Date:    1/5/98 9:18 AM
     
     
>The rule under consideration which would prevent many stockholder initiatives 
from being deliberated and voted upon at open stockholder meetings is a
>VERY BAD IDEA!  Key among the stockholder motions that would be outlawed are 
>those that affect women.  This proposed rule would prevent many motions and 
>information on issues including fair employment practices (such as sex and 
>race discrimination and harassment) from being brought to stockholders' 
>attention.  The rule would also prevent questions on gender balancing 
>boards, the use of child labor, and other ways that employees,
>investors and customers force corporations to clean up their acts when 
>they have refused to act on their own.
     
This is a return to the days of kings and serfs, where the rulers held 
all power and made decisions in secret.  We must NEVER forget that the 
principles upon which this country was founded forbid such practices as 
this gag rule!
     
Dian L. Hardison
7005 Bismarck Road
Cocoa, FL  32927