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Gibson Guitar Raid: In Context

In 2011, agents with the U.S. Department of Justice raided Gibson guitar manufacturing facilities in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee – ostensibly to enforce some obscure wood importation law the company was allegedly violating in the manufacture of its fretboards. At the time, the government raids against Gibson were viewed as random…

gibson.jpg

In 2011, agents with the U.S. Department of Justice raided Gibson guitar manufacturing facilities in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee – ostensibly to enforce some obscure wood importation law the company was allegedly violating in the manufacture of its fretboards.

At the time, the government raids against Gibson were viewed as random and overreaching … but not anymore. In light of the recently exposed scandal at U.S. President Barack Obama’s Internal Revenue Service, there now seems to be some context for the action. Remember, Gibson’s CEO Henry Juszkiewicz was a big donor to Republican elected officials – so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Obama’s Thugocracy would go after him.

“The Obama Administration has forfeited the benefit of the doubt, and the only reasonable assumption is that they engaged in politically motivated targeting of Gibson Guitars,” said Rick Manning of Americans for Limited Government.

Damn right …

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) is also demanding answers from the Obama administration.

“The arrogance and lack of transparency displayed by this President and his cabinet officials in events such as the raids on Gibson Guitar and the IRS targeting of conservative groups show a complete disregard for the rule of law,” Blackburn said. “President Obama owes the American people a full explanation as to why these decisions were made, and anyone responsible for plotting these politically motivated attacks should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

As for Gibson’s Juszkiewicz, he told Fox News this week “I clearly believe that someone targeted our company inappropriately.”

“We were not high on the list of people you would go after, so clearly there was something else there,” he told the network. “I think there is a system problem. And I’ve committed myself to fighting back for years to come.”

Again, damn right …

All of us need to fight this persecution … before we wind up on the list of the persecuted.

***

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62 comments

9ab8da91e13ca7c711ff9af48ab81722?s=100&d=mm&r=r
shifty henry May 30, 2013 at 5:35 pm

I’m trying to think of an appropriate tune….later.

Reply
5415200d47975c82eecd192e096d2119?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Polyphemos May 30, 2013 at 9:20 pm

Something by Chet Atkins, I would suggest..

Reply
9ab8da91e13ca7c711ff9af48ab81722?s=100&d=mm&r=r
shifty henry May 30, 2013 at 5:35 pm

I’m trying to think of an appropriate tune….later.

Reply
9aea607f12c85c2d3cdd612fa486e5cf?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Slartibartfast May 30, 2013 at 9:20 pm

Something by Chet Atkins, I would suggest.. *Out of Nowhere* or maybe *Nine Pound Hammer*

Reply
332ca9dc9a5ee08de174dcaa2d76850e?s=100&d=mm&r=r
GrandTango May 30, 2013 at 5:49 pm

WOW…Hitler’s SS incarnate…How bad does it have to get before people are marching in the streets to oust this third-world dirtbag???..

Orwellian, for sure…It’s what happens when the media crowns their god as king…

Tin Soldiers and Ba-Rock’s comin’…we’re finally on our own…
Tin Soldiers and Ba-Rock’s comin’…We’ll cheatin’ in O-Hi-O

Reply
ad7fe3c423631b5f5620ea6a926b0010?s=100&d=mm&r=r
The Tax Man Cometh May 30, 2013 at 6:40 pm

We know who you are and we are coming for you!

Reply
79b9062f8b08332205cf1f7a501feee5?s=100&d=mm&r=r
So May 30, 2013 at 9:20 pm

Great! We’ve all been waiting for someone to pick up T from his mom’s basement for a while now.

Reply
18ea785a70a114731045e2ce68544b3a?s=100&d=mm&r=r
TontoBubbaGoldstein May 30, 2013 at 10:16 pm

Great jumpin’ horny toads! BigT/Grand Tango riffin’ on some
CSN&Y……
(Not you, Shipyard Guy.)

What’s next?
Peter,Paul & Mary?

