Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

842.0. "Just say NO to Silber" by MPGS::GIFFORD (When nature calls you have to answer) Mon Nov 05 1990 16:31

    Mr. Mod. if there is another place for this feel free to move it.
    I know alot of you may not be too interested in the politics of gun
    control but the following may change your mind.
    
    
    
Copied without permission from "The Message" official paper for GOAL.


John Silber Spoke; "The Constitution doesn't matter."

by Phil Roderick and Ron O'Connor

   This year, The Fall River Chamber of Commerce as held a series of morning
breakfast meetings, so the members could meet the candidates for governor in
person. The meetings were held at the Quequechan Club in Fall River. On
August 16, 1990 Dr. Silber was scheduled to talk. We decided to attend, in 
order to question him on the Second Amendment rights to own firearms.
   We were concerned about John Silber's position on firearms ownership for
at leas two reasons. First, he had been unable (or unwilling) to arrange a 
meeting with Michael Yacino, Executive Director of GOAL. Secondly, on a TV 
debate with candidates Murphy and Bellotti, Dr. Silber had made comments that
indicated he did not support the rights of private citizens own firearms.
   At approximately 8 AM, Dr. Silber and his party arrived. We were 
introduced to Dr. Silber in the public area of the club. Here is a report
of what took place.
   We introduced ourselves as members of GOAL and NRA. Mr. Roderick asked Dr.
Silber what his position was on gun ownership, but his first two responses
did not answer the question. When asked for the third time, Dr. Silber said
the following:
   "I don't believe anybody has a right to own any kind of a firearm. I 
believe order to obtain a permit to own a firearm that person should undergo
an exhaustive criminal background check. In addition, an applicant should
give up his right to privacy and submit his medical records for review to
see if the person has ever had a problem with alcohol, drugs or mental
illness."
   Aghast, Mr. Roderick then said to Dr. Silber that what he proposed was 
against the constitutional rights of the citizens he was looking to elect
him to the office of Governor. Silber said. "The Constitution doesn't count!"
   That ended the private meeting. Later, during the question and answer
period, Dr. Silber failed to recognize Mr. Roderick.
   On his way out of the meeting we approached Dr. Silber again. Mr. Roderick
asked why he was not recognized during the question session. Dr. Silber replied
that this is not a one issue campaign. In response, Mr. Roderick asked, "how 
did you know what I would ask? I am not a one issue person." There was no
answer.
   Mr. Roderick then spoke, "your position on gun ownership violates the 
second amendment of the Constitution." Dr. Silber again replied, "The
Constitution doesn't matter."
   Fellow GOAL and NRA members, this "Silber shaker" really woke us up.
Do you think that John Silber will respect any of your constitutional rights?
We don't. Vote pro-gun in November.

    Phil Roderick is a life member of the NRA, a Patron Member of GOAL and
    a past chairman of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce. He lives in
    Somerset, Ma. Ron O'Connor is a member of the NRA, a Sustaining member
    of GOAL and the owner of Bob's Sports Shop in Westport Ma.
    
End of article.

Now is the time to let your voice be heard. So get out tomorrow and VOTE.
    (for Bill Weld of course ;^) )

    I heard him the last couple of days.  It looked like Weld was in 
    an uphill battle.  Who got it?  It wasn't in the Vermont news today.
    
    Nancy

    Weld won.
    
    Mark.

    Hey, but unfortunately, we lost a few here in NH.  Unless things
    changed after I stopped watching last night,  Dick Swett defeated
    Douglas as our U.S. representative.  Douglas was on our side, but I
    hear Swett is a real "anti".
    
    Mark