Thank you for writing on this subject. I want to keep the dialog open for
everyone to be informed so I am posting your note and this reply to mil-veh.
While the MVPA position has indeed been exposed as you state, the basis for
that position has not been stated with appropriate factual backup. I don't
think these details have appeared in Supply Line, but please correct me if I am
wrong about that.
Several issues have been raised which I think require a full response from MVPA
to its members on this list plus other interested parties. Please understand
that all of this is to protect the fundamental rights of individuals who
legally acquired vehicles to pursue their own activities with their own private
property. If specific vehicles have been stolen or are otherwise illegal,
then we fully support appropriate legal action through normal open legal
proceedings.
1. Who in the US Government is behind the current chill over M151, HMMWV and
other vehicles? Is this the FBI, DOD, DOT... who? Vague references to
unnamed officials is not a reasonable reply. And I do not accept that this has
to be kept secret. People who have legitimately acquired their vehicles are
citizens entitled to an open hearing on any matter which affects them. The
government works for us.
2. What written documents, if any, have been delivered to MVPA or its
officers, specifying what the government position actually is? If these
exist, they should be published so everyone can be informed and steps to
counter them can be planned.
3. Is MVPA willing to stand up for the hobby by doing the following things?
a. Stop the intimidation of vehicle owners, buyers and sellers. Force the
"government" to openly state what their objectives are. Actively resist any
inappropriate interference with private matters. Offer to help with law
enforcement against theft or improper conversion of government property --
promise to fight to the death against wrongheaded bureaucracy and illogical
rules which try to limit our hobby.
b. Stop the destruction of M151s, HMMWVs and other historically important
vehicles by getting to the root of the current policy and actively opposing it
through group action. None of the reasons given for the current demil policy
make any sense. DOD is mindlessly destroying valuable vehicles without any
real reasoning which could stand the light of day. This must cease. Not only
are they limiting vehicles available to the surplus market, but they are
wasting taxpayer dollars.
There have been a number of ideas floated here from informed people. The
members of mil-veh, whether MVPA members or not, are eager to see forceful
action taken and would like to work with MVPA as the logical organization to
take the lead on this. Are you going to be the leader or not?
Please take this very seriously. Failure to act at this time could doom the
future of this hobby. We could be limited to WWII era vehicles very soon and
then those will become illegal due to smog laws. We need to do what many other
interest groups have done: make lots of noise about what is important to us.
Don't take no for an answer. Enlist our congressmen, veterans organizations,
and any other allies in the fight.
These are my own opinions, but I think I speak for many others on mil-veh.
I look forward to your reply,
Chuck Chriss
MVPA 547C
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Hi, Chuck;
The MVPA position -- which is the product of many hours of discussion
across several Board Meetings -- has been reiterated in open meetings
with MVPA members, in SUPPLY LINE, and on the MIL-VEH List.
For some technical reason unknown to me, I have not been able to post
messages directly to the MIL-VEH List: They have to be "bounced" through
other List subscribers. I think all the pertinent information I have
brought forth has been posted on the MIL-VEH List.
My private telephone conversations are exactly that: Private. Sometimes
it is appropriate to have off-the-record conversations with MVPA members
for a free exchange of ideas and information on both sides. The Internet
is great but telephones are not obsolete yet. You are welcome to call me
anytime.
"Keep 'em Rolling!"
-- Jerry Cleveland, SUPPLY LINE Editor Military Vehicle Preservation Association www.mvpa.org