Glorifying Stupidity? Part 2
On 28 January, under the title "Glorifying Stupidity?", I wrote about Congressman Anthony Weiner's drive to enact a law that would give a lot of federal money to railroads to fix their fences. I was especially ticked off that he would name this law after someone who died while playing on the train tracks. I sent that post to Weiner's office. On Saturday, I received a response from him.
I'm still a little overwhelmed with editing and SFScope.com, so I'm not up to writing something original myself, but I thought I'd share the Congressman's response here, as a follow-up to what I wrote then.
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March 28, 2007
Dear Mr. Strock:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns over the content of Ari's Law. I apologize for the tardiness of this response.
Unfortunately, Ari Kraft's death is not an isolated incident. On the Long Island Railroad last year, 17 people were struck and killed by trains. My proposal is aimed at providing the highest level of safety for children and pedestrians in communities where railroad tracks can be found just outside our back doors. Please be assured that I will take every preventative measure within my means to avoid future accidents.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me about this sensitive issue. I truly appreciate the passionate views you expressed about this complicated matter. Please do not hesitate to be in touch in the future about this or any issue of concern.
Sincerely,
Anthony D. Weiner, Member of Congress
P.S. Stay up to date on what's happening in Congress and in our neighborhood. Sign up for my special email alerts at www.house.gov/weiner.
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I've corresponded with enough Congressmen to not be the least bit surprised that, other than referencing the issue I was writing about, the letter doesn't address my concerns at all. However, a quick search of thomas.loc.gov shows that Ari's Law, H.R. 1033, was introduced on 13 February 2007 without co-sponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that day. On 14 February, it was referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Hmm, referred to committee seven weeks ago with no co-sponsors. It may be dead.
I'm still a little overwhelmed with editing and SFScope.com, so I'm not up to writing something original myself, but I thought I'd share the Congressman's response here, as a follow-up to what I wrote then.
***
March 28, 2007
Dear Mr. Strock:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns over the content of Ari's Law. I apologize for the tardiness of this response.
Unfortunately, Ari Kraft's death is not an isolated incident. On the Long Island Railroad last year, 17 people were struck and killed by trains. My proposal is aimed at providing the highest level of safety for children and pedestrians in communities where railroad tracks can be found just outside our back doors. Please be assured that I will take every preventative measure within my means to avoid future accidents.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me about this sensitive issue. I truly appreciate the passionate views you expressed about this complicated matter. Please do not hesitate to be in touch in the future about this or any issue of concern.
Sincerely,
Anthony D. Weiner, Member of Congress
P.S. Stay up to date on what's happening in Congress and in our neighborhood. Sign up for my special email alerts at www.house.gov/weiner.
***
I've corresponded with enough Congressmen to not be the least bit surprised that, other than referencing the issue I was writing about, the letter doesn't address my concerns at all. However, a quick search of thomas.loc.gov shows that Ari's Law, H.R. 1033, was introduced on 13 February 2007 without co-sponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that day. On 14 February, it was referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Hmm, referred to committee seven weeks ago with no co-sponsors. It may be dead.