URGENT ACTION ALERT: Write your Senators NOW!

this is what i got:


Saxby Chambliss to me
show details Jul 4 (1 day ago) Reply



Thank you for contacting me. Representing the State of Georgia in the United States Senate is an honor and a privilege.

I appreciate hearing from you and knowing your concerns. This automated response serves as a receipt of your e-mail message and allows me to respond to your direct question or comment in a more timely manner.

*** If you are having a problem with a specific government agency, the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 requires that I have your written authorization, signed by you, in order to contact the agency about the problem. Since electronic communications do not meet the requirements of the Federal Privacy Act, please call 1-800-234-4208 or visit my website and select "How Can We Help?" from the menu at the left, then select "Help with Federal Agencies" for information on beginning the process.***

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. I look forward to staying in touch.

Very truly yours,
Saxby Chambliss---------thanks marekz
 
Calling, writing, and e-mailing is OK... it is better than nothing. Some members take it into account (even though it is likely VERY unrepresentative of the district) some don't even know what is coming into the office. In the end, it is up to their staff, and lobbyists to get the message across.
 
Because of the fact that I`m not an American can't write to any Senators but I have some relatives and friends, living in the States. But nonetheless I absolutelly support your fight against the customs intensions to ban your pocketknives as SWITCHBLADES Just let me know If I may help you in some other way.
 
0311Hoosier said:
Calling, writing, and e-mailing is OK... it is better than nothing. Some members take it into account (even though it is likely VERY unrepresentative of the district) some don't even know what is coming into the office. In the end, it is up to their staff, and lobbyists to get the message across.
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The staff issue is why it's most helpful to call. I believe telephone calls get the most attention simply because that's the most immediate way to contact our reps. Because I'm not a very articulate speaker, I have often written myself a "script" before I call (they're even getting to recognize my voice - scary) so that I don't sound like some random doofus. For a while there I had the sense that should I ever have met either of these guys in person he'd have said something like, "Oh you're that Dave Larsen!" :D One other thing I've taken to doing the last couple of years is to end each communication with the words, "I vote." Yeah, they hear from me a lot.

They're going to hear from me again today.

Now, I have to mention that seldom have my senators done exactly what I've asked. But they do appear to listen and their staffs have been 100% (seemingly at least) interested in what I have to say.

One last thing. Someone mentioned above the we need to break up the "good ole boys" network. A few years ago my father and brother and I had some bumper stickers printed, "Had Enough? VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT!" The idea is that Congress has completely sold out to special interests and to their internal web of back-slapping, and has largely forgotten that it's the Constitution and their constituents that they're supposed to be representing. In the last two elections I've voted against every incumbent in every seat, regardless of party, and will continue to do so until Congress begins to honor the Constitution. Remember that these folks work at our leisure; their responsibility is to the people, not to special interest groups. We are losing our democracy, and the pace is accelerating. We'd better stop it before they start issuing arm bands (i.e. Real ID Act, Military Commissions Act, etc).

Anyone wants a bumper sticker, PM or email me and I'll send you as many as you like. If necessary I'll have more made; or you can have your own made and start passing them out too. If you do though, you'll find out how few people really want to be bothered with thinking about how we're being governed. The level of apathy among voting-eligible people is terrifying. But we'd better start somewhere, or the great democracy the Founders built is going evaporate. You're seeing that in action now.

End of soapbox.
 
bullyson said:
Because of the fact that I`m not an American can't write to any Senators but I have some relatives and friends, living in the States. But nonetheless I absolutelly support your fight against the customs intensions to ban your pocketknives as SWITCHBLADES Just let me know If I may help you in some other way.
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Thanks very much for your support. It really does my heart good to hear people say things like you did.

But it got me thinking (uh-oh :D); the postal service will deliver anyone's mail to any address. Why can't non-American citizens write our Senators? If I were one of those guys and I started getting mail from citizens of other countries supporting an issue in the US, I think it would get elevated attention. I don't really know; just a thought.

Thanks again!
 
einstein said:
I couldn't care less. Stop harrassing international members with your local problems.
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Whatta fuck? I'd rather care what happens around me before it hits myself. I'm upset with what's going on in the USA for this country meant an ethalon for freedom to me. It is quite possible that once some regulation in the USA is established, other governments around the world might like to try that, too. Oh, maybe you're from Germany or Britain, they already banned most (or all, respectivly) of their knives...

In fact, I was thinking to write to some of the US Senators as a foreigner, too, as ddavelarsen wrote - so after I read his post, I'm going to. Senator Murray is the correct addressee in my case, right?
 
Thanks for the email notice and very easy to follow post, Spark.

Also, thanks to all of you who sent letters (as did I) and for those non-American residents who show your support. There seem to be so few people outside of a given community (obviously, a great many folks on here would support the right to possess and/or carry most kinds of knives and small arms, and I am proud to count myself among them) who care about personal rights in any way, shape or form - and to hear folks from other countries offering their support means a lot to me, personally.

