THANK YOU to Gator-hex for posting this - I was looking for this case. This is precisely what I am getting at with this post - it may sound ludicrous to us who are pro-Bitcoin that it would be a "unique form of domestic terrorism", but the facts are right there in case and statutory Federal law. Even if they weren't, this is a two-part Doom Scenario and the legal portion is only 50% of the risk equation.

I am not claiming that everyone who buys a BFL/Avalon/whichever ASIC is going to be indicted by any means. You are, however, exposing yourself to two very enticing scenarios for two powerful agencies: 1.) devaluation of the hardware you've purchased by a profiteering company pumping and dumping bitcoin, and 2.) collaboration with a government entity seeking to hand down a few (or hundreds) of indictments based on established Federal case law/statutory law. When you buy an ASIC and use your real information, you have irrevocablylinked your name and shipping address as a motivated, financially-capable, and key player in the Bitcoin movement. This is the language of the Department of Justice, not myself.

When you make this association between yourself and Bitcoin, you must realize that the change in legal angle from the von Nothaus case to someone purposefully and willing purchasing hardware with the explicit purpose of "minting" coins is but a few degrees of difference. In addition, you must realize the massive economic incentive for these companies to leverage your investment to fuck you over, and in doing so they would have zero criminal or civil repercussions for their actions. If you listen to, understand, and accept these risks then I have done my job and I am glad that I was able to better inform your decision.

An important piece of evidence was brought to my attention via PM: It takes but a brief search on this very forum to reveal the complete and utter disdain that one of these companies' chief spokesperson holds for the community at large. This is drawing much less suspicion than it rightfully should. This is huge. This is not the way a new company acts toward it's customers.

I started this thread in a lighthearted way, but the PMs I have received have brought a very sour realization of the evidence that actually exists for some variation of the scenario described being in action at this moment.