Guitar-Playing Rep. Thad McCotter on Gibson Raid: ‘One More Reason Big Government Doesn’t Rock’
- Posted on September 3, 2011 at 8:53pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
GOP presidential candidate and Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter expressed his outrage over the recent Gibson Guitar factory federal raids. (AP File Photo)
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, the guitar-playing congressman from Michigan and GOP presidential candidate, had strong words for the federal raids on Gibson Guitar factories this week.
Agents raided the legendary guitar factories in Nashville and Memphis on Wednesday over the their alleged importation and use of illegal wood, citing a century-old endangered species law that was amended in 2008 to protect plants as well as animals. The Wall Street Journal described the raids as “aggressive enforcement of overly broad laws to make the company cry uncle.”
“It‘s one more reason big government doesn’t rock,” McCotter told host Chris Daniel on Beck radio affiliate KMJ 105.9 in Fresno, Calif. Friday.
“You‘re looking at American artisans having the federal government come in and tell them they’d be better off if they let people in Madagascar or elsewhere do the work is insane,” McCotter said. “That’s outsourcing by government fiat from an administration that claims to oppose it.”
McCotter added that the move wasn’t an entirely surprising move out of this Obama administration, which has made “an effort to pander to every type of radical special interest that they can” — in this case, “radical environmentalists.”
If there can be anything positive to come from the Gibson situation, McCotter said, it would be to “show artists exactly why big government is a problem.”
Listen to the full interview below:
In June, McCotter stopped by Fox News to jam with Mike Huckabee:
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 692 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 496 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 375 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 347 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 332 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 317 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 332 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 241 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 317 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (110)
blue_sky
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:31pmWho is Thad McCotter?
Report Post »There is a hilarious 2min clip that explain your question (FUNNY!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPL-nSazqM
DeanoC
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:38pmAll I wanna know is were can I get a Tele painted like that….that guitar is sweet !!
Report Post »MontanaRob
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 12:03amDeanoC Posted: All I wanna know is were can I get a Tele painted like that….that guitar is sweet !!
Ditto! I have 3 Strats, and no Tele. That one would be totally AWESOME!
Report Post »Oh, and McCotter is a sharp cookie. I just wish more people knew it.
Weiners Wiener
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 12:12am@Blue_Sky — you might think you’re clever, but by not knowing anything about Thad Mccotter you prove otherwise. Had he the same recognition as everyone else running for the GOP nomination, he would easily win. He’s the closest thing to Reagan out of all the candidates. Staunch conservative, TEA party aligned, and probably as intelligent as all the others combined. Don‘t think he’s irrationally hoping for a miracle win — he’s simply getting his name out there for the future. You’ll hear much more from him in the coming years, I guarantee it.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 5:17amYeah, the problem has been identified. So, what are you going to do about it, McCotter?
Report Post »fastfacts
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 5:51amAnother great clip, if you haven‘t seen it is Santorum standing up against CNN’s Piers Morgan about Gay Marriage: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/sep/santorum_morgan_gays.html
Report Post »DallyWama
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 6:01am@Weiners Weiner
Nice freudian slip, er name.
Welcome back McCotter doesnt have the hair to be president. Good guy, just cant win unless he gets plugs.
Gee I wonder what conservative radio host claims hair is important?
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 7:53amThe Paulies think everybody but them is stupid and uninformed. Very much like the 0bamabots think about the mighty 0. In fact, there are a lot of amazing similarities between the Paulies and the 0bamabots.
Be assured that most people know who Ron Paul is and what his policies are just as much as they know about any of the other candidates. The fact that everybody doesn‘t agree with you doesn’t mean they don’t know who he is or are less informed and/or intelligent than you and your fellow cult members.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:15amTime to start calling that “If You See Something , Say Something” number. Turn in All Liberal Progressive Guitar Players. Their guitars are illegal and the owners should be jailed as rare wood thieves. Start with the Black eyed Peas. And I could swear that Harry Belafonte held an illegal guitar. Guitar string him up.
Report Post »Rice Water
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:48amWhy is he playing a Fender???
As a citizen, I don’t agree with the draconian laws against Gibson, but as a guitarist, I have to say that Gibson is so much overpriced junk…almost as bad as PRS.
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:46am@rice water: I have a 45 year old Gibson acoustic that blows anythings else I’ve played out of the water. Yeah, prices have definitely gone up, but I’d still jump at the chance to get an old ES-335 if I could find a lefty for cheap enough. On Fender – long as it‘s not a mexican strat I’d go for that too I guess.
Report Post »Steverino
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:03amRICEWATER:
Report Post »“Overpriced junk”? Maybe now, but I stored my 7 guitars in a non climate – controlled facility for over a year. The only 2 guitars that were in tune when I pulled them out of storage were my 1982 Gibson Les Paul and 1968 Gibson SG. The Fenders and others were HIDEOUSLY out of tune. Says something about them, methinks.
Steve
Tusker
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 1:15pm@ricewater, as a musician, I bet you SUCK!
