Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS - GULFPORT — The man police say is responsible for a traffic accident that killed a Saucier couple allegedly fled the scene because he is an illegal immigrant who feared being deported.
Police say Raymundo Rojas Garcia caused Sunday's accident that killed Wayne and Michelle Hughes, who were riding a motorcycle. He fled the scene because he was an illegal immigrant facing almost certain deportation once he was captured, authorities said.
Garcia was attempting to make a left turn in front of northbound traffic on U.S. 49 when he pulled in front of Wayne Hughes' northbound Suzuki motorcycle, a witness said. Hughes tried to get out of the way but it was too late.
The couple's son, who had joined his parents for dinner at a restaurant that night, was in a vehicle behind them and saw the deadly accident.
After the collision, a witness said, Garcia took off running with his wife and 1-year-old son, only to be captured a block and a half away.
He was charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a license, driving without insurance, driving with an expired tag and failure to yield. His total bond was set at $51,351.
It is not Garcia's first run-in with the law. Garcia, 27, was charged June 17 by Gulfport police with misdemeanor drunk driving and other traffic violations. He was detained overnight and later fined.
Gulfport Deputy Chief Alfred Sexton said Monday that a hold has been placed on Garcia pending confirmation of his immigration status.
However, Sexton said Garcia admitted to police he was an illegal immigrant. Sexton said Garcia likely would face criminal charges here before deportation.
Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove said autopsy results Monday showed Wayne Hughes died of injuries to the head, chest and extremities; Michelle Hughes was thrown from the bike and died of head and neck injuries
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Bikers Video on You Tube
Yesterday was a fine day to welcome Fred Thompson to Nashville and hundreds show up at Mercury Air in Nashville to do just that. One of the video folks wanted to know why bikers support Fred so I told them. Now it's on the You Tube site for all to see!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nQoTy2be34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nQoTy2be34
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Illegal Murder
Once again the Nashville news brings reports of an illegal alien murdering a US citizen. He was drunk and he was illegal and what's worse, it wasn't his first bust.
By Jared Allen, jallen@nashvillecitypaper.com and Nate Rau, sports correspondentJune 19, 2007
The latest fatal car crash allegedly committed at the hands of an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk has claimed the life of a Tennessee State University (TSU) senior member of the women’s track team, Metro Police said late Monday.Joycelyn R. Gardiner, 22, was pronounced dead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center at 4 a.m. Saturday, one hour and 15 minutes after her Pontiac Grand Prix was struck by a Ford Expedition driven by Victor Javier Benitez, 24, of 365 Paragon Mills Road, Apt. A-5, police said.“The Expedition left no pre-crash skid marks,” police officials said of the crash scene at Old Hickory Boulevard and Nolensville Pike, “indicating that Benitez did not try to brake prior to impact.”
No information on Benitez’s blood alcohol content was immediately available, and police described him as an “alleged drunk driver” even though his only current charge is vehicular homicide.At the same time, police were quick to point out that Benitez, whose physical identification was issued in Texas, was on two separate occasions convicted of a total of four criminal charges in Nashville.He was arrested in February 2006 on three counts of car burglary and two counts of attempted theft. Two months later he was convicted of one count of car burglary and sentenced by General Sessions Judge Casey Moreland to one year of supervised probation.On Nov. 5, 2006, Benitez was rearrested on charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The following day he was convicted of all three charges and sentenced by General Sessions Judge William Higgins to seven days in jail.
This murder happened near my home, on a route I take daily. Nolensville RD at Bell/Old Hickory has enough crashes from folks just plain not paying attention, trying to beat the light or worse. Go North from that location and it's often like running a gauntlet of illegal drivers.
Time to expedite the deportation of illegal aliens in the USA and a good place to start is that intersection and head north.
By Jared Allen, jallen@nashvillecitypaper.com and Nate Rau, sports correspondentJune 19, 2007
The latest fatal car crash allegedly committed at the hands of an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk has claimed the life of a Tennessee State University (TSU) senior member of the women’s track team, Metro Police said late Monday.Joycelyn R. Gardiner, 22, was pronounced dead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center at 4 a.m. Saturday, one hour and 15 minutes after her Pontiac Grand Prix was struck by a Ford Expedition driven by Victor Javier Benitez, 24, of 365 Paragon Mills Road, Apt. A-5, police said.“The Expedition left no pre-crash skid marks,” police officials said of the crash scene at Old Hickory Boulevard and Nolensville Pike, “indicating that Benitez did not try to brake prior to impact.”
No information on Benitez’s blood alcohol content was immediately available, and police described him as an “alleged drunk driver” even though his only current charge is vehicular homicide.At the same time, police were quick to point out that Benitez, whose physical identification was issued in Texas, was on two separate occasions convicted of a total of four criminal charges in Nashville.He was arrested in February 2006 on three counts of car burglary and two counts of attempted theft. Two months later he was convicted of one count of car burglary and sentenced by General Sessions Judge Casey Moreland to one year of supervised probation.On Nov. 5, 2006, Benitez was rearrested on charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The following day he was convicted of all three charges and sentenced by General Sessions Judge William Higgins to seven days in jail.
This murder happened near my home, on a route I take daily. Nolensville RD at Bell/Old Hickory has enough crashes from folks just plain not paying attention, trying to beat the light or worse. Go North from that location and it's often like running a gauntlet of illegal drivers.
Time to expedite the deportation of illegal aliens in the USA and a good place to start is that intersection and head north.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The Speech Bush NEEDS to GIVE
The following "speech" was written by an ordinary citizen. While satirical in nature, all satire must have a basis in FACT to be effective.
The speech George W. Bush SHOULD give: Normally, I start these things out by saying "My Fellow Americans. Not doing it this time. If the polls are any indication, I don't know who more than half of you are anymore. I do know something terrible has happened, and that you're really not fellow Americans any longer.
I'll cut right to the chase here: I quit. Now before anyone gets all in a lather about me quitting to avoid impeachment, or to avoid prosecution or something, let me assure you: there's been no breaking of laws or impeachable offenses in this office. The reason I'm quitting is simple. I'm fed up with you people. I'm fed up because you have no understanding of what's really going on in the world. Or of what's going on in this once-great nation of ours. And the majority of you are too damned lazy to do your homework and figure it .
Let's start local. You've been sold a bill of goods by politicians and the news media. Polls show that the majority of you think the economy is in the tank, and that's despite record numbers of homeowners including record numbers of MINORITY homeowners. While we're mentioning minorities, I'll point out that minority business ownership is at an all-time high. Our unemployment rate is as low as it ever was during the Clinton Administration. I've mentioned all those things before, but it doesn't seem to have sunk in.
Despite the shock to our economy of 9/11, the stock market has rebounded to record levels and more Americans than ever are participating in these markets. Meanwhile, all you can do is whine about gas prices, and most of you are too damn stupid to realize that gas prices are high because there's increased demand in other parts of the world, and because a small handful of noisy idiots are more worried about polar bears and beach front property than your economic security. We face real threats in the world. Don't give me this "blood for oil" thing. If I was trading blood for oil, I would've already seized Iraq's > oil fields and let the rest of the country go to hell, and don't give me this 'Bush Lied, People Died' crap either. If I was the liar you morons take me for, I could've easily had chemical weapons planted in Iraq so they could be 'discovered.' Instead, I owned up to the fact that the intelligence was faulty. Let me remind you that the rest of the world thought Saddam had the goods, same as me. Let me also remind you, regime change in Iraq, was official US policy before I came into office. Some guy named 'Clinton' established that policy. Bet you didn't know that, did you?
