Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands”
Are you a guitar owner? More important, do you own a guitar made by Gibson, one of the most well-known American guitar manufacturers? If so, listen up; you may be in Uncle Sam’s cross hairs – as a criminal.
Just ask Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitars.
Last week, heavily armed federal agents raided two guitar manufacturing facilities in Tennessee owned by Gibson — one in Nashville, another in Memphis. The feds were not acting on a tip that an al Qaeda cell was holed up in the buildings; or that Mexican drug cartel gangs were lurking inside. It was actually something far more serious; far more serious, that is, to a bunch of federal bureaucrats with nothing better to do.
The raids were carried out because the Department of Justice and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claim that parts of the iconic guitars manufactured in the plants contained the wrong kind of imported wood. And, although the feds have not made clear to Gibson just what it has done wrong, the government appears also to be claiming the guitar parts might have been exported to the U.S. contrary not to American laws, but to certain domestic laws of the countries exporting the parts to the United States!
One of the laws at play here is the hundred-year old Lacey Act, passed during the “Progressive Era,” and intended to promote conservation and as a crackdown on illegal trafficking in wildlife. The law also makes it a crime for a company to violate the laws or regulations of other countries. In this particular case, Gibson’s attorneys surmise it may be the law of India they are charged with misinterpreting or violating.
The Justice Department apparently believes the wood in question, used to construct fret boards for Gibson’s popular instruments, was imported from India without having first been “finished” by Indian workers; actions that could be considered a violation of that country’s byzantine legal code.
According to a press release from Gibson, the agents “seized several pallets of wood, electronic files and guitars.” Juszkiewicz estimated the loss of raw materials alone to be $1 million; obviously not including financial losses due to the inability to produce guitars from those materials.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Gibson has been subjected to the overreaching, punitive arm of the federal government. In 2009, the Nashville facility was raided in similar fashion, based on accusations that rosewood imported from Madagascar and used in guitars, came from illegal logging. And, despite the fact that to this day, the government has not filed formal charges against Gibson, it has refused to return the company’s property.
Gibson has engaged in extensive and costly efforts to recover its property from that raid two years ago; including the filing of a civil lawsuit. In the civil proceedings, the company presented proof, including statements from the Madagascar government, that the wood was obtained legally. Still, the federal government refuses to budge; and now, with these second and third raids, appears intent on trying to put Gibson out of business completely.
These highly publicized actions by the federal government have ramifications for any musician owning a guitar made out of certain woods by overzealous federal agents of having been obtained illegally at some point in the manufacturing process (even if years ago and by a prior owner or manufacturer). The Wall Street Journal notes that owners of vintage guitars made out of now-banned or regulated woods had “better have correct and complete documentation proving the age of the instrument. Otherwise, you could lose it to a zealous customs agent – not to mention face fines and prosecution.”
Gibson’s obviously frustrated CEO, who noted during a press conference the day of the raid that every guitar his company builds could possibly be considered criminal in nature, given the widely disparate countries from which the various woods are imported and in various states of manufacture; and considering the difficulty – if not impossibility – of correctly interpreting every relevant law of every one of those countries.
The government’s treatment of this American company – one of the few bright spots in domestic manufacture of musical instruments – is disgraceful, counterproductive, and mean-spirited.
In 2000, Charlton Heston, then serving as president of the National Rifle Association, and fighting gun control proposals, held a flintlock rifle over his head and declared famously, “from my cold dead hands.” Gibson’s CEO needs to rally freedom-loving Americans similarly; raising a Les Paul Gibson guitar over his head. All Americans who believe in freedom and limited government should come to Gibson’s defense; not just those who are guitar players.
by Bob Barr — The Barr Code
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158 comments Add your comment
Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands” – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Guitar Info Zone
August 31st, 2011
5:53 am
[...] post click here [...]
David Ziebell
August 31st, 2011
6:06 am
Right On, Bob! (There. I’ve not remained silent when they took away their guitars…)
Karl Marx
August 31st, 2011
6:25 am
Perhaps Gibson should do what other companies have and move outside the US. I would not blame them if they did. I blame the out of control Federal Government.
Damond Horner
August 31st, 2011
6:55 am
Fact is they have provided proof, to the government, the wood was procured legally. They have by and large stole property of Gibson… Not once but twice. Who ever called for these raids, should be held accountable from top to the bottom.
Gerald West
August 31st, 2011
7:08 am
Yeh, that’s what comes of enforcing laws passed by past and present corrupt, ignorant, self-serving Congresses. The Obama administration should simply ignore silly laws like the Lacey act and immigration restrictions.
Did you notice also that our judicial institution is unable to provide prompt, fair settlement of business disputes? Both sides may have to pay out millions of dollars to lawyers for delayed, distended, and indecisive litigation. That’s one of the reasons the US is not a good place for business investment.
Does anyone care, so long as we can keep our AK-47s for “personal protection”?
caslosgvv
August 31st, 2011
8:01 am
“bunch of Federal bureaucrats with nothing better to do”
Actually, there are other things they could be doing. It’s just that it’s a lot safer to raid a guitar manufacturer than rounding up and deporting illegal aliens or raiding heavily armed drug dealers. The easy way out wins every time.
thewindwhistler
August 31st, 2011
8:03 am
Would it not be India, itself that has the responsibility for seeing wood from endangered trees is not shipped out of the country? Does India do anything to stop the shipment of our most endangered species, American products to be assembled by Indian workers, or having humongus call centers in their country where they are paying their under age workers to work for pennies.
What has happened to the free enterprise system, making it is so incredibly difficult for a profitable business[Gibson Guitars] to stay in business.
Joe the Plutocrat (and Leo Fender fan)
August 31st, 2011
8:22 am
wow, I feel much better knowing my ‘72 tele custom has a maple fret. seriously, Gibson is one of a handful of American manufacturers that hasn’t off-shored all of it’s jobs/production. talk about “job-killing” legislation. of course, you have to tip your hat to Uncle Sam, as no doubt the dozens of federal agents and the bureaucrats in DC likely far outnumbered the handful of one of a kind, skilled artisans who manufacture top quality musical instruments. this may sound obvious, but would it no be better to simply re-write or better yet rescind the law? perhaps we should invade India or Madagascar to “protect” the mahogony and rosewood trees?
Federal raid on Gibson Guitars....retaliatory harassment? - Page 3 - US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum
August 31st, 2011
8:44 am
[...] it has refused to return the company’s property. Here's the link to the whole piece. Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam And this is really crazy check out the quote from the WSJ The Wall Street Journal notes that [...]
Greg Matthews
August 31st, 2011
8:57 am
This is the LAST STRAW! I’m glad that someone if finally speaking out about this in the media. Gibson Guitar company is one of the last remaining American Iconic Companies. I implore every red-blooded American reading this article to do something and help spread the word about this travesty of American justice. I’m contacting newspaper editors to encourage them to keep the story alive and on the first pages.
Tiger's Woody
August 31st, 2011
9:01 am
Looks like the Feds have given up on the war on drugs and found someone they can bully around.
bob
August 31st, 2011
9:03 am
Ridiculous!!!! Absolutely ridiculous!!! Since when did we become under other countries jurisdiction, with laws that are nonsensical at best and intentionally vague at worst. Why have we allowed our sovereignty to be diluted in this fashion? And how can Gibson even mount a reasonable defense? They can’t mount a defense in India because the property is not seized there. They can’t mount a defense here in America because no American law was broken. So now the Federal Government can deprive us of our property by the say so of another government? For shame on us to allow this unconstitutional situation.
