I posted a copy of the letter I sent to the Whitehouse on my views to
the subject. I realize that some of you think I was disrespectful of the
President. The individual no, I have little if any respect for at all.
The Office of the President, that is an entirely different subject. The
most disrespectful thing I said was that he didn't have the guts to
answer himself. AND he doesn't and won't. I know that and you know that.
Second, That is the first time I have ever written to the Whitehouse and
only the second time I have written a government official. As a gun
owner, I did not write when we had the great Brady Bill put upon us. I
did not express my views to the assault rifle ban. I let the NRA do that
for me (yes I am a life member) they can speak as one voice mentality
etc.etc. In short it wasn't worth my time. Well, I was wrong and wish I
had got more involved and at least wrote a letter or two. I have set
back and been content to tell myself, "they know how I fell" and have a
dozen other excuses. No more. By god, if it is to be it is up to me. My
political representatives are going to know how I feel.
As for being politically correct. Part of the problem in this country is
a lack of CLEAR communication. The media and politicians have played on
double speak for years. That is what politically correct speech is.
Speech that is so muddled down that says nothing. We don't have leaders
anymore who will stand up and say this is what is right. We got
political pole puppets. They check the opinion poles to see what the
public wants. It is my understanding that Paul Harvey reported this week
that of the opinion pole takers, there are 11 states in the mid-west
that are not poled because we are to conservative. Let me say this loud
and clear for any of you that have a question. In light of Mr. Harvey's
report, NO I don't think they know us and what we think any more. I
think most of our elected officials promptly forget where they come form
when they get to Washington, with few exceptions. I think that we now
have a ruling class in this country just like our founding fathers said
they didn't want. Look at Al Gore, look at the Bush family, here in
Indiana we have Even Bayh a beltway baby that only came to Indiana to
campaign for Daddy and be Governor. And, we now have Hillary Clinton
legal resident of Illinois, former first lady of Arkansas, and non-home
owner anywhere running for the Senate from New York. I am sure she has
her finger on the pulse of rural New York. The list goes on.
As to what we say being monitored here in regards to our hobby. It is a
shame that in this country, people have become afraid to speak their
mind in open discourse because "big brother" might be listening. That
was not what this country was founded on. It was founded on the free
exchange of ideas and expression of thought. Not until the last few
years has political correct appeared in the Constitution. I am sure that
there are some people in the government that find that Constitution
thing damn inconvenient in getting their job done at times.
It is also a shame that things get taken out of context and misquoted.
People and groups get misrepresented. It happens. That is a favorite
political ploy and has been for a long time. If you don't like someone
discredit them, tell half truths or just blatant lies about them. Some
will always believe what was said regardless and Jesus Christ and a
heavenly host would never ever be able to convince them otherwise, they
saw it on the news. Remember the NBC report on the flaming Chevy trucks
in side impacts. The American Media today is the greatest tribute there
ever was to Dr. Joseph Gobbles. IF we don't like what someone says brand
them a nut, radical, or ________ (fill in the descriptive adjutive.). It
will happen. Yes there are some out there that think to want to own a
gun or a big green truck formerly owned by the military is a sign of
mental derangement of one form or another. Personally, I wonder about
the guy that paid the big bucks for O.J.'s Hiseman trophy but hey, TO
EACH HIS OWN. AND THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS THE POINT. With little or no
logic, public discussion, debate, or public input a public policy has
been made with regard to our hobby. We have hurt no one as has been
pointed out most eloquently by many here. But the "beautiful" and "in
people" have decided that they know what's best for us. I for one still
believe in freedom of speech. And yes with freedom comes responsibility.
We need to remind our political folks that as a whole, we are
responsible. We do not need the village making decisions with regard to
ourselves till we harm others. We need to be held responsible for our
own actions.
I would suggest that we get involved also with our local, state, and
national historical societies. Here in Indiana and through out the
mid-west, we have some very large and active historical societies. I
think when these folks realize the threat our hobby faces, then I think
we will gain some of their support, not all but, some. How long will it
be before we won't be allowed to import, roman antiquities, or old
warbirds, or fill in the blank. How about that Scottish crossbow used by
William Wallace? How about that Mongolian recurve bow (Ghengus Khan and
boys used a lot of those "assault weapons"). The list goes on.
There have been some excellent ideas exchanged here in the past few days
( and a few restoration tips and parts too). I for one am extremely glad
that we have this forum and hope all the exchange continues.
Happy collecting to one and all no matter what your interest.
Respectfully,
Gordon W. Bell. Ph.D.
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