And, here is the response I got. To which I say, WTF, Republican Saxby Chambliss?
Dear Mr. McDermott:
Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 1536, the "Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers (ALERT) Act of 2009." It is good to hear from you.
S. 1536 was introduced on July 29, 2009, and referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. This legislation would require each state to ban the sending of text or e-mail messages while operating a car, bus, or truck. If a state does not comply, it would risk losing 25% of its annual federal highway funding each year. I will keep your comments in mind should this bill come before the full Senate.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov . Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.
::Headdesk::
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Chambliss,
ReplyDeleteI actually wasn't even remotely writing you regarding this issue, and I would appreciate it if you double check the message I sent.
The message I sent to you was regarding to the unjust conviction of Dr. Peter Watts. During an unannounced search of his vehicle on the Michigan Border, Dr Watts was beaten, unprovoked. Then, when he was attempting to find out why he was being beaten, he was maced and arrested. He was convicted for failure to comply with the orders of a law enforcement officer, and faces up to 2 years in prison. His crime was asking an officer what the problem was, that was getting a non-violent, non-confrontational individual punched repeatedly in the face when that non-violent individual stepped out of his car to ask the law enforcement officers what they were doing to his car. The officers had not announced their desire to search the car to Dr. Watts.
Please take another look at my prior e-mail, where I respectfully requested a second look at a law that punishes slow compliance - in this case asking an officer "Why are you beating me up for no reason?" is equal to physically assaulting an officer. Dr Watts faces the same prison sentence as if he had fought back during his assault.
The case is disturbing for many reasons and indicates a gross injustice happening as a result of the wording of a law. This concerns me, as a citizen. I would appreciate it if you could pass my concern on to your colleagues in the Senate, and do something to make the Senators from Michigan aware of this injustice that occurred at a notoriously - shall we say - "intense" location to cross the border.
Thank you for your investigation and time on this issue.
Best,
J M McDermott
*snip goes my street address...***
You'd think he would enjoy takign a break from the health care firestorm to deal with an injustice that is easy by comparison.