Thomas M Mc Hugh wrote:
>
> Hi David,
>
> Well put and thanks.
>
> I have always felt that reactionary comments might make someone feel
> good, but give ammunition to the "DO GOODERS" & "AGAINSTERS".
>
> The MVPA gives us a coordinated national forum for action and support.
> Winning a point with politicians is a slow, constant battle. Joining the
> MVPA is worthwhile, without a doubt.
>
> Your personal efforts have helped all collectors.
>
> Tom McHugh, NJ
> 52 M38A1
> MVPA
>
> On Wed, 23 Aug 2000 20:19:30 +0100 "Enterprise B&B/Cayman Islands, BWI"
> <Enterprise@earthlink.net> writes:
> > I spent the last hour on the phone w/Lee Holland (LH) discussing the
> > situation about HR-4205 and more specifically Section 361, the demil
> > portion. I asked some very pointed questions and received a lot of
> > answers
> > and information. I made notes and here is what transpired:
> >
> > LH said he is a civilian employee of the Army and doesn't know why
> > the
> > Armed Service Committee referred me to him to answer questions about
> > S361.
> >
> > LH has not been in touch w/Spence and said Spence was only a
> > figurehead in
> > submitting the bill and Spence is to retire shortly. He said it
> > would do
> > no good to contact Spence and he has not tried. Now here comes some
> > important/interesting stuff:
> >
> > LH says the MVPA has hired, as of about 10 days ago, some
> > *registered*
> > lobbyists who are representing the MVPA and some other "interests"
> > (his
> > word w/no other details given) to find out more about and go behind
> > S361
> > LH told me the lobbyists did not want it revealed who they are! I
> > said
> > this struck me as slightly strange since as registered lobbyists,
> > they are
> > required by law to file a list of all interests they represent and
> > that
> > could be easily found. LH agreed but said that was the "wishes" of
> > the
> > lobbyists and he must respect it. He also was asked not to discuss
> > the
> > identities of the other "interests" who the lobbyists were
> > represneting on
> > this matter. He did mention the word "museums".
> >
> > LH specifically said twice he had talked w/people on the Armed
> > Services
> > Committee but no names or details of the communications were given
> > to me.
> > He did say it appears the genesis of Section 361 is the Army.
> >
> > We talked for a while about "Legislative Intent" which as I have
> > said
> > before is the statement of the reason(s) given as to why any
> > particular
> > bill, law or part of either is proposed. LH said he had heard of
> > there
> > being problems w/computer hard drives sold w/sensitive information
> > on them,
> > circuit boards sold to the public with stratigic parts and people
> > building
> > planes or such from parts legally purchased. I don't doubt this to
> > be true.
> >
> > I said it seems to me (and this I know to be true) it would only
> > take a day
> > or two at the most of someone looking through the Congressional
> > Record
> > transcripts (and I think they are made daily) to find out not only
> > who
> > introduced the bill and/or Section 361 but to find the statement of
> > the
> > reasons behind it. LH said that is exactly what the lobbyists are
> > looking
> > into now. He expects some answers in around a week but could not
> > give a
> > specific time-frame.
> >
> > As to the status of the bill (there are two versions now but only
> > one will
> > come out of "committee"), they are in "committee" and when a final
> > version
> > is hammered out, it will go to Slick Willie (Hey, I actually like
> > the
> > horney guy) for signature. LH feels we are looking at around
> > mid-September
> > before something really happens.
> >
> > At this point in the conversation, my computer died and I started
> > making
> > handwritten notes so what follows is both from recent memory and in
> > free
> > association format.
> >
> > LH said he felt the MVPA is in a good position to protect the rights
> > of all
> > of us in this "hobby" and he himself is the owner of many MVs so he
> > does
> > have a vested interest in this matter. He felt it would be
> > detrimental for
> > individuals to try to take personal and direct "action" with
> > representatives because the wrong thing said could hurt the cause.
> > He
> > alluded to some of the posts on this list which were somewhat
> > militant. He
> > also pointed out this list is not an "official" MVPA voice and many
> > listers
> > are not MVPA members and he would not become involved in posting to
> > the list.
> >
> > LH indicated there has and is going to be serious funds spend by the
> > MVPA
> > on fighting to keep Rule 361 from becoming law. He also said it was
> > his
> > opinion that even if R351 did become law the Government wasn't going
> > to
> > start rounding up jeeps, half-tracks, etc. but he did admit under
> > the
> > present wording that and more could be done.
> >
> > OK, for those of you who are still w/me, the above are the "facts"
> > of the
> > conversation as my notes and memory reflect and serve me. The
> > following
> > are my feelings and impressions. Read them if you want and give
> > them
> > whatever weight you feel they deserve. They could be worth what you
> > are
> > paying for them :)
> >
> > I did tell LH I was going to post here on my conversation and he
> > said he
> > had no problem with that, he also gave me his home phone number if I
> > wanted
> > to talk more. LH seemed very sincere and dedicated and clearly is
> > taking
> > a lot of his personal time on this and probably other MVPA matters.
> >
> > My first feeling is, everyone on this list who is concerned w/not
> > only R361
> > but any legislation respecting this hobby should immediately join
> > the MVPA.
> > Considering what we spend on our toys, it's really chump change and
> > I do
> > believe the money which is being spent by the MVPA is for our
> > benefit. If
> > we're gonna ride, we should pay the fare. It's sort of like voting.
> > I feel
> > if someone doesn't get their bumm out and vote, they shouldn't
> > complain
> > about what the Government does or doesn't do. So that's my first
> > point.
> >
> > I wasn't happy w/what I considered the "secrecy" involved in what
> > the MVPA
> > is doing. I feel the MVPA site should give more specific updates
> > including
> > names, times, dates, etc. I am not comfortable feeling anyone
> > thinks I am
> > not ("smart" or whatever term you would apply here) enough to be
> > given the
> > facts/specifics. I appreciate being represented and I sure don't
> > have the
> > money to do it all on my own but I don't like to feel as if I'm
> > being told,
> > when I ask about specifics, "Don't worry, just leave it up to me to
> > handle
> > and go about your playing".
> >
> > I also agree w/LH when he says that if (and "if" is the operative
> > word
> > here) some nut case (my term) starts making threats about this, that
> > could
> > be used against "us". If I am given specific details, then I'm
> > willing
> > to let the MVPA represent my interests but until then, I view
> > everyting
> > said w/caution.
> >
> > My final impressions are that LH/MVPA is on our side but should
> > trust us
> > with more details. I also feel whoever out there isn't an MVPA
> > member
> > should join STAT!
> >
> > OK, my 2mm worth.
> >
> > David
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
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> > To switch to the DIGEST mode, send e-mail to
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> > To reach a human, contact <help@skylee.com>
>
> ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
> To unsubscribe, send e-mail to: <mil-veh-off@skylee.com>
> To switch to the DIGEST mode, send e-mail to <mil-veh-digest@skylee.com>
> To reach a human, contact <help@skylee.com>
YES- and if we get enough new members we can wrest control from the
"Good Ole Boys" and change things to make MVPA more democratic and
representative of the dues-paying members.....
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Sep 02 2000 - 09:32:34 PDT