**Bumped up from TamWire. Posted by Rob_W**
When life gives you lemons, make guitars!
We all remember the Obama gestapo raid on Gibson Guitar over a Lacey Act technicality regarding the import of exotic wood.
Watchdog.org noted that Gibson’s CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz, donates to Republican candidates (just a coincidence, I’m sure), while competitor, Martin Guitar’s CEO donates heavily to Democrats. Martin Guitar uses the same wood, but was never visited by Federal agents. Another amazing coincidence!
Gibson Guitar got most of its stolen wood back after paying a federal extortion fee of $300,000 and contributing $50,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In the great American spirit of capitalism, the famous material is now part of the “Government Series” Les Paul guitar.
News stories come and go, but what better reminder of abuse of power than collectors’ items that will be preserved through the ages!
Via NewsChannel5.com: Gibson Guitars Raid Results in New Line
It was a raid that surprised one of the biggest names in the guitar world headquartered right here in Music City.
Federal agents raided Gibson guitars in 2009 and 2011 under provisions of the Lacey Act. a wildlife and forest protection law, claiming Gibson didn’t exercise due care in importing exotic wood used for its guitars.
Federal agents confiscated the wood during those raids but after a settlement, the company has their supplies back and are now putting them to use in a new way.
Gibson’s CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz, thought a good way to celebrate those trying times was to put the wood supplies it just got back from the government to use.
“Put them into special guitars and share them with people that support us.”
The company now has a Gibson Government Series with a list price of $1,099. The website bills the guitar as a way to “fight the powers that be….”
Related:
CNS News: Armed Federal Agent Raids of Gibson Guitar Gain New Scrutiny In Light of IRS Scandal
Gibson’s version of the woody middle finger?
Excellent observation, Gordon. Watchdog.org had the same impression.
http://watchdog.org/128027/tns-gibson-guitar-creates-government-series-disputed-wood/
People who don’t even play guitar, are buying these! The Gibson forum, just exploded a couple of days ago! Gibson had to close the thread down because it was getting vile! The liberals can’t even handle this!
Gee, I thought that the Lacey Act was “settled law.” But that only applies when convenient I suppose. And by the way, I am a proud owner of a 1968 Gibson SG that I will never relinquish.
I just hope our next Attorney General has plenty time and energy to prosecute all of the corruption that has happened under this administration. I want to see as many of these people go to jail as possible.