Why all good citizens should use fountain pens

I have always been concerned with the laws of my local government; however,
I have noticed that thanks to fountain pens, I find myself writing my local
government to either support their plans or to discuss certain laws (i.e.
why they are wrong :-) If the political parties want people to get out the
vote, they ought to start sending people fountain pens! My only question is
this, can I legally write my local government daily about the same issue, or
is there some law against mail harassment?
Richard- probably one of the few people left who feels that he can actually
do something

In article ,
"marlinspike" wrote:

I have always been concerned with the laws of my local government;

A good thing. We forget that the people are ultimately the government
in the U.S., and that all government power proceeds from the people.
When we remain ignorant and silent we surrender our freedom.

however, I have noticed that thanks to fountain pens, I find myself
writing my local government to either support their plans or to
discuss certain laws (i.e. why they are wrong :-)

Excellent!

If the political parties want people to get out the vote,

They don't, unless they know we'll vote for them.

they ought to start
sending people fountain pens!

Now this is a great idea! Fountain pens in the schools!

My only question is this, can I legally write my local government
daily about the same issue, or is there some law against mail
harassment?

Yes and no. It depends on how many content-free form letters you want
to receive from your elected representatives:

Dear (your name here)

Thank you for taking the time to write to us with your concerns. It
is important to hear what America's citizens have to say about these
important issues. Your opinion matters to all of us in (insert
government branch here), and we will work hard to do our best for as
many of our citizens as we feasibly can in these difficult times
within the constraints of current fiscal policy and appropriations
limitations.

Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,
(signature of talking head here)

Yes and no. It depends on how many content-free form letters you want
to receive from your elected representatives:

But I mean, if I start mailing 4 a day, they will have to actually read what
I say, no? Actually, I have had decent luck before. I asked my congressman
about some stuff and he (well, probably his lackies) sent me al sorts of
info on the subject.
Richard

In article ,
"marlinspike" wrote:

Yes and no. It depends on how many content-free form letters you
want to receive from your elected representatives:

But I mean, if I start mailing 4 a day, they will have to actually
read what I say, no? Actually, I have had decent luck before. I
asked my congressman about some stuff and he (well, probably his
lackies) sent me al sorts of info on the subject.

Depends on the Congressman and their staff, of course. My cynicism
got the best of me there for a minute. There are some good people on
both sides of the aisle in Congress, as well as idiots on both sides.
Unfortunately the idiots seem to manage to get re-elected fairly often.

As far as Senators from my state go, I always had very good response
from Paul Wellstone and poor response from Rod Grams, for example-
which might have had something to do with the latter's failure to get
re-elected. Martin Sabo amd Betty McCollum are also good responders.

A friend of the family who worked in a Senator's office- now I can't
recall which one, this was 30+ years ago- told me that once you've
written a third of fourth time to your official, they really do start
to pay attention.

So get out that fountain pen, get out some decent paper, make sure you
can write legibly and send 'em your opinions. Orange ink will
definitely make a statement.

"Tim McNamara" wrote in part:

| So get out that fountain pen, get out some decent paper, make sure
you
| can write legibly and send 'em your opinions. Orange ink will
| definitely make a statement.

Yeah. Perhaps not the one you want, but a statement, indeed!

john cline ii who remembers well his fifth grade teacher saying
"Serious people use dark blue or black ink on good quality UNLINED
paper. Other people don't."

john cline ii who remembers well his fifth grade teacher saying
"Serious people use dark blue or black ink on good quality UNLINED
paper. Other people don't."


Your fifth grade teacher is long deceased so you have permission to use
turquoise ink if you'd like. You can now use lined paper too in your
correspondence. She can smack your hand with a ruler after you arrive
in the pearly gates.

Nancy who is using purple ink on lined Komtrak paper to write to cousin
Matty who is serving our country in Iraq. He has a pet scorpion!

Tim McNamara wrote:
:In article ,
: "marlinspike" wrote:

: Yes and no. It depends on how many content-free form letters you
: want to receive from your elected representatives:

{snippety snip snip]

epends on the Congressman and their staff, of course. My cynicism
:got the best of me there for a minute. There are some good people on
:both sides of the aisle in Congress, as well as idiots on both sides.
:Unfortunately the idiots seem to manage to get re-elected fairly often.

Local Boston newsguy named John Keller (or Kellerer?) has an annual test.
He has a member of the public write to both Massschusetts senators (and
perhaps other elected officials...I forget) a sensible letter involving a
real, local issue. Then we wait for the response. Twice in a row Ted
Kennedy's staff responded, by mail, I think, requesting additional
information and promising to see what could be done. What might be
construed as a positive response.

Those same two years John Kerry's office ignored the letters. Keller
buttonholed Kerry and asked what happened, while a film crew taped the
encounter. Both times Kerry whined about "staff shortages" and "how this
sort of thing was occasionally bound to happen." After the interview
Keller checked back with the citizen and all of a sudden Kerry's staff
found the letter and had telephoned to apologize.

I, myself, have never written Kerry, but Kennedy's people have been very
good about redirecting my enquiries (regarding DIA maps of eastern Europe)
to the right people.

ObPens: Am greatly enjoying a Stipula wide stub. Only complaint is the
tiny capacity of the cartridges/converter. My dentist gave me a
(normally disposable) translucent "Monoject 412" plastic syringe, with
a curved plastic "needle" for refilling the carts, and it works like a
charm. And is not covered by the Massachusetts ban on people
possessing hypodermic needles.

--
Al B. Wesolowsky o Unlike J. W. Hardin, my foolish moves
o have been many.
Boston University o ---Michael Murphey

On 11 Jul 2003 14:28:31 GMT, Al Wesolowsky wrote:

Local Boston newsguy named John Keller (or Kellerer?) has an annual test.
He has a member of the public write to both Massschusetts senators (and
perhaps other elected officials...I forget) a sensible letter involving a
real, local issue. Then we wait for the response. Twice in a row Ted
Kennedy's staff responded, by mail, I think, requesting additional
information and promising to see what could be done. What might be
construed as a positive response.

Those same two years John Kerry's office ignored the letters. Keller
buttonholed Kerry and asked what happened, while a film crew taped the
encounter. Both times Kerry whined about "staff shortages" and "how this
sort of thing was occasionally bound to happen." After the interview
Keller checked back with the citizen and all of a sudden Kerry's staff
found the letter and had telephoned to apologize.

This may well be the truth, Kennedy being an long timer gets a bigger
budget and can hire more staff.


ObPens: Am greatly enjoying a Stipula wide stub. Only complaint is the
tiny capacity of the cartridges/converter. My dentist gave me a
(normally disposable) translucent "Monoject 412" plastic syringe, with
a curved plastic "needle" for refilling the carts, and it works like a
charm. And is not covered by the Massachusetts ban on people
possessing hypodermic needles.

I simply use a syringe that can with an inkjet refill kit. You can buy
such syringes at a scientific surplus store.