Fox News running story on LR confiscations

[fast_suv]

first, you refer to them as Homeland Security Agents. While this is factually accurate it, it is obviously spin. They were Customs Agents. Policing imports and exports is literally the definition of their job.

The case may have been sealed at the time, but by the end of that very day it wasn't. In fact, most owners who've reported here and on the Defender forum were shown the list of vehicles with the VINs and given all of the details relating to their vehicle.

Some people have consistently continued to frame this as "homeland security this" and "homeland security that" knowing full well that the ONLY reason to do this is because we associate "Homeland Security" with fighting terrorism. When, in fact, DHS is actually a blanket federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over everything from investigating bootleggers (ATF) to enforcing import regulations (CBP).

Next, you said "federal DHS gunmen" "stormed" a private home. When in actuality what most likely happened, as was reported by owners on this forum and others, is that the vehicles remained parked on the street and 2 Customs agents knocked on the door to serve a legal warrant. No doors were kicked. No flashbangs were thrown. No heads were cracked. But there are minimum preparations that are required for the safety of our police. As I said in the other thread, people in this country have a bad habit of shooting at cops. The Customs agents could have no idea if they were serving a warrants to an innocent family who used their vehicle for camping, or a drug lord with a fetish for rare cars.

Let's carry on. The Clean Air Act had nothing to do with the seizure, and nobody in government cares that it might or might not pollute. If the car is legitimately over 25 years old, and was imported legally, it doesn't matter how much it pollutes as long as it passes inspection.

Illegally imported goods are illegally imported goods. It doesn't matter how long ago they were imported, who imported them, or who possesses them now. The fact that the name on the warrant was 4 owners ago is utterly irrelevant. The warrant was for the VIN. It doesn't matter who owns it, it will be seized.

This is a nation of laws. Those laws are enforced. I'm sure you'll be one of those to jump up and down and call a human being "illegal" and that they should be rounded up and deported. Well. these vehicles are illegal, and they should be rounded up and deported.

So is there a news story you can link where i can read that this was due to an Illegal import?

I'd like to investigate that this was do to that and not EPA issues....

Oh, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is an American federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just so people understand where the DHS reporting came from...

 

[mpinco]

CNN has become a non-factor

 

[mdmead]

This is a nation of laws. Those laws are enforced.

Give me a break!

Of all the laws being broken/ignored, THIS is the one chosen to be enforced?!

 

[daveh]

Look at all of the states legalizing marihuana. Apparently we need to be concerned about the safety of the 110 but driving high is ok. If states could profit from importing defenders the govt would want everyone to own one.

 

[proper4wd]

While this is factually accurate it, it is obviously spin.

How can something be factually accurate and also spin?

I think it's important to note that DHS is the agency behind all of this... not because it's "spin" but because it illustrates how the federal government has, under the guise of fighting terrorism, created a supremely powerful law enforcement agency that has developed a habit for operating on the fringe of morality.

I understand that you may be imparting some opposite spin on this issue in order to center the discussion, but by several accounts on Defender Source the DHS was not knocking on doors like they were asking you to buy Girl Scout Cookies. Your and my interpretation of the word "raid" may differ, but if I was awoken at 6am by two armed DHS officers pounding on my door, with another 6 of them waiting in my driveway with a flatbed tow truck...

 

[Darius379]

Seen this article on many forums and seemed pretty accurate in comparison to those articles. It may have been on here people were upset and talking about how it isnt right. Then we have fox report it and lordy lordy we can trust fox they just spin it. Gmafb

 

[jdlobb]

CNN has become a non-factor

so because CNN would rather devote their air time to reporting NEWS, than to an endless line of pundits and talking heads, (do Fox and MSNBC even have headline news segments anymore?) they are a non-factor?

Maybe culturally that's true. People don't want to hear news anymore. The average amercian just wants to hear somebody who agrees with them get mad and point fingers at people they don't like. It has become a form of entertainment, and nothing more. Fox and MSNBC cover current events about as well as MTV and Nickelodeon.

 

[JSBriggs]

first, you refer to them as Homeland Security Agents. While this is factually accurate it, it is obviously spin. They were Customs Agents. Policing imports and exports is literally the definition of their job.

The case may have been sealed at the time, but by the end of that very day it wasn't. In fact, most owners who've reported here and on the Defender forum were shown the list of vehicles with the VINs and given all of the details relating to their vehicle.

Some people have consistently continued to frame this as "homeland security this" and "homeland security that" knowing full well that the ONLY reason to do this is because we associate "Homeland Security" with fighting terrorism. When, in fact, DHS is actually a blanket federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over everything from investigating bootleggers (ATF) to enforcing import regulations (CBP).

