Home science under attack

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Tim O'Reilly" <tim () oreilly com>
Date: August 12, 2008 6:58:29 PM EDT
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Cc: Robert Thompson <thompson () ttgnet com>, phillip torrone <pt () oreilly com 
>
Subject: Home science under attack

I grew up with a chemistry set.  You could get them in every corner  
hobby store. But as liability fears grew, the experimental ethic that  
built  the US as a science and technology powerhouse faded, and such  
"dangerous" toys became much harder to find.

So when my Make magazine team decided to publish Robert Bruce  
Thompson's <a href=http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596514921/ 
index.html>Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments</a>, I  
applauded.  The book has been a great success.

But then this news came in from the author of that book:  
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/08/home_science_under_attack.html

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports that Victor Deeb, a retired  
chemist who lives in Marlboro, has finally been allowed to return to  
his Fremont Street home, after Massachusetts authorities spent three  
days ransacking his basement lab and making off with its contents.

Deeb is not accused of making methamphetamine or other illegal drugs.  
He's not accused of aiding terrorists, synthesizing explosives, nor  
even of making illegal fireworks. Deeb fell afoul of the Massachusetts  
authorities for ... doing experiments.

Authorities concede that the chemicals found in Deeb's basement lab  
were no more hazardous than typical household cleaning products.  
Despite that, authorities confiscated “all potentially hazardous  
chemicals” (which is to say the chemicals in Deeb's lab) from his  
home, and called in a hazardous waste cleanup company to test the  
chemicals and clean up the lab.

Pamela Wilderman, the code enforcement officer for Marlboro, stated,  
“I think Mr. Deeb has crossed a line somewhere. This is not what we  
would consider to be a customary home occupation.”

Allow me to translate Ms. Wilderman's words into plain English: "Mr.  
Deeb hasn't actually violated any law or regulation that I can find,  
but I don't like what he's doing because I'm ignorant and irrationally  
afraid of chemicals, so I'll abuse my power to steal his property and  
shut him down."

In effect, the Massachusetts authorities have invaded Deeb's lab,  
apparently without a warrant, and stolen his property.

____________________________________________
Tim O'Reilly, Founder and CEO, O'Reilly Media
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-827-7150   tim () oreilly com
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