smores
Creepy-Ass Cracker
I saw a strange 301 number ring my mobile telephone this morning, and when I picked up I was greeted by Senator Middleton. We spoke for about half an hour on the letters I had sent, and we had a good discussion. Below is what I learned, and I hope it will help us. Not all of what I say is straight from the horse's mouth, but some of it is. I'm just posting what I got out of it.
Written/typed letters are effective!: After the phone call, I was scratching my head as to how he got my number... but I remembered that I signed all of my letters that I mailed to my senators and delegates by hand, and wrote my cell number beneath. While e-mails are quick and easy, a lot of these representatives are old school, and on top of that written letters must cross their desk and be filed. He obviously read my letter because many points I brought up were discussed during our conversation.
We have a fight! WE HAVE NOT LOST!: Sen. Middleton explained that he and other "moderate democrats" are fully opposed to anti-gun bills, and will vote against it once it comes to the floor for a vote. He has given me a short list of people (which I will name below), especially in SOMD, that need to be contacted. There are plenty of senators that have not made up their mind or could be persuaded to go the other way. He said that 25 votes are needed for a "favorable committee", and it is still possible to add amendments or otherwise change the minds of some senators. He is attending a meeting with other democrats on Monday that are opposed to or at least are debating opposing this bill.
Threatening to vote/campaign against representatives may be mffective, but is risky: HOWEVER, he said something to the effect of "not to chastise you, but you are trying to convince people to agree with you so harsh language such as that may hurt you." I see where he's coming from, but I can't help but wonder if this helped persuade him to give me a ring...
The Senate will likely vote on Thursday: It should be introduced as early as Monday but because of the processes at work it will most likely not receive its full vote on the floor until Thursday, Feb. 28th.
List of people I was advised to put pressure on:
- C. Anthony Muse - To those of you who listened to the JPC amending SB281 should know that he was waffling. Honestly I believe he can be persuaded to go against Frosh and O'Malley on this, he expressed many concerns and seemed like he had to be persuaded by Frosh on everything. Let's give him enough reasons to oppose this bill that he'll have a backbone and vote against it! I personally agree that MH reform is VERY important, and should focus on TREATING people affected by it. Making it "more illegal" for them to have guns won't do a thing.
- Jim Brochin - I know he's not our strongest ally, but again during the JPC he seemed to at least be in a position where he could be swayed against supporting this bill. Light him up!
- Mike Miller - Sen. Middleton advised me that he is definitely someone who could be "on our side" with enough support. Make it so.
Be nice and appreciative when you speak to your Senator!: It honestly blew me away to get a personal phone call from Senator Middleton. I thanked him for taking time out of his schedule to consult with me. At the beginning of the call, he apologized for not calling sooner. He really strikes me as a good guy. Despite most of our reps being Democrats, they're not all libtard statists. It's the reality of Maryland, and the sooner we realize that and work with these people I think the better off we'll be.
Anyway... I hope this sheds some light on Senator Middleton's positions, and inspires you all to continue to contact YOUR representatives. Write letters and call, it works much more effectively than e-mails. It made me feel like the time and effort into fighting this crap is paying off. We can't back off now! Don't be rude or condescending... We need to focus on the people that can be persuaded, and our actual reps, and we might win this fight yet.
Written/typed letters are effective!: After the phone call, I was scratching my head as to how he got my number... but I remembered that I signed all of my letters that I mailed to my senators and delegates by hand, and wrote my cell number beneath. While e-mails are quick and easy, a lot of these representatives are old school, and on top of that written letters must cross their desk and be filed. He obviously read my letter because many points I brought up were discussed during our conversation.
We have a fight! WE HAVE NOT LOST!: Sen. Middleton explained that he and other "moderate democrats" are fully opposed to anti-gun bills, and will vote against it once it comes to the floor for a vote. He has given me a short list of people (which I will name below), especially in SOMD, that need to be contacted. There are plenty of senators that have not made up their mind or could be persuaded to go the other way. He said that 25 votes are needed for a "favorable committee", and it is still possible to add amendments or otherwise change the minds of some senators. He is attending a meeting with other democrats on Monday that are opposed to or at least are debating opposing this bill.
Threatening to vote/campaign against representatives may be mffective, but is risky: HOWEVER, he said something to the effect of "not to chastise you, but you are trying to convince people to agree with you so harsh language such as that may hurt you." I see where he's coming from, but I can't help but wonder if this helped persuade him to give me a ring...
The Senate will likely vote on Thursday: It should be introduced as early as Monday but because of the processes at work it will most likely not receive its full vote on the floor until Thursday, Feb. 28th.
List of people I was advised to put pressure on:
- C. Anthony Muse - To those of you who listened to the JPC amending SB281 should know that he was waffling. Honestly I believe he can be persuaded to go against Frosh and O'Malley on this, he expressed many concerns and seemed like he had to be persuaded by Frosh on everything. Let's give him enough reasons to oppose this bill that he'll have a backbone and vote against it! I personally agree that MH reform is VERY important, and should focus on TREATING people affected by it. Making it "more illegal" for them to have guns won't do a thing.
- Jim Brochin - I know he's not our strongest ally, but again during the JPC he seemed to at least be in a position where he could be swayed against supporting this bill. Light him up!
- Mike Miller - Sen. Middleton advised me that he is definitely someone who could be "on our side" with enough support. Make it so.
Be nice and appreciative when you speak to your Senator!: It honestly blew me away to get a personal phone call from Senator Middleton. I thanked him for taking time out of his schedule to consult with me. At the beginning of the call, he apologized for not calling sooner. He really strikes me as a good guy. Despite most of our reps being Democrats, they're not all libtard statists. It's the reality of Maryland, and the sooner we realize that and work with these people I think the better off we'll be.
Anyway... I hope this sheds some light on Senator Middleton's positions, and inspires you all to continue to contact YOUR representatives. Write letters and call, it works much more effectively than e-mails. It made me feel like the time and effort into fighting this crap is paying off. We can't back off now! Don't be rude or condescending... We need to focus on the people that can be persuaded, and our actual reps, and we might win this fight yet.
