Hi,

I have been discussing with Eric Powers, Mr. Hybridfest, the possibility of a petition passed around this weekend and then being sent to me at DC on Sunday, June 22, in time for the Monday hearings by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. They have been meeting once a month with the National Federation of the Blind over the past two years (see Federal Register Docket NHTSA-2008-0108.)

So far, there has been no evidence of a hybrid owner at any of these meetings or even any out reach to our community. But it sounds like they are planning to stick us with the bill. This is so wrong and unfair that I'm proposing the following petition:

We petition Congress to suspend action on H.R. 5734 "Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008" until the relevant committees solicit testimony and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) includes representatives from the hybrid owner community who will have to pay for these changes with equal standing to the blind community to correct errors in the facts and data. In particular, the claims of hybrid car hazards not evident in the accident statistics; insistence on making hybrids as deadly as the existing noisy vehicles instead of safer; focus on a solution that leaves the deaf, motorcyclists and other pedestrians at the same risk as today; and other errors in facts and data. No further meetings, hearings or actions should be taken until the hybrid owners have a fair seat at the table to work for effective solutions to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries. The hybrid representatives should have demonstrated, open communications with hybrid owners.

As for who should represent us, my thinking is any moderator of the GreenHybrid or other leading hybrid communities and lists would be excellent choices because we know how to share the discussions with the community. This means our community would have a chance to address the facts and data before Congress passes a bad law that will not improve pedestrian safety.

Now I'm not a wordsmith and have no experience in politics. But I know how to ask for help when I'm in an area outside of my expertise. That is why I'm looking for your comments, especially those dealing with editing and petition format.

Right now I think the petition should ask for:

• printed name
• printed street address
• zip code
• signature

Comments? Suggestions?

We will need helpers at Hybridfest to pass the clipboards, collect signatures and finally, send or fax them to me in DC (say a Kinkos for pickup.)

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Go Bob!

I support your effort 100%.

-John

I concur. I'll admit, I haven't done much to try and get this stopped mostly because this silly arguement has never gotten anywhere near this far. Twice before it died before there was even any verbage, but it seems the third time may be the charm. It does need to be stopped, and the sooner the better.

I'll be sure to urge people to sign the petition at Hybridfest after I give my presentation there, and if there's a booth or area, I could probably put in some time manning it.

First 4WD Hypermiler

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Bob,

Is there no way to explore a method for electronic signatures with a link or reference on the web? I cannot get to Hybridfest, but would certainly sign if I could reach the required piece of paper or its electronic equivilant. I do have an electronic signature (Verisign) if it is required.

It is the ignorant among us that will eventually destroy us all.

Hi,

What I'll do is put the petition, petition instructions and background material on three web pages. You can then print a local copy and do a little "Green grass roots organizing:"

• Print out copies of the petition and instructions, "flyers," and keep them in your car, ready. You may want to have some plastic bags if in a damp area.
• Go to campaign events and leave them under the windshield wipers of every hybrid you see.
• The instructions will have my mailing address as well as a request that they share their opinions with the candidate and candidate's staff.
• As they come in, I'll make sure copies of the latest versions are sent to the committee members and co-sponsors.

This petition effort needs to go all the way through to October, 2008.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Hi folks,

You can print blank copies of the petition from:

http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_petition.html

I will need them in Washington DC and will coordinate shipping or FAXing from Hybridfest with Eric Powers (Mr. Hybridfest) and Richard Krueger (well known hybrid advocate.) I will need them in hand Sunday evening for the Monday morning meeting. I will post a FAX number of a Kinkos once I identify the best one to use in DC.

Volume, the number of signatures, will be important and especially from those who live in districts of the committee members and co-sponsors of this bad legislation. With the July holiday coming up, take a copy to the local campaign offices (both sides) and leave a copy with the staff. Drop one off at local newspapers too. Also, feel free to 'windshield art' other hybrids. We need every voter we can get to let our voices be heard.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson
(the reluctant lobbyist)

p.s. If you decide to pass around petitions this weekend not at Hybridfest, you may 'scan' them and convert them into a PDF file to e-mail to my business accoung: 625k.inc located in the gmail.com pool. I still will need the originals but they can be sent via ordinary, cheap mail.

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.