What I wrote to my Senators

[poadeleted3]

The issue of the ADIZ and shooting down general aviation aircraft is one I've been thinking long and hard about. I do not believe that we can accept our government killing our citizens for violating administrative rules, as I've expressed elsewhere. I've been talking about calling for shutting down the ADIZ, but after much thought, I don't think we should accept that either. Still, I felt the urge to make my tiny little voice heard. This is what I wrote to both my Senators this morning.

"Sir,
My name is Joe Williams. I am a registered voter in Montgomery County, and I do vote. I am also a private pilot, and a veteran. I am writing to express my concern with the recent incursion of a Cessna 150 into DC airspace, and the over-reaction to it.

I am growing increasingly concerned that one of these incidents will inevitably result in shooting down a general aviation aircraft. It appears to me that the press, and some of our leaders, are pushing to keep an aircraft from being able to penetrate so far into the ADIZ again, and feel that shooting down general aviation aircraft is justified to prevent such a penetration.

I cannot express strongly enough my opposition to such an action, absent solid, confirmed intelligence that the occupants are hostile and present a real threat to our nation. Shooting down general aviation aircraft in the absence of such confirmation means accepting the summary execution of American citizens for violating a security rule. Not a law, just a rule. No trial, no appeals, just the murder of what will almost certainly be innocent, law abiding Americans. This is utterly unacceptable. As mentioned, I am a veteran. I spent yesterday reflecting on my fallen comrades, and what we served for. None of us, sir, served so to protect a nation that kills it's citizens so cavalierly. This is not Nazi Germany, this is not Saddam's Iraq. We served the United States of America. We served a free nation. We served a nation ruled by the Constitution, and the Constitution does not permit summary executions of our citizens.

Sir, I beg you and your fellow Senators, end all risk of such a situation. It would be devastating for our country. I note that Waco and Ruby Ridge are still serving as rallying points for some in our nation. If the government's actions, against such despicable people, in those cases can generate such a response, think what the effects will be on an already divided nation of our government gunning down innocent men, women, and children for an administrative infraction, for doing nothing worse than possibly getting lost.
The ADIZ is an unnecessary risk. The minimal risk posed by general aviation is nothing compared to the risk posed by the airliners just minutes away from you, the chosen weapons of our enemies. The risks posed by general aviation are miniscule compared to that posed by an eighty thousand pound 18 wheeler.

We are a nation of free people, but if we are to remain so, courage will be required. We look to our leaders to exemplify that courage, to show the world that we will not surrender our freedom, our way of life, and our Constitution to terrorists. I do not believe we showed the proper face to the world when our government came so close to murdering two of it's citizens in a plane that weighs half as much as a Volkswagon Beetle. We must stand firm in the face of fear, not gun down two stupid men for the crime of getting lost. Nor should we continue to accept such a risk. I urge you to insure that shots are never fired on an aircraft unless it is KNOWN to be a threat.

Thank you for your time,
Joseph Wayne Williams"

 

[Brian Austin]

Nicely done, Joe.

 

[Greebo]

That's a good letter, Joe.

Let us know what form letter you get in response...

 

[poadeleted3]

That's a good letter, Joe.

Let us know what form letter you get in response...

I have never gotten any response, to any letter, from Santorum. Specter always sends back a "Thank you for your letter" email, which I've already received. Gee... I didn't think he'd have time to read it already!! Sigh. Still, even a wasted effort must be made.

 

[woodstock]

go Joe! excellent letter.

 

[woodstock]

I have never gotten any response, to any letter, from Santorum. Specter always sends back a "Thank you for your letter" email, which I've already received. Gee... I didn't think he'd have time to read it already!! Sigh. Still, even a wasted effort must be made.

you know, we have better luck here in VA. I've gotten 3 page letters in response, detailing what they've been working on.

hope you hear something.

 

[sere]

The issue of the ADIZ and shooting down general aviation aircraft is one I've been thinking long and hard about. I do not believe that we can accept our government killing our citizens for violating administrative rules, as I've expressed elsewhere. I've been talking about calling for shutting down the ADIZ, but after much thought, I don't think we should accept that either. Still, I felt the urge to make my tiny little voice heard. This is what I wrote to both my Senators this morning.

"Sir,
My name is Joe Williams. I am a registered voter in Montgomery County, and I do vote. I am also a private pilot, and a veteran. I am writing to express my concern with the recent incursion of a Cessna 150 into DC airspace, and the over-reaction to it.

