Because Ya Just knew I would

The "Tape" being referenced by Doc in the preceeding post is the disc of the proceedings of the Senate Transportation Committee meeting where the Florida ABATE lobbyist/President supported a "hands free device" amendment to a Total Cell phone "Ban" bill. The General membership of ABATE of Florida had advocated for a "total ban". Playing it for the BOD is no risk as they signed his contract, which to date has been laughed at by most anyone outside of ABATE who has seen it (that I am aware of). Usually with a comment such as where do I get one of those? Why it wasn't played for the General membership at the April state meeting while the issue was fresh in everybody's minds is anyones guess (but I'm betting it doesn't take a genius to figure it out).

The motion referenced can be found here: ABATE of Florida President attacks Panhandle Chapter president

As to posting's stating "facts" regarding the State SMRO President/Lobbyist, they are legion and can be found on this site and others (ex: Bruce and Rays Forum), are known to a number of Chapter Presidents and only take a little effort to search them out.

Note the word "Facts". Then note Papa Johns use of the word "intimidation". This is how the President/lobbyist of ABATE of Florida rules. Confront him with facts, ask questions he doesn't want to answer or want answered and he retaliates with veiled threats, attempts at intimidation, shutting people down and his own version of "truth".

There is another tape/disc floating around where he jumps all in a female members stuff. Threatening to sue her and ABATE of Florida. To her credit she stood her ground. To the BOD's discredit, they allowed it to occur. They don't have to be shown the tape. They were there.

Hell, my understanding is that he has threatened to sue me. Though it is hard to tell because all these threats, such as taking care of me the "old way", or constant references to me as a "coward," always come from other people who were there when he grandstands with his mouth. The people they come from are from more than one "other" ABATE member who I have known to be honest and forthright in the past. So I trust that they are very close to accurate. Based on "facts" it is not something I can say of "Doc".

They do not come straight to me from "Doc" himself. But that really doesn't concern me. Just as were he to sue me it would be of little concern. In a suit depositions are taken, witnesses and documents (those that are not burnt up or destroyed) are subpoenaed. Financial records of an organization can be disclosed. The truth comes out. Nah, I'm thinking "the old way" is Doc's best bet. I would just ask, will it be by virtue of his own balls or will he send a lackey?

My contention, as has been stated before, is that ABATE of Florida has many fine, committed, and dedicated members who believe in the "cause". Sadly some are in fact, intimidated. Sadly some just don't take the time to get informed. My hope was that at some point in time ABATE could become that which it set out to be, "A BROTHERHOOD AGAINST TOTALITARIAN ENACTMENTS."

That can not happen when the body of an organization that claims to be for individual rights and freedoms hides their heads in their hands or looks down at the floor remaining silent while the rights of any one individual are violated.

I myself am guilty of such in the past. It is my intention to atone for such. If that is Doc's definition of cowardice, then so be it. But when a man of Doc's caliber who takes from ABATE can disrespect a man like Papa John (and others) who has done nothing but give because he understands the true nature of Brotherhood, then something is terribly wrong.

Ride Long, Ride Hard, Ride Free.....rcAdd to Technorati Favorites

And ABATE of Florida President Speaks Again

Unedited: Doc's response to Papa John:

----- Original Message -----

From: James D.Reichenbach II

To: John Brennan

Cc: State Sec ; Tammy ; Big Mike ; office ; steve ; abatesafety@bellsouth.net ; Cyndi von Bulow ; Dan Daniel ; Doc Fish ; Mudder ; Patti Nasrallah ; Jeff ; Frenchi ; Masterlink

Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 7:01 PM

Subject: Re: Motion to be placed on the agenda for the December meeting

Yoou right John you were at the senate hearing and I did play the tape for the board. I alos presented your motion to the board and no one at that meeting wanted it. So I'm tired of you calling me a liar and we'll discuss it at the meeting. As far as RC goes I have no use for a coward who tries to bring down an organization who has been fighting for motorcycle rights long before he ever became a rider. I won't have any more to say about this until the state meeting, I don't need web sites or other people to speak for me.Add to Technorati Favorites