Report Post »Kurty C Wipe
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 3:59pmCEO of Gibson: Feds Told Us to Leave U.S.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E-tXQ6kQoU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Report Post »WhoIsTheCoon
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 5:33pm@denoc I airbrush for hobby and that design could be so much better, still nice and definitely original.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:29pmMy 1931 haunted Kalamazoo began playing itself the other night.
Report Post »It only does that when evil is abroad.
By estimates, it should be speed picking itself on fire.
piper60
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:18pmI hear the jack boots com in’,
Report Post »comin’ down our street.
Obama’s thugs are ruining everything
about America that’s neat.
Mil Mom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:45pm@piper60
Report Post »Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:18pm
I hear the jack boots com in’,
comin’ down our street.
Obama’s thugs are ruining everything
about America that’s neat.
***
It’d make “Gold” for sure, but probably Glenn’d be the only one brave enough to produce it in America!
mils
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:30pmMY ONLY QUESTION ABOUT THIS WHOLE Gibson thing is
Report Post »WHO..WHO INITIATED THE RAID…ONE PERSON HAD TO START AND GIVE OKAY…WHO WAS IT??? it wasn’t merely a department head…
Bluzie
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 12:13am@MILS,
Probably the same person who initiated Fast and Furious, that same person that sued Arizona for trying to protect their residents, the same person that dropped charges against the New Black Panther party….Eric Holder.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:13pmYou rock!
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 1:27pmJust wish more people could get to know Thad McCotter. He could be our next Ronald Reagan. I said on another post it might be Sarah Palin, but I really like McCotter. Please guys, lets not go out and vote for the most popular person when we have a choice of clear minded, honest people running. Not sure who that is yet, but I do like Thad, or it might be Sarah Palin, or???????
Report Post »hikinggussie
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:00pmHow can anyone in their right mind vote for Obama???????? and the other libs. Disgusting. Gibson should be able to make their guitars out of cow poop if they want to.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:16pmre : Gibson should be able to make their guitars out of cow poop if they want to.
Report Post »***
Wonder what that‘d do to tone and what kind of pick they’d use? BUT I AGREE!
Ballot_Box_Revolution
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:37pmThat wouldn’t work either, because Gibson would have to produce a lot of cow poop, and we know what Mr. Gore says Cow Poop does to the environment.
Report Post »P-51D
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:55pmI would love to see these Nazis jump on stage at a Toby Keith concert with 20,000 plus Southern Boys in the crowd. That would be priceless.
Report Post »Steverino
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:06amThat WOULD be a sight to see!
Report Post »notmeatglennbeckdotcom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:49pmHe looks like James Taylor (with a similar excitement) and his only remotely enthusiastic moments come when he attempts to garage band Bruce Springsteen. Stay home. If you can’t bring it, don’t bother trying to sing it.
Report Post »notmeatglennbeckdotcom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:53pmIn rock vernacular:
Na Na Na Na
Report Post »Na Na Na Na
Hey Hey Hey
Goodbye
tankyjo
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:47pmThey were the best of times, and they were the worst of times. I thoroughly enjoy good tele pickin. And I thoroughly detest all Buffoon Obama stands for.
Report Post »EQUALIZER
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:42pmYo,YO,YO Al Y’all White House Party Dawgs!! When is the next White House Rock Concert with Petty,Mellencamp and Mcartney? Party DownDawg!!!
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:41pmFed Govt Loose Cannons
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:37pmHe has nothing on Obama. Barrack can lead all the liberal rat into the river as he plays his flute.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:41pm@Whostolemypig
Report Post »Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:37pm
He has nothing on Obama. Barrack can lead all the liberal rat into the river as he plays his flute
***
And we‘ll take up a collection for the Amp in case they’re not all close enough to hear him!
[Let's send him back to Martha's Vinyard, the Potomoc may not be deep enough!]
fatjack
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:31pmWhen the middle class has had enough.
Report Post »freedommonger
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:20pmFor the first time since anyone can remember, Michelle Obama is at odds with this administration and the Feds on their actions in the Gibson case. She can’t imagine anyone being so upset over such a small piece of ebony wood!
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:10pmZing of the day!
Report Post »rofl…
Partofthemeltingpot
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:17pmOk……Now that’s funny
Report Post »preppymom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:20pmI had the most lovely spotted owl salad tonight…did I say something wrong?
http://www.crackingthemalecode.com/
Report Post »hikinggussie
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:02pmthat is hilariously funny! good for you!
Report Post »tobinnieto
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pmThad McCotter already has my vote.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pmDOJ procecutes Gibson, but lets the New Black Panther Party have a pass. Do you need more evidence that this administration is out to shut down businesses that don’t play ball. They want them to outsource to Malaysa
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:50pm@macpappy
Report Post »Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
DOJ procecutes Gibson, but lets the New Black Panther Party have a pass. Do you need more evidence that this administration is out to shut down businesses that don’t play ball. They want them to outsource to Malaysa
***
BUT !!! Gibson doesn’t train kids on how to lop off a head with a machete!!
Still think if they’d just hire all illegals FROM Madagascar, they’d be OK!
WhoIsTheCoon
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:11pmMcCotter rocks. My favorite Republican running. Too bad he cannot win because he is drier than the Texas when he speaks.