Zedd
August 31st, 2011
9:04 am
Could the raids have been politically motivated since Gibson donates money to the Republican Party?
southpaw
August 31st, 2011
9:18 am
Someone else owned my bass guitar before I did, and he’s dead now. How do I find out if it’s made of illegal wood? Or does Gibson make bass guitars?
Maxa
August 31st, 2011
9:22 am
Bob, you do not mention the origins of the relevant portions of the LACEY ACT being used against Gibson. Seems a Congressman from Oregon was pressured by the lumber worker unions in the NW US who were not happy with the competition from overseas lumber producers.
Bottom-line: this case against Gibson is about the oppressive steps the democrats have taken/will take to accommodate the bullying oppression of the unions…all in the name of protecting the (union) workers (…and the cash flow to the coffers of the democrat party).
Nate
August 31st, 2011
9:38 am
Here is the problem. If you look at how the government treats Boeing after you read what I post you will see this isn’t a far stretch to think they are doing the same to Gibson. I also play a guitar so this hits close to home as they may come after personal guitars soon enough…..
Gibson is the only guitar company targeted by the Obama DOJ under the
Lacey Act.
Tennessee is a right-to-work state.
Fender, Taylor, Rickenbacker, Danelectro, Carvin, MusicMan, and ESP
are in California;
Spector is in New York;
Martin is in Pennsylvania;
Guild, Ovation, and Hamer are in Connecticut;
Alvarez is in Missouri;
B.C. Rich is in Kentucky;
Heritage is in Michigan;
Washburn is in Illinois.
All are forced-union states.
Peavey is another guitar and electronics company, located in the
right-to-work state of Mississippi.
Since 2009, Peavey has been the target of multiple lawsuits filed by
a competitor, MUSIC Group, which alleges that Peavy products fail to
meet federal safety and emissions standards.
craig
August 31st, 2011
9:39 am
Enter your comments here
roger
August 31st, 2011
9:42 am
I wonder what guitarist like slash or Eric Clayton have to say about the raids. Don’t they own Gibson guitars? It would be great if liberal musicians would make a stand!
craig
August 31st, 2011
9:46 am
Enter your comments here What do the pickle heads like Bruce Springstein, Mellisa Ethridge and Nataile Manes have to say about this? They always know so much about everything else.
Ron
August 31st, 2011
9:56 am
Query: why are we enforcing another countrys laws that requires raw material be manufactured(finished) before being shipped to the U.S. Seems to me companies have to ship jobs overseas befgore moving the product to the U.S.. This law has to go, period.
Darwin
August 31st, 2011
10:00 am
When US guitars are outlawed, only outlaws will have US guitars.
Stan Poff
August 31st, 2011
10:05 am
Wasting Taxpayer’s money with their bureaucratic bull crap! We’ll vote these useless people out of the government in 2012 and stop Obummer’s liberal agenda of destroying jobs and running companies overseas! Good Luck in Your fight!
TrOD
August 31st, 2011
10:06 am
If you watch the news… well you will never see any of the BS carried out by the DOJ, DEA, FDA, etc. But it is happening every day all across this Nation. Want to see it stopped?
STOP PAYING YOUR FEDERAL TAXES.
The entire monster will dry-up and blow away in 60 days if just 50% of the taxpayers stopped paying the federal gov.
Sam
August 31st, 2011
10:22 am
Face the facts. THIS COUNTRY REALLY SUCKS NOW!!!
Vote Ron Paul to Save Us All.
I'm retiring my Custom...at least for now. - Page 2 - My Les Paul Forums
August 31st, 2011
10:27 am
[...] exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess <political hysteria> http://blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2…ands%E2%80%9D/ Better safe than sorry. I'm keepin' mah baby…. __________________ Check my music on [...]
Grand Sport
August 31st, 2011
10:30 am
This is sad. An America icon attacked by America. Something here is very wrong. The government doesn’t feel “American” anymore. This is not America. This is not American. It is no wonder that we are currently in our present state: In the gutter. For God’s sake, these people make musical instruments that enrich the lives of many people. This is a company that has contributed to the history of rock music in ways that are not even possible to measure. Serious moments of our lives are documented by pieces of music created on a Gibson guitar. I would be seriously pissed off if some Feds came into my company and did this. This is wrong.
Robert
August 31st, 2011
10:35 am
It happened under the Obama Administration because BHO plays a Strat.. How rude is that??
Seriously, it is a shame and a Sham.. But let’s give guns to Drug Lords and see if we can track em down after they kill US Citizens. Nice.. Gov’t Gone Wild!!
Darwin
August 31st, 2011
10:46 am
I say the Republicans in the House should start an investigation. I know Obama is behind this. Maybe we could spend millions of $$ to find the truth. This Gibson guitar guy is a Republican donor and the Martin guitar guy (who don’t get harassed) gives to the Democrats. It all smells. I think we should turn to Bob to head the congressional inquiry. He’s really good at that. No doubt, we’ll have Obama impeached before the next election.
Jefferson
August 31st, 2011
11:05 am
Gibson already makes guitars in China, but “real” players won’t buy imports. Gibson has used illegal woods in the past because of consumer demand and money, this is a fact. They know the rules and the system. Martin guitars would have the same type of problems/issues — are they better documented ? Anyway you look at it, there will be due process so don’t let Bob incite you. If Gibson is wronged, they will be righted.
BULLSEYE
August 31st, 2011
11:16 am
After the last Rosewood tree is cut down, what will Gibson use then?
The Snark
August 31st, 2011
11:19 am
So, Bob, I guess your point is that laws should not be enforced if you think they’re silly? Or, they should be enforced, but not against “well-known American guitar manufacturers”? Or, they should not be enforced if the government bureaucrats have something better to do?
You’re very handy with perjorative comments, Bob, but I don’t see any point in your diatribes except “gummint bad.” Maybe you’d be happier in some land where there is little or no government to interfere with your precious notion of freedom.
Say, Somalia.
Rick
August 31st, 2011
11:22 am
“Wasting Taxpayer’s money with their bureaucratic bull crap! We’ll vote these useless people out of the government in 2012 and stop Obummer’s liberal agenda of destroying jobs and running companies overseas! Good Luck in Your fight!”
This is a law that was in place well before Obama took office. It may be an unjust law, but I’m not sure how one can criticize the administration for enforcing laws that are already in place. In Bob’s last blog, he talked about how Obama was undermining immigration laws and it wasn’t right to do that. So is he now arguing they shouldn’t follow this law?
Baker
August 31st, 2011
11:27 am
Bob Barr is…..WRONG!!!! America was founded by a handful of air-guitar masters, they din’t need no stinking wood, and neither do we.
Insert emoticon of guy playing the air guitar lead to “Stairway to Heaven”, the greatest air guitar lead ever written.
Dave Hicok
August 31st, 2011
11:28 am
Try & take my guitar & i’ll El Kobong you right into 2012!
bob
August 31st, 2011
11:29 am
Oh, come on. Heavily armed agents at a Gibson factory? Really?
