My Conversation with Sen Lautenburg' Staff

Fred Taverni · 2003-07-31T01:34:44+00:00

I am a resident of NJ and called Senator Lautenburg's office today at about5:30. The person asking the phone was a young man named Joseph. I asked tospeak with a senior staff member. When Joseph asked, I told him the subjectwas about Rocketry. He said the staff member handling that issue wasunavailable because he was in with the Senator at the moment. Joseph saidhe could help me.I went on to say that I was greatly upset at the Senator's statement andfelt in was factually untrue. I said I was more interested in understandingthe rationale behind the decision and the process that led up to it. Josephsaid they felt terrorist could acquire rocket motors and do "bad things"(actual words). Joseph couldn't say what "bad things" but was certainterrorist would do them.I then asked more about the process that led to their decision: what factswhere used, where they got information from, who they talked to, etc.Joseph couldn't say. I felt I was entitled to this information. Josephsaid we could have a staff member return my call. Unfortunately I hadfamily obligation and would be available only until 6:15. Still I left myphone number.Joseph, not the senior staff member, called back in about 15 minutes.Joseph said they got their information from the AFT and DOJ. Apparentlythere was little consideration from letters sent by constituents. I thenasked if they were in DC to represent the AFT. Joseph said no, they werethere to represent the State of New Jersey. I correct Joseph telling himthey are there to represent the PEOPLE of the State of New Jersey!As our conversation went on it was pretty clear Joseph was clueless.I asked what happens next, after we say goodbye. Joseph said he would paythe information to the senior staffer; his name is Mike Hughes. Hugheswould then decide whether or not to pads it to the senator. I questionedwhether this isn't a conflict of interest, Hughes would be reluctant toadmit he screwed up. I asked to whom Hughes reports; who's his...

Jul 31, 2003 21 Replies

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Jerry Irvine 22 years ago

Is this a "group breakfast" (don't waste your time) or a one on one?

Jerry

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Bob Kaplow 22 years ago

My guess is that it's any one from IL who happens to be in the DC area at the time. I'm thinking it might be better to catch them while they are back home. Fitzgerald lives very close to my old condo, and not that far from where I live now (i.e closer than home to work).

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

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