Thrown Under the Bus Again by those who claim to represent us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE by the MRF
Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)
MRF Meets with NTSB

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) along with the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and ABATE of Florida, met with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Mark Rosenker, Vice Chairman
Robert Sumwalt, the Chairman's chief counsel, and some of the lead researchers at the NTSB headquarters in Washington DC. The productive summit spanned a full three hours.

The topics discussed included the NTSB's recent motorcycle safety recommendations and the future steps the NTSB will be taking with respect to motorcycle safety. Chairman Rosenker is a likeable gentlemen with endless stories of his 37 years in the Air Force and his service to
President Bush as Director of the White House Medical Office. He also shared that he served as a representative of the Motorcycle Industry Council and talked of his part in designing the MSF logo, so it wasn't a surprise when he insisted on clearing his schedule until we, the
motorcyclists, felt our voice was heard.

The fact remains that the NTSB stands behind their recommendations and supports them entirely. The MRF, NCOM and ABATE of Florida made it clear that we would continue to oppose any recommendations that call for personal protective equipment laws and crash mitigation. It was also made clear that motorcyclists would support any recommendation that calls for further crash avoidance, rider education, and motorist awareness campaigns. It was at that point in the meeting that Chairman Rosenker insisted that we not focus on the items that we disagree on, but rather on the things where we are, in his words, in "violent agreement" - things like crash avoidance and current motorcycle crash data.

"A dialogue was opened, and that's a good thing," said Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations for the MRF. "The Chairman honestly wants to save lives, and he wants to be responsible when he attempts to do so. The MRF looks forward to a productive working relationship with the Chairman and Vice Chairman as they serve their terms of office. The
Chairman made it clear that his door was always open to the motorcyclists of America." Chairman Rosenker, whose term ends New Years Eve 2010, pledged to work with the motorcycling community as the NTSB continues to improve our roadways.

The MRF would like to thank ABATE of Florida and NCOM for helping arrange the meeting. Special thanks to James "Doc" Reichenbach for making the trip to DC.
________________________
Sooooooo, how would one read this? Let me see can I interpret double speak (as posted on B&R's Forum). Life is Funny, just when ya think it can't get any funnier it moves into the realm of absurd.

It's nice to know that the Head of the NTSB also served as a MIC representative and helped designed the M$F logo. Both organizations more concerned with profits than rights and/or safety. So it would seem only fitting that "Two lobbyists" claiming to represent "Bikers" (ABATE of Florida makes up less than 2% of two percent of the registered motorcycles in the state) would meet with him to agree on:

A. "crash avoidance" (is there anybody that does not agree on crash avoidance).

B. "rider education",(Read that rider training schools which profit the industry and/or any other organization that wishes to enter that arena despite ride in fatality rates for those who take the courses. NOTE:the omission of Driver Education?)

C. "motorist awareness" (please explain to me how that will be effectively done without such things as stiffer sentencing and changes in the Drivers License exam. After all, I rarely see a Burger King sign unless I am looking for a Burger King)

D. Motorcycle crash data: How much more do they need??? Hell they don't do anything but penalize us with the data they have.

All the pretty little words fail to hide this simple little fact:

"The fact remains that the NTSB stands behind their recommendations and supports them entirely." and remember who directed the conversation: "that Chairman Rosenker insisted that we not focus on the items that we disagree on, but rather on the things where we are, in his words, in "violent agreement"

You do not need a long meeting to have a successful meeting agreeing on the things that you already agree on, do you????????

Tis a good word poet that can take this photo op and turn it into such a purty press release. I am sure that Washington is still trying to recover from this "Thundering roar" of two more lobbyists "leaving on a Jet Plane."

AND HOW MANY BIKERS WILL DIE TODAY??????????????

Change that takes rights comes from the government,
Change that gains rights comes from the STREETS...rcAdd to Technorati Favorites

A Soldiers Christmas Poem

Sent in By Tattoo Larry (have no idea who wrote this, if anyone knows let us know):




A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,


I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."


