[meteorite-list] Argentine Campo Issue
From: Michael Gilmer <michael_w_gilmer_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:03:13 -0800 (PST) Message-ID: <182499.93229.qm_at_web58401.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Hi List, I am troubled to hear about this development and I feel bad that Eric has been singled out by the authorities. My question is, how does this differ from Gibeon. We didn't see Namibia going after people overseas for selling on the internet. No offense to Argentina, but don't they have bigger things to worry about? I can see busting some exporter red-handed in Argentina trying to smuggle out tons of Campo, but going after sellers on the internet who have never been to Argentina? Frankly, I don't see how Argentina can compel citizens of other nations to stop selling a commodity that is available on the global market. This isn't cocaine or nuclear material we are talking about, it's Campo meteorites for crying out loud. Canyon Diablo is a good parallel here. It's illegal to prospect for meteorites around the crater in Arizona, but the market is swollen with Diablo irons. How does one determine which iron was legally prospected and which was not? If the US justice authorities cannot or will not tackle that similar issue, then I seriously doubt the Argentines are going to sic Interpol on US eBay dealers or send Special Forces snatch teams to Tucson to grab dealers and whisk them back to Argentina for trial and flogging. It's patently absurd. But I feel badly for Eric and whoever else this tragic-comic farce is going to effect adversely. So my burning question is, how worried does the average collector or kitchen-table dealer need to be? Should I stop offering Campos for sale/trade to others online? Regards and clear skies, MikeG ......................................................... Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA) Member of the Meteoritical Society. Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network. Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fine_meteorites_4_sale .......................................................... Received on Fri 21 Nov 2008 10:03:13 PM PST |
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