WIX Archives
Re: the US Navy's attitude?
Posted by Tulio on Thu Nov 08, 2001 09:30:01 AM
In reply top Is this the reason for the US Navy's attitude? posted by Tony on Thu Nov 08, 2001 08:38:37 AM
In my opinion, it does not change the fact that any and all of those aircraft are in fact, the property of the U.S. Taxpayers, who have funded the acquisition of every single one of them.
Now, if my understanding of the bill now in Congress is right, the government is going to "de-militarize" (destroy) the property that the Navy claims to be attempting to preserve, whether it is still lying at the bottom of a body of water, or if it has already been recovered and restored and it is privately owned. I can see many legal challenges to this, since our constitution's Bill of Rights (4th Ammendment) protects individual from illegal (unreasonable) seizure of property (although it adds . . . without adequate compensation (wording is mine, I don't recall the exact legalese).
In my simple way of seeing things, the Navy is actively encouraging legislation to destroy what they claim they are trying to preserve.
Yes, there are individuals making a buck out of this whole thing. But what if, one of these days I happen to be scuba diving (yeah, right) in our local lake, and happen to find an airplane just waiting for rescue? If a museum and other salvaging companies have been able to do it and make money on the process, does this mean that the bill will deny me equal rights as a citizen?
As much as I hate to admit this, attorneys will and are already involved, and eventually we will see a ruling made based on the rights of the people, not only the interests of the Navy.
Just my uninformed and simplified opinion, worth all of "dos centavos"
Tulio