Fender friend of Gibson
August 31st, 2011
11:34 am
i visited the gibson factory, impressive, really enjoyed it, and am thankful for them. they’re not out to hurt anyone they are our friends.
my guitars are more valuable and dangerous than my guns. they’re my ’spiritual’ weapons thats why they are known as ‘axes’. designed to cut down, like trees. to me they’re spiritual weapons of this world’s warfare. they can be used to do spiritual surgery on a soul. none of these battles we fight can be ’seen’… all the root of todays issues are in the spiritual realm, the ‘unseen’ deep within souls.
i pray that the evil in peoples soul is eradicated. i pray that souls that have money in excess that use it for evil to oppress and destroy other souls, that it (excess cash)turn out to be a curse to them. many souls use excess money for good. i’ll never see any of that what is mine, that which i’ve paid into social security for years. probably being used by a politicial soul to solicit the soul of a hooker or whore. the banks now want more fees. i myself am unemployed and getting squeezed. but it is working out for good because now i have more of my God and am experiencing a miraculous provision of making it day by day… by faith. didn’t know it before but, i’ve learned that peace within my soul is priceless, more valuable than money. this world we exist in seems to make no sense (like this action in this article), neither does faith make sense to me, but it works! i now understand peace within my soul despite the external circumstances. only God can do that. not missing a beat literally and figuratively. am also able to spend more time ’shedding’, studying my axes, learning it, applying it. in the old testament, the musicians went out before the army before battle. they needed the music to pump them up for the battle.
God will prove to be faithful, it is written, the battle has been already won.
the Doobies sang “what the people need is a way to make them smile, it ain’t so hard to do if you know how, gotta get a message, get it on through”
do you hear the music? feels like funk!
peace
Pandles
August 31st, 2011
12:06 pm
I’m a little confused by the self-righteous response some of you are giving here. Was Gibson importing illegal wood? If so, then they deserve to be busted. Anyone with a non-antique guitar made of rare or endangered wood should be ashamed of themselves. If, as some have said, Gibson is innocent, then I’ll shut up!
G. Baecher
August 31st, 2011
12:09 pm
I’m a Gibson owner and I am disgusted with the company’s flagrant violation — possibly criminal violation — of US and international law regarding protection of tropical rain forests. I would also add, God-given laws. These laws protect all of us, even T-Party’ers. Both Taylor Guitars and CF Martin play by the rules and are good corporate citizens. They are American companies run by their founders. The same cannot be said of the Harvard-MBAs who run Gibson. I say, boycott Gibson and save America.
Anthony
August 31st, 2011
12:11 pm
Henry, you should arm all your employees, so the next time the Federal Criminals decide to step foot on your plant’s property, shoot to kill. F*ck them. We have guns too. Cokcy motherf*ckers. DEA and FBI agents bleed like everyone else.
Jimi Hendrix
August 31st, 2011
12:22 pm
You can’t hear Jimi…excuse me while I kiss the sky!
MrLiberty
August 31st, 2011
12:26 pm
G. Baecher – So do you work for Martin, the DOJ, the democratic party or what. There is a thing called due process in this country and our government is violating that law. They are the criminals, not Gibson. Gibson deserves everyone’s support and a purchase if financially possible.
Here’s some info on one of their competitors – Big Democratic party supporter – big surprise:
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2011/08/ceo-of-gibson-guitars-main-competitor.html
America has become a police state.
Rick
August 31st, 2011
12:33 pm
MrLiberty, Gibson will have it’s day in court so I’m failing to see how the gov’t isn’t following due process. And it’s a stretch to call this political just because one Gibson competitor (who by the way does not even make electric guitars, only acoustic), supports the democratic party.
TRUTH
August 31st, 2011
12:59 pm
As a bass player (and I think Gibson Basses, suck!!)all I can say is… How much did they spend on this tidbit of criminal behavior? I remember back in the day one of my makers was Alembic. THey specialized in African Teakwood Basses (which I’m sure was illegal as heck) with pearl inlays. Nice axe, obscenely expensive. Like having a real Cuban cigar. But, at the end of the day, who frikkin’ cares??!!
This is not a political fight, this is just a stupid fight…
Valentine Wiggin
August 31st, 2011
1:02 pm
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Jefferson
August 31st, 2011
1:06 pm
The ones that are easily incited are easliy misled….look at the GOP party.
BillyRob
August 31st, 2011
1:14 pm
Obama and his justice department are leading the way in selectively enforcing the law. They are clearly saying that they have no intention of enforcing immiagration law ( while arguing in Federal court that only the feds can enforce the law) while pursuing other silly pursuits. Holder is chasing the “criminals” he wants to and disregarding the ones he thinks might be on his side.
justme
August 31st, 2011
1:15 pm
With the arrest of kids over lemonade stands, and adults with gardens, and the open border, and Fast and Furious, I agree…. we ARE in a police state. Oh and don’t let me forget Rawsome foods and THEIR swat raid….
As for Gibson having their day in court, their first battle has been put on hold by the government.
I have no faith in either Repub. or Dem. They’re ALL sending us down the road, while they and theirs get rich beyond belief off our taxes.
Leroy
August 31st, 2011
1:41 pm
I believe in freedom and limited government, too. But in this country, they both died in 1865 when the federal government became omnipotent.
Funkmaster
August 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
my guitars are more valuable than my guns. they can do more damage than guns too being ‘axes’. i use my axes to cut down and build up.
we’re battling spiritual entities that reside in souls of people. we can’t see these from our perspective. there is ever increasing activity of evil in the souls of people. that is the root of this topic and all prevailing nonsense these days. many souls of rich are using money for evil to oppress and destroy souls. many souls of rich do much good also. my prayer is that all evil is eradicated in the souls of people. the decisions that are made like this are product of evil residing in the soul, making life deplorable, unthinkable causing deteorioration, destruction and misery.
was thinking how i’ll never receive my social secuity despite the contributions made over the years. but some political soul is probably taking my money to solicit the soul of a hooker or whore. the banks evil desire to take more via way of ‘fees’ is never enough, evidence of the greed deep within somebodys soul.
i am unemployed but experencing more of God than ever. everything else is being squeezed out. it is working out for good. peace of mind deep within the soul is more valuable than any dollar figure. the bible says God is going to turn this evil around. he has won this battle, the evil in the soul will turn out to be a snare for many.
in the old testament, the musicians went out before the soldiers before the battle began. the music pumped up Gods people and inspired the army, then miraculously, God showed up and fought and won the fight. God has not changed.
i make it by faith every day and we are miracuously provided for. i also have time to do some serious ’shedding’ in order to continue to fight good fight of faith and ‘go out in front of the army’ with my guitars. God promised, it is written and it is true, it is his battle and it has been won.
the Doobies sang, “what the people need is a way to make them smile, it ain’t so hard to do if you know how, gotta get a message, get it on through”
do you hear the music? feels like funk! keep on keeping to our friends at Gibson!
smile!
Deeith
August 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
To Nate:
You hit the nail on the head! The entire fiasco is nothing less than intimidation and payback to TN for being a right to work state (and for being entirely too conservative!)
Harrassment, lies, confiscation and cover-up is what we have come to expect from a Justice DEPT gone wild. I wouldn’t blame Juszkiewicz if they were to move the company out of the US.
This is Obama’s idea of being business friendly? He says creating jobs is the first thing he thinks about at night and the first thing he thinks about in the morning. If this is a sample of his thinking, it reflects more how to sabatage business and how to bring this limping economy to its knees.
Lord help us!
Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitars, to be on The Angel Clark Show – Radio Freedom – Friday, September 2, 2011 « Sussex County Angel
August 31st, 2011
2:00 pm
[...] The Barr Code has it right, “From my cold, dead hands”. [...]
Barack
August 31st, 2011
2:11 pm
This should not be laid at the feet of the Obama administration. Just like the high unemployment, rising deficit and the stagnant economy…it’s Bush’s plucking fault.
No_to_India
August 31st, 2011
2:23 pm
Declined to use 27 call center employees in India. Please try to add to this total. American jobs need to stay in America.
Steve - B.
August 31st, 2011
2:42 pm
Gibson obviously isn’t paying enough for lobbyist or Political contributions. You don’t pay the man and they are gonna come for you. Ask Microsoft, they learned their lesson.