If I had a hammer….I’d hammer out Librul-Tarians
I’d hammer out liberals….
All over this land…..

I’d hammer out commies
I’d hammer out Will Folks……
All over this land

or John Lennon?

Imagine all the people…..
Voting for Lindsey Graham…

You may say I’m an Idiot…
But I’m not the only one…..

Reply
261e2786520e5d86f82e1e252ef934f0?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Frank Pytel May 31, 2013 at 5:30 am

Well said T. Excellent question and commentary. Good Job.

Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.

Frank Pytel

Reply
66224e49352c1736fc189a478e2e7995?s=100&d=mm&r=r
kc May 30, 2013 at 5:52 pm

”I clearly believe that someone targeted our company inappropriately.”
Yeah, well, Brett Parker says he’s innocent.

Reply
488f89941a62ed70761aebc1518ee3d5?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Elfego June 3, 2013 at 7:59 am

Another Liberal in the Wilderness!

Reply
66224e49352c1736fc189a478e2e7995?s=100&d=mm&r=r
kc May 30, 2013 at 5:52 pm

Disqus blows.

Reply
9334eea3e9d34f568e16026f8c38d760?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Smirks May 31, 2013 at 8:30 am

Seconded.

Reply
66224e49352c1736fc189a478e2e7995?s=100&d=mm&r=r
kc May 30, 2013 at 5:52 pm

”I clearly believe that someone targeted our company inappropriately.”
Yeah, well, Brett Parker says he’s innocent.

Reply
488f89941a62ed70761aebc1518ee3d5?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Elfego June 3, 2013 at 7:59 am

Another Liberal in the Wilderness!

Reply
66224e49352c1736fc189a478e2e7995?s=100&d=mm&r=r
kc May 30, 2013 at 5:52 pm

Disqus blows.

Reply
9334eea3e9d34f568e16026f8c38d760?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Smirks May 31, 2013 at 8:30 am

Seconded.

Reply
35c515fc7d6ceed3d057fe1fcc79adc3?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Fuck Gibson & The IR$ May 30, 2013 at 5:53 pm

Anybody want to buy a Les Paul?

Reply
35c515fc7d6ceed3d057fe1fcc79adc3?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Fuck Gibson & The IR$ May 30, 2013 at 5:53 pm

Anybody want to buy a Les Paul?

Reply
332ca9dc9a5ee08de174dcaa2d76850e?s=100&d=mm&r=r
GrandTango May 30, 2013 at 6:44 pm

FITS has as much DIRT on his hands as anyone…

Remember, after the Holder Disaster-Failure prosecuting voter intimidation by the New Black Panthers…????…FITS labeled Voter Integrity Legislation as Minority Suppression…

When the Media Fails so miserably as FITS to do its job…it’s ludicrous for FITS to now jump out and act like he’s outraged…

If you were Ignorant then, FITS, you’re Ignorant now…If there was a way to sue you for Mal-Practice, I’d take your Trailer, the lot, the year-round Christmas lights and the mini-van…You screwed up..because you ARE a screw-up…

Reply
47cb5c8499fdf21f33758f382d739560?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Robert May 30, 2013 at 7:42 pm

So, the story is that someone is picked on by being caught doing something wrong. Ok, I get it, the govt should have better things to do. I agree. But lets say that instead of defending someone doing something wrong.

Reply
171f6d6fae9099a2da7e36efe31e1080?s=100&d=mm&r=r
JQ May 30, 2013 at 11:32 pm

Was Gibson found guilty of anything?

Reply
a648712dd08b2ce3bca8d4142558eb59?s=100&d=mm&r=r
little t May 31, 2013 at 12:01 am

SSSShhh!……it’s the conspiracy theory that matters.

Guilt or innocence is secondary.

Reply
47cb5c8499fdf21f33758f382d739560?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Robert May 30, 2013 at 7:42 pm

So, the story is that someone is picked on by being caught doing something wrong. Ok, I get it, the govt should have better things to do. I agree. But lets say that instead of defending someone doing something wrong.

