sdb@shark.UUCP (Steven Den Beste) (08/29/83)
A couple of years ago, the NARAL was set up at a local art-fair
("Saturday Market", a term that wouldn't make any sense to anyone not
from Portland) and they had some pre-made-up post-cards that one could
send to both Senators and the Congressman that represented each
individual, expressing that individual's support for freedom of abortion.
I contributed 5 bucks and got three of their post-cards. One went to
Congressman Au-Coin, who made no response. One went to Senator Hatfield,
who promptly sent me a form letter telling me why he thought abortions
should be banned. [I returned a long letter telling why I thought that
the real issue was not whether abortions were right, but who should
make the choice. They sent me back one of those not-quite telegrams
that the Post-office has, saying that my ideas were "interesting". It
occurred to me later that this is a good technique for shutting up vocal
people like me, at least it worked in my case.]
The last went to Senator Packwood. Now, I don't know if anyone was watching,
but Packwood is the Senator that led the filibuster in the last session
of congress that defeated the last anti-abortion bill. [One thing I have
to say about Oregon's senators is that they have both taken a firm position.
One I agree with, one I disagree with - but at least neither one is
ducking the issue!] Senator Packwood's staff sent me a form-letter thanking
me for expressing support for his position on abortions, but it was addressed
to "Ms. Steven Den Beste" - and ever since, once or twice a month I have
received flyers from him about his stands on women's rights, always addressed
to "Ms. Steven Den Beste". I find this more amusing than anything, but
we have yet another false mapping: If you are in favor of women's rights,
you must be a woman. (Of course, I am not a woman.)
I might mention that except for this slight administrative bobble, I have
been extremely pleased with what Packwood has done for women's rights, and
I plan to vote for him the next election that he is up. Hatfield, on the
other hand, has to go!
"Ms." Steven Den Beste
Tektronix
[decvax|ucbvax]!tektronix!tekecs!shark!sdbkmw@iheds.UUCP (09/01/83)
To "Ms." Steven Den Beste, Welcome to the club. Why, oh why, can't mailing lists use your name as you gave it!! - "Mr." Kathleen Wilber
pvl@houxh.UUCP (09/01/83)
Sorry, but I couldn't resist the best foul-up I've seen of a name on a mailing list. One of the people here had a subscription to Popular Electronics in the name of "Bell Labs". I thought it was pretty good to see a piece of mail addressed to: Ms. Labs, Holmdel, NJ I guess they figured that Ms. Labs was a good ole Southern Bell. Pete LaMaster BTL Holmdel, NJ
liz@umcp-cs.UUCP (09/02/83)
When I was in 7th grade, I got an add inviting me and my >wife< someplace or other... -- -Liz Allen, U of Maryland, College Park MD Usenet: ...!seismo!umcp-cs!liz Arpanet: liz.umcp-cs@Udel-Relay