[Augustwest]

I particularly like the final line, as if she'd assisted me in any way with this drivel:


August 12, 2003


Dear Mr. XXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the expiration of the Assault Weapons Ban and your opposition to its renewal. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you know, the ban was signed into law in 1994 by President Clinton and is due to expire in 2004. Representative John Conyers (D-MI) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) have introduced H.R. 2038 which would extend the ban on assault weapons. Senator Schumer has introduced companion legislation in the Senate to do the same. At this time it is unclear what the future hold for these bills.

The ban effectively eliminated the market for dangerous weapons such as the TEC-9 and clones of military assault weapons. The President has indicated that he supports an extension of the ban. The Congress has not scheduled action.

You may be interested to know that with my support, H.R. 1036, The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act passed the House by a vote of 285-140. It now awaits action in the Senate. The bill would ban frivolous third party lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers. Gun makers are no more liable for the unfortunate death of an individual during an armed robbery than a pharmaceutical company is for a willful misuse of a prescription drug. In reality the trial bar is seeking another deep pocketed defendant to sue along the lines of their successful with tobacco companies and lead paint manufacturers.

Please let me know if I may be of assistance in any other manner.

Very truly yours,




Nancy L. Johnson
Member of Congress

NLJ:sl


:barf:

[Leatherneck]

Man, can that woman dance! She never took one side or the other on renewal, but she sure tooted her horn on voting for a no-brainer anti-lawyer bill. What a twit. :rolleyes:

TC
TFL Survivor

[Futo Inu]

Ya, she's cutting the rug, all right. She didn't even have the guts to say that "*I* haven't yet made up *my* mind" about the bill", just that "it's uncertain what the future holds". Sounds like she's setting the stage for future weaseling/avoidance of the same question. What a waste of taxpayer money, that they get free postage to send out reply letters that don't even address the question asked. It's frustrating!

[Rick Daniel]

Actually, depending on what you said in your letter, her response is not that bad.

Did you ask her specifically how she would vote on the issue? If not, she's really given a pretty good response.

In the first paragraph she acknowledges your opposition and implies that your view will be taken into consideration if and when a vote comes up.

In the second and third paragraphs she demonstrates a fair understanding of the histroy and implications of the issue. She also mentions the uncertain future of the reauthorization bills. She notes that no action has been scheduled. All of this is encouraging.

Finally, she makes sure you know she has at least a limited pro-gun record.

Without somehow pinning them down (usually face to face) this is about as close to a commitment you're gonna get from a career politician.

[geekWithA.45]

The ban effectively eliminated the market for dangerous weapons such as the TEC-9 and clones of military assault weapons.


Uh, the market is the DEMAND, and as far as I know, the demand for "clones of military assault weapons" like my Bushmaster has never dried up.

And furthermore, if a weapon isn't dangerous, it isn't useful.

[4v50 Gary]

I think the entire thing is word processed and they pick & choose statements to be included. Still, it is artful but they should have had a wider selection of statements to ensure that the constituent is happy.

Now, if this was Commie China, we would be writing letters like this:

Comrade Politbureau Member:

Thank you for supporting Chairman Meow in our struggle over the counter revolutionaries who seek to destroy our glorious socialist state. We proletariats need no reminding that our glorious Communist Party has always fought on behalf of mankind and seeks to liberate others who were once enslaved like ourselves.

By disarming the facists, we ensure the safety of the Party and of the revolution.

Long Live our great helmsman!

Enslaved peon (with no gun)

[Zedicus]

Ya, she's cutting the rug, all right.
Nah, more like cutting the Cheese.....:D

[Mark Tyson]

Dangerous weapons? You don't say.

THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DANGEROUS YOU BRAINLESS BOOB!

What's so evil about the TEC-9? Why is it evil - because evil people have used it? A gun is a gun is a gun. What matters is the person behind the gun.

[Standing Wolf]

I think you need to trade in your member of congress on a more intelligent model.

[Augustwest]

I think you need to trade in your member of congress on a more intelligent model.

Been tryin'.

Gotta try harder though.

[BB93YJ]

No wonder we as a country are in such a sorry state on so many issues.

When the prime qualification for political office seems to be a highly developed sense of obfuscation, as evidenced by this politi-worm's reply,
things look pretty dim.

I've seen Jell-O with more character and spine.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

[foghornl]

As to answering the question, no. For weaseling, a darned fine example, I say.