Next, you said "federal DHS gunmen" "stormed" a private home. When in actuality what most likely happened, as was reported by owners on this forum and others, is that the vehicles remained parked on the street and 2 Customs agents knocked on the door to serve a legal warrant. No doors were kicked. No flashbangs were thrown. No heads were cracked. But there are minimum preparations that are required for the safety of our police. As I said in the other thread, people in this country have a bad habit of shooting at cops. The Customs agents could have no idea if they were serving a warrants to an innocent family who used their vehicle for camping, or a drug lord with a fetish for rare cars.

Let's carry on. The Clean Air Act had nothing to do with the seizure, and nobody in government cares that it might or might not pollute. If the car is legitimately over 25 years old, and was imported legally, it doesn't matter how much it pollutes as long as it passes inspection.

Illegally imported goods are illegally imported goods. It doesn't matter how long ago they were imported, who imported them, or who possesses them now. The fact that the name on the warrant was 4 owners ago is utterly irrelevant. The warrant was for the VIN. It doesn't matter who owns it, it will be seized.

This is a nation of laws. Those laws are enforced. I'm sure you'll be one of those to jump up and down and call a human being "illegal" and that they should be rounded up and deported. Well. these vehicles are illegal, and they should be rounded up and deported.

WOW. There is some saying about the color of pots and kettles... I forget. Anyway, this is all i have to add.

-Jeff

 

[jdlobb]

How can something be factually accurate and also spin?

I think it's important to note that DHS is the agency behind all of this... not because it's "spin" but because it illustrates how the federal government has, under the guise of fighting terrorism, created a supremely powerful law enforcement agency that has developed a habit for operating on the fringe of morality.

I understand that you may be imparting some opposite spin on this issue in order to center the discussion, but by several accounts on Defender Source the DHS was not knocking on doors like they were asking you to buy Girl Scout Cookies. Your and my interpretation of the word "raid" may differ, but if I was awoken at 6am by two armed DHS officers pounding on my door, with another 6 of them waiting in my driveway with a flatbed tow truck...

the definition of "spin" is describing or communicating something factual in such a way that it conveys a specific message. The DHS agents vs Customs agents comparison is a perfect example. What do you think of when you think of Homeland Security? Terrorists. What do you think of when you think of Customs? Imports and taxes. But Customs agents ARE part of the DHS, so it's not factually incorrect to call them DHS agents.

And no, 2 armed Customs officers (all officers are armed regardless), "pounding" on your door does not constitute a raid. If it were a raid they would pound on the door, then kick it open, toss in a flashbang, push you to the floor, ziptie your arms and legs, and THEN question you. That's a raid.

There was absolutely no "guise" of fighting terrorism in this case. The only people saying that are the people who parrot the "homeland security raid" nonsense.

 

[Blueboy]

several accounts on Defender Source the DHS was not knocking on doors like they were asking you to buy Girl Scout Cookies. Your and my interpretation of the word "raid" may differ, but if I was awoken at 6am by two armed DHS officers pounding on my door, with another 6 of them waiting in my driveway with a flatbed tow truck...

I would be somewhat apprehensive as well.

 

[willh]

Gentleman,

I am the attorney that is representing Mrs. Brinkley. I am also a member of this site and Defenderssource.com, and have been for quite sometime. I'm truly disappointed by some of the recent comments you've shared concerning my client's television interview. She is just as much a Land Rover enthusiast as any one of you are.

She was given very strict parameters by me concerning what she could talk about, as this is an ongoing case involving numerous parties. I think that she did very well given the level of questions she was asked and the tempo at which the interview took place. And, regardless of what you all think, ultimately, she has furthered our cause.

Now, I can easily see you all giving one of our fellow Expedition Portal members a hard time, it's almost customary. But, I think that it is less than honorable for you all to pick on a woman, who's only trying to call attention to this matter and the manner in which these seizures took place. I actually find myself more than a little bit embarrassed of all of you right now. You should strive to be gentleman....not children.

And, let me remind you all, that people other than yourselves and federal agents read your posts on this website. What you type on your keyboard is a reflection of our community. And, the reflection I'm seeing right now is not one that I am proud of......

Will Hedrick

"Defender of the Defenders"

 

[jdlobb]

Gentleman,

I am the attorney that is representing Mrs. Brinkley. I am also a member of this site and Defenderssource.com, and have been for quite sometime. I'm truly disappointed by some of the recent comments you've shared concerning my client's television interview. She is just as much a Land Rover enthusiast as any one of you are.

