Thank you for posting that link - I read it all - and it has a lot of great information.
I'm not sure how we got Obama involved, but, if you read this article carefully, you will note that, first: Kleeberg wrote this PRE-Obama.
Second, that most all these cases are in the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. A few are in the 1990's, and one (the very latest one) was done in 1995.
This assault on metal detecting, treasure trove findings, etc. have been sneaking right up for years and years.
I don't think "socialism" has a dang thing to do with it. In my own opinion, it has seemed like, more and more, the government just wants our
money, no matter what it is from.
If they take something away from you at the airport - you don't get it back - they sell it.
And, in the "sore subject" category, when someone gets fined - where does all that money go? Into some hole in some government officials pockets. Like the huge fines with the drug companies - victims didn't get that money - some agency got it. Same with the tobacco companies,
the oil companies (like, where are the millions of dollars the oil company got fined for the oil spill last year).
It's just that the government is getting more and more brazen - they forgot, a long time ago, that the government IS the people. Not the people
we elect.
There is a time coming that - everything will be illegal in one sense or another, for one reason or another. The folks in office - all sides, are bought and owned by special interest groups. Metal detectorists, prospectors and the like are not "organized".
Some of the most "socialist" countries have much better treasure laws than we have, and have had for years.
Like was said - do your thing - and keep your mouth shut.
Beth