Last week something really significant happened in our government that should illustrate just how powerful YOU can be. And that is that enough people cared strongly enough about an issue (Bush-Kennedy immigration bill) to not only kill the bill, but melt down the Senate switchboard in the process. Now I'm not going to get into an argument about immigration, other than to say it is a divisive issue with no easy answers. What last weeks action by "individuals" did prove is what history has already taught us. That the people that care "enough" to get up off their butts and make a some noise get heard and get action, right or wrong.
Although politicians are labeled as being for the left or the right, my contention would be that for the most part they are for themselves (Just look at how they responded to an ethics bill that limited the money they could make giving speeches. They compensated by voting themselves and automatic yearly pay raise. The only way they don't get the raise is if they vote not to give it to themselves in any particular year. You think thats going to happen? ).
Politicians don't vote based on what is sound science, or right or wrong re: constitutionality. They vote on who hollers the loudest (or pays the most). If you don't holler, you ain't heard.
Women did not get the vote until they demanded it.
Prohibition was not repealed until civil disobedience rendered in unenforceable.
Marijuana laws would not have been relaxed were not for the same reason.
Blacks did not get their rights until they hit the streets.
We did not get out of Vietnam until enough people threatened to bring down the government.
Unpaid revolutionary soldiers did not get paid until they threatened to revolt against the government they just put in power (Shays rebellion).
The immigration issue would languish as it has for years were not for the rising tide of voices on both sides of the issue.
ABATE of Fl. which makes up less than 2% of the registered motorcyclist in the state of Florida can claim victory on certain issue (justifiably or not) because they make noise.
So irregardless of how you may feel on any of the above issues one thing is clear. If you do not stand up and make noise you will not be heard and the people who do make noise and claim represent you will be. So imagine if you will if all the motorcyclists in the state of FLorida were to rally around a specific cause be it increased penalties for killing us or addressing the cell phone impaired who also kill us. I'm not talking about helmets here. Im talking about needless loss of life, one which could be yours or your loved ones, that could be at least minimized if "all" the bikers in the state got tired of their brothers and sister being killed.
Here is what we face:
Vehicular design as it applies to vans ans SUV's kills us
Cell phone impaired drivers Kill us
The majority of crashes and deaths of motorcycle riders are caused by other vehicle drivers.
No matter how experienced a rider you are in most instances you have less than 3 seconds from realization a crash will occur to take evasive measures. Your brain cannot process that fast.
So yes I know your prob. the best rider in the world and this stuff only happens to other folk and it won't happen to you cause your careful, safe and it ain't happened YET (Your Eligible Too). But ya know, I'm thinking theres a lot of bikers in graveyards that thought the same way.
The actions of the "people" last week and over history have taught us one thing. Nothing will happen unless YOU make it happen. But then..........you got to care enough. Who knows, maybe when some one really close to you dies or some maniac in a 4 wheel drive pick em up runs ya into a ditch, maybe that will be motivation enough. Maybe not.........rc
Don't forget to check out Moon Riders Video under 6-26 posting and Part 2 on Cully's page. IF you haven't seen it yet it will blow you away.
Last week something really significant happened in our government that should illustrate just how powerful YOU can be. And that is that enough people cared strongly enough about an issue (Bush-Kennedy immigration bill) to not only kill the bill, but melt down the Senate switchboard in the process. Now I'm not going to get into an argument about immigration, other than to say it is a divisive issue with no easy answers. What last weeks action by "individuals" did prove is what history has already taught us. That the people that care "enough" to get up off their butts and make a some noise get heard and get action, right or wrong.
