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Hi, all,
To put it in perspective,
you'll probably find that Leahy does the same thing for most issues. I worked in
Congress for a few months more years ago than I care to admit (let's just say
before computers.....). It was my job to send out standard format letters, then
take them upstairs to the room where the "signature machine" to add the
Congressman's signature----or to his personal secretary who could do it
much faster than the machine!
In all fairness to
congressmen, they do get many letters that need answering and cannot possibly do
a personal response for each one. As I understand/understood it, the letters and
e-mail will get recorded in a "pro" and "con" pile. Thus, they are by no means
ignored--and if many are sent on a particular topic, can in fact have great
influence. But really getting to the heart of an issue or persuading a
Congressman/Senator or his staff to change their minds also needs more,
such as the meeting you have planned.
Not to say it's totally
acceptable, especially when each letter you write addressed a specific aspect of
the issue. But when you discuss with staff, might keep in mind that it's
probably not just happening to people who write on this subject - he's probably
got a standard letter for 20-30 subjects. Actually, a suggestion might be to ask
directly "What is the best way to get the attention of Senator Leahy on this
subject?"
I wouldn't underestimate
the influence of staff on these subjects. If you can get to one staff member,
eventually, who can become passionate on the subject of Palestine, it can make
all the difference in influence. And, of course, in the end, it's the voters who
matter. And AIPAC.
By the way, I wrote Leahy
an e-mail a few years ago, including a "personal invitation" to visit me and my
family in Ramallah outside of the official channels. I didn't get a reply at
all! (And, yes, I did mention that I was from Vermont and had voted for
him!)
I'm probably not
mentioning anything you don't already know - my political experience in US is a
bit out of date, having been overseas since 1978!
On that note, does anyone
recall a story about how Leahy and his wife were at a checkpoint into Jerusalem
and observed a mother with a sick child who was not being allowed into
Jerusalem? I cannot remember where I heard this, but as I heard it, Leahy's wife
tried to intervene on her behalf - and perhaps they even ended up taking the
mother and child in her car...Maybe totally false.
That may be another
tactic - getting to Leahy through his wife...especially if this story is true. I
firmly believe in the personal connection on the subject of Palestine. It's a
matter of getting people to understand that there are people behind the
stories in the newspaper. And that they are mothers and fathers, husbands and
wifes, children and parents, just like everywhere else in the world. And that
most of all they just want to get on with their lives.
I'm running on a bit -
thanks to those of you who have stuck with me through this e-mail. Since
I've gotten this far, I wonder if anyone has an idea of a good forum for an
article I've been meaning to write about my own experience being married to a
Palestinian and living in this part of the world. From a very personal, family,
point of view - not political. I actually know of at least two other Vermonter
engaged to/married to Palestinians - could start with a Vermont newspaper or
journal as human interest, perhaps, especially if I could get the others to
agree to be mentioned.
Pat Bakir
Amman From: Hage, Mark [VT] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 3:25 PM To: Ruby & Andy; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [VTJP] Sen. Leahy letter I've gotten the same kind of letter, almost
verbatim, from Leahy in the past as well. When we meet with his staff, we
should mention this.
Mark
Yahoo! Groups Links
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- Re: [VTJP] Sen. Leahy letter Ruby & Andy
- RE: [VTJP] Sen. Leahy letter Hage, Mark [VT]
- bakir
