My role is not so much to lobby but be a sounding board for people. That’s a more effective place for me to be.
During my time in Washington, I have become increasingly frustrated by the power held by the gun lobby.
No one questions the right of individuals to go to the Central Lobby to explain their views to their own Member of Parliament. It is important for those in power to hear arguments in favour of policies from all sides and ought to lead to better decision-making.
Unless I can come in in the morning and smile, walk in the lobby and say, ‘Good morning!’ – if I am stressed – I am not going to do a good job. Everybody is watching us. They are feeding off of our energy.
I was literally sued – drug through court for two years by the NRA and the gun lobby – all because, in my city, we refused to repeal an ordinance which said you couldn’t shoot guns in city parks.
I certainly respect the belief of the Hobby Lobby owners. On the other hand, they have no constitutional right to foist that belief on the hundreds and hundreds of women who work for them who don’t share that belief.
Stand in my lobby at 5:30 P.M., and there is no one who gets out of the lift who is not on a gadget. No one is talking to each other. I get in the lift and say, ‘Hello,’ and everyone’s head is down tapping on a screen.
The fact is that the United States does not need Israel. Our special relationship was not forged, as it was with Great Britain, in two world wars, not to mention a common language and, in significant respects, culture. It is based on warmth, emotion, shared values – and, not to be dismissed, a potent domestic lobby.
David Price comes and finds me out in the lobby and says, ‘Dude, I really enjoy watching you pitch.’ I’m just like, ‘What’s wrong with you? Watch your own games, bro. I just throw fastballs inside. You’re painting all over the place, striking the world out.’
I have such a vivid memory of seeing science fiction movies and going to the lobby and playing whatever the space games were, and imagine I was blowing up the Death Star.