I am growing increasingly concerned that one of these incidents will inevitably result in shooting down a general aviation aircraft. It appears to me that the press, and some of our leaders, are pushing to keep an aircraft from being able to penetrate so far into the ADIZ again, and feel that shooting down general aviation aircraft is justified to prevent such a penetration.
I cannot express strongly enough my opposition to such an action, absent solid, confirmed intelligence that the occupants are hostile and present a real threat to our nation. Shooting down general aviation aircraft in the absence of such confirmation means accepting the summary execution of American citizens for violating a security rule. Not a law, just a rule. No trial, no appeals, just the murder of what will almost certainly be innocent, law abiding Americans. This is utterly unacceptable. As mentioned, I am a veteran. I spent yesterday reflecting on my fallen comrades, and what we served for. None of us, sir, served so to protect a nation that kills it's citizens so cavalierly. This is not Nazi Germany, this is not Saddam's Iraq. We served the United States of America. We served a free nation. We served a nation ruled by the Constitution, and the Constitution does not permit summary executions of our citizens.

Sir, I beg you and your fellow Senators, end all risk of such a situation. It would be devastating for our country. I note that Waco and Ruby Ridge are still serving as rallying points for some in our nation. If the government's actions, against such despicable people, in those cases can generate such a response, think what the effects will be on an already divided nation of our government gunning down innocent men, women, and children for an administrative infraction, for doing nothing worse than possibly getting lost.
The ADIZ is an unnecessary risk. The minimal risk posed by general aviation is nothing compared to the risk posed by the airliners just minutes away from you, the chosen weapons of our enemies. The risks posed by general aviation are miniscule compared to that posed by an eighty thousand pound 18 wheeler.
We are a nation of free people, but if we are to remain so, courage will be required. We look to our leaders to exemplify that courage, to show the world that we will not surrender our freedom, our way of life, and our Constitution to terrorists. I do not believe we showed the proper face to the world when our government came so close to murdering two of it's citizens in a plane that weighs half as much as a Volkswagon Beetle. We must stand firm in the face of fear, not gun down two stupid men for the crime of getting lost. Nor should we continue to accept such a risk. I urge you to insure that shots are never fired on an aircraft unless it is KNOWN to be a threat.
Thank you for your time,
Joseph Wayne Williams"

Great letter! If you don't mind I would like to make personal information changes and send it to my Senator. We all need to let our Senators know that shooting down a GA aircraft is not satisfactory in this country. Again great letter.

 

[poadeleted3]

Great letter! If you don't mind I would like to make personal information changes and send it to my Senator. We all need to let our Senators know that shooting down a GA aircraft is not satisfactory in this country. Again great letter.

Please, feel free! And thank you.

 

[gismo]

I like it!

 

[grattonja]

Well said, Joe. And heartfelt. Too bad you got a form response from one of our idiots, and probably will not get any response from the other one. Santorum is probably too busy trying to make us pay for weather reports we have already paid for.

Good job though.

Jim G

 

[Gary]

I have never gotten any response, to any letter, from Santorum. Specter always sends back a "Thank you for your letter" email, which I've already received.

Good letter Joe! I do find it interesting that I have received the same response from our two Senators (not just aviation related). Senator Spector has always followed up with an e-mail and on occasion, a written letter back. Senator Santorum - never a single acknowledgement, a true black hole of paperwork. Rather disapointing that our elected representatives can't even note receipt from a constituent. This does help me make up my mind as to how I will vote in the next election.

Gary

 

[Anthony]

Good letter Joe! I do find it interesting that I have received the same response from our two Senators (not just aviation related). Senator Spector has always followed up with an e-mail and on occasion, a written letter back. Senator Santorum - never a single acknowledgement, a true black hole of paperwork. Rather disapointing that our elected representatives can't even note receipt from a constituent. This does help me make up my mind as to how I will vote in the next election.

Gary

Hi Gary. Unfortunately the Senator never sees the letter. A staff person reads and responds to the letter. The staff person may let the Senator know if the letter has any pertinent information, but that's about it. They just don't have the time to read all their mail, email or personally return phone calls unless its from a big donor.

I knew Rick Santorum when he was a staff person to a PA state Senator. He prolly got sick of answering all those letters.

The response goes like this:

Dear Constituent,

I share your concern that blah, blah, blah......

