I got up this morning and read all the posts on this thread and I cannot
say that I am proud to be an American when we have a President pulling
this crap.
I really don't care if the Secret Service puts me on their damn list of
wackos.
Maybe part of the problem in this country is the fact we all have to be
politically correct and can't speak the plain truth anymore.
Bubbua is just the most obvious example of "leaders" who have never had
a real job and couldn't survive in the real world the way the rest of us
poor suckers have to but wants to tell use how to live.
I'm sorry, I just don't have faith in our current set of governemnt
"leaders".
Here's what I wrote and sent just a few minutes ago. I am snding copies
of it to all my congressmam and senators this afternoon. I got to get
some work done.
Dear Mr. President,
It has come to my attention that you have directed that no collectable
or antique grade, foreign or domestic military vehicle may be imported
into the United States for private ownership. The State Department took
your request and contacted BATF who used a technicality called a "Form
6" requirement to stop such imports. Right now, there is a moratorium on
issuing a Form 6 by the BATF. As a result, the military vehicle
collectors are effectively out of business. No public debate, no change
in the law.... just a dictatorial style decision. Poof! More rights
down the drain again!
I for one do not understand and would like an explanation. Most of us
who are involved in this hobby are not radical militants. We are serious
hobbyist with a deep respect for our military heritage. In many cases we
are veterans ourselves and this is our way of remembering those who’s
last ride was in one of these vehicles and ensuring that others remember
too. The MVPA, Military Vehicle Preservation Association and it's law
abiding, tax paying members are being told they can't import anymore
antique military vehicles. Their own government fears them... but why?
They have never done anything wrong, never caused anyone harm, never
done a thing except enjoy a hobby. Is that irrational, paranoid fear by
you Mr. President and your cronies, in and of itself enough to warrant
an erosion of this groups rights and ultimately your rights? Maybe
you should come to a military vehicle preservation convention sometime
just to see how “dangerous” we and are old vehicles are. A majority of
the members are veterans who like to reminisce and share their
experiences.
Having never served in the military, I do not expect you to understand
the emotion that some of us attach to the vehicles we worked we in some
conditions far less glamorous than cruising the streets of Little Rock
for chicks in a GTO. Most of us are dedicated to the preservation of
history. With our vehicles we do just that. This well meaning edict has
done nothing but limit a hobby engaged by good law abiding voters.
I wonder if this same edict is going to apply to airplanes? There have
been a lot of warbirds, to use the vernacular, which have been de-milled
an brought back and used for the same purpose, to preserve history. I
don’t think anyone would want to put an old WWII Spitfire or Mustang
against an F-16, but that seems to be what you are afraid of Mr.
President. Us old facts facing off against the national guard in our
WWII half-tracks. Your fears are irrational.
As an officer in the Army Reserve, I am fully aware of the dangers posed
by militia groups in this country. Again, do to YOUR lack of military
knowledge and experience, I do not think you realize that most of the
vehicles being imported by our group are WWII and Korean War vintage.
Technology has greatly changed and these vehicles posse little if any
threat in a military capacity, that is why third world countries are
disposing of them. They realize what you Mr. President do not. These
vehicles won’t stand up to today’s weapons.
I strongly feel this is a further abuse of our Constitutional freedom.
It directly effects our right to own and enjoy otherwise legal property
that fully complies with all existing laws. If any of these vehicles
have cannons or other weaponry, it must be demilitarized and made
inoperable before import now. Who are we protecting by this policy? It
appears to me that this is just another political ploy cooked up by your
spin doctors.
Further, those many legitimate private collectors, clubs and especially
the public that supports them, have every right to enjoy and preserve
such items of history for the benefit of our future generations. I
respectfully request that you rescind this order now imposed by the
Dept. of State and the BATF.
I fully realize that this letter will never be seen by You Mr.
President. It will be read by some little staff wiener. I will probably
never be given the courtesy of a response and certainly not by you, you
don’t have the guts. If I do get a response, it will be a visit by the
Secret Service to scare me back into silence or an entry into my
military personnel file. It is a sad state when one has those fears
about excising ones Constitutional rights of free speech. But, from you
Mr. President, I expect little more.
Sincerely,
Gordon W. Bell, Ph.D.
CPT, USAR
10766W CoRd 50N
French Lick, IN 47432
812-936-9088
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