Gibson Guitar CEO's Response to DOJ Raid

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It is a very sad comment on the United States when you not only have to deal with a recession but with the constant incompetence of the federal governement. Unfortunately the USA will come down not from an outside ennemy but from within its own political decisions. The Lacey act is an affront on this Country's business. The Brown shirts are not very far behind .

Leave aside discussion of the Lacey Act and the very complicated issues around responsible harvesting of wood. Those issues are way too complicated to discuss in soundbites.

I found this press conference fascinating because, as a guitar player (and buyer) I feel it gave me great insight into how this company has foundered over the last 20 years, putting out unreliable product at prices that are out of touch with the market and basically inviting their competition to come in and beat them up. The CEO calls a press conference and walks out totally unprepared, speaking off the cuff for too long, apparently in the flight path of a nearby airport; when questioned on specifics of regulations that are central to his industry, like CITES, he seems completely ignorant; throws around emotional, vague political terms and ideas; makes thinly veiled threats against the feds. In other words, basically acts like Gibson feels entitled to a position at the top of the heap and entitled to interpret Indian and US law any way they want.

Two words of advice for Gibson:
1. After the first raid, seek clarification from the US and Indian governments on what they view as acceptable wood. If you don't like the answer, contest in an appropriate venue.
2. Have your lawyer do the press conference next time, or at least stand next to you and step up when you're out of your depth.

Leave aside discussion of the Lacey Act and the very complicated issues around responsible harvesting of wood. Those issues are way too complicated to discuss in soundbites.

I found this press conference fascinating because, as a guitar player (and buyer) I feel it gave me great insight into how this company has foundered over the last 20 years, putting out unreliable product at prices that are out of touch with the market and basically inviting their competition to come in and beat them up. The CEO calls a press conference and walks out totally unprepared, speaking off the cuff for too long, apparently in the flight path of a nearby airport; when questioned on specifics of regulations that are central to his industry, like CITES, he seems completely ignorant; throws around emotional, vague political terms and ideas; makes thinly veiled threats against the feds. In other words, basically acts like Gibson feels entitled to a position at the top of the heap and entitled to interpret Indian and US law any way they want.

Two words of advice for Gibson:
1. After the first raid, seek clarification from the US and Indian governments on what they view as acceptable wood. If you don't like the answer, contest in an appropriate venue.
2. Have your lawyer do the press conference next time, or at least stand next to you and step up when you're out of your depth.