[meteorite-list] Argentine Campo Issue

From: Michael Fowler <mqfowler_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:28:40 -0600
Message-ID: <B267DFD6-2567-4B31-9865-D9B79B144F1A_at_mac.com>

Considering that Argentina is the country that just nationalized
(confiscated) the private pension plans of its citizens, I wouldn't
put too much faith in their judicial system.

Mike Fowler
Chicago


> 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
Received on Fri 21 Nov 2008 10:28:40 PM PST