This started on another thread: http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=28184
Rather than pick up every topic there, let's talk about a major, coordinated letter writing effort in support of a crucial event. I think the most important will be getting the Fed Supremes to hear (or decide?) an RKBA case.
To me, the keys are:
1) What do we write about?
2) Who do we aim it at?
3) THE TIMING.
I think the ultimate use of this that could come up would be to petition the Fed Supreme court to hear a particular RKBA case in a given year. That avalanche of support would then, we can hope, affect to some degree how they view the eventual case, if the flood of mail was truly memorable
. That might be either US vs. Emerson, or the California Roberti-Roos case as early as next year if we're lucky. Bob Stewart's mess could come up perhaps as soon as two years, but that's unlikely...three is within the realm of possibility.
My original point is that while scholarship supporting both the "individual rights view" of the 2A and the 2A incorporation principle under the 14A is growing rapidly, the Supremes may not see it as "of urgent interest" to society at large. If dump trucks full of mail are lined up around the block, that could change.
The concept seems safe enough at first glance, less risky and potentially more effective than a personal mass march on DC that could be infiltrated and sabotaged. With luck we could get BOTH the NRA and GOA behind it, and at that point most other orgs would probably fall in line.
Tricky bits: "who picks the timing?" is one...one answer that might satisfy everybody, if he likes the basic idea, is Stephen Hallbrook. Hallbrook is a key lawyer in Emerson, a good pro-RKBA attorney who's done some important scholarship. I don't think there's a single pro-RKBA person anywhere who doesn't respect the hell out of him. Clayton Cramer thinks the world of him, and he's got a lot of credibility his ownself.
We also have to answer the "could it possibly backfire?" question. I don't THINK so...but that needs more educated discussion. Maybe include the word "petition" somewhere in there...we have a direct constitutional "right to petition" that directly affected the Fed gov't under the original BoR and was expanded to the states under the 14A alterations.
Tell ya what. I've got some NRA contacts, real high up. It'll take a few days, lemme bounce this around and see what shakes. I'll point people right to this thread, feel free to add comments/questions especially if they don't involve bickering. I just want to know what problems people foresee, any proposed tweaks, any shows of support, whatever. 'Kay?
IF this happens, all three key questions (who to write to, what basic types of things to say, when to write) will be answered in EMail/net broadcasts that'll go EVERYWHERE, distributed by every major and minor group imaginable. A real solidarity play, and God knows we could use it.
One thing: I don't think sending spent shells, bullets, shot-to-hell targets or similar are a good answer. I'm willing to be convinced but...I think "petition" is a whole 'nuther critter that needs to stay more polite.
Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim March (edited July 28, 2000).]
Rather than pick up every topic there, let's talk about a major, coordinated letter writing effort in support of a crucial event. I think the most important will be getting the Fed Supremes to hear (or decide?) an RKBA case.
To me, the keys are:
1) What do we write about?
2) Who do we aim it at?
3) THE TIMING.
I think the ultimate use of this that could come up would be to petition the Fed Supreme court to hear a particular RKBA case in a given year. That avalanche of support would then, we can hope, affect to some degree how they view the eventual case, if the flood of mail was truly memorable
. That might be either US vs. Emerson, or the California Roberti-Roos case as early as next year if we're lucky. Bob Stewart's mess could come up perhaps as soon as two years, but that's unlikely...three is within the realm of possibility.My original point is that while scholarship supporting both the "individual rights view" of the 2A and the 2A incorporation principle under the 14A is growing rapidly, the Supremes may not see it as "of urgent interest" to society at large. If dump trucks full of mail are lined up around the block, that could change
.The concept seems safe enough at first glance, less risky and potentially more effective than a personal mass march on DC that could be infiltrated and sabotaged. With luck we could get BOTH the NRA and GOA behind it, and at that point most other orgs would probably fall in line.
Tricky bits: "who picks the timing?" is one...one answer that might satisfy everybody, if he likes the basic idea, is Stephen Hallbrook. Hallbrook is a key lawyer in Emerson, a good pro-RKBA attorney who's done some important scholarship. I don't think there's a single pro-RKBA person anywhere who doesn't respect the hell out of him. Clayton Cramer thinks the world of him, and he's got a lot of credibility his ownself.
We also have to answer the "could it possibly backfire?" question. I don't THINK so...but that needs more educated discussion. Maybe include the word "petition" somewhere in there...we have a direct constitutional "right to petition" that directly affected the Fed gov't under the original BoR and was expanded to the states under the 14A alterations.
Tell ya what. I've got some NRA contacts, real high up. It'll take a few days, lemme bounce this around and see what shakes. I'll point people right to this thread, feel free to add comments/questions especially if they don't involve bickering
. I just want to know what problems people foresee, any proposed tweaks, any shows of support, whatever. 'Kay?IF this happens, all three key questions (who to write to, what basic types of things to say, when to write) will be answered in EMail/net broadcasts that'll go EVERYWHERE, distributed by every major and minor group imaginable. A real solidarity play, and God knows we could use it.
One thing: I don't think sending spent shells, bullets, shot-to-hell targets or similar are a good answer. I'm willing to be convinced but...I think "petition" is a whole 'nuther critter that needs to stay more polite.
Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim March (edited July 28, 2000).]