X-Message-Number: 23604
From: "Michael P. Read" <>
Subject: RE: Rep. Stump/Government/Politicians
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 09:57:31 -0700

Paul & Rosemarie,

>I sincerely hope that this example will be a lesson to everyone in
regards >to ever believing politicians and government. I spent over 30
years in >metro Washington, D.C. and  know the facts.  Please, once
again, stay away >from politicians unless you "own" them or they will
destroy Cryonics >because of the others that do "own" them. That's our
system and it doesn't >matter what you think or believe, that's the fact
of this and every >situation related to politicians and our big
government. Don't run from it, >go with it and don't cause loud noise
and attention, or we are doomed.

	Someone (probably a Roman) once said "You might not be
interested in politics, but one day politics will be interested in you."
How are we supposed to take your advice?  We didn't start this crap.
Some damn fascist Republican did.  What would you have us do?  Nothing?
Roll over and play dead?  If we "go with it," we're going to end up with
a bill that will probably effectively outlaw cryonics in Arizona.  How
exactly are we supposed to "go with" that?  I really don't see how we
have any other choice than to fight to the best of our ability.

	I will say this has caused me to rethink my earlier posting
lambasting the other "Paul."  In military matters (I'm saying this as an
ex-soldier), the best way to prevent further war is to decisively defeat
the enemy and make sure they know they have been defeated but stop short
of humiliating him.  We had the votes to crush Stump's bill in
committee.  We should have done it then, and then came back and worked
with him from a position of strength to form a new bill if we wanted to
compromise with him at all.

	The other thing I would like to bring up is this lobbyist Alcor
has hired.  Where did they find him?  The only thing I really know about
him is his secretary is really good looking and has a nice disposition.
It was his advice that I and others took to change our stance from
adversarial to compromising when he told us that Stump was open to
compromise and respecting Alcor's right to exist.  I and the others
deferred to his experience in these matters.  That turned out to be a
severe tactical error.  Granted the bill still has a long way to go to
became law, but now how much more time and money does Alcor have to
spend to have a chance of stopping it?

	Maybe, the lobbyist is completely dedicated to Alcor and is
completely competent, but was just as fooled as us by Stump's feigned
agreement with us.  Maybe, not.  I'm really not sure if I completely
trust him either.  Anyway, Stump's treachery has really opened my eyes
to how truly chickenshit politicians can be.  I know there were those
that were dishonest and extremely statist, but outright betrayal is
something that, frankly, I just really didn't expect.  So, now I am
questioning all my premises in this matter. And that leads me back to my
earlier question.  How, exactly, in the current context, are we supposed
to take your advice?

Sincerely,
Mike Read

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