Laurie
August 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
Perhaps Gibson has not hired the right lobbiest yet, or made substantial campaign contributions to the right members of Congress, or perhaps made someone in government angry. Profits are out there for the taking in this pro-capitalist society, just got to grease the right palms to get it.
Tim Champlin
August 31st, 2011
3:23 pm
When they outlaw guitars only outlaws will have guitars!
randwolf13
August 31st, 2011
3:26 pm
My next guitar will be a Gibson.
cga
August 31st, 2011
3:32 pm
This raid is clearly politically motivated. While other manufacturers of guitars in the USA, such as Fender, Taylor and C.F. Martin, have been left alone, Gibson has been raided not just once, but twice. Their wood is purchased from the same suppliers as these other US guitar manufacturers. The only difference in the companies seems to be which political party they support. Gibson Chairman Henry Juszkiewicz is a Republican party donor. Chris Martin contributes to the Democratic party. Gibson also moved their manufacturing from Elgin, Illinois to Tennessee – a right to work state,because of persistent labor problems. Is it any coincidence that Boeing is being prevented by the Obama administration from opening a new plant in Tennessee? I think not. This has the Democratic party and Labor Unions smell all over it.
jammin
August 31st, 2011
3:59 pm
Seems like a good reason for a good old fashioned protest festival.
Bill Ship
August 31st, 2011
4:06 pm
It was a bunch of Tea Party people behind it!… That isn’t American wood! The Les Paul should be made with Black Walnut finger boards and Maple necks on Maple capped piece of Bass wood! So the Epiphones may well be the way to go now! Send more money to foreign countries instead of keeping it here in the USA! Might be the only way to get a traditional Les Paul.
ramguy68
August 31st, 2011
4:09 pm
If you have a Gibson the production year is encoded in the serial number.
Chris
August 31st, 2011
4:14 pm
Is this an example of the Obama administration’s plan to “create jobs”. I contacted my Representative and 2 Senators. Gibson USA is being denied their maybe their 4th and definitely their 6th amendment rights.
Bluestone, PhD
August 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
The Ogabungo Odumbo Administration. Can’t do anything about the Border Wars or the corruption in his own House-That-Is-White. So he goes after businesses that employ lots of people. Remember (2012)
Billy Fine
August 31st, 2011
4:51 pm
Gotta love the Feds, but on the other hand Henry is a megalomaniac cock-jockey.
Hillbilly D
August 31st, 2011
5:57 pm
I’ve always wanted an ES-335. I guess it’s just as well, though; I can’t afford one anyway.
JAMES1
August 31st, 2011
7:21 pm
WHEN THE MATERIALS were seized bush was president
GEORGIA GOP REDNECKS LIKES A POLICESTATE
August 31st, 2011
8:54 pm
HOW DOES IT FEEL FOR THE POLICE TO RAID YOU FOR NOTHING?
NOW YOU REDNECK RACISTS SEE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE!
IT WAS OKAY AS LONG AS THE SYSTEM DID BLACKFOLKS WRONG,NOW THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHERFOOT!
P.S. YALL WAS GLAD THAT THIS POLICESTATE WAS MESSING WITH BLACKS,NOW THE CHICKENS ARE COMING HOME TO ROOST!
GEORGIA GOP REDNECKS LIKES A POLICESTATE
August 31st, 2011
8:59 pm
IM SO GLAD GOD IS GETTING READY TO KNOCK YOU CRACKERS OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE!
THE BIBLE SAYS THE 1ST WILL BE LAST AND THE LAST SHALL BE 1ST!
HURRICANE AND A EARTHQUAKE IN THE SAME WEEK,RACIST AMERICA IS GOING DOWN,JUST LIKE ROME DID!
R
August 31st, 2011
10:20 pm
…and people wonder why companies move over seas.
Baker
August 31st, 2011
11:15 pm
The Feds sent armed agents to raid a kazoo factory too. The owners were using old pocket fisherman fishing poles imported from North Korea, (the dirty rats). I gotta go with Big Brother on this one, man.
3006AL
September 1st, 2011
12:25 am
The Attorney General lets weapons flood into Mexico is some frivolous attempt to catch drug cartel bosses, when his real agenda was to use these 1800 or so guns to justify banning so called assault weapons. Now he’s stonewalling and won’t cooperate with congress. But he finds time to raid a legitimate business that’s been in existence for years. Why? For publicity and politically correctness, i.e., to look good and important, going after law breakers. Holder is the law breaker and needs to be removed from office ( along with Obama). If Gibson moved to Canada or elsewhere I wouldn’t blame them. Gibson needs all the public support they can get; people to contact their congress to complain. They need to let the nation know about this farce; go to the multi-media!
Rashavious
September 1st, 2011
1:58 am
“According to a press release from Gibson, the agents “seized several pallets of wood, electronic files and guitars.”
First thought comes to mind, there are some federal agents who’ll have themselves some very nice guitars. That’s the way these things frequently work.
Techfan
September 1st, 2011
4:23 am
Obviously, a lot of the posters know nothing about guitars and just hop on board with Bob and his “the government is always wrong and is nothing but a bunch of thugs” mantra. For the most part, Gibson makes high end guitars. Over the years they have acquired numerous other companies (Epiphone for example) and most of their manufacturing is done overseas. The instruments made in the US are considered “premium”. For whatever reason (tradition and prejudice mostly) high end buyers want their new guitars to look and sound like the classics of years gone by. These classic guitars used tonewood and other items that are now endangered. Many had ivory nuts, bridge pins, and inlays. They used tonewoods from the rainforest. Importation of many of these items is now illegal. Gibson has been slack with their documentation on these items. I know several people who have worked for them and they are no different than other corporations. They aren’t run by some old hippies who just make wonderful instruments. They are ruthless, treat their employees like crap, and will cut as many corners as they can to improve profits. They have some models that use sustainable woods, but these aren’t big sellers. Folks who pay big bucks (and Gibsons aren’t cheap),want the old look and sound, but the materials are scarce. All of the instrument makers I’m aware of have stockpiles of the old wood, but it would not surprise me one bit if Gibson is trying to slip in banned materials. It’s tough on instrument makers now. I read an article on how they are even salvaging old growth timber from the bottom of the Great Lakes. Musicians are going to have to accept that there are limits on resources and that the traditional tonewoods aren’t available. Just as you aren’t going to get ivory parts (you can get fossilized), you are going to have to learn to do without traditional tonewood.
Steve
September 1st, 2011
8:23 am
Sounds like a good reason to shut down and reopen in another friendlier country, where profits may be higher as well.
Tenn Slim
September 1st, 2011
8:40 am
Tennesseans at Nashville, Musicians around the country should be stating publicly about this ignnorant and blatant move by the OBAMA Union driven Justice system.
In point of fact, this is simply the tip of the iceberg. Across the Private Sector, just such actions are taking place weekly. The intent? The TOTAL Demise of the capitalistic USA Private enterprise system. Add the Depedency of the Electorate, the Amnesty of the Illegals and Obamas end run Executive orders, and we are well on our way to a totalitarian state.
The Left will not go quietly into the night.
2012 elections will, if won by Conservatives, only be the beginning of undoing the Gordian Knot being weaved across the USA.