"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."Add to Technorati Favorites

A Lesson for us all

Picture of Richard "Quiq" Quiqley, May he rest in peace.
The post below should be a lesson to all of us who ride in Charity Runs. It is a noble thing Bikers do for others. Imagine the amount of money raised by Bikers across the country on Christmas Toy Runs alone. Then add to that all the other charitable runs thrown across the country through out the year for every cause under the sun. BUT OUR OWN.

But then that is the thing about charity. It is the act of giving without expecting anything in return.

My question would be, if you support a Brother, would you not expect your Brother to support you in return. Isn't there this little gig about "do unto others.............". So if you you hand somebody a check and they slap you in the face and disrespect you, do you hand them another check? Or turn the other cheek and walk away?

The hospital in Colorado is fully aware of how important the issue of "Freedom of Choice" is to the "Biker Population." So how do they repay the "Bikers" for their years of kindness? By issuing an edict that stipulates, "If you want to continue to be kind to us you will have to give up your Freedom of Choice".

I would have to say I agree with Girl Geek, "Take your friggin Toy and shove it you rat bastards"

A few quotes from Tony Pan of BOLT (Bikers of Lesser Tolerance) as posted on B&R's:

"It's amazing how many dollars bikers contribute to charity, yet when the call comes out to help ourselves or one of our fallen brethern, they close their fists over the dollars tighter than a Sicilian walking through a bad neighborhood." "We'll adopt a highway and pick up garbage on the weekends, yet resist helping to pick up one of our own who is down because of injury, debt, whatever. Maybe that's why many ABATE chapters removed the word Brotherhood from the acronym and replaced it with Bikers (as in American Bikers Aiming Toward Education...not sure when we changed from a rights organization to a educational one, but at least Wisconsin remains A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments). Many new riders don't even know the purpose or roots of the rights movement. They join for the activities. I wonder if sometime in the future, they'll be attending the "Love Walk" in California, or participating in poker walks. Riding bikes is becoming less and less fun and maybe even a memory in the future if current trends continue. Charity starts at home. Let's take care of our needs first so we have the strength and means to help others later. "

(note: Tony Pan has been fighting for biker rights longer than most. Many of his writings can be found on the B.O.L.T. website)

Be aware, this Colorado Hospital is not the only organization we give to that has no use for us other than our money (well yours, I ain't got any). Do we not have enough self respect to even ask an organization, "How they might help us" in our battle for freedom?

Or have we, the "BIKER population," become such hypocrites and lemmings that we would follow the crowd throwing our money at everything and anything except when it might benefit our own?

Consider the following as a possible cause, it has to do with FREEDOM: In honor of Richard Quigley’s life work, donations may be made to the ongoing litigation against the CHP at ABATE Judicial Fund, 10240 Seventh Avenue, Hesperia, CA. 92345-231 (Note: this fund has been set up in such a manner as all contributions must be spent on the ongoing litigation).

or:

Quiqly Memorial patches can be ordered here, with all funds proceeds going to continue his work.Add to Technorati Favorites

Betrayed? Hospital says helmets will be required in run-Colo.

Posted by Girl Geek on B&R's Forum:
Message: A 45-year-old motorcyclist from the Parker area sustained head and facial injuries when he crashed Sunday during the Toy Run to Children's Hospital.

Organizers said it was the first crash in the event's history. It came after hospital officials told riders that helmets would be required next year. The injured man wasn't wearing a helmet.

It was also the first year the ride was routed mainly along highways to the new Children's Hospital facility in Aurora.

Riders gathered at the Highlands Ranch Shea Center, then rode north on Lucent Boulevard to C-470, where they headed east to Interstate 25. They headed north on I-25 to I- 225, then got off on eastbound East Colfax Avenue to the hospital.

