Long time readers of this group may remember Jim Manzari from 7 or 8
years ago. A traditionalist and sound technical fellow, Jim had many
a fervent discussion with Paul Kamen, aka Fishmeal, regarding design
issues of offshore cruising boats. He and his wife appear to have
fallen victim to notoriously 'sticky wicket' customs regulators down
under. Hope they'll be able to move on soon.

http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/manzaris.html

Interesting situation.

After reading Jim's blog I was left with an uneasy feeling by the tone/
voice of the writer. My guess is he really ****ed off the custom
agent. If Jim was as self righteous with the customs guy as he is in
his writing it is clear why the situation went bad fast.

So who defended their case? Please don't tell me Jim represented
himself?!?!?! What is that old saying about, "a fool for a client..."

Just a gut feeling.

Bob wrote:
Interesting situation.

After reading Jim's blog I was left with an uneasy feeling by the tone/
voice of the writer. My guess is he really ****ed off the custom
agent. If Jim was as self righteous with the customs guy as he is in
his writing it is clear why the situation went bad fast.

So who defended their case? Please don't tell me Jim represented
himself?!?!?! What is that old saying about, "a fool for a client..."

Just a gut feeling.

You must not have read about the other two
cases--one against a dutch couple, and the other
against a different american couple. If you
browse around that link for a little bit, you'll
get a different feeling about what is going on...
and it stinks.

Don W.

On Apr 12, 6:42 am, Don W
wrote:
Bob wrote:
Interesting situation.

You must not have read about the other two
cases--one against a dutch couple, and the other
against a different american couple. If you
browse around that link for a little bit, you'll
get a different feeling about what is going on...
and it stinks.

Don W.

Wow..... Sounds as though things have really gone bad since I went
mucking about that island. Maybe the Aussies have just made it to the
21st century and started taking on some of the wonderfull attributes
of our own loved das Homeland Securtiy.
Too bad. Was a good place. I hope anybody with other recent experinces
will add to this discussion.
Bewildered Bob

On 12 Apr 2007 08:20:07 -0700, "Bob" wrote:

On Apr 12, 6:42 am, Don W
wrote:
Bob wrote:
Interesting situation.

You must not have read about the other two
cases--one against a dutch couple, and the other
against a different american couple. If you
browse around that link for a little bit, you'll
get a different feeling about what is going on...
and it stinks.

Don W.

Wow..... Sounds as though things have really gone bad since I went
mucking about that island. Maybe the Aussies have just made it to the
21st century and started taking on some of the wonderfull attributes
of our own loved das Homeland Securtiy.
Too bad. Was a good place. I hope anybody with other recent experinces
will add to this discussion.
Bewildered Bob

I have not read "Jim's Blog" - (where is it?) so I cannot comment. I
also sometimes live in Australia (my wife and son presently do for his
schooling) and have onbly had one bad experience - Brisbane Customs
where I would advise anyone not to enter in. When we first arrived in
Sydney from across the Tasman, the land of freedom, democracy and
God's little corner of the world, we had to fill out a form declaring
the value of our yacht and such removeable items as SSB radios etc.
The borading Customs officer warned us twice to be careful what we put
on the form as regards values as we may7 want to either import the
yacht or sell it at a later date -- hence taxes. When we finally left
Sydney sev eral years later ( the boat had stayed too long there but
nobody cared even though they knew) the fellow in the Customs office
warned us to avoid Brisbane Customs. We later found out why when we
bought a luggage trolley from Westmarine and had to pay duty. I was
hauled into the office and interrogated as to why I had avoided
importing my boat - I was made to feel like a criminal by two Perry
Mason wannabees. Apart from that, they are rather good. I have found
that there is usually a way around officialdom and seeking their
advice or asking for help usually brings out thye best inj them.

As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter

"Peter Hendra" wrote in message
...
On 12 Apr 2007 08:20:07 -0700, "Bob" wrote:
As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter

Peter, the "right of pre-emptive strike" is reserved, by divine right, to
the United States of America. So mind your P's and Q's, mate, or your
wallabies'll glow in the dark.

"Peter Hendra" wrote in message
...
snip...
As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter

You think you have it bad... Canada has the same problem and is stuck right
next door.
When we get rid of our Conservative PM things should improve.