Semper Fi
chewster
September 1st, 2011
8:55 am
Overview of the Gibson vs. US Fish and Wildlife and now Gibson vs. DOJ -
The Nashville-based guitar manufacturer has been investigated for violating the Lacey Act. The Lacey act was amended in 2009 to include wood products. On November 17, 2009 federal authorities seized six guitars and several pallets of alleged endangered and illegal, rare ebony wood purchased by Gibson which was stored at the company’s factory. Until the investigation has been concluded, Henry E. Juszkiewicz, CEO and Chairman of Gibson Guitar Corporation, has taken a leave of absence as a board member of the Rainforest Alliance. In June 2011, the United States Department of Justice filed a civil case against Gibson, stating: “Gibson sourced its unfinished ebony wood in the form of blanks (for use in the manufacture of fingerboards for Gibson guitars) from Nagel (in Germany), which obtained it exclusively from Roger Thunam (a supplier in Madagascar). Madagascar prohibits the harvest of ebony wood as well as the exportation of unfinished ebony wood.” The filing also made mention of internal emails from 2008 and 2009 that discussed ebony species from Madagascar and plans to harvest it. The case against Gibson Guitar was the first under the amended Lacey Act, which requires importing companies to purchase legally harvested wood and follow the environmental laws of the producing countries regardless of corruption or lack of enforcement.
In January of 2011, Gibson Guitar filed a motion to recover the materials seized in the raid and to overturn the charges made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This motion was overturned, and according to reports quoting a special agent on the case, the material is expected to be used by the prosecution in anticipated indictments.
Gibson Guitar’s offices and factories in Nashville and Memphis were raided again by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife on August 24, 2011, although no details were released about the nature of the raid or what was found due to the ongoing legal proceedings. However, according to a statement issued by Gibson Guitar the following day, these raids focused on rare wood imported from India. In the release, Juszkiewicz lashed out at the Justice Department, claiming that it was “bullying Gibson without filing charges” and stating further: “Gibson is innocent and will fight to protect its rights. Gibson has complied with foreign laws and believes it is innocent of any wrong doing. We will fight aggressively to prove our innocence.” He also criticized the government’s use of the Lacey Act because it interprets and enforces the laws of other nations, in this case India.
The charges against the company constitute a felony, and if proven, the company could face large fines and the executives involved could face jail terms. Gibson Guitar is considered a progressive company for its promotion of sustainability and forest certification. Although the Rainforest Alliance certified the wood used by Gibson Guitar, its FSC certificates only applied to specific product lines. In the case of the wood from Madagascar, the wood could not have been used in products labeled or sold as FSC-certified.
According to a story in the Wall Street Journal, the case has also caused concern for musicians who lack documentation of vintage instruments made of traditional, non-sustainable materials.
Allegations of politicization:
The raids on Gibson Guitar’s facilities became politicized following Juszkiewicz criticism of the federal government, when right-wing bloggers using OpenSecrets.org concluded that the raids and investigation were politically motivated since Juszkiewicz donated more to Republicans during the previous election season, whereas the C.E.O. of Gibson Guitar’s competitor, C.F. Martin & Company supported Democratic candidates, yet his company was not raided despite also reportedly using the same wood.
Left-wing bloggers later criticized these accusations, while also noting an inconsistency in Gibson Guitar’s press release. They pointed out that following the 2009 raid, Juszkiewicz began working with the Rainforest Alliance on developing a new wood sourcing plan—suggesting they were acknowledging a problem with the source of their wood—but following the 2011 raid, Juszkiewicz claimed to have sworn statements and documents from the Madagascar government proving the wood was legal.
retired military
September 1st, 2011
9:02 am
I saw another article on this subject on powerline blog.
It seems that Gibson’s CEO is a big republican contributor. It seems that Gibson’s main competitor has a CEO which is an Obama supporter. Gee that doesnt seem fishy now does it.
Arthur Shatz
September 1st, 2011
9:09 am
C.F. Martin is probably next. This is a total outrage. They can’t prove anything about the 2009 seizure yet they won’t give the wood back, and they can’t or won’t justify this seizure. Would anyone be surprised if Gibson says to heck with this and moves off shore? Our government is out of control.
Rick
September 1st, 2011
9:13 am
“I saw another article on this subject on powerline blog.
It seems that Gibson’s CEO is a big republican contributor. It seems that Gibson’s main competitor has a CEO which is an Obama supporter. Gee that doesnt seem fishy now does it.”
So now Martin is Gibson’s “main competitor?” Like I said earlier, to suggest it is politically motivated just because one of MANY competitors supports democrats is a reach. And again, Martin only makes acoustic guitars. Gibson does make acoustics as well, but I think it’s fair to say that they are far more well known for their electrics and most of their profits come from them.
tv22
September 1st, 2011
9:16 am
I sure am glad the government is going to protect us from these guitars and this wood. Imagine the calamity that would have befallen our nation had this wood landed in the wrong hands.
I posted on another site how the administration wants all US companies to ensure that no “conflict minerals” are used in anything they get from suppliers. So basically now companies have to audit their entire supply chain, back through several levels of suppliers to get to raw material purchases. Or they can just move someplace where it’s cheaper to do business. I’m sure the President will address this in his jobs plan!
Jim K
September 1st, 2011
9:16 am
The raids could also be a result of Gibson being non union. Martin uses the same wood but is a union shop, have not heard of Martin being raided yet.
Robert Johnson
September 1st, 2011
9:40 am
I’ve been following this story since 2009, after the Federal Government made the first raid on Gibson. Some of the responses posted here lead me to believe that many posters do not know the full story and all the facts. Gibson had all the documentation on the origins and processing of all the wood they imported, everything was in order. The only reason Gibson was raided is because of the Obama administration’s political connections to the unions(Gibson isn’t union) and because the owner’s of Gibson contributed to some Republican Party candidates! Obama’s Justice Department, along with Eric Holder and his jackbooted thugs have swooped in like the gestapo nazis they are to intimidate Gibson and bleed them dry! Obama has turned a blind eye to various laws and statutes that should be enforced(immigration, Operation Fast & Furious, flash mobs, etc) and cherry picked vague laws that enable him to intimidate companies and organizations that do not kowtow to the Democratic Party! Obama and Holder have set our country back 50 years with their racist rhetoric(dividing black/white, etc) and continue to add fuel to the powderkeg that’s about to explode!
Gibson Guitars are an American icon and I wouldn’t blame them if they took their company overseas. Disgraceful, shame on Obama and his nazis…!!
Baker
September 1st, 2011
9:44 am
Last month, the Feds sent heavily-armed G-men to raid a violin factory in Peoria, too. The owners were using endangered cats’ guts to make the G-strings, the dirty rats
bwa
CAREFUL! If you own a Gibson guitar, you might be a criminal (and not even know it)
September 1st, 2011
9:50 am
[...] Read more here >>> [...]
jim bossier
September 1st, 2011
9:54 am
Ted Nugent ! We need you to go to Washington now to defend the Gibson guitars of the future!
Florida
September 1st, 2011
10:18 am
When this administration is over, the government Beuracracy should be purged. The people responsible for this raid should be investigated and brought up on charges. It’s time we give them back their own medicine.
jopiper
September 1st, 2011
10:23 am
Hey you hippies! How do you like obama now? With regards, Joe Piper, Gibson banjo player……….uh oh.
KimiYo
September 1st, 2011
10:29 am
The entire thing is ridiculous. I’m picturing black market guitars in mass quantities…. Sooooo….it’s illegal for Gibson to purchase what our “gubberment” construes as questionable materials…. But okay for Walmart to violate, unknowingly or not (cough), every possible human rights law in existance ti mass produce it’s products? Really?
Sherlock
September 1st, 2011
10:32 am
Eric Holder is protecting the people. My goodness, haven’t you heard some of the sounds coming from these instruments. It is threatening to the voters trying to get to the polls to vote. Can you just imagine if these instruments were placed in and around polling places, well this could swing an election “One Way or Another” (Sorry Blondie).