Report Post »crymlaw
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:09pmThe history of the guitar in America is long and proud. I visit American guitar factories when I can. Watching these guitar builders select wood and form it into a work of art is inspiring. I have been playing the guitar since I was 10 years old. That’s 48 years ago. Today, I cry for America.
Report Post »Steverino
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:09amHear, hear!
Report Post »ree758
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:42pmStop crying and do something get a hold of your Rep and tell him to come to Gibsons aid or you will personally seek someone who is suited for his job!!
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:09pmUnder obama, instead of dealing with the issues of illegal aliens, black panther intimidation of voters, union thuggery, and the administration ignoring Federal Court rulings, the DOJ and Eric Waterholder are systematically going after industries one after another after another.
Report Post »No coincidence here that Martin is a non-union shop.
I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged for the 4th time since the 70′s…and for the first time I feel I am reading non-fiction…just some technology differences, but almost a play by play account of our Hope and Change messiah.
Each attack on business and freedom bring us closer to a very dark future.
I hope we can make it until November 2012.
I.Gaspar
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:11pmGibson, not Martin, of course.
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:16pmGawd, I HOPE people are taking notes on this Administration !!
He’s making Bush and Cheney look like a Quireboys..
There has to be a way to take My Vote back…These people are
rotten to the core !! Gonna have to hide My Guitar, what else
are these jerks going to take away from America ??
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:54pm@INOGAWD
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:16pm
Gawd, I HOPE people are taking notes on this Administration !!
He’s making Bush and Cheney look like a Quireboys..
There has to be a way to take My Vote back…These people are
rotten to the core !! Gonna have to hide My Guitar, what else
are these jerks going to take away from America ??
Report Post »***
PLEASE…..DON’T ANYBODY MAKE A LIST !!!! (The WH is liable to mistake it for their most recent Marching Orders!)
zoose
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:08pmThat was a Hoot!
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:07pmThis leaves me speechless. It‘s beyond words and should be thrown in Obama’s face! But, as usual, this is the only site carrying the story.
Is Gibson a Union shop? Bet not. And I bet that played a roll in the decision for such thuggery.
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:18pmNo they are not union and are a republican supporter. Enough said?
Report Post »michael48
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:22pmnon-union…one other compeditor is a heavy Dem-Wit contributor and the other is owned by CBS and of course CBS is the Communist Broadcast System…Othugo SS regime …boot on the neck thingy…it will be decades before the DUNG this OBANGO crowd leaves behind , if ever, gets cleaned out….be better to boot ALL and start all over…
Report Post »RA0725
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:30pmWhy is Gibson being singled out? I’m no musician but I know that Gibson is an American icon. The
Report Post »Les Paul guitar is a classic example of excellent American craftsmanship. Is this a union push?
grumpyt
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:59pmThis was burning Twitter up when it happened, AND it has been all over “alternative” ( read Alex Jones et al) media. This is just another example of a story that the majority of folks say “there has to be more to this” and disbelieve that the fed would do it.
Report Post »RON-BLAZE
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:07pmdid anyone think maybe its because there non-union? and of course the enviormentalist.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:05pmMost of our problems will “go away” in 2012 elections. McCotter does have a great sense of humor with truth. God knows the truth in everything we all do and will judge us accordingly.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:16pm… the Gibson story, along with the fiasco of ‘Fast and Furious’ should be enough to hang this jug earred communist that we have in the oval office from the nearest cherry tree on Pennsylvania Ave.!!!!!!!!! But let us not forget the numerous other examples of this failure called OBAMMY!!!
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:05pmWhy does he not play a Gibson then?Hmm?
Report Post »Ming The Merciless
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pmThat’s what I was wondering?
He should be playing a Les Paul – not this Fender Telecaster style body.
C’mon Thad – get it together!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pmBecause in America we have the freedom of choice. Ford or Chevy?
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:27pmThat show was probably prior to this scandal and I’m sure he has many guitars, as I do. I have played for 53 years ans am still rocking. This is so wrong and should be obvious to anyone what they are up to. This Gibson plant is in a right to work state and contributor to the republican party. Other guitar manufacturers do the same thing, but are union and I suppose they contribute to the democratic party.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:28pm@chips1
Report Post »Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
Because in America we have the freedom of choice. Ford or Chevy?
***
At least till after the 2012 elections.
nappy
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 3:06pmI am going to guess he’s not playing a Les Paul because he wants both of his shoulders at the same height. That and you can’t find a Gibson that sounds like a Tele.
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:00pmI have utter contempt for the government in this case. This is clear harassment of Gibson guitar. The government has a duty to defend American interests and that include business interests. The government has no business at all in championing the cause of the foreign worker.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:35pm@Dougral Supports Israel
Report Post »Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:00pm
I have utter contempt for the government in this case. This is clear harassment of Gibson guitar. The government has a duty to defend American interests and that include business interests. The government has no business at all in championing the cause of the foreign worker
****
Past tense; REMEMBER; “CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN”? GUESS THE PRESS SHOULD HAVE ASKED WHO [WE] IS, (but it was probably them!)
Hope & Change: “I hope you have some change left for the next time I hold you up!”