October 2009 eBook all pages (free PDF, 36.6 - Latitude 38

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Page 46 • Latitude 38 • October, 2009
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COURTESY DAYDREAM
LETTERS
event of a collision with a whale.
⇑⇓BOY, YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL
In last month's Changes you ran a photo of just two tips
of the sun showing over the horizon because the rest of it
had been blocked
by the earth in a
solar eclipse. When
the earth, moon and
sun are all aligned
— which they had to
be in this case — it's
called syzygy.
Ken Schulze
Williwaw, Hobie 33
Santa Cruz
Things may have to be syzygistic for this to occur,
but we don't think that's the name for two
tips of sunlight peeking over the horizon.
Ken — Thanks for
that answer. But
we're actually wondering
if there isn't
some name for just the two tips of the sun showing over the
horizon.
⇑⇓EVERYONE PAYS AS FEW TAXES AS POSSIBLE
The article about Bill Joy’s 190-ft sailing yacht Ethereal was
interesting — but I didn't like the photo showing the oversized
surfboard flying a foreign flag. Having often cruised the ECW,
I'm sick and tired of owners who are ashamed to have their
national flag flying on their boats. And that goes for Tiger
Woods and his big powerboat on Lake Worth, Florida, too.
I know foreign flags are flown to avoid taxes, but I believe
that if you use the benefits and privileges of your country,
you should fly that country's flag. Maybe we should make the
owners of such boats turn in their passports. I bet many of
these 'foreigners' wear American flag buttons on their suits
at political rallies. And I'm writing this as a tree-hugging,
bleeding-hearted liberal.
Jack Mooney
Utopia Too, Westerly Centaur 26
Hudson, Florida
Jack — There are several good reasons why all big yachts
— which for a whole different set of good reasons are owned
by corporations rather than individuals — are flagged outside
of the United States, and these reasons have nothing to do with
being "ashamed" of this country. First of all, flagging a vessel
outside of the United States means that the corporation can
have anyone be the master. Because of what many perceive
to be archaic U.S. law, foreign citizens can't master a U.S.flagged
vessel in U.S. waters. Second, vessels flagged outside
the United States do not need to provide USL&H Workman's
Compensation, which means fewer hassles and lower insurance
premiums. In addition, foreign-flagged vessels don't need
to report payroll taxes for employees.
But let's not kid anyone, the main reason such vessels are
flagged outside the United States is to save money on taxes.
People might have differing opinions on the morality of taking
steps to limit one's tax liability, but it's pretty clear that just
about everyone does it. For some people, it's buying stuff over
the internet from out-of-state sellers; for others, it's taking
delivery of expensive jewelry or art at a second home in a nosales-tax
state, and for yet others, it's using the income tax
code to their best advantage.
It would be easier to get angry about it if passing out huge