pay a penalty of $300,000 and a $50,000 community service payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Learn to play “Devil Comes Down to Georgia” on your Les Paul, and rename it “Obama Comes Down to Georgia” and be the life of the party.
I feel your pain. We’ve got homeless people bringing us pizza today...
Yep, and Fender buys exactly the same wood from the same suppliers. No raid, no hassle.
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I'm thinking about re-writing the lyrics for Jerry Jeff Walkers' "Redneck Mother", since I can't get this revised chorus line out of my head:
"And it's "Up against the wall, GuvCo mothers!"
Oh yeah, that's got potential...
So basically, all the money will get funneled into democrat, eco, wacko groups to further destroy our economy.
This thing has been hotly debated in the guitar forums and unfortunately the anti-Gibson side (invariably liberals) has come out on top, at least on the question of whether Gibson broke the law. It looks like Gibson did violate the Lacey Act and probably did so knowingly. The question of whether Gibson was targeted for political reasons is still out there, but without more solid evidence those who make the argument don’t have much to fire back with when they are dismissed as conspiracy theorists.
What’s funny is how arguing about Gibson is a direct proxy for arguing politics on musical instrument forums. After a big hot Gibson thread you pretty much know everyone’s politics.
Are you sure you have your priorities right? You have two kidneys, how many 1979 mint Les Paul’s did you have? :-)
I hope you recover quickly from your financial situation.
Selective Enforcement and Targeted Waivers is the hallmark of this administration. They have lost all moral authority and respect for the “Rule of Law”.
This is a GENIUS marketing move! VERY VERY SMART and VERY
creative thought!
Saw the president of Gibson being interviewed on Fox today. He said a 30 member SWAT, in full battle dress, and armed with automatic weapons invaded his business.
This proves beyond a doubt that Holder a d Obama are capable of anything.
Representatives from Fender and Martin were on the same sourcing trip to Madagascar as Gibson employee Gene Nix. That's the trip where Nix reported to Gibson that Roger Thunam's wood was under government seizure and could not legally be purchased because it was new wood, clearly harvested after the 2006 ban.
Fender and Martin didn't buy any Madagascar ebony from Thunam. Gibson did.
I've seen photos from the raid other than those released by Gibson's PR department. I've also spoken to Gibson employees and executives present at the 2009 raid, the 2011 raid, or both.
There were agents in SWAT gear.
However, most of that 30-member invading crew were dressed in khakis and navy polo shirts, and carried handguns.
OK. Thanks. Still horrible. I’m glad that they’re standing up to these thugs.
Didn't know that. Thanks.
At the time of the 2011, second, raid, Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz had made exactly one political contribution to a Republican. You may confirm this at www.opensecrets.org.
At the time of that raid, Juszkiewicz was a founding member of the Rainforest Alliance, providing global warming educational materials to children and promoting programs to save the rainforest. Gibson (wholly owned by Juszkiewicz and David Berryman) was one of the first members of the Clinton Global Initiative. Clinton had hosted Gibson's 100th Anniversary party at the White House.
Juszkiewicz served as a presenter at MTV's Rock the Vote program at which Barack Obama was honored, and Bill Clinton received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Two weeks after the 2011 raid, Juszkiewicz attended a jobs program with Obama at the White House. Juszkiewicz was a member of the Environmental Defense Fund, and a director of the We Are Family Foundation, which promotes the benefits of diversity through programs for schools.
If Juszkiewicz had some private falling out with Obama, I don't know about it. I only know he's not the conservative hero conspiracy theorist paint him to be.
Chris Martin of Martin guitars is a big Democrat donor, but Fender?
I checked www.opensecrets.org after the 2011 raid and again today. I see no evidence of any Fender donations to Democrats.
Could you tell me where you got this information?
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