I was dismayed to see how many self righteous OGDers would support the
draconian sentence imposed on George Norris and somewhat relieved that at least
Steve Topletz and Eric Muehlbauer saw fit to place the "crime" in a proper
perspective. Remember Dickens' "Les Miserables," in which Jean Val Jean was
sentenced to jail indefinitely for stealing a loaf of bread for his family. Who,
among us, has bothered to look over his shoulder in fear when doing 36 mph
in a 35 mph zone? I often place my trash at the curb prior to the mandated 6
PM of the day before trash pick up, without fearing prosecution. Most of us
commit technical violations of selected laws with total lack of concern.
George regarded his act, violation of a counterproductive law, which is
honored widely in its breach, in a similar fashion. His sentence was the
result of the blind zeal of US Fish&Wildlife, a judge who was totally
unconcerned with the underlying issues [I was at the sentencing hearing], and the
modern technology of surveillance.
The real issue is not simply whether George broke the law, but rather
what would have been an appropriate penalty for his transgression. Certainly
not 17 months in jail. Roll over, Dickens, Jean Val Jean has just stolen
another loaf of bread!
Bert Pressman
Bert,
I agree with you. Norris was guilty as sin of mislabelling plants in order to facilitate their import, but for this should he spend time in federal penetentiary? You are right when you say he was pursued with agressive zeal by the USFWS. I don't know how I'd handle having my house taken over by 6 armed officers, told to stay seated in a chair (implying that they might accidentally shoot me if I made a false movement) while they went through my stuff, refusing to allow me to get my glasses, and refusing to provide badge numbers upon request.
All over plants that can be flasked by the thousands.
I wonder if anyone back from the AOS Members Meeting in Denver knows what the reaction was to Jerry Fischer's proposals in re CITES? I believe it was on the agenda, but with the proxy challenge it may have gotten passed over or rescheduled.
K Barrett N Calif, USA
_________________________________________________________________
On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement
_______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
