Also, OT, but useful in this regard: if you write such a letter, be sure that you are registered to vote. For some strange reason, members of congress take letters from registered voters a little more seriously. I can't imagine why :) You may also want to include a phone number - if you are a technical expert on the subject matter of the bill (and in this case, some letter writers will be), you may receive a call from a staffer, with specific questions. - Daniel Golding
-----Original Message----- From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu]On Behalf Of Brian Russo Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 1:51 AM To: Cristopher Daniluk Cc: 'Timothy Brown'; nanog@merit.edu Subject: Re: PATRIOT/USA technical problems, call to action
On Mon, Oct 08, 2001 at 01:05:37PM -0400, Cristopher Daniluk wrote:
Probably best to not refer to them as congresscritters when you
call, and to
understand the legal definitions of words where they are different than "our" definitions of them.
Slightly OT, but to carry that point home a bit, since the average person on here may not be familiar with writing prose to officials.
Be CLEAR, reference the HR/S bill #, state your position. Be CONCISE, 1 page is perfect. Be FACTUAL, avoid rhetoric, or emotional arguments. Be COURTEOUS, being nice doesn't mean being soft.
Demonstrate expertise, personal experience/knowledge of the issue. Explain adverse consequences, suggest better solutions. Be sure to write YOUR representative ;-) If writing to another representative, explain how this will impede/affect actions that would have otherwise benefited their area. Ask for a reply (you should get one if you send snail mail). Use Dear Senator, or Dear Congress[wo]man
- bri, not wanting any more stupid laws, and omitting some insanely obvious stuff here like, typing the letter.
-- Unix Staff, High Energy Physics Group <brusso@phys.hawaii.edu> Debian/GNU Linux! http://www.debian.org <wolfie@debian.org>