After hearing for years that OZ is heaven and the most family oriented place
on earth, most of what I hear now is bad. When I was flying, my internet
pilot contacts down under were telling me how they destroyed their general
aviation and air traffic control system to the point that many were turning
in their licences. Everything that moves down there is venemous enough to
kill you. Sounds like a good place to skip.

Speaking of our Customs and flying, one of my flying club members had to
divert from his airport of entry because of a thunderstorm and was fined
five grand despite landing 20 minutes away at a larger airport of entry and
immediately complying with all customs requirements (keeping his full
bladder passengers in the aircraft until the agent finished his coffee
break, etc.)

He pointed out that the FAA would have taken his license if he had landed at
the first airport. They said that was a different regulatory agency and no
concern of theirs. He pointed out that he also could have died and they
said that crashing and burning could be considered an alternative mode of
compliance. Make that check payable to....

--
Roger Long

Roger Long wrote:
After hearing for years that OZ is heaven and the most family oriented place
on earth, most of what I hear now is bad. When I was flying, my internet
pilot contacts down under were telling me how they destroyed their general
aviation and air traffic control system to the point that many were turning
in their licences. Everything that moves down there is venemous enough to
kill you. Sounds like a good place to skip.

Speaking of our Customs and flying, one of my flying club members had to
divert from his airport of entry because of a thunderstorm and was fined
five grand despite landing 20 minutes away at a larger airport of entry and
immediately complying with all customs requirements (keeping his full
bladder passengers in the aircraft until the agent finished his coffee
break, etc.)

He pointed out that the FAA would have taken his license if he had landed at
the first airport. They said that was a different regulatory agency and no
concern of theirs. He pointed out that he also could have died and they
said that crashing and burning could be considered an alternative mode of
compliance. Make that check payable to....

--
Roger Long


I live in Austalia and have done so for 90% of my life.
This country is still one of the nicest in the world.............
As long as you can keep away from the bureaucracy! in the last ten years
it has gone from yep that's cool to every one looking over there
shoulders for the cops or some other local govenment rep.
I have friends that import goods and they are 100% legit! way too scared
of losing there home and every thing else to even complain when they are
charged $4000 on top of dock fee's and import to unload a sea container
by hand that they have to do on there own because the customs agents
wants to pocket the money and will not hire the labour on the day.
if you don't pay they hide the container down the back of the docks and
you have to pay $90 per day for the container as rental while they shrug
there shoulders and say sorry mate can't find it.
This is all on top of the fee's that they state and quote. if you
mention any thing the customs then demand that the container is
fumigated and once again they charge you to do a job that you do your self.
The system is so corrupt that they are not even scared of the police or
any law at all....
I am now so ashamed of my country that i no longer recomend that friends
come over and stay its just to much hassle.........
On the other hand the average bloke/chick is great and people still
smile and say hi even in perth.
shaun

getting ready to stand and fight the line is drawn in the sand
the shells and bullets landing all about
but still i stand quivering and shout
This is our land
it is what we are about
this will not be a rout
We will win out

"shaun" wrote in message
...
I live in Austalia and have done so for 90% of my life.
This country is still one of the nicest in the world.............
As long as you can keep away from the bureaucracy! in the last ten years
it has gone from yep that's cool to every one looking over there shoulders
for the cops or some other local govenment rep.
I have friends that import goods and they are 100% legit! way too scared
of losing there home and every thing else to even complain when they are
charged $4000 on top of dock fee's and import to unload a sea container by
hand that they have to do on there own because the customs agents wants to
pocket the money and will not hire the labour on the day.
if you don't pay they hide the container down the back of the docks and
you have to pay $90 per day for the container as rental while they shrug
there shoulders and say sorry mate can't find it.
This is all on top of the fee's that they state and quote. if you mention
any thing the customs then demand that the container is fumigated and once
again they charge you to do a job that you do your self.
The system is so corrupt that they are not even scared of the police or
any law at all....
I am now so ashamed of my country that i no longer recomend that friends
come over and stay its just to much hassle.........
On the other hand the average bloke/chick is great and people still smile
and say hi even in perth.
shaun


This leaves me wondering, when did the US take over Austrailia?
getting ready to stand and fight the line is drawn in the sand
the shells and bullets landing all about
but still i stand quivering and shout
This is our land
it is what we are about
this will not be a rout
We will win out