 

[corjulo]

While your at it tell Sandorum to knock it off with the national weather service. Rick Sandorum is my least favorite senator of all time...including Marchus Brutus

 

[Anthony]

While your at it tell Sandorum to knock it off with the national weather service. Rick Sandorum is my least favorite senator of all time...including Marchus Brutus

Dan. I have already expressed my disagreement with him on this. Trust me, it won't go anywhere.

 

[AdamZ]

Well worded Joe!

 

[SkyHog]

Joe - if its ok with you - I'd like to use most of your points in letters to the senators here in New Mexico (granted, I never served, so that stuff would have to come out).

Just let me know if its ok - and it will be sent.

 

[Henning]

you know, we have better luck here in VA. I've gotten 3 page letters in response, detailing what they've been working on.

hope you hear something.

In Texas you get action, remember it's a concealed carry state, it ain't wise to pi$$ off your constituency. Phil Grahms office did an excellent job for me. In 2002 when I had to renew my Masters license, I called them 14 weeks ahead of time and they (USCG) said "8-10 weeks". Great, sent off my packet the next day Fed X they received it the day after that. With a week left until my license expired and I would need some other form of gainfull employment. I called the USCG and they told me another 10 weeks. I explained that I needed it next week, they said "Sorry, we have a big backlog with the security".....blah blah blah excuses, BS excuses as well. Dropped an email to my Senator who was at the time Phil Grahm, and told him what my situation was and that next week Texas Workforce can enjoy writing my an Unemployment Check if I don't get my license. Low and behold, next day comes the Fed Ex truck with my license.

 

[poadeleted3]

Joe - if its ok with you - I'd like to use most of your points in letters to the senators here in New Mexico (granted, I never served, so that stuff would have to come out).

Just let me know if its ok - and it will be sent.

Nick, and anyone else who wants, feel free to use any part of my letter.

 

[Carol]

In Texas you get action, remember it's a concealed carry state, it ain't wise to pi$$ off your constituency. Phil Grahms office did an excellent job for me. In 2002 when I had to renew my Masters license, I called them 14 weeks ahead of time and they (USCG) said "8-10 weeks". Great, sent off my packet the next day Fed X they received it the day after that. With a week left until my license expired and I would need some other form of gainfull employment. I called the USCG and they told me another 10 weeks. I explained that I needed it next week, they said "Sorry, we have a big backlog with the security".....blah blah blah excuses, BS excuses as well. Dropped an email to my Senator who was at the time Phil Grahm, and told him what my situation was and that next week Texas Workforce can enjoy writing my an Unemployment Check if I don't get my license. Low and behold, next day comes the Fed Ex truck with my license.

Say what you might about Strom Thurmond but his office REALLY looked after his constituency.

My mother-in-law sought US citizenship a few years ago. Her "green card" was so old it really was green. (They are now pink...I think.) It was so old, in fact, that the number never showed up in "the computer." She jumped through the hoops and when the "usual" amount of time passed for her process to be completed nothing had happened. I made numerous phone calls to the INS, so many so that I had the direct phone number to a HUMAN, if you can believe that. File was nowhere to be found. Finally they located it on somebody's desk. BS, BS, BS. Meanwhile, my MIL's brother (she was his sole remaining relative) in Switzerland died but because she is in the naturalization process she cannot leave the US.

Fast forward to.....she writes (well, I wrote it, she signed it) a letter to Strom Thurmond's office and (I swear this is true) ONE WEEK later she is being sworn in by a federal judge in his office in the Strom Thurmond office building in the state capitol in a ceremony of ONE candidate (her). One week from that date she received her US passport. We had previously filled out the papers and they were sitting in Thurmond's office waiting for the swearing in.

People said, and I believe this, that if Strom had been stuffed and mounted when he died, if he "stood" for reelection he would win.

We all know, of course, that it is the power of his office that got things done. It was considered a very positive thing for your resume if you had worked in his office and was a very sought after job.

 

[Henning]

Say what you might about Strom Thurmond but his office REALLY looked after his constituency.
People said, and I believe this, that if Strom had been stuffed and mounted when he died, if he "stood" for reelection he would win.

We all know, of course, that it is the power of his office that got things done. It was considered a very positive thing for your resume if you had worked in his office and was a very sought after job.

Yes, it is his staff doing all that, however, they take their cues from the Senator. If he didn't demand it of a staff, they wouldn't do it. I met Sen Thurman some years ago. He came off as a very kind and sincere person who really believed in his job. Either that or he was acting, politicians are known for that, which is why we keep electing actors to politics. He was a nice guy towards me anyway, although he was only onboard for a few hours.

