| Subject: |
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Re: legal situation as of 10/07 |
| Name: |
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Pat Clyne |
| Date Posted: |
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Oct 8, 07 - 10:41 AM |
| Website: |
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http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/sac/members.html |
| Message: |
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Good question Tom. It’s one that has been ask by salvors in the Keys and South Florida ever since Spain, with the help of our Justice and State dept., absconded with this country’s marine cultural heritage through the ‘TAKING’ of the Juno and LaGalga shipwrecks in the State waters of Virginia.
This question has been asked on numerous occasions at formal hearings that were even arranged by NOAA to specifically answer them. To date, they have not been answered. The response we receive from them is a form of, 'let’s wait and see what happens' reply. Of course, that is not a sufficient answer for those salvors who would like to apply for permits but are afraid of Spain and their galleon-chasing lawyer, James Goold, to ‘appropriate’ all that they have recovered.
This government ploy of ‘wait and see’ or is it, ‘don’t ask and we won’t tell” attitude is just not good enough! Most salvors already know through past experience how Spain through Goold has jumped out from underneath their adjoining rocks and pounced on any salvor who even mentioned that they MIGHT have located a Spanish wreck. But up until now, nobody has challenged them in the 11th circuit. And it seems that nobody wants to be the first to do so either. I guess there are just no more Mel Fisher types around who believe enough in them selves and their belief in “The People’s” right as Americans to challenge these bureaucratic despots who would relieve us of our freedoms.
Tom, through my experience, the only suggestion I would have for the salvor right now would be to put NOAA’s feet back on the fire until they give you an answer. NOAA created this Marine Sanctuary to protect our marine cultural heritage in our waters. The question that MUST be asked again and again (until you get an answer) is: “How does NOAA justify their Congressional mandate of protecting our UCR’s and still kowtow to Spain by giving it back to them????”
DO NOT be satisfied with their stock answer of “Each case will be tried on its own merit.” That answer is only meant to forestall the inevitable “Taking.”
The way to do this is to rally as many of the salvors as possible (not an easy task) and have them bombard NOAA with these questions and DEMAND answers! Hold meetings, write and follow up by going to see your representatives and Secretary of State, get in touch with any and all media who will listen to you. Put your political representatives on the spot until they get you an answer. Be persistent, and diligent…. DO NOT let up! They count on you to run out of steam and give up. ABOVE ALL- DO NOT BE SILENT !!
Contact NOAA through your Salvor representative on the Sanctuary Advisory Committee (Gary Randolph: 305-296-7928 or 305-304-3127 grandolph@melfisher.com) and tell him to be persistent until he gets them to answer this question. That IS why he’s there, to protect YOUR rights! There is no greater peril to the Salvors of South Florida right now then Spain’s confiscation of all OUR underwater cultural heritage.
But remember, wishing it to be so won’t solve the problem; waiting for someone else to do it won’t make it happen. But it WILL WORK if you’re persistent, organized and optimistic. I know this works, I’ve seen it done, just take a phrase out of the Mel Fisher handbook on civic duty. “When you know you’re right- Go for it, you’re an American!”
Mel knew that it was not only a duty, but it was also an obligation as a citizen to make sure government does not take our rights away. Right now we have the right to salvage. If they take it away, we will NEVER get it back!
One last Mel Fisher quote: “DO IT NOW!
Here is the list of your representatives on the SAC:
http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/sac/members.html |
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