Reply
171f6d6fae9099a2da7e36efe31e1080?s=100&d=mm&r=r
JQ May 30, 2013 at 11:32 pm

Was Gibson found guilty of anything?

Reply
a648712dd08b2ce3bca8d4142558eb59?s=100&d=mm&r=r
little t May 31, 2013 at 12:01 am

SSSShhh!……it’s the conspiracy theory that matters.

Guilt or innocence is secondary.

Reply
488f89941a62ed70761aebc1518ee3d5?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Elfego May 30, 2013 at 7:43 pm

This government is being run by Chicago Thugs!

Reply
488f89941a62ed70761aebc1518ee3d5?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Elfego May 30, 2013 at 7:43 pm

This government is being run by Chicago Thugs!

Reply
5415200d47975c82eecd192e096d2119?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Polyphemos May 30, 2013 at 8:59 pm

One would have thought, by now, that both sides would have realized that a civilized society cannot tolerate this kind of governmental abuse. I don’t care if you’re a member of the Turtle-Sex-Tolerance Party, you can’t use the IRS to settle your scores and make the other parties kowtow to your will. It will ALWAYS come back on you, like bad driving manners karma and in-laws.

Reply
261e2786520e5d86f82e1e252ef934f0?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Frank Pytel May 31, 2013 at 5:32 am

I agree. But I would’ve gone a lot further than the IRS.

Just sayin.

Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.

Frank Pytel

Reply
9aea607f12c85c2d3cdd612fa486e5cf?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Slartibartfast May 30, 2013 at 8:59 pm

One would have thought, by now, that both sides would have realized that a civilized society cannot tolerate this kind of governmental abuse. I don’t care if you’re a member of the Turtle-Sex-Tolerance Party, you can’t use the IRS to settle your scores and make the other parties kowtow to your will. It will ALWAYS come back on you, like bad driving manners karma and in-laws.

Reply
261e2786520e5d86f82e1e252ef934f0?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Frank Pytel May 31, 2013 at 5:32 am

I agree. But I would’ve gone a lot further than the IRS.

Just sayin.

Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.

Frank Pytel

Reply
f21471b2f45d0187509db51d55fcf587?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Mike at the Beach May 30, 2013 at 10:55 pm

More evidence that:
1. The Gibson Les Paul is a work of art, and;
2. The Obama regime is really getting real-deal, tin-foil hat scary.

Reply
f21471b2f45d0187509db51d55fcf587?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Mike at the Beach May 30, 2013 at 10:55 pm

More evidence that:
1. The Gibson Les Paul is a work of art, and;
2. The Obama regime is really getting real-deal, tin-foil hat scary.

Reply
a9daf2002e97f0ccd8eb1f6a64a05c81?s=100&d=mm&r=r
lowcorider May 31, 2013 at 7:46 am

I guess Miss Blackburn has sort of forgot that Gibson admitted falsifying the description of the wood as veneer and admitted to concealing the ultimate destination. They admitted guilt and paid a $350,000.00 fine. In return they were not prosecuted on other international and federal charges.
I like Gibsons. I own a few Gibsons. But my advice to Gibson would be to quit funking whining.

Reply
9334eea3e9d34f568e16026f8c38d760?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Smirks May 31, 2013 at 8:33 am

Who do you think you are, bringing your facts into this! We’re trying to stoke our victimhood complexes here! How rude!

Reply
96084fd0d7e064896523cc751be4e6eb?s=100&d=mm&r=r
TheRealm June 1, 2013 at 7:49 am

So how did Martin Guitars, a Democrat-supporting company, get away with having “East Indian Rosewood” in their guitars?

Gibson, by the way, had the charges dropped. Is it admitting guilt by paying a fine rather than shell out millions more fighting it in court?

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/after-two-raids-doj-decides-no-criminal-charges-against-gibson-guitar-company

Boeing was also targeted in 2011 by the NLRB. This is third world dictatorship kind of stuff.