You idiots need to understand that we face a unique enemy. Back during the cold war, there were two major competing political and economic models squaring off. We won that war, but we did so because fundamentally, the Communists wanted to survive, just as we do. We were simply able to outspend and out-tech them. That's not the case this time. The soldiers of our new enemy don't care if they survive. In fact, they want to die. That'd be fine, as long as they weren't also committed to taking as many of you with them as they can, but; they are. They want to kill you, and the bastards are all over the globe. You should be grateful that they haven't gotten any more of us here in the United States since September 11, but; you're not. That's because you've got no idea how hard a small number of intelligence, military, law enforcement and homeland security people have worked to make sure of that.
When this whole mess started, I warned you that this would be a long and difficult fight. I'm disappointed how many of you people think a long and difficult fight amounts to a single season of 'Survivor'. Instead, you've grown impatient. You're incapable of seeing things through the long lens of history, the way our enemies do. You think that wars should last a few months, a few years, tops. Making matters worse, you actively support those who help the enemy. Every time you buy the New York Times, every time you send a donation to a cut-and-run Democrat's political campaign, well, dammit, you might just as well Fedex a grenade launcher to a Jihadist. It amounts to the same thing. In this day and age, it's easy enough to find the truth. It's all over the Internet. It just isn't on the pages of the New York Times or on NBC News. Even if it were, I doubt you'd be any smarter. Most of you would rather watch American Idol.
I could say more about your expectations that the government will always be there to bail you out, but; you're too stupid to leave a city that's below sea level and has a hurricane approaching. I could say more about your insane belief that government, not your own wallet, is where the money comes from, but; I've come to the conclusion that were I to do so, it would sail right over your heads.
So I quit. I'm going back to Crawford. I've got an energy-efficient house down there (Al Gore could only dream) and the capability to be fully self-sufficient. No one ever heard of Crawford before I got elected, and as soon as I'm done here, pretty much no one will ever hear of it again. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to die of old age before the last pillars of America fall.
Oh, and by the way, Cheney's quitting too. ,That means Pelosi is your new President. ,You asked for it. ,Watch what she does carefully, because I still have a glimmer of hope that there're just enough of you remaining who are smart enough to turn this thing around in 2008. So that's it. God bless what's left of America. Some of you know what I mean. The rest of you, ?????????.
The speech George W. Bush SHOULD give: Normally, I start these things out by saying "My Fellow Americans. Not doing it this time. If the polls are any indication, I don't know who more than half of you are anymore. I do know something terrible has happened, and that you're really not fellow Americans any longer.
I'll cut right to the chase here: I quit. Now before anyone gets all in a lather about me quitting to avoid impeachment, or to avoid prosecution or something, let me assure you: there's been no breaking of laws or impeachable offenses in this office. The reason I'm quitting is simple. I'm fed up with you people. I'm fed up because you have no understanding of what's really going on in the world. Or of what's going on in this once-great nation of ours. And the majority of you are too damned lazy to do your homework and figure it .
Let's start local. You've been sold a bill of goods by politicians and the news media. Polls show that the majority of you think the economy is in the tank, and that's despite record numbers of homeowners including record numbers of MINORITY homeowners. While we're mentioning minorities, I'll point out that minority business ownership is at an all-time high. Our unemployment rate is as low as it ever was during the Clinton Administration. I've mentioned all those things before, but it doesn't seem to have sunk in.
Despite the shock to our economy of 9/11, the stock market has rebounded to record levels and more Americans than ever are participating in these markets. Meanwhile, all you can do is whine about gas prices, and most of you are too damn stupid to realize that gas prices are high because there's increased demand in other parts of the world, and because a small handful of noisy idiots are more worried about polar bears and beach front property than your economic security. We face real threats in the world. Don't give me this "blood for oil" thing. If I was trading blood for oil, I would've already seized Iraq's > oil fields and let the rest of the country go to hell, and don't give me this 'Bush Lied, People Died' crap either. If I was the liar you morons take me for, I could've easily had chemical weapons planted in Iraq so they could be 'discovered.' Instead, I owned up to the fact that the intelligence was faulty. Let me remind you that the rest of the world thought Saddam had the goods, same as me. Let me also remind you, regime change in Iraq, was official US policy before I came into office. Some guy named 'Clinton' established that policy. Bet you didn't know that, did you?
You idiots need to understand that we face a unique enemy. Back during the cold war, there were two major competing political and economic models squaring off. We won that war, but we did so because fundamentally, the Communists wanted to survive, just as we do. We were simply able to outspend and out-tech them. That's not the case this time. The soldiers of our new enemy don't care if they survive. In fact, they want to die. That'd be fine, as long as they weren't also committed to taking as many of you with them as they can, but; they are. They want to kill you, and the bastards are all over the globe. You should be grateful that they haven't gotten any more of us here in the United States since September 11, but; you're not. That's because you've got no idea how hard a small number of intelligence, military, law enforcement and homeland security people have worked to make sure of that.
When this whole mess started, I warned you that this would be a long and difficult fight. I'm disappointed how many of you people think a long and difficult fight amounts to a single season of 'Survivor'. Instead, you've grown impatient. You're incapable of seeing things through the long lens of history, the way our enemies do. You think that wars should last a few months, a few years, tops. Making matters worse, you actively support those who help the enemy. Every time you buy the New York Times, every time you send a donation to a cut-and-run Democrat's political campaign, well, dammit, you might just as well Fedex a grenade launcher to a Jihadist. It amounts to the same thing. In this day and age, it's easy enough to find the truth. It's all over the Internet. It just isn't on the pages of the New York Times or on NBC News. Even if it were, I doubt you'd be any smarter. Most of you would rather watch American Idol.
I could say more about your expectations that the government will always be there to bail you out, but; you're too stupid to leave a city that's below sea level and has a hurricane approaching. I could say more about your insane belief that government, not your own wallet, is where the money comes from, but; I've come to the conclusion that were I to do so, it would sail right over your heads.
So I quit. I'm going back to Crawford. I've got an energy-efficient house down there (Al Gore could only dream) and the capability to be fully self-sufficient. No one ever heard of Crawford before I got elected, and as soon as I'm done here, pretty much no one will ever hear of it again. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to die of old age before the last pillars of America fall.
Oh, and by the way, Cheney's quitting too. ,That means Pelosi is your new President. ,You asked for it. ,Watch what she does carefully, because I still have a glimmer of hope that there're just enough of you remaining who are smart enough to turn this thing around in 2008. So that's it. God bless what's left of America. Some of you know what I mean. The rest of you, ?????????.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Michigan Bikers Fighting for Freedom - AAA Opposes
Do yu have a Triple AAA account? Maybe yu should seek alternatives?
