I did get a reply:

On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 6:53 AM, <dascone@dot.gov> wrote:
Mr. Wilson,
We have already invited our speakers for the meeting, but we welcome your participation during the open floor discussions. Since this issue is relatively new, we are trying to allow individuals and organizations an opportunity to speak about the issues. We are limiting our formal presentations so that we have plenty of time for open discussion.
Thank you for your interest in the subject and we will see you on the 23rd.
Debbie



Hi Debbie,

Thank you for the reply even though it does not meet my expectations. From what I can tell, everyone was invited except actual hybrid vehicle owners, the ones expected to pay for the proposed noise makers. Sad to say, that seems to be the unfair practice that characterizes the "Quiet Car" initiative.

I plan to attend the hearings and will leave my package with you' all at the hearing. I'll also visit the Alabama Congressional offices and hopefully you won't mind if I share your note with them since it clearly demonstrates the legislative problem.

Bob Wilson

I had suspected this was a 'done deal' and based upon the conversation I had with Debbie last week, figured that train had already left the station. That is why petitioning our government is more important than ever.

At this late date, the strongest argument we have is the missing 'stake holders,' the hybrid electric owners. But we have one advantage, it is an election year and we can address the problems with this bill with facts and data.

Bob Wilson

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Good luck Mr. Wislon. If there's anything use regular folk can do let us know.

Good luck Mr. Wislon. If there's anything use regular folk can do let us know.

Just make sure your congress critters know what you think about this bad bill. Point out there hasn't been one hybrid electric owner in any of the discussions but they are planning to sock it to us for at least $300 so our cars will be just as deadly as today's gas cars. Tell them the bill needs to be reworked to fix the problems and make it move our country forward.

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,

A minor logistics issue but I'll need to know by Wednesday if anyone is going to join me either Saturday or Sunday for dinner. I'll need to update the reservations and/or cancel if no one else is planning to show.

RSVP.

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.

My big fear is that this could be the tip of the iceburg! Next they might:

• Will the device work for animals or will you also be required to get those deer/animal "whistles"
• require a big lighting bolt sticker on four sides with warnings of electric shock in three languages
• a chemical hazard diamond on the back to signify the contents of those "explode-able" batteries
• blinking light on top so no one with a pacemaker gets to close to the electric engine.
• 2 week timer that requires that you fill up, even if you have 3/4 of a tank so that the local gas stations don't have their revenue stream slowed.

Are these ideas any different than the "quiet car" initiative?

I'm a little late checking back on the thread, but this is rather distressing. I sent a letter anyway to Ms. Ascone asking her to let you speak anyway.

I'm also sending a note to the Sierra Club about this, I don't know if it can help, but hopefully it won't hurt!

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Hi Folks,

It looks like my wife won't be able to join me on this trip so I'll drive up Sunday, sleep-over, attend the hearings, and drive back Monday evening. I can't sentence her to two weeks confinement to an RV without knowing she has proper medical support ... just one of those things.

I will be at the hearing Monday morning, bright eyed and try to MP3 record the session. I'll also ask a few questions and then visit the Alabama delegation offices.

Sometimes, you have to adjust the plan. My wife will be fine but taking her on a two week vacation concurrent with this DC visit just isn't in the cards. <dang it!>

Bob Wilson

ps. I would be interested in a comfortable couch instead of paying as much for a motel room as the total gas bill for the trip. Send a PM and 'bread and butter gifts' are one of our better Southern traditions.

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.