Feds go after Gibson Guitars

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Published time: August 30, 2011 21:45
Edited time: August 31, 2011 01:45

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Corporate news, Corruption, Crime, Culture, Employment, India, Law, Music, Politics, Scandal, USA

The Gibson Guitar Corp is finding itself stuck between a rock and a hard place after federal agents raided their Tennessee plant last week for what the instrument makers say is just governmental bullying.

Gibson plants in both Nashville and Memphis were raided by the federal government last week, though Gibson Guitars believes that they are in the right. Agents attest, however, that materials used by the manufacturer of such iconic instruments as the Les Paul and SG break international laws.

“The Federal Department of Justice in Washington DC has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of US law, but because it is the Justice Department’s interpretation of a law in India,” says Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz in a statement. The legislation in place suggests that if the wood from one tree was finished by Indian workers, the material would be legal, but by completing the process in their Tennessee plant, Gibson is breaking the law. This interpretation comes from federal agents, however, and Gibson notes that last week’s raid took action “without the support and consent of the government in India.”

This isn’t the first time that Gibsons were grabbed by the feds, either. A raid took place at one of their plants in 2009 over alleged violations of Madagascan law concerning environmental legislation; but two years later criminal charges have yet to be filled. Meanwhile, the government continues to hold onto a collection of instruments obtained in the raid.

One of Gibson’s biggest grievances is not against the misinterpretation of the international law but at keeping the guitar makers down at a time when jobs are needed to keep the country’s economy going. Gibson was forced to send workers home last week as agents raided their plants, and production had to be halted while the government got their hands all over their guitars. Juszkiewicz says that Gibson has employed nearly 600 new employees in the US in the last two years, and with 2,000 people earning paychecks from the manufacturers, why does the government need to pick a fight that could prove disastrous for so many that depending on Gibson for their paychecks.

Juszkiewicz adds that the company has lost upwards of $3 million due to the raids.

Comments (6)

L Gore 27.12.2011 22:20

The District of Columbia (The District) has created adhesion contracts (i.e. birth certificate, drivers license, voter registration, 1040), and has kept their true purpose a secret. All paper created by "The District" are contracts, they NEED a signature, this makes the signer "liable' for "The District" debt.
These “hidden” contracts are what make you "subject to" "The District' rules and regulations as YOU just signed and made yourself surety http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Surety.
The Federal Reserve is an unconstitutional private company that our public servants (1913) put in charge of creating the country's currency. The bankers got paid in gold, the public servants got the paper to spend and now didn’t have to go directly to the people.
When the public servants ran out of gold they started using (and continue to use) "We the People" as collateral. (Research!!).
The elected officials continue to allow the FED to exist. It makes it easier for them to spend other peoples' money without being accountable.
The collection arm of this private company (Federal Reserve) is the IRS. What, you think the bankers would trust the public servants with collection?
The politicians will NEVER End the Fed! It is their sanctioned creation and useful cover. So what to do?
Educate Yourself. Stop the transfusion, and DEFUND "The District".
Know the difference between "lawful" and "legal". A population cannot be "ignorant and free".
The legal definitions of 'sui juris', 'propria persona', and "pro se", and what Contracts you have unwittingly signed.
The sovereign States created the Federal District via the Constitution. Since the War and Emergency Powers Act of 1933 suspended the Constitution (Research!!)
http ://www.barefootsworl d.net/war_ep.html - the states gave "The District" (the created) power over the States (the creator). The States have never reclaimed their sovereignty. http://www.allgov.co m/Controversies/View News/Illinois_Tries_ to_Opt_Out_of_Federa l_Deportation_Progra m_110511
Know who you are “at Law”, that Contract Law is the ONLY law of the courts and get out from under "The District".

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anon 08.12.2011 17:49

Oh, please. Obama isn't signing decrees to go raid places. Our "law enforcement" does things out of their own volition.

If the Gibson's, and others who have yet to be raided, don't want to be raided--don't do illegal deforestation. They are breaking environmental codes, and every single company that wreaks havoc on the environment, especially illegally, should have to deal with the consequences.

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123arrow 15.09.2011 17:19

My country 'tis of thee , sweet land of liberty , of thee I sing ?

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