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-2/11817426383390.xml&coll=6
AAA is pulling out all the stops on this issue. They are posting copies of the same crappy argument everywhere and everyday. They are also very careful not to post where any kind of response can be made. I would like to know how much they spend on this campaign and where the funds are derived from.
They did the same crap in TN!
Bikers need to quit buying AAA's services, NOW! These folks are in the insurance business and their ultimate goal is to have us off the road so they don't have to pay claims when their insured drivers kill us.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-2/11817426383390.xml&coll=6
AAA is pulling out all the stops on this issue. They are posting copies of the same crappy argument everywhere and everyday. They are also very careful not to post where any kind of response can be made. I would like to know how much they spend on this campaign and where the funds are derived from.
They did the same crap in TN!
Bikers need to quit buying AAA's services, NOW! These folks are in the insurance business and their ultimate goal is to have us off the road so they don't have to pay claims when their insured drivers kill us.
Right to Repair Your Own Veicle?
From Jeff Hennie, MRF VP of Governmen Relations, MRF (www.mrf.org)
Do You Have the Right to Repair?We all know that we have certain inalienable rights such as life, libertyand the pursuit of happiness. We also have the right to remain silent andthe right to an attorney. What we don't have is the guaranteed right torepair our own vehicles.That's right, the way it is right now, vehicle manufacturers only have tomake a very small percentage of the large and growing number of diagnostictools, training and codes available to the general public. The originalequipment manufacturers (OEMs) must make all information available toeverybody only as it pertains to emissions. So that leaves you at themercy of authorized dealerships exclusively if you need work on yourantilock brake systems, some fuel injection systems, security systems andany other electronic systems on your car or bike. The Motorcycle RidersFoundation (MRF) has been working on this issue for a couple of years.
Read more - http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/824855/
Do You Have the Right to Repair?We all know that we have certain inalienable rights such as life, libertyand the pursuit of happiness. We also have the right to remain silent andthe right to an attorney. What we don't have is the guaranteed right torepair our own vehicles.That's right, the way it is right now, vehicle manufacturers only have tomake a very small percentage of the large and growing number of diagnostictools, training and codes available to the general public. The originalequipment manufacturers (OEMs) must make all information available toeverybody only as it pertains to emissions. So that leaves you at themercy of authorized dealerships exclusively if you need work on yourantilock brake systems, some fuel injection systems, security systems andany other electronic systems on your car or bike. The Motorcycle RidersFoundation (MRF) has been working on this issue for a couple of years.
Read more - http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/824855/
CA Bikers - Challenging the Lid Law in the Courts
For the uninitiated, Richard Quigley and other members of BOLT -Bikers of Lesser Tolerance, have been challenging the California helmet law in the courts. Read about the latest maneuverings by "the state" at Bruce & Ray's Biker Forum http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/825365/
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Another Blow for Freedom
The TN General Assembly passed SJR248, a resolution opposing the Real ID Act of 2005... Here's how your representatives and Senators voted.... Ever a champion of freedom, I salute Douglas Henry, a true Tennessee patriot and statesman!
HOUSE:
SJR0248 by Henry
FLOOR VOTE: MOTION TO CONCUR
6/11/2007
Ayes...............................................88
Noes................................................0
Present and not voting.......................7
Representatives voting aye were: Armstrong, Baird, Bass, Bibb, Bone, Borchert, Briley, Brooks H, Brooks K, Brown, Buck, Casada, Cobb C, Cobb J, Coley, Cooper, Crider, Curtiss, Dean, DeBerry J, DeBerry L, DuBois, Dunn, Eldridge, Favors, Ferguson, Fincher, Fitzhugh, Floyd, Ford, Fraley, Gilmore, Hackworth, Hardaway, Harmon, Harrison, Harwell, Hawk, Hensley, Hill, Hood, Johnson C, Johnson P, Jones S, Jones U, Kernell, Litz, Lollar, Lynn, Maddox, Maggart, Matheny, Matlock, McCord, McCormick, McDaniel, McDonald, McManus, Miller, Moore, Mumpower, Niceley, Odom, Overbey, Pinion, Pitts, Pruitt, Rinks, Roach, Sargent, Shaw, Shepard, Sontany, Tidwell, Tindell, Todd, Towns, Turner L, Turner M, Vaughn, Watson, West, Wilder, Williams, Windle, Winningham, Yokley, Mr. Speaker Naifeh -- 88.
Representatives present and not voting were: Bell, Campfield, Coleman, Gresham, Kelsey, Rowland, Swafford -- 7
SJR0248 by Henry
FLOOR VOTE: AS AMENDED MOTION TO ADOPT
5/31/2007
Ayes...............................................30
Noes................................................0
Senators voting aye were: Beavers, Black, Bunch, Burchett, Burks, Cooper, Crutchfield, Finney L, Finney R, Ford, Harper, Haynes, Henry, Herron, Jackson, Johnson, Ketron, Kilby, Kurita, Marrero, McNally, Norris, Southerland, Stanley, Tate, Tracy, Watson, Williams, Woodson, Mr. Speaker Ramsey -- 30.
HOUSE:
SJR0248 by Henry
FLOOR VOTE: MOTION TO CONCUR
6/11/2007
Ayes...............................................88
Noes................................................0
Present and not voting.......................7
Representatives voting aye were: Armstrong, Baird, Bass, Bibb, Bone, Borchert, Briley, Brooks H, Brooks K, Brown, Buck, Casada, Cobb C, Cobb J, Coley, Cooper, Crider, Curtiss, Dean, DeBerry J, DeBerry L, DuBois, Dunn, Eldridge, Favors, Ferguson, Fincher, Fitzhugh, Floyd, Ford, Fraley, Gilmore, Hackworth, Hardaway, Harmon, Harrison, Harwell, Hawk, Hensley, Hill, Hood, Johnson C, Johnson P, Jones S, Jones U, Kernell, Litz, Lollar, Lynn, Maddox, Maggart, Matheny, Matlock, McCord, McCormick, McDaniel, McDonald, McManus, Miller, Moore, Mumpower, Niceley, Odom, Overbey, Pinion, Pitts, Pruitt, Rinks, Roach, Sargent, Shaw, Shepard, Sontany, Tidwell, Tindell, Todd, Towns, Turner L, Turner M, Vaughn, Watson, West, Wilder, Williams, Windle, Winningham, Yokley, Mr. Speaker Naifeh -- 88.
Representatives present and not voting were: Bell, Campfield, Coleman, Gresham, Kelsey, Rowland, Swafford -- 7
SJR0248 by Henry
FLOOR VOTE: AS AMENDED MOTION TO ADOPT
5/31/2007
Ayes...............................................30
Noes................................................0
Senators voting aye were: Beavers, Black, Bunch, Burchett, Burks, Cooper, Crutchfield, Finney L, Finney R, Ford, Harper, Haynes, Henry, Herron, Jackson, Johnson, Ketron, Kilby, Kurita, Marrero, McNally, Norris, Southerland, Stanley, Tate, Tracy, Watson, Williams, Woodson, Mr. Speaker Ramsey -- 30.
Monday, June 11, 2007
The Good Guys at Cyclemo's Motorcycle Museum
Sometimes you just have to acknowledge the good guys, because way too often it's a quick thanks and that's it.
