Sent to Delray Beach "dicktators"

To: RitaEllis@MyDelrayBeach.com; Fetzer@MyDelrayBeach.com; Montague@MyDelrayBeach.com gpe@mydelraybeach.com; wmcduffie@mydelraybeach.com

As reported on Sun Sentinel website 10-13-2007, "Ellis said she's been contacted by merchants and restaurateurs on Pineapple Grove and State Road A1A about doing something similar in those areas. But Ellis said they can enforce such a law in the five blocks downtown because they are maintained by the city, while other roads may be state-controlled."

Ms. Ellis, I may be confused here and maybe you can help me understand. Although maintenance of said streets may be provided by the city. Who pays for the maintenance? For that matter, who paid for the streets?

My bet is that the money comes and has come from "taxpayers." Many of whom ride motorcycles. So who has the right to enact and enforce such a law? You or the people that pay you?

The fact that you may be serving in your position to act in the public trust by virtue of a majority vote does not suspend the constitutional principles that the majority can not infringe upon the right of the individual.

It is unfortunate that in any group of people there will be those that abuse their individual rights and in doing so inconvenience or disturb others. Unfortunately, at times, that is a price we pay for freedom.

I would hope however that we have learned that punishing a whole class of people for the actions of a few inconsiderate individuals is not the solution.

May I suggest an option you may wish to explore before engaging in the typical knee jerk government response that will benefit one segment of the population at the expense of another.

Call a meeting with representatives of the various MC organizations in your area. You may be surprised to learn that some of these people are reasonable. Ask for their help and input in resolving the problem. Motorcyclists for the most part are quite capable of policing themselves if given the opportunity. YOu could at least offer the opportunity (if you haven't already).

Will you still have to put up with the occasional jerk that, like a child, seeks attention. Yes, probably. And you probably will have members of the community who no matter what you do will complain about motorcycles.

That is the cost of freedom. As a public official that is what you are sworn to uphold. To represent "all" the citizens in your community, including the "jerks" on both sides of the fence.
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My lack of Apology

I suffer under no illusion that in this day of learning by sound byte that many will read the two previous posts in their entirety. In fact writing posts of such length violates the bloggers rules as studies indicate that most people do not want to spend more than two minutes on a post.

But then this site is not for "most" people. It is for the one or two, maybe ten that are seriously concerned with the issues that face us not only as Bikers, but as Americans. Because when the people who are supposed to represent us and our rights betray us it is in our best interest to know it.

Sometimes, truth and reality can not be contained in a two minute sound byte or one paragraph post. But then if you wish to be free, you better be informed. Because you can bet that those who wish to take your freedom are.