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LAN_403

Conundrum

Wed Dec 30 2009, 11:28AM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4061

Hi all.
I'm sure you've all heard of the recent increases in terror alerts.

As if it wasn't hard enough for us electronics/HVers to obtain etchant/etc for legitimate purposes.

So far, the "Powers that Be" have seen fit to restrict or ban nearly every chemical that can be used as an etchant, the exceptions being FeCI (which is nasty in its own right) and sodium silicate developer.

Had enough problems getting my ampersulf (slightly less nasty but can only be used once per session) waiting nearly eight weeks for the supplier's hazardous order. And cost me $$$ too.

To add insult to injury, the only homebrew etchant (works better than ampersulf, substantially less nasty than FeCI and can be used over and over) is on the verge of being banned altogether due to its constituent chemicals being banned for three different reasons.

As it is, just buying one of the chemicals got me asked questions, even though it has legitimate medical uses. The other thankfully isn't quite as restricted as everyone uses it (koff Drano /koff)

How do we ensure the continuance of our hobby if etching a circuit board becomes impossible?

Don't even get me started on lasers... i got strange looks even asking if the laser etch guys here could etch me a PCB panel that had been precoated with paint.

Heard rumblings along the lines of "ebay to ban all laser components" so obtaining parts is going to get a lot harder.

Also found out recently that some components suppliers won't sell to you unless you jump through several hoops including supply of a VAT number.
Something to do with liability, although I can hardly see how selling someone a resistor can make them liable for anything.
comments?
-A

Proud Mary

Wed Dec 30 2009, 01:24PM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight... We're after power and we mean it. ...There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted â€“ and you create a nation of law-breakers â€“ and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."

Atlas Shrugged Ch. III

wylie

Thu Dec 31 2009, 12:04AM

Registered Member #882 Joined: Sat Jul 07 2007, 04:32AM
Location:
Posts: 103

I'm really starting to hate all these authors who taught the scum of the world how to be the best tyrant possible.

Damn you Orwell and Rand.

Hazmatt_(The Underdog)

Thu Dec 31 2009, 02:36AM

Registered Member #135 Joined: Sat Feb 11 2006, 12:06AM
Location: Anywhere is fine
Posts: 1735

What we should be upset about here is not the authors whose obvious intent was satire, but the idiots who think the joke is actually a great idea, now that's the scarry part.

The flip side of this is you go to the hardware store and buy pool acid for etching, and Drano for developing. Then hit the Beauty supply for the 30% Peroxide and work the system.

Cesiumsponge

Thu Dec 31 2009, 04:40AM

Registered Member #397 Joined: Wed Apr 19 2006, 12:56AM
Location: Western Washington
Posts: 125

This is what happens when people don't speak up for others. When they come after something you value, that prevailing attitude applies and no one speaks up for you because it doesn't affect them.

Whenever anything tragic happens, a majority of people are willing to sacrifice common sense and freedoms in exchange for another ticket to the next act of Security Theater. I'm supposed to feel safe now because no one can have blankets or visit the restroom 60 minutes before an airplane lands.

Arcstarter

Thu Dec 31 2009, 05:17AM

Registered Member #1225 Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253

Honestly, i am many times more scared about what will be taken from me in an attempt to stop this 'terrorism' than the terrorism itself!!

Here is the Matthew G. Abshier terrorist-proof system. Give everybody a shotgun, and a hardhat, and say good luck. If they try to use that gun for bad, then when the try to kill someone else, they will get killed. This way, the idiots that try to kill and steal will be killed, probably along with some good people, ending over-population, saving our resources such as food and gas, reducing pollution...

And yes, i do realize that sounds stupid

Turkey9

Thu Dec 31 2009, 06:40AM

Registered Member #1451 Joined: Wed Apr 23 2008, 03:48AM
Location: Boulder, Co
Posts: 661

Haha thats great. Natural selection should have a come back! And use mutually assured destruction to govern gun use.

Carbon_Rod

Thu Dec 31 2009, 12:57PM

Registered Member #65 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:43AM
Location:
Posts: 1155

Indeed,
fear and ignorance lead people to believe banning various compounds will prevent social problems.

However, note concentrated H2O2 has been used for decades in middle eastern countries (under strict import restrictions) to construct a rudimentary version of plastique. It is also well known by advisory groups that numerous cosmetics products are generally the source of the materials, and rarely if ever a chemical supply company.

Some agree it is a ludicrous attempt to influence irrational ideological thinking with legal legislation.
However, the illusion of government control is an effective placebo for concerned naÃ¯ve voters. This political fact transcends time, technology, and cultures. Accordingly, reactionary legislation is not going to change as people would rather like to ignore the reality of a modern aggregated world.

Backyard Skunkworks

Thu Dec 31 2009, 07:47PM

Registered Member #1262 Joined: Fri Jan 25 2008, 05:22AM
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 451

When over-regulation in the name of security degrades the population's quality life, the terrorists have won.

MinorityCarrier

Thu Dec 31 2009, 09:49PM

Registered Member #2123 Joined: Sat May 16 2009, 03:10AM
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 312

Umm... The terrorists have won.

Habeas Corpus has been set aside by Presidential fiat, American citizens have been held without charge or council, Americans by nearly 50% support torture, we have the "Infragard" to turn in American citizens who act suspiciously, etc.

We are in less danger now, nationally, than during the height of the Cold War, but, with the exception of the McCarthy campaign, there were nowhere near the erosion of Constitutional rights we have seen in the last eight years.

But as bad as it seems here, it appears worse over in Britain.

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