This past Saturday, my lady and I set off on our motorcycles to visit Cycle Mo's Motorcycle Museum in Red Boiling Springs. After some great back road riding over to Smithville, we turned north to work our way back to RBS and Cyclemo's. Somewhere between Smithville and the interstate I ran over something and it hit the underside of my bike, doing damage to the brake light switch and much to my dismay, 3o miles later I found myself on the side of the road with an electrical problem, 8 miles from the destination. Carol set off to get help and Mike Silvio, owner of Cycle Mo's showed up with help and a trailer a short while later. We got the bike to the museum and after determining there would be no quick fix, we arranged storage until I could return with a trailer.
Thanks to my lady Carol who decided I should ride her bike and she would passenger on her own bike. That is one fine riding 1984 FXRT, but she says the passenger seat isn't all that great.
Thanks also to my buddy, local musician, composer and Little Hollywood studio owner Danny Ramsey who offered the use of his bike trailer. Time to get greasy!
This past Saturday, my lady and I set off on our motorcycles to visit Cycle Mo's Motorcycle Museum in Red Boiling Springs. After some great back road riding over to Smithville, we turned north to work our way back to RBS and Cyclemo's. Somewhere between Smithville and the interstate I ran over something and it hit the underside of my bike, doing damage to the brake light switch and much to my dismay, 3o miles later I found myself on the side of the road with an electrical problem, 8 miles from the destination. Carol set off to get help and Mike Silvio, owner of Cycle Mo's showed up with help and a trailer a short while later. We got the bike to the museum and after determining there would be no quick fix, we arranged storage until I could return with a trailer.
Thanks to my lady Carol who decided I should ride her bike and she would passenger on her own bike. That is one fine riding 1984 FXRT, but she says the passenger seat isn't all that great.
Thanks also to my buddy, local musician, composer and Little Hollywood studio owner Danny Ramsey who offered the use of his bike trailer. Time to get greasy!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Freedom, Not an Exact Science
Don't you just love the US of A? FREEDOM, not an exact science, but when at it's finest, there's nothing better.
This from the AFA www.afa.net
Wal-Mart has announced they will no longer support or oppose controversial issues. Ford originally made a similar pledge to AFA but reneged when a small group of homosexual leaders demanded retraction. AFA has repeatedly asked Ford to remain neutral in the culture wars, but the company has continued to promote the homosexual agenda. During the November elections, Ford pointed their employees to visit a radical left wing online voters guide for information on how to vote. The Website that contained the guide urged votes against constitutional amendments banning homosexual marriage, for stem cell research in Missouri and against an amendment banning abortion in South Dakota.
Freedom to support or oppose anything and everything....
This from the AFA www.afa.net
Wal-Mart has announced they will no longer support or oppose controversial issues. Ford originally made a similar pledge to AFA but reneged when a small group of homosexual leaders demanded retraction. AFA has repeatedly asked Ford to remain neutral in the culture wars, but the company has continued to promote the homosexual agenda. During the November elections, Ford pointed their employees to visit a radical left wing online voters guide for information on how to vote. The Website that contained the guide urged votes against constitutional amendments banning homosexual marriage, for stem cell research in Missouri and against an amendment banning abortion in South Dakota.
Freedom to support or oppose anything and everything....
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Listen Up TN General Assembly!
"I am not robbed by people who have more money than I. I am robbed by a government that wants to penalize my industry and give increasing portions of what I earn to people who do not emulate my principles, morals and ethics... We once taught our young people the virtues of hard work, saving, personal responsibility and accountability for one’s actions, chastity before and fidelity and commitment in marriage, honesty, integrity and virtue—not to mention the Ten Commandments (especially the one about not coveting that which belongs to your neighbor). We now teach them entitlement, victimhood, class envy and rights to other people’s money."
—Cal Thomas
—Cal Thomas
We The Sheeple - Apathy
I am your enemy, your nightmare and your destruction.
I hide in unseen places and go about my work silently.
I never sleep and I am everywhere your are.
You can not hide.
I will give you nothing-
but take everything you have and seek more.
I spare no one.
I respect no race or creed.
My victims are rich and poor, young and old, strong and weak.
I massacre millions each and every generation.
I have destroyed more people than all wars combined.
Children shall know me to their eternal sorrow.
I have brought you great misery
by replacing benevolent rulers with tyrants.
I played a major role in the downfall of great civilizations.
The Prince of Darkness alone sends me into your life.
Once allowed inside, seldom am I asked to leave.
You have been warned of my presence, but you do not care!
Allow me to introduce myself,
My name is APATHY!
Have you been visited by me?
~Unknown
I hide in unseen places and go about my work silently.
I never sleep and I am everywhere your are.
You can not hide.
I will give you nothing-
but take everything you have and seek more.
I spare no one.
I respect no race or creed.
My victims are rich and poor, young and old, strong and weak.
I massacre millions each and every generation.
I have destroyed more people than all wars combined.
Children shall know me to their eternal sorrow.
I have brought you great misery
by replacing benevolent rulers with tyrants.
I played a major role in the downfall of great civilizations.
The Prince of Darkness alone sends me into your life.
Once allowed inside, seldom am I asked to leave.
You have been warned of my presence, but you do not care!
Allow me to introduce myself,
My name is APATHY!
Have you been visited by me?
~Unknown
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Freedom from Injustice
For years now, the saying in the biker's rights community has been "shoot a duck out of season and it costs you $200, your rifle and your pickup, kill a biker, you MIGHT get a $50 fine!" That IS an injustice in my book.
That is about to change if HB1335 passes a House Vote on Thursday. HB1335 will raise the penalty for violating the right of way and seriously injuring a biker (or pedestrian, bicyclists or other motorist) to $250 and the possible loss of license for up to 6 months while a crash resulting in death will cost $500 and up to a year's license suspension.
Will the law be enforced? ONLY if the biker community monitors crashes and presses the DA to bring the charge that will result in the higher penalties. Too often, bikers get run down by someone who "didn't see them". Much too often the officer on the scene does not even write a ticket.
Governor Bredesen, Sign This Bill on it's Passage.
That is about to change if HB1335 passes a House Vote on Thursday. HB1335 will raise the penalty for violating the right of way and seriously injuring a biker (or pedestrian, bicyclists or other motorist) to $250 and the possible loss of license for up to 6 months while a crash resulting in death will cost $500 and up to a year's license suspension.
Will the law be enforced? ONLY if the biker community monitors crashes and presses the DA to bring the charge that will result in the higher penalties. Too often, bikers get run down by someone who "didn't see them". Much too often the officer on the scene does not even write a ticket.
Governor Bredesen, Sign This Bill on it's Passage.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Don't Call Me a Social Burden!
Every time the helmet law debate comes around the safety nannies tell us how much of a social burden the bikers who don't wear helmets will be, costing the state a couple million bucks. Like WE don't contribute to the very system that supports a slew of social programs that the vast majority of bikers don't ever use!
Don’t Call ME a Social Burden!!!!!!!!! This IS MY Country! I AM an American Damnit!
THE COST OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - Over $140,000,000,000 Per Year
THAT’S 140 BILLION DOLLARS FOR PEOPLE HERE ILLEGALLY!
