I just got off the phone a little while ago with Lee
Holland. He called to let me know, and pass on to
everyone here, that the information I gave out this
morning about Sec. 361 of HR5205 being dead is basic+
correct. The MVPA is waiting until the final legislation
has passed before claiming victory, however, and that is
why they have made no formal announcement. In Washington
things sometimes happen at the last minute. He said the
update is written and is just awaiting his word before
being posted. He also detailed to me the numerous trips
to Washington that he has made and the meetings he has
attended. The MVPA and Mr. Holland have been working
pretty hard at this, although they have not been letting
that fact be known perhaps as well as some of us would
like it ot be.
He also told me that they have decided to retain the
lobbyist that they have been working with, and I believe
that is the right choice. He said, and I fully agree,
that this is not the last chapter of this fight and we
will see more attempts at this in the future. I also
asked him if any "offensive" proposals for legislation
are being considered, and he said that they are indeed
considering lobbying for some type of protective
legislation for HMV's. This being the case I feel much
better about where my money is going and will most
likely send more.
He also stressed that this has cost the MVPA a whole lot
of money, and that in order to keep our presence known
in Washington we will have to maintain membership at the
9000-9200 mark to keep the funds coming in.
In regard to the issue of individuals write or calling
their representatives, he said that the lobbyist seemed
to think it was not very effective, as most of the
letters only make it as far as the staff members. I have
to wonder, however, what lobbyist would tell you that
you can get results without using them. The impression I
got from Sen. Helms staffer this morning was that the
individual calls and letter were effective, and
obviously I made enough of an impression for them to
call me back several weeks later with results, so I
guess we will have to disagree on this one. I believe
both approaches are needed.
I also asked him where this language originated, and he
said that all he knew was that it came from within the
DOD, and he had heard numerous different stories as to
why it was originated,basically the same ones that have
circulated on this list. I believe some more detective
work is needed on that end, because bureaucrats like to
remain anonymous, and a few(non-hostile) letters and e-
mails may make the originator of this think before
he/she tries it again. As Barney Fife said "nip it in
the bud!"(Note- this is my opinion, not Mr. Hollands, we
did not discuss this at length)
In all, it looks like we have won this time. I fear,
however, that we are seeing the beginning of the same
fight for collectors of HMV's as we have seen since 1968
for gun owners, and we will have to be forever vigilant
from now on. I hope I am wrong.
I wish I had had more time to speak with him, but was
unable to talk longer due to a prior engagement. I was
very impressed both by the fact that he took the time to
call me and by the amount of work that he has done on
our behalf.
Tim in NC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 01 2000 - 21:37:37 PST