 

[Don Jones]

Most excellent Joe, well done.
Don

 

[sere]

In Texas you get action, remember it's a concealed carry state, it ain't wise to pi$$ off your constituency. Phil Grahms office did an excellent job for me. In 2002 when I had to renew my Masters license, I called them 14 weeks ahead of time and they (USCG) said "8-10 weeks". Great, sent off my packet the next day Fed X they received it the day after that. With a week left until my license expired and I would need some other form of gainfull employment. I called the USCG and they told me another 10 weeks. I explained that I needed it next week, they said "Sorry, we have a big backlog with the security".....blah blah blah excuses, BS excuses as well. Dropped an email to my Senator who was at the time Phil Grahm, and told him what my situation was and that next week Texas Workforce can enjoy writing my an Unemployment Check if I don't get my license. Low and behold, next day comes the Fed Ex truck with my license.

Yep Phil Grahm is a class act. Met him a couple of times at various dinners. Down to earth type of guy.

 

[Carol]

Yes, it is his staff doing all that, however, they take their cues from the Senator. If he didn't demand it of a staff, they wouldn't do it. I met Sen Thurman some years ago. He came off as a very kind and sincere person who really believed in his job. Either that or he was acting, politicians are known for that, which is why we keep electing actors to politics. He was a nice guy towards me anyway, although he was only onboard for a few hours.

A number of years ago he visited a place I worked. It was after hours and he was there for a private tour. He had two very well built men with him. They were passively (I thought) following along until the husband of one of my staff (she had worked late) arrived to pick her up. Suddenly they looked like two Dobermans on alert. I walked to the door and greeted the guy. They settled back down and returned to licking their paws.

Ole Strom did love the ladies ;-)

Joe, sorry to highjack your good thread.

 

[judypilot]

Very well done, Joe. Since you've already given permission for someone to essentially copy it, do you mind if I do, also? I'm not a vet, so I wouldn't use that part. Idaho may be small, but its senators are pretty powerful, especially Craig.

Incidentally, just because you get a form letter doesn't mean they're not listening. Your opinion does get tallied in some sort of database, and they do pay attention.

Judy

 

[John J]

Joe;

A great letter. You speak so well for so many.

Thank you

John J

 

[poadeleted3]

Very well done, Joe. Since you've already given permission for someone to essentially copy it, do you mind if I do, also? snip

No, I don't mind at all

 

[ejensen]

In Texas you get action, remember it's a concealed carry state, it ain't wise to pi$$ off your constituency.

So it is OK to joke about capping a senator but not the president? Someday maybe I'll get the rules straight.

 

[SkyHog]

Ok - I've composed a letter myself, and will mail tomorrow. Anyone want to get a final proofread on this to make sure I don't make an ass of myself?

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

Don't worry about the proofread... they don't read them.

Make sure the FIRST line says what you want.

Ok - I've composed a letter myself, and will mail tomorrow. Anyone want to get a final proofread on this to make sure I don't make an ass of myself?

 

[corjulo]

I'm a big fan of participating in democracy, but none of these letters address some obvious points. 1. What about chemical or biologic threats? 2. How is the government going to be able to identify friend from foe? 3. How will the public react if a plane DOES get through and crashes into something, regardless of the level of damage.
I'm sorry but Joe Public isn't going to care all that much if a pilot is shot down.

 

[silver-eagle]

Joe & Nick;
Great letters. Send it to all your representitives. Also, copy the major alphabets like AOPA, EAA, GAMA. Let them bring these along when they are facing them down.

On a side note, thanks to Joe and all the other veterans. My Dad was in WWII in Europe (what little I do know). I'm very proud to know you.

 

[woodstock]

I'm a big fan of participating in democracy, but none of these letters address some obvious points. 1. What about chemical or biologic threats? 2. How is the government going to be able to identify friend from foe? 3. How will the public react if a plane DOES get through and crashes into something, regardless of the level of damage.
I'm sorry but Joe Public isn't going to care all that much if a pilot is shot down.

that's not for us to solve through our letters - short and to the point - what you are AGAINST - is enough.

if there are chem/bio threats on board - it's all over. doesn't matter where it goes down, someone's going to get it. you need to stop it before it even gets to that point - closing the barn door afterwards is meaningless.

great letters, both of you.