Greenwood Village police Sgt. Tracy Thompson said the man was in a group of riders on I-25 just north of East Arapahoe Road at about noon when he lost control while trying to slow down.

"He was vaulted from his motorcycle," Thompson said.

The man, whom police did not identify, is being treated at Swedish Medical Center.

Some of this year's Toy Run participants complained about the new route.

Bill Craft, for one, said he was concerned about the cars merging onto I-25.

"I said, 'Somebody is going to go down today,' " Craft said upon hearing of the man's injuries.

But Barb Krasnopero, liaison between the hospital and Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson dealership and Rocky Mountain Harley Owners Group, said she felt the route worked well.

Drivers she encountered were "gracious," she said, and fewer police agencies were needed, which made the event easier to organize.

Krasnopero said she was concerned that the helmet mandate would be difficult to enforce and could curb participation. But hospital spokeswoman Elizabeth Whitehead said a decision has been made.

"We felt we would give them a year to kind of prepare and next year, yes, we would be requiring helmets," Whitehead said.

GG's Thoughts:
There are some things that are minor annoyances that everyone has to deal with. There are other things that irritate you just a little more. And then there are things that just stick in your craw so bad you can barely speak, much less make any sense.

This is one of those things.

But hospital spokeswoman Elizabeth Whitehead said a decision has been made.

"We felt we would give them a year to kind of prepare and next year, yes, we would be requiring helmets," Whitehead said.

Who are they to say this? They are lowly, scum-sucking slugs. I would like to take a few of those toys and stick them…..well………

The closest I can come to how I feel about this statement and the absolute audacity and nerve behind it is the scene from Taxi Driver when Robert DiNiro, as Travis, poses in front of the mirror and says,

“Are you talking to ME ? You talking to me? You talking to me? Well who the hell else are you talking to? You talking to me? Well, I’m the only one here, who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”

The charity-riders had better wake up on this one and put their money where it matters.

Charity begins at home. Justice needs help.

You Tell Em ShirleyAdd to Technorati Favorites

Is the Frustration Mounting?

SENT IN FROM MIKE @ GOLDIRON:
Many times, I have pondered what it would take for Other Vehicle operators to pay attention to motorcycles and motorcyclists.

Often I have watched good campaigns die of apathy or minimalist activism.

Loud Pipes, Charity Rides and Runs, politicians and their cronies on a bully pulpit, insurance companies, medical professionals, police, and the media have all taken notice of motorcyclists for their own gain.

Possibly that is exactly the problem.

Most motorcycles are such easy targets to ignore that they are ignored for lack of consequences.

Perhaps, the myth of “no risk” collisions with motorcycles needs to change. Possibly motorcycles need fatality built into them for those that would ignore them. Not in a way that the motorcyclist is mangled and dies nowadays, rather where the opponent dies. Yes, where the operator and occupants of the offending Other Vehicle die.

Instead of “Share the Road” campaigns, possibly a “Share the Carnage” campaign would be more successful.

It may be said that, “Skiers sometimes die, as do mountain climbers and motorcyclists and bicyclists, because what they do routinely is dangerous, risky. Indeed, there is very little in human life that does not entail some measure of risk, even fatal risk.” What I am referring to is not the risk of motorcycling with less-than-tractionable surfaces nor roadside furniture that is motorcyclist unfriendly. These things can and will get legislated when there is enough pork available for them.

Possibly an equal risk of fatality is necessary to have Other Vehicle operators pay attention to motorcycles.

This is a fairly easy solution to be incorporated by the manufacturers and the aftermarket to incorporate into a bike or riding gear. Innovative solutions are plentiful to an ongoing problem. Many of the visual sighting options that are currently fitted to military helmets could be fitted in a civilian version, thus pleasing the mandatory helmet crowd.

CAN YA FEEL THE FRUSTRATION? WHATS THE SONG SAY, "NO MORE, MR. NICE GUY........"RCAdd to Technorati Favorites