Why bother?????..uhhgg

Nurses Activism

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Hey all, in response to one of NrsKarenRN's threads, (can't remember the title), But it involved the bill before congress to improve the collection of evidence for sexual assaults. Today l got a response from my congressman. l wanted to share it with you and get some feed back........thanks, LR

Dear

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 2874, the Debbie Smith Act.

It is good to hear from you.

Sponsored by Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), the Debbie Smith Act

would authorize federal grants to states for the purposes of: sexual

assault nurse examiner programs, law enforcement personnel training, and

"first responders" for the collection and use of DNA evidence. To be

eligible for the money, states would have to follow strict bureaucratic

guidelines that would nationally standardize evidence collection and

investigation procedures.

While I am certainly in favor of strict law enforcement, I must point out

that the Federal government does not have the time or resources to aid

states in solving every rape case. Criminal law enforcement is a state

issue. As is the case with most federal grants, the Washington-imposed

guidelines will do little more than "gum up the works." It is impossible

to think that states would have any freedom under the proposed process,

which I am sure you are aware, is always the case when federal funding is

involved. I fear, the Debbie Smith Act will simply cost more money while

yielding few results.

Thank you for contacting me regarding this important issue. Please

continue to keep me informed of the issues that are important to you.

Sincerely,

John Boehner: (

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Leah..............I agree with you...........

just wanted to point out, though, that you might want to edit out your address from the above post.........

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Woot! Good catch Shelly!

Leah! Remove that address pronto before Giuseppe tracks you down and makes mad passionate love to you!

;) Heather

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You could always remind him that he's up for re-election in less than a month. And, if he's not up for re-election then, he will be eventually.

Linda

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I like WASH YA HANDS' advice. And that which says to edit out your addy. I appreciate your activism! Keep fighting the good fight!

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER

Woot! Good catch Shelly!

Leah! Remove that address pronto before Giuseppe tracks you down and makes mad passionate love to you!

;) Heather

And remind him that he is up for re-election????????

Where do I sign up to vote????????:roll :roll :roll :roll

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thanks guys, l posted in such a hurry...oh well, so much for annonymity{sp}.....l am going to reply to him again and advise him that his response is posted on the www and give him the allnurse addy....let him know how many members there are!...think this will shake him up?..he IS up for re-election this year and l will be monitoring this site to see if he responds...what do you all think?....maybe put the work out..esp Ohio nurses to come to this thread and make their views known, not just about the sexual assault issues, but many other issues about health care....This is a critical election year for republicans, so l believe that concerns from outside the Ohio area should be voiced also....stay tuned.....LR

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I wonder if his mother, sister, wife or daughter were raped if he would feel the same way? Not to mention himself being raped. Funny how money becomes available when it is personal. Oh well, please keep your enthusiam for a worthy cause.

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l.rae, post his state, if nothing else. It doesn't do any good to get feedback from people who are not his constituents.

I read this bill when Karen posted about it. The intent is to provide funding to the states so they can process and catalogue a huge backlog of DNA specimens. The idea is that if the specimens were tested, that DNA evidence could help free comvicted rapists of crimes they did not commit, and also help solve rape crimes. The bill was originally passed in 2000. But, it only provided funding until 2003, so the ammendment is to continue funding for the program.

Where local crimes are indeed the responsibility of local law enforcement, most criminals aren't so kind as to stay in one place. Once they have crossed a state line, it IS a federal problem, and under federal jurisdiction. Wouldn't it be nice if DNA collected in Florida could be matched to a new crime in Kansas and identify the criminal?

Sounds like some emailing and campaigning is in order. As a suggestion, go to http://www.tray.com This website tracks a candidates "money line." You might be interested in who and why this "friend of rapists" is getting his campaign money.

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Just another thought. l.rae, find out who is running against this guy. Contact them and give them the letter you received. I'm sure an astute campaign could make a nice commercial out of it. That letter has the potential to alienate law enforcement votes and all women's votes in his district. It's close enough to the election that this letter, used well, could cost him the election.

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I think his last name says it all!!

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

You know I sent my thoughts on that but have not heard back yet. I agree with you......

renerian

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