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year.
http://tinyurl.com/zob77
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. COSTS?
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare & social services by the American taxpayers.
http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html
Don’t Call ME a Social Burden!!!!!!!!! This IS MY Country! I AM an American Damnit!
THE COST OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - Over $140,000,000,000 Per Year
THAT’S 140 BILLION DOLLARS FOR PEOPLE HERE ILLEGALLY!
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year.
http://tinyurl.com/zob77
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. COSTS?
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare & social services by the American taxpayers.
http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html
IN Canada as in Tennessee
http://www.gfwadvertiser.ca/index.cfm?iid=2556&sid=21972
Rant and Rave
Choices should be personal, not law
Natalie Musseau
The Advertiser
There should be a law limiting the amount of fries and gravy a person can eat. Another one is needed to make sunbathing and tanning beds illegal. Maybe even one mandating an acceptable level of dessert consumption should be one the books.
Hopefully, those suggestions sound as ridiculous as they are.
Those activities are personal choices — albeit ones that can cause various conditions and diseases that can potentially shorten a person’s life. But they are choices that every adult has the right to make for himself or herself.
Why then are seatbelt and helmet laws viewed as acceptable, almost without question?
There is evidence that both seatbelts and helmets save lives, or at least help prevent major injuries — just as there is evidence that trans-fats are unhealthy and too much sun will cause skin cancer. What makes one worth putting into law and not the other?
Non-compliance with seatbelt and helmet laws will not lead to the injury of other people. Unlike impaired driving, people who choose not to buckle up or strap on a helmet are only putting themselves in danger.
Police officers have better things to do than to be mothering people about seatbelts and helmets.
Adults should be able to make these choices for themselves — just like the ability to buy alcohol and cigarettes once reaching the age of majority. And just like smoking, their insurance premiums would likely reflect whatever choices they make.
It makes sense to mandate the use of such things for children who cannot be held responsible their own safety. However, adults have the information and the decision-making ability and can accept responsibility for those choices. They should not be forced to buckle up any more than they should be made to skip dessert.
It’s time that lawmakers stopped treating everyone like little children and allowed people to make their own choices.
nmusseau@gulfnews.ca
Rant and Rave
Choices should be personal, not law
Natalie Musseau
The Advertiser
There should be a law limiting the amount of fries and gravy a person can eat. Another one is needed to make sunbathing and tanning beds illegal. Maybe even one mandating an acceptable level of dessert consumption should be one the books.
Hopefully, those suggestions sound as ridiculous as they are.
Those activities are personal choices — albeit ones that can cause various conditions and diseases that can potentially shorten a person’s life. But they are choices that every adult has the right to make for himself or herself.
Why then are seatbelt and helmet laws viewed as acceptable, almost without question?
There is evidence that both seatbelts and helmets save lives, or at least help prevent major injuries — just as there is evidence that trans-fats are unhealthy and too much sun will cause skin cancer. What makes one worth putting into law and not the other?
Non-compliance with seatbelt and helmet laws will not lead to the injury of other people. Unlike impaired driving, people who choose not to buckle up or strap on a helmet are only putting themselves in danger.
Police officers have better things to do than to be mothering people about seatbelts and helmets.
Adults should be able to make these choices for themselves — just like the ability to buy alcohol and cigarettes once reaching the age of majority. And just like smoking, their insurance premiums would likely reflect whatever choices they make.
It makes sense to mandate the use of such things for children who cannot be held responsible their own safety. However, adults have the information and the decision-making ability and can accept responsibility for those choices. They should not be forced to buckle up any more than they should be made to skip dessert.
It’s time that lawmakers stopped treating everyone like little children and allowed people to make their own choices.
nmusseau@gulfnews.ca
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Confederate Decoration Day
Today, in Springfield TN, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, John Hood Camp, presented a program every American should have witnessed. With an honor guard and many others dressed in period clothing, the gathering in the cemetary was both solemn and inspiring. Honoring those others wish to forget, our Confederate forefathers, is not politically correct in this day and age.
Civil War history taught in the schools is a joke. Every student at every school in America, but particularly those in the South, should have the honor of hearing Dr. H K Edgerton of Asheville, NC speak on Southern Heritage, from a black perspective. He is a proud Southerner and unashamed of the history of his forefathers, fighting along side white southerners to protect their lives, family and homes.
When he hits the stage carrying the Cross of Saint Andrews (or better known as the Confederate Battle Flag), he does it with pride, chest out, head held high. When he speaks of his pride, it is with conviction like I rarely hear.
Do yourself a favor, Google HK Edgerton, then spend a little time getting to know the man!
Civil War history taught in the schools is a joke. Every student at every school in America, but particularly those in the South, should have the honor of hearing Dr. H K Edgerton of Asheville, NC speak on Southern Heritage, from a black perspective. He is a proud Southerner and unashamed of the history of his forefathers, fighting along side white southerners to protect their lives, family and homes.
When he hits the stage carrying the Cross of Saint Andrews (or better known as the Confederate Battle Flag), he does it with pride, chest out, head held high. When he speaks of his pride, it is with conviction like I rarely hear.
Do yourself a favor, Google HK Edgerton, then spend a little time getting to know the man!
Stand up and Challenge the Nannies!
It amazes me how citizens in the great state of Tennessee continue to allow the special interests with big money to control the state legislature. I was hopeful that the Tennessee Waltz sting would bring about a more transparent General Assembly and state government, boy was I wrong! One look at Governor Bredesen's pork laden budget shows precisely the influence of money on the budget.
ON the freedom front, particularly as it relates to biker's rights and repealing the mandatory helmet law, it's not too hard to see that big money also influences legislation. ON one hand we have trauma centers in Tennessee walking around with arms outstretched looking for buckets of money so they can continue to rail against helmet laws! Folks, trauma is BIG MONEY in Tennessee! Now Nashville General wants to start a trauma center, the same hospital that can't make a go of it without sucking up your tax dollars now wants even more of your tax dollars to fund a trauma center so they "can make it". Make it on your tax dollars or make it treating trauma patients?
Senator Kurita added 2 cents to the cigarette tax to help fund trauma centers. Do they need more tax dollars to survive? Heck no, they WANT more tax dollars to expand yet they cry the blues over what might happen to them if bikers are allowed to go helmetless. Ever look at the numbers fo patients who die because hospitals can't do a better job? Hospital genocide I call it. Half a million deaths nationally in the last few years. Clean up your own house doc!
Bottom line, they simply think they know what is best for everybody. Bottom line number 2, they DONT!
ON the freedom front, particularly as it relates to biker's rights and repealing the mandatory helmet law, it's not too hard to see that big money also influences legislation. ON one hand we have trauma centers in Tennessee walking around with arms outstretched looking for buckets of money so they can continue to rail against helmet laws! Folks, trauma is BIG MONEY in Tennessee! Now Nashville General wants to start a trauma center, the same hospital that can't make a go of it without sucking up your tax dollars now wants even more of your tax dollars to fund a trauma center so they "can make it". Make it on your tax dollars or make it treating trauma patients?