Fight the good fight, guys!
 
Mc_Graber said:
Whatta fuck? I'd rather care what happens around me before it hits myself. I'm upset with what's going on in the USA for this country meant an ethalon for freedom to me. It is quite possible that once some regulation in the USA is established, other governments around the world might like to try that, too. Oh, maybe you're from Germany or Britain, they already banned most (or all, respectivly) of their knives...

In fact, I was thinking to write to some of the US Senators as a foreigner, too, as ddavelarsen wrote - so after I read his post, I'm going to. Senator Murray is the correct addressee in my case, right?
Click to expand...

Thank You! That really made my day. Yes, Murray and Voinovich are the guys to write. I'd like to be a fly on the wall when they hear from you. :D Perhaps Congress will consider this more seriously if a diverse group of people take an interest. I'm hoping for the best...
 
E-mail sent. I used the template mail from the Critter's first post in this thread, altered it to suit my location and status as a non-U.S. citizen and added one more note by myself.
Hope it helps.

I also own a handgun, which in the Czech are regulated more restrictively than in the U.S. on the average, and also have to fight efforts to restrict even more / completely ban firearms here...

Well, good luck to U.S. this time, gentlemen!
 
I am not from the United States. And I did not have a problem at all with receiving the emails. This is a great forum, and I am grateful to be able to participate in it.

I wish you all well in dealing with this challenge.

If something needs to be banned to reduce violent injuries, I suggest that the possibility of banning violent movies should be investigated. I see these as a strong influence on some people. Violent thinking is more of a problem than inert steel.

"Banning" by itself can be fairly inneffective. Changes in behaviour, values and thinking are needed for the levels of improvement that are needed.

I find my one-hand-opening knives to be very useful tools.

Have a 'knife' day.... best wishes from New Zealand..... Stephen Coote.
 
Emails sent and I printed up cards telling people about this and telling them to go to Kniferights and check out all the info on this horrible knife ban proposal. I handed out a bunch on the 4th and told about 30 people about it at the party I was at, and I plan to put more of my cards up today at the bulletin boards at my local store, gas station, ect. We all have to try like crazy to prevent this! Print up flyers, cards, whatever to get the word out! No one I talked at the party even knew this was happening, and I live in rural Nebraska where almost everyone carries a pocket knife! This issue has not made the news for the average Amercian, and by the time it does it will be too late, so we have to fight this!
 
Dear Mr. Samsel:

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency's proposal to modify the definition of a switchblade under the "Switchblade Act of 1958." (P.L. 85-623) I appreciate hearing from you.

On May 21, 2009, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency proposed a revision of the definition of a switchblade knife for importation purposes. This new interpretation would prohibit assisted opening knives, as well as those featuring one-hand operations, from being imported under the "Switchblade Act of 1958." The proposed changes should not affect knives currently in the United States, only a portion of imported knives.

The public comment period ended June 21, 2009. The agency will review the comments and make a final determination on the proposal within thirty calendar days. It will be effective for all affected imports made sixty days after publication. I will keep your comments and views in mind as this matter moves forward.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance


thanks marekz
 
Letters sent!

Everybody: Let's focus! I don't have a whole lot of faith in my own two senators (California's) on these issues, but I'm inclined to think even they'll find this ruling ridiculous if they take the time to look at this. For that matter, I doubt if this is even a blip on the President's radar. Even if it was, I suspect he might oppose it simply to make himself look more moderate. Fine by me if it helps rid ourselves of this foolishness.
 
I'd also like to thank everyone from outside of the US for their support. It may have nothing to do with you, but we appreciate the goodwill of our allies overseas!
 
marekz said:
Dear Mr. Samsel:

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency's proposal to modify the definition of a switchblade under the "Switchblade Act of 1958." (P.L. 85-623) I appreciate hearing from you.

On May 21, 2009, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency proposed a revision of the definition of a switchblade knife for importation purposes. This new interpretation would prohibit assisted opening knives, as well as those featuring one-hand operations, from being imported under the "Switchblade Act of 1958." The proposed changes should not affect knives currently in the United States, only a portion of imported knives.

The public comment period ended June 21, 2009. The agency will review the comments and make a final determination on the proposal within thirty calendar days. It will be effective for all affected imports made sixty days after publication. I will keep your comments and views in mind as this matter moves forward.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance


thanks marekz
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That's BS. Once a knife is officialy classified as a switchblade then it is resrticted not only from being imported but Interstate commerce is also prohibited under Federal law. The definition will also be used by states that prohibit the posession of switchblades. That would include any knife that can be opened one-handed. NYC cops have gotten pretty good at opening any folding knife one-handed.
 
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