Another fine example of the failed policies of the Obama administration. I hope the American voter has had enough. NO MO BO!
truzak
September 1st, 2011
10:41 am
One wonders what the real rationale is for the tyranny unleashed by the government on a private business that actually employes people, makes it product in the USA, and produces products people want to buy? It sounds like Gibson has its own “stimulus” plan.
Maybe that’s the problem. Gibson does not need the feds, and so is a danger to Obama’s socialist designs by contrast.
Or maybe Gibson had the audacity to refuse to contribute to Obama’s campaign when union enforcers came by to extort money from them.
Or maybe Gibson does not use union labor! Aha! Me thinks we stumbled on to the reason.
But whatever the reason, one can be sure it has absolutely NOTHING to do about trees or foreign laws.
I sure look forward to the day when somebody confiscates Eric Holder’s stuff as he is convicted of running guns to Mexico.
GEORGIA GOP REDNECKS LIKES A POLICESTATE
September 1st, 2011
10:48 am
YOU RACIST CRACKERS NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT BUSH SENIOR AND BUSH JR BRINGING IN THE POLICESTATE,ITS FUNNY HOW YALL WHITETRASH ONLY BLAME OBAMA AND CLINTON!
BUT WHO PHUCKED UP THE COUNTRY? BUSH AND REAGAN!
YALL TIME OF DOING EVIL IS UP REDNECKS!
Today’s Rebellion News – Sept 1st 2011 | Rebellion News
September 1st, 2011
11:03 am
[...] Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands” [...]
Buck Ofama
September 1st, 2011
11:14 am
The gubmint losers know that musicians- especially in Nashville- are typically whining liberals with a “you owe me” mentality. Moreover, since the typical musician tends toward handouts, they will not mind when the gubmint forces Gibson to manufacture its products in some sh\thole like india, mexico.
Finally, this is certainly all, (sniff, snivel) BUSH’S FAULT!
Buck Ofama
September 1st, 2011
11:18 am
Perhaps Jokebama and Holder set the gubmint thugs onto Gibson, because the company has the one thing they don’t: WOOD.
Must Reads for September 1 | NetRight Daily
September 1st, 2011
11:25 am
[...] The government goes to war against Gibson guitars [...]
Kingpin5
September 1st, 2011
11:25 am
I love Gibson Guitars, their sound is identifiable. But Tuff Stuff. If you are in the game, know the rules. If you can’t color in the lines, you can’t play the game. Straight and simple.
Charles Crossland
September 1st, 2011
11:26 am
Damn, I always wanted a Les Paul, but didn’t want to spend the 2k to get one. Turns out all I had to do is get a federal job and I could get one for free.
Vidas del socialismo! Muerte a los capitalistas!
Rick
September 1st, 2011
11:36 am
I love how everyone is accusing Obama of going after American businesses, when the administration is merely enforcing a law that was in place before he took office. For the record, the last amendment to the Lacey Act was during the Bush administration. Further, I think it’s laughable how people are blaming Obama when I sincerely doubt he has any knowledge of the raid.
B. Samuel Davis
September 1st, 2011
11:41 am
Does anyone believe that what has been done wasn’t approved by Obama, or Obama appointees? This is an out of control government and stupidity at work.
Get off your computer, all your local Republican representative and put your time and money to work getting rid of this guy and his minions. You reach practically no one blogging. Get moving!
Paul Ingram
September 1st, 2011
11:48 am
If this were Rockwell importing chrome illegally for a missle, you old hippies would have a different target of indignation. But Gibson? Now that’s downright personal.
dhw
September 1st, 2011
11:50 am
Has Henry Juszkiewicz, or Gibson Guitars donated either to the DNC or the RNC? Have they offended any unions? They need to understand governmental ‘play to pay’ rules.
Firedigger
September 1st, 2011
11:51 am
If you want to see what’s going on here, read the book “Three Felonies a Day.” Be sure to wrap a belt around your head to keep it from exploding.
Today’s Links: September 1, 2011
September 1st, 2011
11:54 am
[...] that citizens do not have the constitutional right to record police.”OPINIONBob Barr: “Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – ‘From My Cold, Dead Hands‘” “Last week, heavily armed federal agents raided two guitar manufacturing [...]
Jefferson
September 1st, 2011
11:59 am
Boy talk about people who don’t know what they are talking about. Gibson breaks the laws and now its the law’s fault. Their products are way overpriced and quality is bad, talk to someone who sell them and ask them about the strong armed dealer agreements. If they disappear tomorrow, it will be their fault, not the US gov’t.
Keith G
September 1st, 2011
12:19 pm
Whether they are violating the letter of Indian and/or US law or not, they are certainly violating the spirit of the law. Gibson should be permanently shut down, and its board and managers prosecuted to the fullest extent.
JungleCogs
September 1st, 2011
12:34 pm
These collectivists will not be happy until they can control every portion of human life!
Geoff
September 1st, 2011
1:36 pm
Well, lets see what happens if the Supreme Court doesn’t stike down “Obamacare”. If they don’t, the government can MAKE us buy whatever they want us to buy. Apparently it won’t be Gibson guitars, of which I have a 1960’s J50 in great shape = I’m probably a felon for that according to this administration. What a joke on this country.
Dan McMartin
September 1st, 2011
1:41 pm
Our government is out of control! It is no longer of, by and for the people. It is an enemy of the people. With all the real crime going on, this is what they choose to crack down on? A guitar company that MIGHT have unwittingly broke the law of another nation in violation of a 100 year old law? Please! This is too much. The people need to rise up and take this country back from the political class that thinks they are superior to the will of the people.
Thanks to Bob for helping to bring light to this.
Geoff
September 1st, 2011
1:43 pm
In reply to dhw’s questions = yes, the CEO of Gibson is a big contributor to the Republican party. Any other questions about the Chicago style politics of Obama and his administration?
The Lonliest Monk
September 1st, 2011
1:55 pm
Apparently, DOJ has told Gibson that they can make this all go away if they build factories in Madagascar. This is the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT advising a UNITED STATES business to go abroad, at the cost of how many AMERICAN JOBS?
Couple that with President Obama’s “Job Tsar” Jeffrey Inmelt moving his G.E. X-ray operation to China, and now partnering with China in an aerospace venture to compete with BOEING, an AMERICAN company, at the cost of how many jobs?
I could go on but I have to go straighten the neck on my re-cyclable plastic guitar.
So look out Violinists, Violists, Cellists and Bassists … you’re next …actually, in the case of Violas, maybe not such a bad idea!!
Alansoulo
September 1st, 2011
2:07 pm
I will guarantee you there is some wierd ” we profited from slave labor” type of left wing grievance with this Holder guy’s DOJ. Go walk around a Berkeley or Madison college campus and talk with some old sociologist professor and one will know what is really behind this stupidity. Some of the wood is from the tropics so you know whitey hating Holder found something to hate about Gibson, The sooner we get rid of this whole “VAN JONES” insanity that fuels this President and his goons the better the whole world will be.
Glenn Koons, LB, Ca.
September 1st, 2011
2:35 pm
Amazing that this corrupt Admin . can send guns to terrorists, not prosecute Panthers, not investigate their own corrupt AG, and will not investigate Dem voter fraud that even the GAO explained. But boy howdy, they will go after a legal business entity which somehow has done what to some crazed endangered tree or wood or Delta Smelt or Snail Darter??? Or some other worthless species which hurts real humans, small businesses, farmers , fisheries and legal American entities which this Prez hates????? Yikes
the sandman
September 1st, 2011
2:40 pm
Didnt Moochelle Obama give a Gibson guitar to Sarkozys wife? Shes violating the law! Raid her, Fish and Game. BTW-since WHEN did the dept of Fish and Game become a heavily armed outlet akin to the KGB ?