Senator Kurita added 2 cents to the cigarette tax to help fund trauma centers. Do they need more tax dollars to survive? Heck no, they WANT more tax dollars to expand yet they cry the blues over what might happen to them if bikers are allowed to go helmetless. Ever look at the numbers fo patients who die because hospitals can't do a better job? Hospital genocide I call it. Half a million deaths nationally in the last few years. Clean up your own house doc!
Bottom line, they simply think they know what is best for everybody. Bottom line number 2, they DONT!
It's the Law, Not the Device
Jessie's got it right!
IT’S THE LAW, not the Device.
Written by: Jessie McDugald in 1998
Over the past thirty-plus years of our helmet law there has been a lot of confusion about exactly what we’ve been working to achieve. Popular slogans such as “Let those who ride, Decide,” and “Freedom of Choice” have been misleading because they indicate that we haven’t had a “choice” or that we haven’t been “deciding” on helmet use, when in fact we’ve always had the choice and have never stopped deciding. Like me, many of us in South Carolina have the tickets to prove that we do decide and we do make choices. The problem has been the consequences of our choices which, until June 16, 1980, was a $100 fine or 30 days in jail. The punishment for not wearing a helmet hasn’t changed, it’s still $100 or 30 days, but the law has changed. We amended the law so that adults, 21 years of age and older, would no longer be punished for our choices. To this day each of us, as adults, continue to exercise our “Freedom of Choice” on helmet use, We Ride, We Decide.
This seems fairly simple to many of us who have been dealing with this issue for the past 25 or more years, but to many others it’s been difficult to understand. “How-in-the-hell did South Carolina earn their Liberty almost 18 years ago?” is a question I’ve heard more times than I care to count. “Why do you have a Helmet Law Support rally every year?” is another question I’ve heard just as often if not more so. The answer is very simple; we stopped arguing the device and began arguing the law.
What the heck is the device? It’s the hat, the helmet, the brain bucket, the skid lid. For years we fought on the helmet battlefield with little success. Much like General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia, CSA, whenever our enemies “picked the ground” we were less than successful. (This would be an opportune time to discuss military tactics and strategy but I’ll save that for another time.)
Even the most cursory glance at our helmet law made it obvious that the issue of the device is mentioned only in that it should be of a certain type and on an approved list. Not one word mentioned how good a helmet was or how it would save your life, prevent an accident or injury, reduce the “social burden” or medical cost. NOTH-ING! Not one word and yet we continually found ourselves doing battle over the device because our enemies wisely fought us in the device arena knowing full well that the law said nothing about these issues. When we finally awakened to our enemies’ strategy we decided to let them expend their energies on those issues that had nothing to do with the law, we let them argue the helmet, the device. We decided to argue the law and we WON!
I recognize that many of you might find this line of thinking difficult to comprehend when you’ve heard all those device arguments over and over again, both pro and con. So imagine for a moment that you’re seated in the audience of a public hearing arguing to mandate helmet use for all adults. The enemies of Liberty bring up all the same old arguments about insurance, public burden, accidents, injuries and fatalities. That forcing everyone to wear a helmet will cause the economy to boom and be the answer to every safety question known to man. It is the one “silver bullet” that mankind has searched for millenniums. That this one device, if used by every man, woman and child, would bring peace and happiness the world over. (I know, I know, they don’t get that carried away publicly but they might as well.)
Notice that not one word addresses the law, the question of arrest, incarceration, or fine. Seldom will the enemy venture into the battlefield of the law because he is woefully unprepared. He won’t address why I (or you) should be arrested, incarcerated, or fined when I don’t wear a hat except to say that I MIGHT get into an accident and I MIGHT be injured and I MIGHT sustain greater injuries if I’m not using the device and I MIGHT not have sufficient medical insurance coverage and I MIGHT cost the taxpayers (funny how we aren’t taxpayers when this argument comes up) a little more money. Our enemy will argue anything but the law itself. He has chosen the battlefield, he has picked the ground and it is the device he wishes to argue. In the past we went headlong into the fray and were as successful as the Light Brigade in the Crimea. Try as we might, we could not provide sufficient informa- tion to counter the artillery and infantry charges of our enemies on their chosen field of battle. We lost once again.
Flashback! Valentine’s Day 1980. House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Special Laws. Our opponents have launched a vicious attack with various medical personnel, highway safety “experts,” and so much printed data that it would take several gigabytes to store.
As we begin our counter-attack the legislators wonder how a bunch of dumb-ass bikers, with only leather jackets and denim (no coats & ties) and a love of Liberty to protect us could possibly contravene such an overwhelming force aligned against us. But hold on, we refused to fight at Gettysburg and picked Fredericksburg to make our stand. We switched battlefields; we picked our own ground. We chose to argue the law and not the device. As we began we stated that we had no arguments with all the data provided by our opponents, in fact it was the same data that we used to come to diametrically different conclusions. We reminded the legislators of the old saying: “Figures don’t lie, but liars can figure.” We reminded them that our Highway Department and other opponents had a great deal of practice at figuring.
We pointed out that not one word of testimony from our opponents addressed the issue we were there to address, the question of arrest, incarceration, or fine of adults who simply choose not to wear a hat when operating a motorcycle. We pointed out that on every level, federal, state and local, the laws recognized the principle of adult responsibility and in many instances specified a particular age when these responsibilities were incurred. On the federal level, age of responsibility is addressed in the areas of service to country and other areas (president-35, senate-30, house-25, voting-18, etc.). On the state level (governor-30, senate-25, house-21, drinking-18 [before the fed blackmail, now 21], consensual sexual intercourse-14, etc.) this issue was equally addressed.
What was it about this one particular device that made it so important that regardless of age and experience adults must be mandated under threat of arrest, incarceration, or fine to use it. Even if we believed that every word spoken by our opponents were 100% true would that be sufficient warrant to punish adults that simply didn’t want to use this device ALL of the time? We argued the law; we left the device alone. Although we didn’t convince all of the legisla-tors (some continue to believe that those adults who voted them in to office need to have these decisions made for them), in the end our arguments won the battle. And although the war continues our enemies have yet to put forth even one sound argument for punishing adults, so they continue to argue the device and we don’t mind at all. We’ll continue to argue the law, not the device. The reason I’m bringing this up now is because Parkay reminded me there are many bikers, in and out of South Carolina, either too young to remember almost two decades ago or new to motorcycling and have little knowledge of the history of our struggle for Liberty. So for the record: ABATE of South Carolina has no position on the device, wear it if you will or don’t if you won’t. As for the law, we support the amendment added on June 16, 1980 which no longer punishes adults with arrest, incarceration, or fine when making the choice of not wearing a helmet. We’re adults. We’re expected to act like adults and we’re expecting to be treated like adults. Maybe using this particular device is a good idea, if so then convince us. But don’t try to beat us into submission because it just won’t work.
There you have it, a Readers Digest version of our DEVICE versus the LAW history. If you’re still confused then think about it the next time you have a drink or smoke a cigarette. The law says that if you’re under 21 and you have a drink or under 18 and smoke a cigarette then you can be arrested, incarcerated, or fined. The device is the alcohol or the cigarette. See if you can come up with some good arguments as to why you should drink or smoke, then think about some reasons why you should be arrested if you do either or both. I’m willing to bet that you can’t come up with many (or any) sound arguments as to why you should be arrested, incarcerated, or fined for using these devices.
