Cave Dweller
Member
An idea struck me today. At first it seemed like a bad idea, a useless gesture, but it's growing on me. So here goes.
With the Heller VS DC case in the news, the right to keep and bear arms is also at the front of a lot of people's minds. The Court should be coming back with a verdict by June, and it could go a number of different ways. Also most Americans aren't paying attention to DC's small town politics.
What I propose happen is that congress pass a Non Binding Resolution stating simply that self defense is a fundamental human right. No mention of guns, that will scare off some folks. (guns will come up in the debate and discussion so don't worry) Perhaps this can be a stepping stone to more castle doctrine legislation, who knows?
Why a non binding resolution? It's doable (not easy though) it stirs debate, It will keep the second amendment to the public eye even after the Supreme court comes back with it's decision. It puts everybody in power on notice that this is a popular idea. Remember after the federal assault weapons ban, a lot of senators and representatives got replaced? It will remind them of that, of who they work for. It will also put a branch of the united states government on record as saying "we respect the right of ordinary folks to defend themselves if attacked." (UN take note)
Why would a senator or representative vote yes on this? Who's going to go on record telling the women in their district that they can't fight back if raped? Or the kid walking home that they can't resist a kidnapper? Who's going to vote no and send the message the people that voted for them that "bullies should be suffered, assault should not be resisted etc..." Some congressmen, who may be anti gun, will have little choice but to go along or receive another nail in their proverbial political coffin. In this regard even the "No" votes are our friend.
Let's talk about how to get this done. I personally, and like many of you, am a man of few resources. But we can write letters, and make phone calls.
Step 1.We can start by spreading the word to other message boards, get their members involved. And not just 2nd amendment boards, This is why it's important to leave the word "GUN" out of the initial debate. Plenty of pro gun folks on other web communities that have nothing to do with guns. Or ones which may prohibit the rkba discussions. We can even get some antigunners on our side, and by the time they realize what it's really about, the ball is already rolling.
Step 2. With this tiny army behind us, we start talking to grassroots organizations. Grassfire.org, NRA, Moveon.org etc... If you can think of one, post it. Liberal or conservative. Just remember to sell it right. If we can get a major organization behind us great, if not they still have a heads up, they may decide to arrive late to the party. Solicit orgs from both sides of the isle.
Step 3. Contact your public servants. The good folks in office who you hired to represent you. Phone calls faxes and snail mail are far more effective than e-mail Ask them to submit a bill, to support a bill, to cosign a bill. If you know a particular congressperson is hard core on our side, you can explain our ulterior motives. Once this snowball gets rolling it'll be hard to stop, trick is to get it rolling. For that we need somebody in either the house or senate to say "I have an idea" and for another to say "I second that"
Step 4. Write your newspapers, the editors, talk about it, get ordinary people thinking in that direction.
Step 5. call your local news channels and ask them why they aren't reporting on this. If enough people call, they might think it's an actual news story. And I know from personal experience, when the media is watching, it changes the game.
That's it, five simple steps to renewed public debate.
If anybody knows an organization we can solicit, please share it, and we can also discuss what the draft resolution should look like.
If anybody has info on where to find out info on their congress person, the less politically savvy of us could use that as a starting point. If you called a congressman what kind of response did you get? What kind of form letter did you get in response to your email?
my representative is Jerry Lewis (not the comedian) And my senator is either Barbra boxer or Diane finestein. (Please no groans from the monkey gallery) I only mention that because those two are dead set anti gun, but I'll solicit them anyway. And I believe it was Boxer who said that if she received 30 phone calls on a bill, she might change her mind. That's it 30 calls to win a supporter. This is the vote that counts.
So feedback? Progress reports?
If you have some experience in the political arena and have some wisdom to impart, I welcome it.
I'd like to hear the criticism too but per forum rules, please use a private message for that. Thanks
Now let's see if this dog kin hunt!
With the Heller VS DC case in the news, the right to keep and bear arms is also at the front of a lot of people's minds. The Court should be coming back with a verdict by June, and it could go a number of different ways. Also most Americans aren't paying attention to DC's small town politics.
What I propose happen is that congress pass a Non Binding Resolution stating simply that self defense is a fundamental human right. No mention of guns, that will scare off some folks. (guns will come up in the debate and discussion so don't worry) Perhaps this can be a stepping stone to more castle doctrine legislation, who knows?
Why a non binding resolution? It's doable (not easy though) it stirs debate, It will keep the second amendment to the public eye even after the Supreme court comes back with it's decision. It puts everybody in power on notice that this is a popular idea. Remember after the federal assault weapons ban, a lot of senators and representatives got replaced? It will remind them of that, of who they work for. It will also put a branch of the united states government on record as saying "we respect the right of ordinary folks to defend themselves if attacked." (UN take note)
Why would a senator or representative vote yes on this? Who's going to go on record telling the women in their district that they can't fight back if raped? Or the kid walking home that they can't resist a kidnapper? Who's going to vote no and send the message the people that voted for them that "bullies should be suffered, assault should not be resisted etc..." Some congressmen, who may be anti gun, will have little choice but to go along or receive another nail in their proverbial political coffin. In this regard even the "No" votes are our friend.
Let's talk about how to get this done. I personally, and like many of you, am a man of few resources. But we can write letters, and make phone calls.
Step 1.We can start by spreading the word to other message boards, get their members involved. And not just 2nd amendment boards, This is why it's important to leave the word "GUN" out of the initial debate. Plenty of pro gun folks on other web communities that have nothing to do with guns. Or ones which may prohibit the rkba discussions. We can even get some antigunners on our side, and by the time they realize what it's really about, the ball is already rolling.
Step 2. With this tiny army behind us, we start talking to grassroots organizations. Grassfire.org, NRA, Moveon.org etc... If you can think of one, post it. Liberal or conservative. Just remember to sell it right. If we can get a major organization behind us great, if not they still have a heads up, they may decide to arrive late to the party. Solicit orgs from both sides of the isle.
Step 3. Contact your public servants. The good folks in office who you hired to represent you. Phone calls faxes and snail mail are far more effective than e-mail Ask them to submit a bill, to support a bill, to cosign a bill. If you know a particular congressperson is hard core on our side, you can explain our ulterior motives. Once this snowball gets rolling it'll be hard to stop, trick is to get it rolling. For that we need somebody in either the house or senate to say "I have an idea" and for another to say "I second that"
Step 4. Write your newspapers, the editors, talk about it, get ordinary people thinking in that direction.
Step 5. call your local news channels and ask them why they aren't reporting on this. If enough people call, they might think it's an actual news story. And I know from personal experience, when the media is watching, it changes the game.
That's it, five simple steps to renewed public debate.
If anybody knows an organization we can solicit, please share it, and we can also discuss what the draft resolution should look like.
If anybody has info on where to find out info on their congress person, the less politically savvy of us could use that as a starting point. If you called a congressman what kind of response did you get? What kind of form letter did you get in response to your email?
my representative is Jerry Lewis (not the comedian) And my senator is either Barbra boxer or Diane finestein. (Please no groans from the monkey gallery) I only mention that because those two are dead set anti gun, but I'll solicit them anyway. And I believe it was Boxer who said that if she received 30 phone calls on a bill, she might change her mind. That's it 30 calls to win a supporter. This is the vote that counts.
So feedback? Progress reports?
If you have some experience in the political arena and have some wisdom to impart, I welcome it.
I'd like to hear the criticism too but per forum rules, please use a private message for that. Thanks
Now let's see if this dog kin hunt!
