A couple of cheerful items crossed my screen on Monday.
First, Pres. Trump reinstated the “Mexico City Policy”, which bars international NGOs that perform or promote abortions from receiving US government funds (i.e., taxpayer dollars). My only regret is that it wasn’t reinstated before the Woman March event.
Second, the Amateur Radio Parity Act, HR-555, has passed the House of Representatives and is now on the way to the Senate. The bill passed by unanimous consent late Monday afternoon. H.R. 555 calls on the FCC to establish rules prohibiting the application of deed restrictions that preclude Amateur Radio communications on their face or as applied. Deed restrictions would have to impose the minimum practicable restriction on Amateur Radio communications to accomplish the lawful purposes of homeowners association seeking to enforce the restriction.
There were other positive developments as well as this new administration and new legislative year get underway.
So, Monday was a good day.
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“My only regret is that it wasn’t reinstated before the Woman March event.”
Actually, I’m kind of glad that it was after. It’s a nice signal to the marchers that their little outburst was meaningless (if that wasn’t already plainly obvious).
My understanding of the Mexico City Policy is its a regular political football. Each Republican president since Reagan enacts it, and each Democrat president since Clinton repeals it. It could very well be repealed again in 2020.
It’s a start, and a relief that Trump didn’t hesitate on it, but it’s a very small start.
I’m glad also to hear about the radio law. This kind of protection is becoming increasingly important as a larger and larger percentage of homes are encumbered by HOA’s.
Yes, Monday was a good day.
My prayer is that between now and the end of 2017 is the Johnson Amendment is repealed. This will ease restrictions for good clergy, including priests, ministers, preachers, and rabbis.
Let’s hope the FCC is more responsive in implementing 555 than the FAA was in implementing the changes to the third class medical (basically, if you can drive, have no disqualifying medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, psychotic tendencies, or a DUI, and had a valid medical in the last 10 years, you can exercise private pilot privileges with some training and a quadrennial medical exam from your PCP) which took, literally, and act of Congress threatening to cut off funding if they didn’t get off the dime.
This will be a boon in some ways, but, like the ’96 Comm Act which forced the hands of HOAs to allow <1 meter satellite dishes with much wailing and gnashing of teeth on the part of HOAs, the proof will be in how much foot dragging associations will be willing to do to restrict them. (full disclosure, mine caved when the commission stated in a certified letter that they would become liable for any of my legal fees should I choose to prosecute the issue in federal court…since the intent of the legislation was clear, and the HOA had no jurisdiction over radio signals nor its reception).
Brick by brick. I know a lot of hams will be pleased. But, that's why I chose to buy a single family house in an un-HOA'd neighborhood.