Should you use them? Probably not, but it isn’t my job to be your guardian angel or big brother. Should you be punished if you do use them? NO! Not in a million years. It’s your prerogative to decide on what devices you should use or not use. You should only be threatened with punishment when you use these devices against others. Does not wearing a helmet cause accidents, injuries, fatalities, insurance cost increases or enhanced public burden? Nope! Never has, never will. And to credit a few bits of Styrofoam and fiberglass with such qualities is ridiculous. Remember this the next time someone questions you about our law here in South Carolina; we have no argument with the device but we do object to a law that threatens us with arrest, incarceration or fine when we don’t use that device. After all, it’s the LAW, not the device, that concerns us. Dum Spiro, Spero.
IT’S THE LAW, not the Device.
Written by: Jessie McDugald in 1998
Over the past thirty-plus years of our helmet law there has been a lot of confusion about exactly what we’ve been working to achieve. Popular slogans such as “Let those who ride, Decide,” and “Freedom of Choice” have been misleading because they indicate that we haven’t had a “choice” or that we haven’t been “deciding” on helmet use, when in fact we’ve always had the choice and have never stopped deciding. Like me, many of us in South Carolina have the tickets to prove that we do decide and we do make choices. The problem has been the consequences of our choices which, until June 16, 1980, was a $100 fine or 30 days in jail. The punishment for not wearing a helmet hasn’t changed, it’s still $100 or 30 days, but the law has changed. We amended the law so that adults, 21 years of age and older, would no longer be punished for our choices. To this day each of us, as adults, continue to exercise our “Freedom of Choice” on helmet use, We Ride, We Decide.
This seems fairly simple to many of us who have been dealing with this issue for the past 25 or more years, but to many others it’s been difficult to understand. “How-in-the-hell did South Carolina earn their Liberty almost 18 years ago?” is a question I’ve heard more times than I care to count. “Why do you have a Helmet Law Support rally every year?” is another question I’ve heard just as often if not more so. The answer is very simple; we stopped arguing the device and began arguing the law.
What the heck is the device? It’s the hat, the helmet, the brain bucket, the skid lid. For years we fought on the helmet battlefield with little success. Much like General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia, CSA, whenever our enemies “picked the ground” we were less than successful. (This would be an opportune time to discuss military tactics and strategy but I’ll save that for another time.)
Even the most cursory glance at our helmet law made it obvious that the issue of the device is mentioned only in that it should be of a certain type and on an approved list. Not one word mentioned how good a helmet was or how it would save your life, prevent an accident or injury, reduce the “social burden” or medical cost. NOTH-ING! Not one word and yet we continually found ourselves doing battle over the device because our enemies wisely fought us in the device arena knowing full well that the law said nothing about these issues. When we finally awakened to our enemies’ strategy we decided to let them expend their energies on those issues that had nothing to do with the law, we let them argue the helmet, the device. We decided to argue the law and we WON!
I recognize that many of you might find this line of thinking difficult to comprehend when you’ve heard all those device arguments over and over again, both pro and con. So imagine for a moment that you’re seated in the audience of a public hearing arguing to mandate helmet use for all adults. The enemies of Liberty bring up all the same old arguments about insurance, public burden, accidents, injuries and fatalities. That forcing everyone to wear a helmet will cause the economy to boom and be the answer to every safety question known to man. It is the one “silver bullet” that mankind has searched for millenniums. That this one device, if used by every man, woman and child, would bring peace and happiness the world over. (I know, I know, they don’t get that carried away publicly but they might as well.)
Notice that not one word addresses the law, the question of arrest, incarceration, or fine. Seldom will the enemy venture into the battlefield of the law because he is woefully unprepared. He won’t address why I (or you) should be arrested, incarcerated, or fined when I don’t wear a hat except to say that I MIGHT get into an accident and I MIGHT be injured and I MIGHT sustain greater injuries if I’m not using the device and I MIGHT not have sufficient medical insurance coverage and I MIGHT cost the taxpayers (funny how we aren’t taxpayers when this argument comes up) a little more money. Our enemy will argue anything but the law itself. He has chosen the battlefield, he has picked the ground and it is the device he wishes to argue. In the past we went headlong into the fray and were as successful as the Light Brigade in the Crimea. Try as we might, we could not provide sufficient informa- tion to counter the artillery and infantry charges of our enemies on their chosen field of battle. We lost once again.
Flashback! Valentine’s Day 1980. House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Special Laws. Our opponents have launched a vicious attack with various medical personnel, highway safety “experts,” and so much printed data that it would take several gigabytes to store.
As we begin our counter-attack the legislators wonder how a bunch of dumb-ass bikers, with only leather jackets and denim (no coats & ties) and a love of Liberty to protect us could possibly contravene such an overwhelming force aligned against us. But hold on, we refused to fight at Gettysburg and picked Fredericksburg to make our stand. We switched battlefields; we picked our own ground. We chose to argue the law and not the device. As we began we stated that we had no arguments with all the data provided by our opponents, in fact it was the same data that we used to come to diametrically different conclusions. We reminded the legislators of the old saying: “Figures don’t lie, but liars can figure.” We reminded them that our Highway Department and other opponents had a great deal of practice at figuring.
We pointed out that not one word of testimony from our opponents addressed the issue we were there to address, the question of arrest, incarceration, or fine of adults who simply choose not to wear a hat when operating a motorcycle. We pointed out that on every level, federal, state and local, the laws recognized the principle of adult responsibility and in many instances specified a particular age when these responsibilities were incurred. On the federal level, age of responsibility is addressed in the areas of service to country and other areas (president-35, senate-30, house-25, voting-18, etc.). On the state level (governor-30, senate-25, house-21, drinking-18 [before the fed blackmail, now 21], consensual sexual intercourse-14, etc.) this issue was equally addressed.
What was it about this one particular device that made it so important that regardless of age and experience adults must be mandated under threat of arrest, incarceration, or fine to use it. Even if we believed that every word spoken by our opponents were 100% true would that be sufficient warrant to punish adults that simply didn’t want to use this device ALL of the time? We argued the law; we left the device alone. Although we didn’t convince all of the legisla-tors (some continue to believe that those adults who voted them in to office need to have these decisions made for them), in the end our arguments won the battle. And although the war continues our enemies have yet to put forth even one sound argument for punishing adults, so they continue to argue the device and we don’t mind at all. We’ll continue to argue the law, not the device. The reason I’m bringing this up now is because Parkay reminded me there are many bikers, in and out of South Carolina, either too young to remember almost two decades ago or new to motorcycling and have little knowledge of the history of our struggle for Liberty. So for the record: ABATE of South Carolina has no position on the device, wear it if you will or don’t if you won’t. As for the law, we support the amendment added on June 16, 1980 which no longer punishes adults with arrest, incarceration, or fine when making the choice of not wearing a helmet. We’re adults. We’re expected to act like adults and we’re expecting to be treated like adults. Maybe using this particular device is a good idea, if so then convince us. But don’t try to beat us into submission because it just won’t work.
