Virtuoso’s flutes destroyed by US Customs

[LiberalArkie]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2014/01/01/customs-officials-destroys-flute-virtuoso-instruments/HRnFgh1FwIqY5n2FdoKlMN/story.html


"Flute virtuoso Boujemaa Razgui performed on a variety of flutes, each made by himself over years for specific types of ancient and modern performance. Razgui has performed with many U.S. ensembles and is a regular guest with the diverse and enterprising Boston Camerata. Last week, Razgui flew from Morocco to Boston, with stops in Madrid and New York. In New York, he says, a US Customs official opened his luggage and found the 13 flutelike instruments — 11 nays and two kawalas. Razgui says he had made all of the instruments using hard-to-find reeds. 'They said this is an agriculture item,' said Razgui, who was not present when his bag was opened. 'I fly with them in and out all the time and this is the first time there has been a problem. This is my life.' When his baggage arrived in Boston, the instruments were gone. He was instead given a number to call. 'They told me they were destroyed,' he says. 'Nobody talked to me. They said I have to write a letter to the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. This is horrible. I don't know what to do. I've never written letters to people.'"

[OnyxCollie]

1. We're safer now.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. No doubt.

While your comment is indeed funny, I think you make a larger point.

That is supposed to be one of the primary jobs of US Customs - to protect US Agriculture and the environment from harmful or invasive species.

Why hell, if they had let those in, there could have been an outbreak on the par with the Asian Carp or Kudzu or...:::Gasp::: Heaven forbid, Burmese Pythons.

Imagine if all the fine concert halls were overrun by finely made flutes and their reeds!

It would be a nightmare.

You might have to bring in goats to chomp em' back!



Of course, at some point you would think a grownup in the room would stop the process and say "Look you moron, these are completely harmless musical instruments. Stop what you're doing, put them back in the suitcase and get on with your work, you fucking moron."

But no. There were no rational, logical thinking officers on duty that day. There seem to be fewer and fewer of them nationwide.

[loudsue]

2. This is an OUTRAGE!!! What in the fuck has this country come to??

[Blue_Tires]

3. Time to unleash the attorneys...

Given the personal value and rarity of the instruments, I'm a little surprised that they weren't in his carry-on...I personally don't put anything in checked luggage that I can't allow to potentially be stolen/lost/mangled, or generally fucked around with...

[lpbk2713]

4. Not only the physical property ...

his livelihood and his career are impacted.

TSA hires gorillas with no class and no tact.

I hope he finds a good lawyer to represent him.
They will be lined up at his door to take the case.

[longship]

5. Not TSA, apparently.

As article states, this was US Customs.

Minor correction.

[lpbk2713]

6. OK, thanks.

Correction noted.

[arikara]

8. Its horrible that they destroyed the poor man's flutes

customs can be such total morons. They destroyed a herd of water buffalo because they said they were concerned about mad cow. The owners offered to have them tested and pay for the quarantine but customs killed them instead.

Every package thats been handled by customs that arrives in our post office is totally trashed. The boxes arrive bent, crushed and mutilated. That is what I thought the story was about until I read it.

[progressoid]

9. WTF?

Flutes?

Fucking morons.

[Blue Owl]

10. Zamfir -- Public Enemy No. 1

n/t

[alp227]

11. NO apology from the govt

Foreign Policy's The Cable: [link:thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2014/01/02/us_customs_not_sorry_for_destroying_11_rare_flutes_of_renowned_musician|U.S. Customs Won’t Apologize for Destroying Musician’s Rare Flutes]

[Faryn Balyncd]

12. Aren't we lucky our Nazis destroy first, ask questions later !!

Safety first!!