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US Customs Destroys Virtuoso's Flutes Because They Were "Agricultural Items"

McGruber writes "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.'"

10 of 894 comments (clear)

  1. The unexpected hazard... by cold+fjord · · Score: 5, Funny

    I never thought of flutes as an "invasive species."

    --
    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
    1. Re: The unexpected hazard... by ruggerboy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Clearly you haven't seen the infestation of pan flautists across malls and tourist attractions. The music is just too damn soothing to resist!

    2. Re:The unexpected hazard... by houstonbofh · · Score: 5, Funny

      I never thought of flutes as an "invasive species."

      You never saw the swarming of the Zanfir commercials... I still get shivers to this day.

    3. Re:The unexpected hazard... by gargleblast · · Score: 4, Funny

      Me neither. My sister played one. I always thought they were weapons of malleus destruction.

  2. Surely not by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Another whistle blower!

  3. Re:All the news that matters by Froboz23 · · Score: 5, Funny

    TSA Public Relations representative Grebnedlog released the following statement regarding the incident: "We look for things. Things we need. Things that make us go. We need help. We look for things."

    TSA Enforcement Officer Mongo added, "Mongo like candy."

    --
    Take off every Sig. For great justice.
  4. Re:All the news that matters by Grishnakh · · Score: 5, Funny

    The army has learned that stupid soldiers aren't good soldiers.

    So those too stupid for the Army are sent over to the TSA, right?

  5. Re:All the news that matters by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 5, Funny

    > So those too stupid for the Army are sent over to the TSA, right?

    Are you saying TSA stands for The Stupid Army?

    --
    When information is power, privacy is freedom.
  6. Re:Fast food workers with police powers by NoKaOi · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's what happens when you hire fast food workers into bureaucratic roles and give them absolute power over other people.

    That is seriously not fair. You are pretty lumping a whole group of hard working, well-meaning people in with a job position that is at the absolute bottom of society. You really should have more respect for fast food workers.

  7. Re:Yup, a bunch of sticks tied together in a bundl by kumanopuusan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yup, a bunch of sticks tied together in a bundle

    That sounds more like a faggot to me.

    --
    Use of the words "good", "bad" or "evil" is almost invariably the result of oversimplification.