dpb writes:
On 8/7/2012 12:33 PM, Bill wrote:

Gibson president also wrote the following -- now, again, how much has
been conveniently left out of this narrative is also unknown--it doesn't
mention Madagascar, only India.



Many business owners have inadvertently broken obscure and highly
technical foreign laws, landing them in prison for things like
importing lobster tails in plastic rather than cardboard packaging
(the violation of that Honduran law earned one man an eight-year
prison sentence).

So, this statement by the President of Gibson Guitars made me go do
some research into this case. It's not as simple as he made it out
to be - note that the defendents (McNab, et. al.) in that case were
convicted after a trial by jury in federal court in which sufficient
evidence was presented to convince the Jury in 'bama to convict.

The appeals court opinion when they contested their conviction
contains a concise legal summary of the case including a de novo
review. c.f.

http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinion...0115148op2.pdf

Cases like this make it clear that the justice
system has strayed from its constitutional purpose: stopping the real
bad guys from bringing harm.

After reading the appeals court opinions, it seems clear that the
justice system worked exactly has it was supposed to. BTW, the law
in question (The lacey act) dates from the year 1900.

That said, one could argue that the sentences were a bit on the
harsh side.

scott