Panhandle ABATE Chapter President doesn't back down

Papa Johns Response to ABATE of Florida PResident James "Doc" Reichenbach comments posted here:
From: John Brennan <panhandleabate@earthlink.net>
To: James D.Reichenbach II <abatefl@worldnet.att.net>


Subject: Re: Motion to be placed on the agenda for the December meeting:

There you go on the attack Doc. Where do you think I got the idea for a motion, and to prepare my reasons well. I'm not trying to divide our organization. I'm trying to add to it! By adding a common sense approach to a problem. Now you send a message, "This is the last time you call be a liar Brennan." How am I going to take that? Was that a threat?

RC came under attack at the state meeting last year for trying to make his point. Wasn't what you wanted. Outside he was threatened. He is a man that stands by his convictions. ABATE lost a real freedom fighter. Remember I was in the senate hearing room also. Why haven't you played the tape?

If telling the truth is calling you a liar Reichenbach, then so be it. I have never tried to make it personal, and I will never lie to protect our organization or it's leaders.

Many in our organization are intimidated by you. Some think you can do no wrong. I am neither! What I am is a president of a chapter since Jan.1st. 1996. The chapter is 24 years old, and I feel a great responsibility for holding it together as A Brotherhood. We believe in holding our elected officials accountable for their actions.Add to Technorati Favorites

Motorcycle crashes from the Insurance INformation Institute

(obviously they have forgotten their helmets)
Insurance Information Institute: Issue Updates Motorcycle Crashes NOVEMBER 2007
KEY FACTS
• In 2006, 4,798 people died in motorcycle crashes, up 5.4 percent from 4,553 in 2005 to the highest level since 1981.
(Question: How many MC's were on the road in 1981 vs 2006)
• Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased for nine years in a row.
(Question: How many of those years have motorcycle sales increased)
• There were 5.8 million motorcycles on U.S. roads in 2004, according to latest data available, compared with 133.3 million passenger cars. Motorcycles accounted for 2.4 percent of all registered motor vehicles and 0.3 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2004.
(comment: To date vehicle miles traveled or VMT continues to be a poor measurement tool at best)
• Some 88,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes in 2004.
• Motorcyclists were 34 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2005, per vehicle mile traveled, and 8 times more likely to be injured.
(Comment: I hope they did not spend a lot of time and taxpayers money to figure this one out)
• The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2005 was 4.8 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants per registered vehicle in 2004.
(Question: Is taking 2005 figures for motorcycles and comparing them to 2004 figures for passenger car occupants legitimate methodology?)
FATALITIES AND INJURIES
Overall: According to U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov), projections, in 2006, 4,798 motorcyclists died in crashes, up 5.4 percent from 4,553 in 2005, marking the ninth consecutive year of higher motorcycle deaths. Motorcycle fatalities are at their highest level
since 1981. From 1997, a historic low, to 2006, motorcycle fatalities are estimated to have risen more than 125 percent. In 2006, 87,000 motorcycle riders were injured in accidents, the same number as in 2005 and up 53 percent from 57,000 in 1995. ???????

(Question and comment: although we would like to injuries decrease the fact that they did not increase would seem to be an indicator of something positive. Unable to find similar stats for a ten year period in the US, if someone knows them please pass them one. Consider these from Australia: Motorcycle sales in Australia have been booming for nearly a decade, the market swelling by 80 percent over the last eight years, according to the FCAI. Registered motorcycles account for only about half the Australian market. Many off-road bikes, including competition, recreation and farm bikes are not registered for on-road riding. How would similar stats affect NHTSA's figures?)

In 2006 motorcyclists accounted for 11.1 percent of all traffic fatalities. In 1997 motorcyclists accounted for only 5 percent of total traffic fatalities. (Question: Again do they keep leaving out the motorcycle to other vehicle on the road ratio?

