Ed Markey Cheered Gov't Witch Hunt Against Gibson Guitar

Legal Insurrection ^ | 05/21/2013 | William A. Jacobson

[Rusty0604]

The persecution and prosecution of Gibson Guitar stands out as a prime example of government overreach, similar to IRS Tea Party targeting.

This video explains the insanity of the raid and ultimate charges — very technical and disputed interpretations of Indian law as to the importation of wood used in the guitars. This had nothing to do with conservation or protection of forests, it had to do with India keeping jobs in India, and insane paperwork requirements in the U.S. The trees would have been cut and the wood used regardless of how Gibson....Civil liberties lawyer Harvey Silverglate wrote about the outrageous gag order the government insisted on as part of the settlemement, Gibson Is Off the Feds’ Hook. Who’s Next?... “Gibson’s admission of wrongdoing is a win for the Lacey Act, a win for US jobs and a win for consumers who can be assured that illegally trafficked ‘blood wood’ won’t be used to make their guitars,” said Rep. Markey, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “Gibson, the Tea Party and House Republicans attempted to gut the Lacey Act by changing the law in Congress before the case against the guitar maker was resolved."

[Rusty0604]

I wondered why we never heard from Gibson after the gross mis-justice it endured. They had a gag order.

[Wolfie]

That’s our government for ya....making sure foreigners have jobs. But hey, that’s free trade, right?

[autumnraine]

This is a horrifying issue.

We will prosecute you, and then strip you from your first amendment speech so no one knows exactly how bad we screwed you.

Tyranny? I do believe so.

[Rusty0604]

I remember reading back when this happened that other guitar companies weren’t targeted but that Gibson’s owner is a conservative.