Reply
a9daf2002e97f0ccd8eb1f6a64a05c81?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Lowcorider May 31, 2013 at 7:46 am

I guess Miss Blackburn has sort of forgot that Gibson admitted falsifying the description of the wood as veneer and admitted to concealing the ultimate destination. They admitted guilt and paid a $350,000.00 fine. In return they were not prosecuted on other international and federal charges.
I like Gibsons. I own a few Gibsons. But my advice to Gibson would be to quit fucking whining.

Reply
9334eea3e9d34f568e16026f8c38d760?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Smirks May 31, 2013 at 8:33 am

Who do you think you are, bringing your facts into this! We’re trying to stoke our victimhood complexes here! How rude!

Reply
96084fd0d7e064896523cc751be4e6eb?s=100&d=mm&r=r
TheRealm June 1, 2013 at 7:49 am

So how did Martin Guitars, a Democrat-supporting company, get away with having “East Indian Rosewood” in their guitars?

Gibson, by the way, had the charges dropped. Is it admitting guilt by paying a fine rather than shell out millions more fighting it in court?

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/after-two-raids-doj-decides-no-criminal-charges-against-gibson-guitar-company

Boeing was also targeted in 2011 by the NLRB. This is third world dictatorship kind of stuff.

Reply
fab1598dff8a7c095a916282a31c9138?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Manray9 May 31, 2013 at 10:42 am

Yeah — and John Ashcroft hounding Tommy Chong into jail wasn’t over-reaching? Fifty-five people were charged in his Operation Headhunter, but only Chong went to jail.

Reply
fab1598dff8a7c095a916282a31c9138?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Manray9 May 31, 2013 at 10:42 am

Yeah — and John Ashcroft hounding Tommy Chong into jail wasn’t over-reaching? Fifty-five people were charged in his Operation Headhunter, but only Chong went to jail.

Reply
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9" May 31, 2013 at 4:29 pm Reply
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9" May 31, 2013 at 4:29 pm Reply
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Fused June 2, 2013 at 4:14 pm

If you cite Fox News as a source then you are living in Tea Bag ferry land with Ms Bachman and like minded idiots.

Reply
e6e38254e359a51d4a8c42da13ecfa9b?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Fused June 2, 2013 at 4:14 pm

If you cite Fox News as a source then you are living in Tea Bag ferry land with Ms Bachman and like minded idiots.

Reply
069278df9c461b6f054475cdf78f69d0?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Diane Hinkle June 2, 2013 at 5:39 pm

The right sees conspiracy in everything. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to live in their paranoid world.

Reply
069278df9c461b6f054475cdf78f69d0?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Diane Hinkle June 2, 2013 at 5:39 pm

The right sees conspiracy in everything. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to live in their paranoid world.

Reply
0429a23ff491945ba61c30c517f2e556?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Luis Bianca June 3, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Looking at the Gibson Guitar company raids by federal SWAT teams with an attitude of jack-booted thugs, waving around drawn guns in a peaceful guitar workshop, one becomes worried.

Oh we all know that the big agencies have been appointed with Progressive-type Stalinist tyrants who have no regard for nor restriction for our Constitution, the niceties of “legality” or common decency.

That is fact confirmed regularly; the Obamas. Sebalius’, Holders, Clintons, Ploufs, Axelrods, Lisa Jacksons, Lerners, Jarrets, Napolitanos etc, etc. have no concept of America or its Constitution, other than as an annoyance – a speedbump to be abolished on the drive to their fascist Utopia.

No, the thing that causes apprehension isn’t the evil people who have wrested such authority from the citizens of the United States.
The scary thing is that the regular people – the “soldiers” – would betray their own fellow Americans and stoop to the dirty work of the hateful tyrants at the top.

Our hope had been that our police forces and our American soldiers would simply not comply with orders to persecute their fellow citizens and neighbors with methods and attitudes perfected by the SchutzStaffel, the Khmer Rouge and East Germany’s Stasi.