Alcohol use: Motorcyclist operators have high incidences of alcohol use. NHTSA says that in 2005, 27 percent of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.08 grams
per deciliter (the national definition of drunk driving), compared with 22 percent of drivers of passenger cars, 21 percent of light truck drivers and 1 percent of large truck drivers in fatal crashes. These figures take into account fatally injured operators, passengers and/or pedestrians.

Of all fatally injured motorcycle operators, 27 percent had BAC levels of 0.08 or higher. Another 7 percent had lower alcohol levels (0.01 to 0.07 BAC.). Fatally injured motorcycle operators between the ages of 35 to 44 had the highest percentage of BACs 0.08 and above (39 percent), compared with those ages 45 to 49 (34 percent). Forty-one percent of the 1,878 fatally injured motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2005 (for example, those in which the motorcycle crashed into a stationary object) had BAC levels of 0.08 or higher. On weekend nights, the proportion was higher: 61 percent of motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle crashes had BACs of 0.08 or higher.

(Comment: This is the "Elephant in the living room." This is the "one" issue that only "we" as "bikers" can significantly alter. I'm all for freedom and if you want to kill yourself go for it. Please don't take anyones loved ones with you while you engage in such a selfish act.)

Speeding: In 2005, 34 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with 26 percent for drivers of passenger cars and 25 percent for light truck drivers, according to NHTSA. (comment: thats a given "Speed Kills".)

IF you wish to read the article in it's entirety and note how NHTSA has entered the prognostication field by predicting that: "NHTSA says that if all motorcyclists had worn helmets 728 more lives would
have been saved". My Question? Have they checked with Nostradamus lately?
www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/motorcycle
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DOT Secretary Gives Fellow Bikers Tips-

DOT Secretary Gives Fellow Bikers Tips
By MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN –

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gbOnvp8gprUJ5xqvXja00O9k4g8wD8SLNHD83

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Transportation Secretary Mary Peters tells motorcyclists to wear helmets, she knows what she's talking about. She credits a helmet with saving her from severe head injury when her bike clipped the front tire of her husband's motorcycle and crashed on a two-lane highway north of Tucson, Ariz., on Aug. 28, 2005.

An avid motorcyclist, the 58-year-old Cabinet secretary returned to the scene of the crash to film a public service announcement on bike safety. Her department released the PSA Friday and announced policy steps to curb the steady rise in motorcycle fatalities.

Last year, fatalities reached 4,810, up from 2,116 in 1997 as motorcycle registrations soared by 65 percent to more than 6 million.

The department will create new safety and training standards for novice riders, curb counterfeit safety-labeling of helmets, focus on motorcycle-specific road improvements and train law enforcement officers to spot unsafe motorcyclists. Standing beside her motorcycle at the crash site, Peters says in the PSA: "I remember the moment I knew it was going to happen. The next memory I have, I was lying on the payment with a broken collarbone.

"Take it from a motorcycle enthusiast who also happens to be the U.S. Secretary of Transportation," she says. "Check your bike before each ride, wear all your safety equipment and ride with others so you're more visible. If I hadn't taken those safety precautions, I wouldn't be standing here today."

On the Net:
Secretary Peters' PSA: http://www.nhtsa.gov/

Now if she would only address the real cause of Motorcycle fatalities. CRASHES!!! And the self indulgent, distracted, cell phone addicted drivers who cause the majority of them. Remember who is protecting you when you are broadsided by an SUV and the only thing that survives is your helmet. You know I can't help but wonder if there are any motorcycle helmet manufacturer lobbyists in Washington? Ride Hard, Ride Long, Ride Free....rcAdd to Technorati Favorites

Say THANKS TO OUR TROOPS and thanks Xerox

Sent in by Sawmill: Something cool that Xerox is doingIf you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!

Thanks Sawmill....and Thanks to those who serve