[CW] nice move ARRL

[N2EY@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/18/03 10:17:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time, w2agn@w2agn.net 
writes:


> Yep, they sure are. My hat's off to Ed Hare for all the work he has done. 
> Unfortunately, it would be better if the ARRL fought like a proper 
> representative organization, rather than like dogs. (beaten dogs, at 
> that)

There's a right way and a wrong way to fight these things.


> 
> The ARRL is a non-profit, tax exempt organization. They refuse to give up 
> this status although if they did, they could lobby far more effectively 
> for the membership. Witness the effectiveness of the NRA lobby. The ARRL 
> is forbidden to lobby politically. They ARE NOT fighting for the 
> membership, they are keeping their greedy little tax-exempt status.


They cannot do campaign contributions. They can lobby Congress and urge the 
membership to do so.

"Greedy little tax-exempt status"? How much more are you willing to pay for 
membership in order to support the taxes they would incur if they dropped that 
status? 

> 
> Work done by dedicated people like Ed would be useful, if it was part of 
> an organized package, presented to CONGRESS. Writing letters to a bunch 
> of FCC bureaucrats who have already made up their mind (under orders from 
> polititians who WERE lobbyed by the Power Companies) is tilting at 
> windmills.
> 
> 

I disagree. The way to fight things like BPL is to first address FCC, and if 
that fails, go over their heads. Going to Congress or to court before the FCC 
has made a definitive decision simply ticks off both FCC and Congress. 

I think that Ed and Co, are, in some ways, being used as a tool by FCC. 
Rather than using govt. time, money and people to evaluate the interference 
potential of BPL, they got a bunch of volunteers to do it for them, free. FCC can now 
hold up the ARRL reports and videos to the BPL folks and say "what about 
this?" Cost in taxpayer dollars and FCC staff time: Almost zero. 

Just like the VE system - don't use FCC money or people to do what unpaid 
volunteers will do.

73 de Jim, N2EY

ARRL member since 1968
who will not abandon ARRL
to the opposition 


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