Argh! Why? Why Why Why?

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54) 02/05/2015 at 13:58 • Filed to: None

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Prosecutors say an Ocean Springs man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of smuggling into the United States an illegally imported car made in Japan.

But once 2026 rolls around, that very same act will be as legal as walking down the street.

Edit: Links are good: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

spanfucker retire bitch > Justin Hughes 02/05/2015 at 14:00

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Look, I agree the law is incredibly stupid. But it is - as of this writing - still the law.

You shouldn't be surprised when someone goes to jail for breaking it.

CalzoneGolem > Justin Hughes 02/05/2015 at 14:01

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Not the way I walk down the street. ( °  °)

DoYouEvenShift > Justin Hughes 02/05/2015 at 14:02

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So what is the reasoning behind these weird laws?

spanfucker retire bitch > CalzoneGolem 02/05/2015 at 14:03

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Illegally?

Justin Hughes > spanfucker retire bitch 02/05/2015 at 14:03

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Oh, I'm not surprised someone's going to jail for it. As you said, it's the law. It's just a stupid one.

Rico > DoYouEvenShift 02/05/2015 at 14:07

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America thinks it is the best and all the others are LOSERS.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Justin Hughes 02/05/2015 at 14:08

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I am. Wire fraud and smuggling? I don't see how it's either. There's nothing against having the cars here, it's just illegal to drive them on the road. Registering it could qualify as fraud even though most DAs probably wouldn't consider it worth their time, but I guess that the Department of Homeland Security has nothing better to do with their time anymore...

CalzoneGolem > spanfucker retire bitch 02/05/2015 at 14:09

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Well ... yeah!

DoYouEvenShift > Rico 02/05/2015 at 14:11

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I just want one of these. Its still kind of American.

spanfucker retire bitch > DoYouEvenShift 02/05/2015 at 14:14

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Companies like Mercedes pushed for an import ban so their models they sell in other countries for less couldn't be imported into the country.

It's exactly the opposite that's going on now in China. It's cheaper to grey-market import U.S. vehicles into China, then buy them in China. Especially luxury vehicles.

Lobbying: Democracy Inaction.

D > spanfucker retire bitch 02/05/2015 at 14:33

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with dick in hand

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > spanfucker retire bitch 02/05/2015 at 14:40

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A law born by dumbfuck Mercedes execs in 1980s.

Ferrero1911 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/05/2015 at 16:50

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Importing something into the country that isn't allowed to be here is pretty clearly smuggling. There actually is something against having that car here...it does not meet EPA regulations or FMVSS so it is illegal. The guy smuggled the car into the country and committed wire fraud when he sold it knowing full well it was not legal.

JasonStern911 > spanfucker retire bitch 02/06/2015 at 00:09

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Eh.. A fine, sure. But jail time seems excessive considering how white collar of a crime car importation is and the complete lack of any repercussions from anyone that directly profited from the subprime mortgage crisis.

JasonStern911 > Ferrero1911 02/06/2015 at 00:11

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And let me guess - if I drove a Cuban cigar, I would also be guilty of smuggling?

:)

JasonStern911 > DoYouEvenShift 02/06/2015 at 00:17

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They originated in tariff laws and automotive lobbying, but they remain for safety reasons. My friend that was in the military had no problem importing his BMW 3-series when he moved back, as it was already a legal vehicle to own in the USA. And a couple of the ricers in my city sport right-hand drive Civics to show of their JDM prowess that I presume are legal. 8-)

I think the R33 can be legally imported (if done through the right channels) as enough vehicles were donated to the NTHSA to do crash testing on them, and they were able to pass the crash tests. But that could just be an internet urban legend - by the time any Skyline is imported legally and the fees are paid, you could get something legal with more potential.

But Skylines are a weird beast. I get why the GT-R was never imported to America, but I'm surprised Nissan didn't shove the VG30/VG33 truck motor in them and try to appeal to the American market.

Ferrero1911 > JasonStern911 02/06/2015 at 00:19

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You're getting the idea ;) I would be shocked if he is actually sentenced to 20 years though. That's where a judge can have discretion to keep the punishment from being ridiculous. I bet he'll just be fined.

JasonStern911 > Ferrero1911 02/06/2015 at 00:22

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And a fine is a fitting punishment for the crime. It's not like he recorded and time-delay replayed an NBA game without prior written permission from NBA Entertainment.

PyramidHat > Justin Hughes 02/07/2015 at 17:38

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From the article:

In addition, the car is a right-hand drive.