Kate Cox

[Lynn K.]

Why not put her case on Change.org?

I have had the opportunity to cast my vote for several people's situations and it appears to have made a difference.

Just an idea. I don't know how it gets done, but probably not too difficult.

Thinking,
Lynn

[Rebecca P.]

That's a good idea, quilter lynn. I'm on a letter writing campaign today to my state's senators and representatives and to the State Department and a few other people who may be able to have some influence. I am going to write to the governor of Colorado and it's senators and representatives as well. If others want to write letters, the Quilts, Inc. website (http://www.quilts.com) has some great statistical information. Click on the "News" tab and scroll down under "Press Releases." Click on "Quilting in America 2010 Executive Summary" and "Quilting in America 2010 Survey Release." The Executive Summary is a pdf file so it can be attached to an email. The Survey Release has additional information as well. I am sending my letters via email and postal mail.

We see a lot of craziness coming out of Washington - but, this is just stupid! (Don't worry, I'm going to refrain from being sarcastic in my letters)! :roll:

Becky

P.S. I'm going to check on the Quiltart mail list to see if this conundrum has been posted there. If it hasn't, I'll post it.

[Betty J.]

This one really steams me. :evil: I signed the petition and I usually don't do petitions. :shock: Unfortunately, I think it demonstrates a common ignorance on the topic of fiber arts across the country. :cry:

[Lynn K.]

There is still sadly, a portion of our population (men and women) who smile and say, "Well it's something that keeps the little woman busy."

[Rebecca P.]

I sent a message out on the Quiltart mail list about Kate's situation. I referenced the email we received this morning and I copied and pasted the blog post in quotes and I included the link to the post in my message. I know sometimes people get busy and they intend to click over to a reference to read it but an interruption comes along and you know how that goes. That's why I went ahead and included the blog post in the message. Hopefully, we get more signatures!

[Lotti D.]

That interviewer has no idea of the amount of tax dollars generated by quilters!
Here's a link to the 2010 Quilting in America Report, presented by Quilters Newslwtter and the International Quilt Market & Festival. Unfortunately have not found a more recent one, but would certainly think that the numbers will have increased.
http://www.quilts.com/announcements/...0_OneSheet.pdf

[Rebecca P.]

Lotti, you are so right! Today I did some research to try to find out the name of someone at the State Dept. who would read about Kate's situation and who would weed through all of the bureaucracy to get the information to the person who can help intervene on Kate's behalf (and along the way, the person (s) will get some education about how huge the worldwide community of quilters really is)!

I just sent a brief message along with the "Quilting in America Executive Summary 2010." In addition, I provided them the links to: AQS, Kate's website, SAQA, and of course, the blog post here at TQS. I hope to hear back from him by tomorrow morning. I'll update as soon as I hear - keeping my fingers crossed :-)

Becky

[Rebecca P.]

I just wanted to post this update (which really isn't anything new) I haven't heard back from the aide at our senator's office yet. If I don't hear from him by midday on Monday I'm going to call our senator's wife. She and I grew up in the same town and church.

[Hannelore N.]

Go for it! Give my regards to the senator's wife. Providing Kate Cox can financially support herself and is not using any state benefits, she should be allowed to live and work where she wants to. Plenty of US Americans live in England, so a few Brits in the US should be ok.

[Rebecca P.]

I talked to my friend (one of our senators' wives). She is contacting several people - BUT, she said we should get on Twitter and tweet to State Dept., CO governor and representatives, UK Embassy, etc. Apparently, the negative PR from twitter and facebook gets more attention from aides, etc. than emails and calls (duh, why am I not surprised) :roll: So let's get to tweeting!