NJTom
September 1st, 2011
2:46 pm
That’s what happens when you put an incompetent moron like Eric Holder in charge of anything more than a lemonade stand – oh wait, the feds are raiding those too!
Tracy
September 1st, 2011
2:48 pm
Lets just see if our gov. can waste even more gov. time and money! This is another good example of where our hard earned dollars are going…right down the toilet with the administration. How horribly sad.
Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands” | Dan's Journal
September 1st, 2011
2:52 pm
[...] Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands” [...]
kyronnex
September 1st, 2011
2:56 pm
Come on people, judges are overthrowing the mandate requirement in something as big as the health care reform act. The judiciary in this country is pretty strong (okay may be it is biased, may be it is slow … but it certainly is not a puppet of the Obama administration). So you are telling me that 1 miniscule dept of the federal govt is so powerful that no judge dare go against the evidence presented by Gibson if the evidence was really satisfactory?
If Gibson had the right proof, any judge would rule that the government return the “stolen property”. Only reason why they haven’t already done so is because the evidence has not convinced the judges.
This reporter is surely presenting a 1 sided defence of Gibson. There is more to this story.
Rod
September 1st, 2011
3:07 pm
Just curious, by any chance does Gibson run a non-union shop?
me
September 1st, 2011
3:41 pm
Tell Obama he’s anti-American if he doesn’t intervene. What business in their right mind would stay here. Oh, I forgot, that’s what he wants. Where the government owns everything. Well lets see him support himself when we all leave. Where will he get his money to help the “poor helpless bums” if we working people are all gone. Post this as your headline – newspapers. Businesses all leaving US as business unfriendly. Oh didn’t think so. You wouldn’t publish the truth if it was crammed down your throat.
Gene
September 1st, 2011
3:41 pm
How come only Gibson is singled out? Right to work state, not a union company. Put them out of business until they become union. Obama and Holder playing to the unions. Do not expect the big names in the music business to say a word in defense of Gibson. Time for another investigation of the Obama government.
Hris
September 1st, 2011
3:49 pm
We The People need to stand against this injustice. I have written my senators.
Audio: Gibson CEO Claims Feds Told Him Problems Would ‘Go Away’ if Labor Done in Madagascar « Nice Deb
September 1st, 2011
3:51 pm
[...] In 2000, Charlton Heston, then serving as president of the National Rifle Association, and fighting gun control proposals, held a flintlock rifle over his head and declared famously, ‘from my cold dead hands.’ Gibson’s CEO needs to rally freedom-loving Americans similarly; raising a Les Paul Gibson guitar over his head. All Americans who believe in freedom and limited government should come to Gibson’s defense; not just those who are guitar players.” – Bob Barr [...]
Rod
September 1st, 2011
3:52 pm
I would assume the raid was pursuant to a search warrant. If so, who was the affiant providing the basis for the warrant? Must be an identifiable complainant somewhere in the documentation. Whole thing is so unusual and so incredibly heavy handed and anti-business that it would be interesting to get back to the genesis of the whole matter. Needs a good Tennessee investigative journalist.
Tommy K
September 1st, 2011
4:39 pm
I would like President Obama to address this in his speech about jobs next Thursday. If a high value company like Gibson Guitars cannot be allowed to make guitars in the US, then what right does anyone have to expect company owners to fight harder to keep jobs locally?
I want the entire chain of bureaucracy that embarked on this vendetta explain themselves before congress.
Jimmy62
September 1st, 2011
4:53 pm
kyronnex: The government has had Gibson’s property since 2009, and has yet to charge them with anything. Sorry, that’s not valid behavior for a government in what is supposed to be a free country with the right to a fair and speedy trial.
The funny part is how people will twist themselves into knots to explain how people who break our immigration laws aren’t actually criminals and shouldn’t be punished or deported, but they won’t give a break to Gibson, who has broken no US laws, and at worst broke the US’s interpretation of an Indian law that even the Indians say Gibson didn’t break. How anyone can justify this is beyond me.
Geoff
September 1st, 2011
5:10 pm
YOU JUST CAN’T MAKE THIS STUPIDITY UP!!!! Vote them all out in 2012.
Hank
September 1st, 2011
5:15 pm
Just saw the interview with the Gibson CEO. It is unbelievable! It is time for a new direction. The raiders should be looking for terrorists and not harass small business. Repeat. Unbelievable!!
Your Guitar is Illegal - How about the Justice Dept.? - VolNation
September 1st, 2011
5:49 pm
[...] Guitar is Illegal – How about the Justice Dept.? Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam ? ?From my cold, dead hands? | The Barr Code [...]
SeattleMark952
September 1st, 2011
6:13 pm
The government is the biggest bully of all, with none bigger to correct any injustice. That is why the founding fathers considered the federal government a “necessary evil” and we are happiest when we have a minimal amount of central government (for national defense, roads, etc.).
James M. Roland jr.
September 1st, 2011
6:49 pm
I can see how this could be a problem…if all of the stable companies are not shown to be doing something wrong…whether or not it can be proven…the obama lovers and all the anti-American socialists cannot proceed with their plans to destroy the American economy!
One of the best ways to take over a countries power is to destroy it from the inside…this is not a statement from this one, two, or three Gibson incidents…this is in light of the bank syndromes and the stepping down of some very capable managers of some of America’s top profile businesses and more recently Apple computers…conspiracy…no observations!!! Wake up folks we are in an underbelly attack and we think we are being tickled by the insolent American hating countries…countries we have helped with compassion and concern for many years financially and humanely!!!
We only went to war when the factions were killing innocent people and not relenting but hey let’s do not think about that let’s whine cause it costs too much…freedom has always cost life and finance…pick which is worth the cost…if they are not appreciative…for example burning our flag and telling us to leave…then let them handle their own garbage…just like the illegal immigrants and muslim anti-American groups leave and do not return if you think America is not what it should be…
…we can all use change but our country does not need an overhaul…we just need to run the riff Raff out of office and become we the people once again…if they want us to be a fallen power and a third world country, go home…remember YOU LEFT WHAT WAS NOT WORKING CAN YOU NOW COME HERE AND CONVINCE ME IT WILL WORK!!!
Slinking Toward Retirement | Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands” | The Barr Code | News, Travel, Opinion and Just Odd and Funny Things...
September 1st, 2011
10:01 pm
[...] Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands” | The Barr Code. Share this:EmailFacebookRedditDiggPrint Chairman, Code, cold dead hands, cross hairs, federal [...]
Mike
September 1st, 2011
10:53 pm
Just another example that under the obama administrations justice department there is no justice. Wake up folks! These people are trying to wreck this country. They are AINO’S (Americans in name only) .
Thomas
September 2nd, 2011
1:33 am
i’m not sure about lifting a gibson over his head, they’re pretty heavy guitars.
mad
September 2nd, 2011
1:55 am
Common Fed, why would you mess with a american legend that helps our gdp in a small way, regardless of the amount; that is some day soon gonna help maintain your income.
Buck Ofama
September 2nd, 2011
2:54 am
Gibson has just released a new model: the Lead Paul… it shoots out heavy metal aimed at the gubmint assh0les.
Buck Ofama
September 2nd, 2011
2:55 am
King Henry will probably justifiably increase the outForcing of jobs to 3rd-world slave.
