On 8/7/2012 2:49 PM, Swingman wrote:
On 8/7/2012 12:55 PM, Bill wrote:

That will look good in their annual report! I have heard that everyone
who is incarcerated "Didn't do it!". I"m sorry, my tolerance for
double-talk gets lower by the year.

And mine for those who speak without bothering to inform themselves of
the particulars.

Once again:

To illustrate the ridiculousness and overreaching of this action by the
DOJ against Gibson, you have to read the affidavit filed in support of
the search warrant:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/package...sonWarrant.pdf

The seized wood is described in the affidavit as in the form of "sawn
logs" 510-530 x 75/70 x 10mm.

IOW, each of the 1250 pieces seized is roughly 20" x 3" x 13/32".

Read paragraph 14, page six of the affidavit and you will see that India
allows export of this particular wood up to 6mm thick (due to the high
complexity of involved in cutting these thin sheets to a uniform
commercial quality)

IOW, it must be cut to that thickness by Indian workers at Indian
factories, insuring Indian jobs.

IOW, the raid on Gibson's facilities, disrupting the production and jobs
of workers at one of the few American companies still "manufacturing"
products is based on a difference of 5/32" of thickness, AND TO PROTECT
INDIAN WOODWORKING JOBS.

How many of you, experienced woodworkers, could look at bundles of these
pieces and tell that there is up to 4mm (5/32") difference in thickness
in the pieces?

If it means the difference between legal and not, I think I'd be
measuring it and reject the shipment if it fell out of specs. That much
wood has serious value, maybe you should have a local employee checking
it when you buy it.

If I opened a box and found it full of marijuana, I wouldn't just stick
it into the storeroom.

These woods are regulated, if you want to use them, you need to know the
regulations and stay within them. Ignoring the rules isn't the way to
win in business.




Do you really think that Gibson should be held accountable, and be
subject to a police action, computers seized, production disrupted, jobs
lost, by buying rough stock, sight unseen, that is approximately 1/8"
thicker than it's supposed to be?

What it boils down to is that US is enforcing India's laws to protect
the woodworking jobs at the expense of American jobs. And apparently,
the Indian woodworker aren't doing their jobs very well, at least when
it comes to "uniform commercial quality".

If Gibson would only move their operations to India, there would be no
problem.