 

[inav8r]

The ADIZ is an unnecessary risk.

Joe,

Like others I have taken your letter and customized it to fit my situation in order to pass it up to my congresscritter. I don't understand what you are trying to say with the sentence above. Can you elaborate a bit?

 

[poadeleted3]

Joe,

Like others I have taken your letter and customized it to fit my situation in order to pass it up to my congresscritter. I don't understand what you are trying to say with the sentence above. Can you elaborate a bit?

The ADIZ introduces an unnecessary risk of a pilot being shot down. It provides no real security, and it's existence introduces procedures that sooner or later will result in a law abiding citizen being killed.

 

[poadeleted3]

Ok - I've composed a letter myself, and will mail tomorrow. Anyone want to get a final proofread on this to make sure I don't make an ass of myself?

Sounds good to me, Nick.

 

[corjulo]

that's not for us to solve through our letters - short and to the point - what you are AGAINST - is enough.

if there are chem/bio threats on board - it's all over. doesn't matter where it goes down, someone's going to get it. you need to stop it before it even gets to that point - closing the barn door afterwards is meaningless.

great letters, both of you.

Good points, I would include them in a letter, simple and to the point

 

[tparsons]

I think both letters are good, but ...

It seems as though most people, and AOPA, want to project the idea that a C-152 crash can pretty much be cleaned up with a broom and paint brush. While this is an exaggeration, what is being ignored is what is able to be put in a GA aircraft besides people and their belongings.

As some of you may know, a C-152 is fully capable of carrying a "suitcase" nuke or a tactical nuclear artillery shell, both of which weigh less than 200 lbs. It is also capable of carrying a significant payload of biological/chemical/radiological materials which can be easily dispersed over a moderate area. These are not hazzards to be dismissed with the wave of a hand, particularly in light of the very poor security at many (most) of our ports. These weapons ARE out there for sale, mainly in the formerly communist block countries, and we, or rather our current government, is doing everything it can to ignore this problem.

It's ironic that Ryder rental trucks were used in the first bombing of the
WTC and the federal building in OKC, but there are still few restrictions on ground vehicles of any kind except near some government buildings. The public and government make a big distinction between those vehicles which crawl on the ground and those which fly, and we're not likely to convince them differently.

At the same time, we ***** and moan about having to have a background checks, id cards (me too) and the associated expenses which the government will make sure we bear. We resist purchasing good locks to prevent theft of aircraft because of the expense, and we've convinced ourselves that it takes an airliner to do much damage. FBO's are willing to rent aircraft to individuals who's background they are not familiar with.

I think we've been pretty lucky so far. We've become a very "risk intolerant" nation, particularly those in the higher levels of government. This is evidenced by the ADIZ, TSA and all those fingernail file confiscations, and massive underground bunkers so that our betters can continue living in comfort while the peons are urged to purchase duct tape and plastic sheeting. There IS no real effort to educate the public about how to protect themselves, just the constant whine of "fight'in terrorism".

In my opinion, we need to do something to keep the dumbclucks from violating the flight restricted areas or they'll just make them bigger, we need to do a better job of protecting our aviation assets from theft or misuse, we need to do a better job of knowing what comes into this country, and we need to get over the idea that we can completely protect ourselves from someone who intends us harm.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

(this post is also essentially repeated in the "Military was set to down Cessna" thread)

The letters are very pretty but I'm safe in assuming there was no significant $K checks attached to make them idividually effective, so what GA could use is tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands more letters against the ADIZ, for whatever reasons suit the writers fancy.

Last year ~4 TFR type zones were drastically reduced in size in Washington State (the other Washington) after us locals, in addition to AOPA and some others, got a letter writing campaign going. The letters could be written online, but it was said it helped more to also mail in a hard copy.

Many of us wrote multiple times and I think we got about 400 or more letters printed online, usually brief and all against the TFR's huge size, from mostly locals, but a few from across the USA. It seemed to work for the time being. They're all very small no fly areas out here now.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Nice letter Joe, hope you get more of a response than I have from ANY political figure in Maryland to the letters I wrote back when this whole mess started.

Unfortunatly, I don't think this thing will ever be resolved until some wayward dentist and his family are raining down as flaming debris into the reflecting pool.

(sigh)

 

[John Recine]

Joe,

Great letter. Thanks for taking the time to do that. I wish more would follow your example, myself included. The issue is too impoortant for many reasons with the fundimantal one at the heart of the issue. Keep up the good work!

John