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Post by jackblack on May 28, 2015 2:20:02 GMT -8
Isn`t it wonderful dealing with beauocracy Well done and spoken
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Post by papiliotheona on Jun 7, 2015 19:48:25 GMT -8
If you are following the regulations as they (USFWS) requested, why would an agent make things difficult for you? They have your package in their possession, along with all the required paperwork, and someone in the agency takes it upon themselves to just do whatever they want based on how they feel about your shipment?!? That is exactly why I don't bother with foreign material, and just collect locally. There's just too much beyond my control. Because CFR gives them the legal discretion to do so based on their hunches. The burden of proof is on you, not the feds.
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Post by joee30 on Jun 14, 2015 9:25:38 GMT -8
Bureaucracy is gonna be the death of many a hobby. It is sad that they will go through all you have, make you miss flights, and are just a colossal headache. I was lucky that I got to bring some Parnassius specimens and some beetles I collected while stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan in a military transport. Lol
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Post by damoose on Sept 14, 2015 17:53:41 GMT -8
Has anyone heard an update on this situation? I know Alex plead not guilty and was trying to gather some funds to defend himself but I have heard nothing in awhile.
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Post by alandmor on Oct 28, 2015 11:16:22 GMT -8
Curious also if anyone has an update or knows the status of this case. Many thanks.
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Post by admin on Oct 28, 2015 12:56:58 GMT -8
I saw Alex at the insect fair recently. He says the case is still pending.
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Post by damoose on Jan 15, 2016 10:33:55 GMT -8
It seems to me that if this case was only about the paperwork not arriving on time that this case against Alex would have been dropped long by now. (Assuming the paperwork finally showed up). The last I heard, Alex was busy raising funds for his defense. The USFWS has no intention of being embarrassed because of this case so I have a really bad feeling about how this is going to turn out for Alex. I will continue to keep my fingers crossed for him.
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Post by panzerman on Jan 30, 2016 14:34:03 GMT -8
I wish Alex the best...
It is really a shame how the government, esp. the one running the USA are destroying a beautifull hobby. I guess, they would rather have kids playing with their computer games/ eating junk food/ addicted to their smartphones...then getting involved in collecting insects. The many benefits are learning Worldwide geography, classification, learning about all the insect genera, conservation, which means for Three World Countries to STOP destroying habitat/collecting does not hurt populations! Kinda glad I am into coins!
John
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Post by mothman27 on Jan 31, 2016 9:07:04 GMT -8
speaking of other hobbies, are the any other stamp collectors out there?
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Post by johnsonsau on Feb 3, 2016 2:03:45 GMT -8
A stamp collector here!
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Post by obewan on Feb 3, 2016 19:08:03 GMT -8
They're dead Jim... obe
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Post by exoticimports on Feb 4, 2016 6:04:52 GMT -8
I wish Alex the best... It is really a shame how the government, esp. the one running the USA are destroying a beautifull hobby. I guess, they would rather have kids playing with their computer games/ eating junk food/ addicted to their smartphones...then getting involved in collecting insects. The many benefits are learning Worldwide geography, classification, learning about all the insect genera, conservation, which means for Three World Countries to STOP destroying habitat/collecting does not hurt populations! Kinda glad I am into coins! John What would work is if there were a change of attitude- if government agencies (e.g., USFWS) worked pro-actively WITH students of science rather than retro-actively as an arresting agency. Unfortunately this is highly unlikely to happen. The culture is one of us vs. them, and we're the bad guys. It's more exciting to make an arrest than coach or even listen, and God forbid, see the bigger picture. Most USFWS agents started like us- naturalists, scientists, environmental advocates. But somewhere along the way they got indoctrinated, drank the Kool Aid, and came to believe that their way is the only way, and that even the slightest variation is a slap in the face that deserves retaliation. That's why I gave up my USFWS license- tired of being treated like a criminal that had to prove innocence. Chuck
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Post by beetlehorn on Feb 5, 2016 5:47:50 GMT -8
Very well said Chuck. I have often wondered why it seems that certain government agencies try so hard to make things so difficult. It also seems to me that if they want people to comply with their regulations, they would make it much easier to do so.
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Post by damoose on May 23, 2016 8:11:05 GMT -8
I heard from a good source that Alex has reached a plea bargain in his case. No jail time but big fine, community service, and out of the business for awhile. Must not have had the paperwork in order as reported. Obviously a risky move to put a large number of specimens going through LAX. I wish Alex the best and hope that he gets back in the bug business at some point.
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Post by obewan on May 23, 2016 18:19:44 GMT -8
I think his wife has taken over the business(es), namely the e-bay shops. There has been several iterations of the business...
obe
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