Government Raids Gibson Guitars | Loud Amplifier Marketing
September 2nd, 2011
8:43 am
[...] illegally or improperly. Similar allegations from 2009 remain unresolved. You can read the whole story here from the [...]
Apple Morgan
September 2nd, 2011
9:43 am
“Ignorance and design are difficult to combat. Out of these proceed illiberal sentiments, improper jealousies, and a train of evils which oftentimes in republican governments must be sorely felt before they can be renewed.” – Letter to John Jay by George Washington, May 18, 1786
We know the problem…….this is just one example…. I have the only solution……Ron Paul 2012
HaHa
September 2nd, 2011
11:46 am
Perhaps Bob should have done something to overturn this law when he was in Congress. I fail to see the problem with enforcing existing laws.
Hate you
September 2nd, 2011
12:19 pm
another US company being forced into china, well done goverment, thanks bo..
Obama the Fascist Attacks Gibson Guitar | The Red Moon Journal
September 2nd, 2011
1:08 pm
[...] kind of thing is, of course, all too typical of this fascist regime and it’s hate of private property and private business. The left just can’t abide the [...]
H S
September 2nd, 2011
1:55 pm
The 4th amendment says: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
So they better be prepared to come after my old Gibson. This is foolishness beyond the pale. A government Lenin would be proud to lead. I never liked Martin guitars – they are too muddy sounding for my tastes. I am a jazz player with 40 years of experience and my Gibson has been with me for over 30 of those. This is a right of the PEOPLE not a federal or state right – it is our RIGHT to be secure. No one can come and seize our property without a warrant describing that property. I will stand with Gibson on this. I would even stand with Martin if the government decided to raid them too. I doubt they will since they gave money to the Dumo-crats. Way to win friends and influence people before an election. Keep it up.
OberheimMatrix12
September 2nd, 2011
2:11 pm
While I sympathize with the (seemingly) wasteful and u just enforcement of these “laws” – for everyone to hold Gibson up on a pedestal as a virtue of American values and competitiveness is a joke. As someone who has been in the music industry for 30 years, I have watched Gibson swallow up and destroy numerous Real American companies (anyone remember Oberheim? Opcode?) and destroy and value those innovators had. Gibson makes a decent guitar, but they aren’t a Taylor or other independently owned guitar maker. They are another corporate destroyer, like so many, Fender included. I don’t feel sorry for THEM one bit, I feel sorry that our money went to this stupid, wasteful, and obviously targeted enforcement of obsolete “laws”, but Gibson as a company isn’t sme American paragon of virtue. that’s crap.
Joe Bagodonuts
September 2nd, 2011
3:34 pm
Ummm, what about every other guitar manufacturer in the US?.. Fender?, Jackson? , Martin? or are there none anymore?!! This sounds like Gibson is being targeted. They did something that the government didn’t like and this is the payoff. Bureaucracy’s in this country are out of control. Laws and lawmakers are not “for the people” any longer. It’s whatever it takes to keep politicians in their jobs. Some of these senators/representatives should actually READ the document they have sworn to uphold.. Might be an idea for the president and justices too. There has been no “justice” or “system” in the “justice system” for a long, long time. Watching the greatest country in the world being reduced to a dependent, socialist nation is difficult for the few remaining patriots.
Singing the Blues: Feds Raid American Guitar Company for Violating Indian Wood Laws « Government « Campfire Blog
September 2nd, 2011
5:18 pm
[...] about Gibson Guitars and the feds persecution of American business (750 words/ page and a [...]
Fender
September 2nd, 2011
6:21 pm
Guitars are the answer, — not guns.
mnemos
September 2nd, 2011
7:18 pm
Um…. Did folks read the article?
Two points:
1. Gibson has not been shown guilty of anything or even charged with anything. Innocent until proven guilty anyone? If guilty, what are they guilty of?
2. Gibson will not get their day in court – there is no day in court. They are not being charged with anything – maybe it’s because they haven’t done anything but we don’t know. THE COMPANY is suing the government to FIND OUT what they are being charged with.
For their part they have stated potential problems given the agents who were sent and the material that was confiscated, and have provided documentation that they are innocent of those potential problems – both the countries of Madagascar and the India have provided documents that they are innocent.
@Rick – You have some measure to your comments – can you explain why after 2 years of refusing to discuss the reasons for confiscation of known legally imported raw material and a follow up unexplained confiscation of more known legally imported raw material, this company should expect “it’s day in court” will be granted by this government? I use the description “known legally imported” because we have the documentation from the company and exporting countries that it IS legal, and the government has not disputed that.
bitterclingon
September 2nd, 2011
8:35 pm
From, “Juno”, the wonderful motion picture, of a couple of years ago: Upon spotting a legendary model of guitar, in his home, title character, Juno (portrayed brilliantly, by Canadian actress, Ellen Page) inquires of Jason Bateman’ character, “Is that a LES PAUL?” (A Gibson Les Paul Semi-Acoustic, that is) The Obama Administration has a problem with excellence, with exceptionalism.
Daily scoreboard « Don Surber
September 3rd, 2011
5:01 pm
[...] Equal protection under the law no longer applies. Just ask Gibson Guitars. [...]
john derousseau
September 3rd, 2011
7:57 pm
I have a Martin acoustic and a Gibson electric USA handcrafted guitars, both made with East Indian rosewood and according to their interpretation of this law can be confiscated. the wood was purchased legally yet they raid a American company with assault rifles? Even the Canadians are troubled to bring there instruments to the US as subject to being seized? Good luck getting reelected. Don’t mess with the musicians, they will sing you out of office!
Gibson Guitar vs. The Obama Regime | The Liberty Ledger
September 4th, 2011
3:54 pm
[...] Source [...]
The New LT
September 5th, 2011
12:15 am
But the US federal government will not do anything about the scam caller/fraudster/telemarketers from overseas that harass, threaten and annoy the heck out of us here in the US
Stuart
September 5th, 2011
2:34 am
Our government is out of hand. Gibson did nothing wrong. Where is President Obama in this issue, what a joke. And he thinks about our jobs, what an idiot we have for a leader. I say F the Feds.
J. MAX
September 5th, 2011
6:58 am
The obama socialist regime will only grow stronger, feeding on our fear, leading us down the well worn path to the same ruin as so many past regimes that chose to ignore it’s peoples rights. Ben Franklin was asked by a woman on the street, “Sir, do we have a democracy? ” Bens reply, “No madam, we have a republic, if you can keep it.” We must vote with our heads. Our hearts will follow.
david higgins
September 5th, 2011
2:30 pm
the list of crimes of these guitar playing criminals may commit is endless. We need to establish
guitar free zones in our cities.
RitchWatch
September 6th, 2011
8:31 am
We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in the Hard Rocks, we shall fight on the stages and studios, we shall fight with growing volume and growing feedback in the air, we shall defend our music, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the dance floors, we shall fight in the auditoriums, we shall fight in the stadiums and in the barrooms, we shall fight in the praise & worship services; we shall never surrender.
Goodfella97
September 6th, 2011
12:01 pm
Well I guess it’s time to put a Tazzer in each of my guitar cases. I play Gibson and always will. I would love to see stupid Fed’s start going to concerts and impounding instruments. It’s no wonder this country is Trillions in debt. We pay all these dumbass’ their salaries. Let’s get rid of their jobs and see how much our economy will recover. I guaranty it Will get better!!!!
Dave Del Mar
September 6th, 2011
2:28 pm
This is frightening U.S. prescient. What this appears to be going is an illegal Socialization of of our nation by the Obama Administration .
Do we now arrest performing entertainers/musicians and drag them out by the ears like dogs after full Nelsoning them? And do we also factor in known political affiliations for good measure?