John Kerry's Way-Expensive Dinghy

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

Mods please muzzel this thread

Why? It's a perfectly civil discussion. All the posts, I think every one, are saying that there is nothing wrong with what Kerry did, whether or not one likes or dislikes him as a politician or person. One would have to pretty oversensitive to be offended by that, I think.

[sailorgal]

Hey -- there are a lot worse "hobbies" a politician can have than sailing. I give him extra points for that.

A friend of mine met John at a windsurfing race about 15 or more years ago. He said John was very friendly to everyone.

No complaints here.

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Why? It's a perfectly civil discussion. All the posts, I think every one, are saying that there is nothing wrong with what Kerry did, whether or not one likes or dislikes him as a politician or person. One would have to pretty oversensitive to be offended by that, I think.

It is true that the thread is civil. However the intent of the OP was overtly political. I had to go over to the chicken thread to lower my blood pressure.

Boats are expensive. When mine was built it was transported to another state for final completion to evade the California luxury tax.

Todd

[bob_77903]

"Wade noted the vessel was designed by Rhode Island boat designer Ted Fontaine and purchased in the state. It was built in New Zealand by Friendship Yachts."

Other than repairs or upgrades perhaps, seems like Hinckley wasn't the builder. Just an observation......

[Liam Wald]

WHO CARES?

I'm sure that the Heinz Family Trust pays their fair share of taxes. They probably pay almost as much as I do. So what?

[Bash]

while we're at it, Kudos to Senator Kerry for maintaining the long-standing tradition among senators from his state who prefer sail over power.

[IdoraKeeper]

An astute owner will commonly move a valuable yacht both inside and outside of the country to avoid "resident" liabilities. All completely within and in compliance with the law. What's the big deal with that?

[s/v 'Faith']

I am traveling and without my charts right now. Anyone have an idea of what the dingy ride is for them to ride out to the mother ship?

[sabray]

The boat isn't a hinckley. Kerry doesn't own it a company named great point corporation is the owner. More bad news writing we really should be more concerned in the way we report information.

[barboak]

keep the politics out of this site!!!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by barboak@yahoo.c

keep the politics out of this site!!!

That's a very socialist attitude to take


(Note to Mods: I didn't say that was good or bad )


I remember "back in the day" one of our punters got a tax bill (from the UK Govt) for............£4.70. That one stuck with me. Nil or a few thousand (or even lots more) fair enuf (well ) - but even to me £4.70 seemed to be taking piss

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

It is true that the thread is civil. However the intent of the OP was overtly political. I had to go over to the chicken thread to lower my blood pressure.

Boats are expensive. When mine was built it was transported to another state for final completion to evade the California luxury tax.

Todd

Well, I respectfully disagree that the OP was saying anything political. On the contrary, he just said that although he doesn't support Kerry as a politician, he defends Kerry on this particular issue, which I think all the rest of us did, too.

My own opinions about Kerry as a politician would fill a few threads, but I will not say a word as these opinions are not relevant here. But certainly as all of us agree the journalist was way out of line. No one can blame Kerry for wanting to have a nice sailboat (and why shouldn't he, with the Heinz fortune behind him -- what's a fortune for, anyway?), and for basing it in a place which is reasonable from a tax point of view. None of us were blaming him; on the contrary, we were all defending him. Even those of us who don't like his politics.

It was all very polite and boating-related and I think there's no reason at all to get your blood pressure up.

And I think you can count on all of us for support in your efforts to avoid the ridiculous "luxury" tax in California. Actually, "envy tax", is more like it.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Well, I respectfully disagree that the OP was saying anything political. On the contrary, he just said that although he doesn't support Kerry as a politician, he defends Kerry on this particular issue, which I think all the rest of us did, too...

NO, he didn’t.

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

John Kerry Saves $500,000 By Docking 76-Foot Luxury Yacht Out Of State

John Kerry Saves $500,000 By Docking 76-Foot Luxury Yacht Out Of State

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by GordMay

NO, he didn’t.

I stand corrected. But he didn't comment, either, he just reproduced the headline and gave a link to the article. All of the comments which followed were without exception supportive.

I stand by my suggetion that some people are being oversensitive.

[maytrix]

Over the last day, the news (radio and TV) here in Boston kept teasing the story - I kept thinking "Great, he found a way to use his position to save him on taxes!".

Then today I heard the real story that he was simple doing what is perfectly legal - regardless of whether or not he's doing it intentionally to "dodge" the taxes, I really have no issue with it.

I think anyone here would be foolish not to do the same in the same situation if it worked out well for them.