You are certainly correct that 1) merely bitching about MVPA does not help and
2) any solid information refuting the idea of "illegal" vehicles will help.
But, there is still an issue of getting MVPA to handle this in a more
constructive and public manner. We still do not know who these "federal
government officials" are or what their stated position is, if any. You say,
for example, The government maintains that none of these vehicles have ever
been released to the civilian market through legitimate channels." Who said
that? When? In what format?
There cannot be a meaningful debate or response when there are no fact put
forth. If we put together a bunch of Form 97s, who do we send them to?
Will a Form 97 be acceptable as proof or will the bar be raised as soon as we
do that? If someone in the government has a problem with POV M151A2s, for
example, they have to make a formal statement of their position and give owners
the ground rules. Otherwise it is just illegal confiscation; the owner is
guilty until proven innocent.
The government can get away with such tactics against individuals even when
violating their basic rights. The individual does not have the resources to
fight. But a strong group, taking a strong stand can prevail especially when
the government position is monumentally stupid and misguided.
In my mind the first step is to force "the government" to reveal 1) who is
claiming what and 2) what they want private owners to do. The MVPA can be
our representative and channel for this. Then, I want the MVPA to take the
lead in resolving this in favor of the owners. Unless something illegal can be
proved, there should be no issue! Furthermore, I want the MVPA to do this in
a way that puts an end to the intimidation and harassment. We, the vehicle
restoration and collector community, are the good guys!! We are not the
problem!! That's where our congressmen and other elected officials should be
helping.
So, Jim, I want to get the constructive part of your message into action.
Anyone with documents or verifiable case histories should certainly make the
information available. Posting to this list may be a good idea, unless there
is a privacy issue, so that everyone is informed about it and can use the
information to help their own efforts.
Thanks for your help,
chuck
======================================
The MVPA was informed by federal government officials many months ago
that possession of ex-U.S. military M151A2s, Gama Goats, and HMMWVs
COULD present problems for our members. The government maintains that
none of these vehicles have ever been released to the civilian market
through legitimate channels.
Now, before you begin to flame me and the MVPA, did you really read the
paragraph above? Notice, it said COULD present problems. It did not
say absolutely will present problems. I honestly believe the government
is way off the mark on NONE having ever been released. This is where
all you guys with the DOCUMENTED CASES of government legal and
legitimate releases need to step forward and provide the MVPA with
certified copies of your Form 97. Help the association to help you and
others. If we can prove that some were legally sold or released, it
will make the case that much harder for the government to win. If yours
was legally released, then why couldn't some others, but the paper trail
has simply not been maintained. Also, it proves that they are in fact
legal for private use so that if someone has put one together from
parts, they don't have anything that the US Government hasn't themselves
legally put on the street.
Everyone needs to quit their bitching and complaining and worrying about
how the MVPA has screwed them and their fellow MV owners and start
looking how to fix the problem. Sitting at your computer making snide
little remarks isn't going to fix anything. From this point forward, if
you don't have something CONSTRUCTIVE to add, you think twice about how
serious you are about helping to save the hobby. Simply grousing and
complaining isn't going to do anything except create hard feelings
amongst the membership.
Again, if you have some proof of a documented legal release, namely in
the form of a Form 97 from the government, put it to use. These are the
tools and ammo the MVPA needs.
I posted this because the MVPA folks are not going to get down in the
weeds and tell you this. They are trying to maintain a degree of
professionalism and decorum. I don't have to do that. This was not
written by their solicitation. It was written because all most of the
comments I have seen are negative bitches and gripes that have yet to
present any possible solutions. If you don't have a suggested fix or
solution, save your breath and our time. I will admit, a couple of
constructive comments have been made, but most are simply hot air.
By the way, I am active duty Army and don't really care if you decide to
unload on me. Ass chewings are part of the Army life. If I don't have
someone chew my butt on a daily basis, I feel the day hasn't been
successful nor complete.
Jim Rice
MVPA #16814