She was given very strict parameters by me concerning what she could talk about, as this is an ongoing case involving numerous parties. I think that she did very well given the level of questions she was asked and the tempo at which the interview took place. And, regardless of what you all think, ultimately, she has furthered our cause.

Now, I can easily see you all giving one of our fellow Expedition Portal members a hard time, it's almost customary. But, I think that it is less than honorable for you all to pick on a woman, who's only trying to call attention to this matter and the manner in which these seizures took place. I actually find myself more than a little bit embarrassed of all of you right now. You should strive to be gentleman....not children.

And, let me remind you all, that people other than yourselves and federal agents read your posts on this website. What you type on your keyboard is a reflection of our community. And, the reflection I'm seeing right now is not one that I am proud of......

Will Hedrick

"Defender of the Defenders"

Please quote anything you believe that was said here that insults your client. I personally thought she conducted herself quiet well, and felt some pity for her as everything she said was blown up enormously by the pundit conducting the interview. Fox News used your client for their own political agenda, twisted her words and experience to further their hatred and bigotry, and as a lawyer I'm surprised you're not more incensed about that.

I wish all of the affected owners the best, and if there was incorrect information from LRNA that led to improper seizures I'll be right there on the sidelines cheering them on as they suit the pants off of the Land Rover. But in the mean time the senseless government bashing that has taken place around this case, the posted Fox story being a PRIME example, is not only unwarranted but I believe counter productive.

 

[JSBriggs]

Please quote anything you believe that was said here that insults your client. I personally thought she conducted herself quiet well, and felt some pity for her as everything she said was blown up enormously by the pundit conducting the interview. Fox News used your client for their own political agenda, twisted her words and experience to further their hatred and bigotry, and as a lawyer I'm surprised you're not more incensed about that.

I wish all of the affected owners the best, and if there was incorrect information from LRNA that led to improper seizures I'll be right there on the sidelines cheering them on as they suit the pants off of the Land Rover. But in the mean time the senseless government bashing that has taken place around this case, the posted Fox story being a PRIME example, is not only unwarranted but I believe counter productive.

Do you work for the Govt?

Maybe you aren't as connected to the community as others, but based on several off line conversations, some of the seizures were very oppressive in nature. And as for the true reason these trucks were seized, that has yet to be released. EPA and DOT rules are what CBP is enforcing. To say is was or it wasn't anything specific is speculation at this point. As for being 'unsealed' the only thing unsealed was the complaint, that clearly states that the case presented in it was not the entire case, but rather enough for them to justify the seizure.

-Jeff

 

[jdlobb]

My favorite bit at the very beginning

This story sounds like a piece of fiction. Six federal agents storm a woman's home to take her SUV. The reason? It might pollute the earth?

Maybe it sounds like a piece of fiction because that statement IS a piece of fiction.

She said agents knocked on her door. Hardly sounds like storming.
She said the agents didn't know why they had the warrant, but it "might" be "something to do with the clean air act." So she doesn't really know, and we're taking her word that she correctly understood the supposition by some unknown agent?

Again, I feel for the way Fox News used this woman. I wonder what she thinks when watching this.

 

[mpinco]

My favorite bit at the very beginning



Maybe it sounds like a piece of fiction because that statement IS a piece of fiction.

She said agents knocked on her door. Hardly sounds like storming.
She said the agents didn't know why they had the warrant, but it "might" be "something to do with the clean air act." So she doesn't really know, and we're taking her word that she correctly understood the supposition by some unknown agent?

Again, I feel for the way Fox News used this woman. I wonder what she thinks when watching this.

Appears the agents should have spent a little more time knowing the case details.

Hide Your Keys: Feds Crack Down on Illegally Imported Land Rovers

.........Sadly, while the rest of the world enjoyed an abundance of Defenders, the United States outlawed the vehicle in 1997 due to safety regulations. Unsurprisingly, a network of illegal importation evolved in the US, with the importers finding a loophole: vehicles 25 years old or more would be exempt from safety inspections. By cleverly scrambling VIN numbers, any vehicle could be made into a “vintage,” and therefore legal, Land Rover in the States.

This past week, however, over 40 vintage Land Rover owners received a rude awakening. As part of a sting operation, police and federal investigators visited private residences early Tuesday morning to seize illegally imported vehicles. In most cases, investigators informed owners of the issue and took away the vehicles. But for one unlucky Rover owner, the Feds tracked down and picked up the illegal vehicle at a residence not even listed on the title.........



As for Fox News...........from the Washington Times

Feds raid S.C. home to seize Land Rover in EPA emission-control crackdown
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/1/feds-raid-sc-home-to-seize-land-rover-in-epa-emiss/


Thinking CNN is still looking for MH370 in some black hole