There you have it, a Readers Digest version of our DEVICE versus the LAW history. If you’re still confused then think about it the next time you have a drink or smoke a cigarette. The law says that if you’re under 21 and you have a drink or under 18 and smoke a cigarette then you can be arrested, incarcerated, or fined. The device is the alcohol or the cigarette. See if you can come up with some good arguments as to why you should drink or smoke, then think about some reasons why you should be arrested if you do either or both. I’m willing to bet that you can’t come up with many (or any) sound arguments as to why you should be arrested, incarcerated, or fined for using these devices.
Should you use them? Probably not, but it isn’t my job to be your guardian angel or big brother. Should you be punished if you do use them? NO! Not in a million years. It’s your prerogative to decide on what devices you should use or not use. You should only be threatened with punishment when you use these devices against others. Does not wearing a helmet cause accidents, injuries, fatalities, insurance cost increases or enhanced public burden? Nope! Never has, never will. And to credit a few bits of Styrofoam and fiberglass with such qualities is ridiculous. Remember this the next time someone questions you about our law here in South Carolina; we have no argument with the device but we do object to a law that threatens us with arrest, incarceration or fine when we don’t use that device. After all, it’s the LAW, not the device, that concerns us. Dum Spiro, Spero.
Blogging for Freedom!
I'm new to blogging but not new to fighting for freedom! My primary area of interest has long been the right of bikers to determine their own destiny, to decide whether to wear a helmet. Before anyone starts in on helmet use, pro or con, let me just say I am not opposed to helmets, just a law that mandates them, and yes, I am opposed to mandatory seat belt laws too! Why, because they are simply steps to total government control of every aspect of our lives.
Here's a guest editorial I wrote for the Memphis Commercial Appeal....
Helmet Laws - A View from the Rider’s Seat April 17, 2007
It was back in 1967 that Tennessee enacted a helmet law, under threat from the Federal Government that highway funds would be withheld if the state failed to enact both motorcycle licensing and helmet laws. Interstate projects were just getting underway and the loss of those dollars and the jobs that went with them were too much to ignore, besides, there weren’t a lot of motorcycles on the road so who would care?
In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed HR 3869, effectively ending the federal mandate and by the end of 1977, 22 states had repealed or modified their helmet laws. Today, 30 states have legalized freedom of choice. According to the NHTSA, the statistical difference between states with freedom of choice and those without is small but comes down to the fact that free states are safer overall, with lower fatality to registration ratios during the period 1978-2002 and downward trending injury rates from 1995-2004, the last period studied. (see attached charts)
Tennessee’s 270,000 licensed motorcyclists overwhelmingly support the right to choose when or if they wear a helmet, yet the medical and insurance lobbies bring up all the same old arguments about insurance, public burden, accidents, injuries and fatalities. If you believe those who oppose freedom, then forcing everyone to wear a helmet will cause the economy to boom and be the answer to every safety question known to man. It is the one “silver bullet” for which mankind has searched for millenniums. NHTSA says it is THE answer, yet their own stats that they don’t show you say otherwise. Studies show that mandatory laws and helmet hype also contribute to “risk homeostasis”, a false sense of security or feeling of invincibility. Considering that helmets only come into play in 20% of crashes, maybe the feds need to mandate body armor for the other 80%.
Since Tennessee head injury rates in automobiles are over 12 times higher than that for motorcycles, will we all be wearing helmets in automobiles soon? If the folks who proclaim “if we can just save one life” have their way, it’s possible. Fact: most accidents occur in the home. I wonder when we'll be facing mandatory floor mats and safety gear in all bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms. Don't laugh... helmet laws are okay as long as they apply to the "other guy."
Tennessee motorcyclists sincerely want to reduce injuries and fatalities and feel the way to achieve this goal is increased availability of rider training programs, motorist awareness programs, addressing the issues of riding under the influence and the epidemic of motorists driving distracted and running over motorcyclists. Let’s concentrate on preventing the crashes! Look Twice – Save a Life!
The Tennessee Senate has passed SB 1511. Tennessee motorcyclists calling their House Representatives and making their feelings known to those who will vote on this issue over the next few weeks have the opportunity to make a fundamental change in government’s overwhelming desire to control our lives from cradle to grave. The prime sponsor of HB 1283 is also a practicing physician who rides. Co-sponsors include members from law enforcement, PhD’s , lawyers, engineers and other professionals.
(The prime sponsor, Dr. Hensley, has turned over the lead on the bill to Rep. Curry Todd since this was written)
Here's a guest editorial I wrote for the Memphis Commercial Appeal....
Helmet Laws - A View from the Rider’s Seat April 17, 2007
It was back in 1967 that Tennessee enacted a helmet law, under threat from the Federal Government that highway funds would be withheld if the state failed to enact both motorcycle licensing and helmet laws. Interstate projects were just getting underway and the loss of those dollars and the jobs that went with them were too much to ignore, besides, there weren’t a lot of motorcycles on the road so who would care?
In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed HR 3869, effectively ending the federal mandate and by the end of 1977, 22 states had repealed or modified their helmet laws. Today, 30 states have legalized freedom of choice. According to the NHTSA, the statistical difference between states with freedom of choice and those without is small but comes down to the fact that free states are safer overall, with lower fatality to registration ratios during the period 1978-2002 and downward trending injury rates from 1995-2004, the last period studied. (see attached charts)
Tennessee’s 270,000 licensed motorcyclists overwhelmingly support the right to choose when or if they wear a helmet, yet the medical and insurance lobbies bring up all the same old arguments about insurance, public burden, accidents, injuries and fatalities. If you believe those who oppose freedom, then forcing everyone to wear a helmet will cause the economy to boom and be the answer to every safety question known to man. It is the one “silver bullet” for which mankind has searched for millenniums. NHTSA says it is THE answer, yet their own stats that they don’t show you say otherwise. Studies show that mandatory laws and helmet hype also contribute to “risk homeostasis”, a false sense of security or feeling of invincibility. Considering that helmets only come into play in 20% of crashes, maybe the feds need to mandate body armor for the other 80%.
Since Tennessee head injury rates in automobiles are over 12 times higher than that for motorcycles, will we all be wearing helmets in automobiles soon? If the folks who proclaim “if we can just save one life” have their way, it’s possible. Fact: most accidents occur in the home. I wonder when we'll be facing mandatory floor mats and safety gear in all bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms. Don't laugh... helmet laws are okay as long as they apply to the "other guy."
Tennessee motorcyclists sincerely want to reduce injuries and fatalities and feel the way to achieve this goal is increased availability of rider training programs, motorist awareness programs, addressing the issues of riding under the influence and the epidemic of motorists driving distracted and running over motorcyclists. Let’s concentrate on preventing the crashes! Look Twice – Save a Life!
The Tennessee Senate has passed SB 1511. Tennessee motorcyclists calling their House Representatives and making their feelings known to those who will vote on this issue over the next few weeks have the opportunity to make a fundamental change in government’s overwhelming desire to control our lives from cradle to grave. The prime sponsor of HB 1283 is also a practicing physician who rides. Co-sponsors include members from law enforcement, PhD’s , lawyers, engineers and other professionals.
(The prime sponsor, Dr. Hensley, has turned over the lead on the bill to Rep. Curry Todd since this was written)
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