Gordon W. Bell wrote:
>
> Guys,
>
> 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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