zork51
NES Member
Hey Boys and Girls,
If anyone is going to this hearing, I want to share some thoughts.
I went to the first stop on a “state tour” in Worcester a few weeks ago on a Monday. I took a VAC day to attend. \ A panel of about 7 listens to both sides of argument for YET MORE GUN LAWS in Mass. I chickened out and didn’t speak as both sides were allowed 3 minutes to state their thoughts. I did submit written testimony and also had a pretty good conversation with one of Rep. Naughton's aides. It last 7 hours and I stayed for the whole thing. A retired News anchor Liz Walker showed up with a bunch of kids from the “inner city” wearing NAACP white T shirts and they spoke of violence and read their partially coerced statements about one gun and month and background checks, etc. Liz said that” it’s not just an inner city problem but OUR problem as well.
When all else fails to present logical reasoning, trot out the children. In hindsight, I wondered where all their parents were for this hearing???? But that was not the intent of their team. “It’s about the children”.
I and many others besides those who spoke offered plenty of suggestions. I spoke with a paid assistant for half an hour out in the hallway.
I suggested ARMED GUARDS in schools, 30 years in jail for straw purchasers (no plea deals) , automatic one year (like the big sign in Boston says but is hardly ever enforced) for someone caught with a gun who is unlicensed, RIGHT AWAY as soon as they are in the cruiser, 5 years if caught committing a crime with a gun but they don’t kill anyone, and 20 years if they do. I just think it’s important that MANY people show up at the hearing. Rhode Island has delayed their upcoming legislative action based on all the people they had going to their hearings.
I see articles in my local paper about people caught with guns and their sent home to wait for a court date. Why not send them right to jail from the station for the “mandatory” one year like big bad Mayor Menino says????
Anyway, I spoke with someone "close to GOAL" in the parking lot and he said to keep it at 3 minutes and save the rants if you can, leave the camo at home. Stay on point like some of what I submitted in writing to the staff about IDEAS. Remember Duval doesn't have any of those.............
Good luck to all that go and speak, but mostly IMPORTANTLY, is "strength in numbers" a good showing of "voters" is the most important weapon.
If anyone wants to PM me between now and WED with their cell and talk about what I saw and thought please do. I will be home tomorrow and will check my Inbox. Most of you out there don't need my help however. We have lots of decent educated people who can state their case diplomatically.
If anyone is going to this hearing, I want to share some thoughts.
I went to the first stop on a “state tour” in Worcester a few weeks ago on a Monday. I took a VAC day to attend. \ A panel of about 7 listens to both sides of argument for YET MORE GUN LAWS in Mass. I chickened out and didn’t speak as both sides were allowed 3 minutes to state their thoughts. I did submit written testimony and also had a pretty good conversation with one of Rep. Naughton's aides. It last 7 hours and I stayed for the whole thing. A retired News anchor Liz Walker showed up with a bunch of kids from the “inner city” wearing NAACP white T shirts and they spoke of violence and read their partially coerced statements about one gun and month and background checks, etc. Liz said that” it’s not just an inner city problem but OUR problem as well.
When all else fails to present logical reasoning, trot out the children. In hindsight, I wondered where all their parents were for this hearing???? But that was not the intent of their team. “It’s about the children”.
I and many others besides those who spoke offered plenty of suggestions. I spoke with a paid assistant for half an hour out in the hallway.
I suggested ARMED GUARDS in schools, 30 years in jail for straw purchasers (no plea deals) , automatic one year (like the big sign in Boston says but is hardly ever enforced) for someone caught with a gun who is unlicensed, RIGHT AWAY as soon as they are in the cruiser, 5 years if caught committing a crime with a gun but they don’t kill anyone, and 20 years if they do. I just think it’s important that MANY people show up at the hearing. Rhode Island has delayed their upcoming legislative action based on all the people they had going to their hearings.
I see articles in my local paper about people caught with guns and their sent home to wait for a court date. Why not send them right to jail from the station for the “mandatory” one year like big bad Mayor Menino says????
Anyway, I spoke with someone "close to GOAL" in the parking lot and he said to keep it at 3 minutes and save the rants if you can, leave the camo at home. Stay on point like some of what I submitted in writing to the staff about IDEAS. Remember Duval doesn't have any of those.............
Good luck to all that go and speak, but mostly IMPORTANTLY, is "strength in numbers" a good showing of "voters" is the most important weapon.
If anyone wants to PM me between now and WED with their cell and talk about what I saw and thought please do. I will be home tomorrow and will check my Inbox. Most of you out there don't need my help however. We have lots of decent educated people who can state their case diplomatically.
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