Some activities and blind obedience of enforcement personnel to obviously unconstitutional directives – at Ruby Ridge, Waco and such adventures as Gibson Guitar – show us that our own bureaucrats will terrorize and even murder American citizens, guilty, innocent, or not even accused of any illegal activity.

The cops and the federal agents and our military are the last hope to defend us and our Constitution from treacherous enemies, foreign and domestic. If they have thrown in with the oppressors, where can we turn?

Reply
0429a23ff491945ba61c30c517f2e556?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Luis Bianca June 3, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Looking at the Gibson Guitar company raids by federal SWAT teams with an attitude of jack-booted thugs, waving around drawn guns in a peaceful guitar workshop, one becomes worried.

Oh we all know that the big agencies have been appointed with Progressive-type Stalinist tyrants who have no regard for nor restriction for our Constitution, the niceties of “legality” or common decency.

That is fact confirmed regularly; the Obamas. Sebalius’, Holders, Clintons, Ploufs, Axelrods, Lisa Jacksons, Lerners, Jarrets, Napolitanos etc, etc. have no concept of America or its Constitution, other than as an annoyance – a speedbump to be abolished on the drive to their fascist Utopia.

No, the thing that causes apprehension isn’t the evil people who have wrested such authority from the citizens of the United States.
The scary thing is that the regular people – the “soldiers” – would betray their own fellow Americans and stoop to the dirty work of the hateful tyrants at the top.

Our hope had been that our police forces and our American soldiers would simply not comply with orders to persecute their fellow citizens and neighbors with methods and attitudes perfected by the SchutzStaffel, the Khmer Rouge and East Germany’s Stasi.

Some activities and blind obedience of enforcement personnel to obviously unconstitutional directives – at Ruby Ridge, Waco and such adventures as Gibson Guitar – show us that our own bureaucrats will terrorize and even murder American citizens, guilty, innocent, or not even accused of any illegal activity.

The cops and the federal agents and our military are the last hope to defend us and our Constitution from treacherous enemies, foreign and domestic. If they have thrown in with the oppressors, where can we turn?

Reply
1d6d0d82b4f05cbbbc0d0bef4fb00526?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Recovering Lobbyist June 3, 2013 at 4:00 pm

The White House is currently occupied by a crowd from Chicago. Why would we expect anything different than Chicago-style politics?

Reply
1d6d0d82b4f05cbbbc0d0bef4fb00526?s=100&d=mm&r=r
Recovering Lobbyist June 3, 2013 at 4:00 pm

The White House is currently occupied by a crowd from Chicago. Why would we expect anything different than Chicago-style politics?

Reply
486b13cb81bd2b7f05693b435cd6a1a4?s=100&d=mm&r=r
SeneseLikeChaps June 4, 2013 at 12:13 pm

Not sure if I’d call those regulations obscure, the guitar industry has had to deal with them for a while. If it is a problem use maple or go nuts and try carbon fiber. Lots of materials other than rosewood and ebony.

How long is Gibson going to beat this drum? Guess they ran out of companies to buy and have to do something else to take up their time.

Confession: I was never a Gibson guy. They’ve been so over priced this decade that they haven’t really been an option. Would rather give my money to National or one of the other indies. At least until Gibson buys them out.

Reply
486b13cb81bd2b7f05693b435cd6a1a4?s=100&d=mm&r=r
SeneseLikeChaps June 4, 2013 at 12:13 pm

Not sure if I’d call those regulations obscure, the guitar industry has had to deal with them for a while. If it is a problem use maple or go nuts and try carbon fiber. Lots of materials other than rosewood and ebony.

How long is Gibson going to beat this drum? Guess they ran out of companies to buy and have to do something else to take up their time.

Confession: I was never a Gibson guy. They’ve been so over priced this decade that they haven’t really been an option. Would rather give my money to National or one of the other indies. At least until Gibson buys them out.

Reply

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