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Let me tell you a story. In the country of my birth, during my college years, there was a student protestt. At another university in a different city. A peaceful demonstration was broken up by police violence, and terrified students ran into a neighbouring church for protection. The police followed them in, and arrested them . None too gently. The newspapers carried a picture of a policeman dragging one girl by her hair.I sent a telegram to my Member of Parliament, text something like: PLEASE REPRESENT MY CONDEMNATION OF VIOLATION OF SANCTUARY" We got a reply. Or at least my mother received a letter, strongly recommending she keep her daughter under better control.I give no further details, even though that was 30 years ago, and there has been a complete change of governmennt in that country. Because, even now, something inside of me fears reprisals. But now I live here, a citizen of the U.S.A. , and proud and grateful for that oppportunity. And I can't help being so excited, each time I write a letter to a congressman or a senator, and I get a reply. I run around and tell all the neighbours, and I extoll the land of the free. Where I have the freedom to write to a senator -- and get a reply. Hilary Blue