In response to the MRF Press Release 2 posts down. Sent this date:
To: Jeff@MRF.org
CC: mark.rosenker@ntsb.gov,
Subject MRF press Release
My apologies before hand as I see no way of commenting on the recently released MRF press release of you and Mr. Reichenbachs meeting With Mr. Rosenker in any way that may demonstrate respect and/or civility as you and your cohort Mr. Reichenbach have blatantly violated the trust your members place on you to advocate for the their rights. I also find it presumptuous and arrogant to present yourselves as representing all "motorcyclists." And find it sad, that what could have been an opportunity to present a strong front turned into a back slapping, story telling, self congratulating missive that accomplished nothing more than to provide an opportunity to get your names in the news while allowing Chairman Rosenker to dictate the direction of the discussion.
See: "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,"
Your press release was at the very least misleading. When you state that MRF, NCOM and ABATE of Florida representatives met Mr. Rosenker, you lead readers to believe it was a cooperative effort among these organizations, failing to mention that this was actually a coalition of two people (unless of course there were those there you did not mention). You representing MRF and James D. Reichenbach who although he may represent NCOM (who represents who?) may or may not represent the general membership of ABATE of Florida. I am at the very least flabbergasted that of all the intelligent individuals involved in the motorcycle rights arena you chose an accomplice who violates the by-laws of his own organization, an organization that represents less than 2% (being generous) of registered riders in his home state and apparently has recently been found to be in violation of the laws that regulate lobbyists in the state of Florida regarding reporting of financial dislcosure. I can only wonder who misled who.
That aside, you state that "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."
From past readings I felt sure you were aware of Mr. Rosenkers actions that gave the appearance of circumventing the federal law prohibiting NHTSA from engaging in lobbying the states by engaging the NTSB in doing so as a possible surrogate. Leading to, at the very least, the impression of impropriety that led many call for his removal from office. So although the Chairman may "honestly want to save lives", I would question the honest methods by which he might wish to achieve this goal.
I would have hoped that you were aware that Mr. Rosenkers past affiliation with the Motorcycle Industry Council and the M$F, both profit oriented organizations, does not hold credibility with many and provides this writer anyway with no level of comfort as to his aims, goals or objectives.
Though your press release is chock full of "slaps on the backs" and "atta boys" I see nothing in your press release indicative of "substance" or "solutions." What I do see is mention of what "motorcyclists" will and will not support. That is nothing but the appearance of arrogance and presumption on the part of you and Mr. Reichenbach. You may or may not speak for your respective organizations (however on at least one occasion the ABATE of Florida general membership directive to their lobbyist was totally ignored), however you should not have represented yourselves, as the tone of your release indicates, as speaking for all motorcyclists:
See: "It was also made clear that motorcyclists would support any recommendation that calls for further crash avoidance, rider education, and motorist awareness campaigns."
This is one motorcyclists that would at least like to have the opportunity of reading a recommendation before some one else suggests my support for it. In fact I would like to know what type of agreement you have regarding "current crash data". The data is in. The only reason to continue studies and gather data is the governments hope that they may eventually find a set of "real" statistics by which they can justify taking our rights. The time for studies and data collection is over. The time for ACTION is Now. Were you not so myopically focused on how to play the "game" on "their turf" (to what end?) that would be fairly apparent.
There are ABATE members in Florida who have a saying, "he threw us under the bus again" pertaining to state issues. It would appear "he" has found an ally by which to "throw us under the bus at the " national level.
Ask yourself a question Jeff, how many motorcyclist died in the time you and your compadre were dicking around swapping war stories in Washington? Did you honestly think that, other than gaining a few "ass kissing Brownie points" that based on his past actions your meeting with Rosenker would actually accomplish anything ? Please inform us of any commitments more substantial than the proverbial, "thanks for writing..........." letters we all get from our Senators and Representatives that you may have received.
My God, he starts out with, "The fact remains that the NTSB stands behind their recommendations and supports them entirely." And you capitulated by one very significant act of omission. You did not say, "Screw you" and walk out. Did you wait until you were "dismissed" before leaving the meeting, congratulating yourselves on how you brought him to his knees? And are you so contemptuous of the motorcycling population that you honestly thought we would buy a "load of crap" thinly disguised as a "press release."
Compromise has always been the enemy of the activist. It perverts and corrupts the cause. The leaders of movements begin to lose touch with the streets, keep their own counsel, and advocate for their own self interest, forgetting what it was all about to begin with. FREEDOM!!!!
Every day you capitulate you lose a little more of that there freedom.
If the body of the press release is an accurate description of the results of your meeting and you believe that was a positive outcome then it is apparent that the only persons you and Mr. Reichenbach represent are yourselves. Please return any travel expenses to your respective organizations. Next time use a stamp.
rc
http://bigbendbikersforfreedom.blogspot.com/ Add to Technorati Favorites
See: "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,"
Your press release was at the very least misleading. When you state that MRF, NCOM and ABATE of Florida representatives met Mr. Rosenker, you lead readers to believe it was a cooperative effort among these organizations, failing to mention that this was actually a coalition of two people (unless of course there were those there you did not mention). You representing MRF and James D. Reichenbach who although he may represent NCOM (who represents who?) may or may not represent the general membership of ABATE of Florida. I am at the very least flabbergasted that of all the intelligent individuals involved in the motorcycle rights arena you chose an accomplice who violates the by-laws of his own organization, an organization that represents less than 2% (being generous) of registered riders in his home state and apparently has recently been found to be in violation of the laws that regulate lobbyists in the state of Florida regarding reporting of financial dislcosure. I can only wonder who misled who.
That aside, you state that "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."
From past readings I felt sure you were aware of Mr. Rosenkers actions that gave the appearance of circumventing the federal law prohibiting NHTSA from engaging in lobbying the states by engaging the NTSB in doing so as a possible surrogate. Leading to, at the very least, the impression of impropriety that led many call for his removal from office. So although the Chairman may "honestly want to save lives", I would question the honest methods by which he might wish to achieve this goal.
I would have hoped that you were aware that Mr. Rosenkers past affiliation with the Motorcycle Industry Council and the M$F, both profit oriented organizations, does not hold credibility with many and provides this writer anyway with no level of comfort as to his aims, goals or objectives.
Though your press release is chock full of "slaps on the backs" and "atta boys" I see nothing in your press release indicative of "substance" or "solutions." What I do see is mention of what "motorcyclists" will and will not support. That is nothing but the appearance of arrogance and presumption on the part of you and Mr. Reichenbach. You may or may not speak for your respective organizations (however on at least one occasion the ABATE of Florida general membership directive to their lobbyist was totally ignored), however you should not have represented yourselves, as the tone of your release indicates, as speaking for all motorcyclists:
See: "It was also made clear that motorcyclists would support any recommendation that calls for further crash avoidance, rider education, and motorist awareness campaigns."
This is one motorcyclists that would at least like to have the opportunity of reading a recommendation before some one else suggests my support for it. In fact I would like to know what type of agreement you have regarding "current crash data". The data is in. The only reason to continue studies and gather data is the governments hope that they may eventually find a set of "real" statistics by which they can justify taking our rights. The time for studies and data collection is over. The time for ACTION is Now. Were you not so myopically focused on how to play the "game" on "their turf" (to what end?) that would be fairly apparent.
There are ABATE members in Florida who have a saying, "he threw us under the bus again" pertaining to state issues. It would appear "he" has found an ally by which to "throw us under the bus at the " national level.
Ask yourself a question Jeff, how many motorcyclist died in the time you and your compadre were dicking around swapping war stories in Washington? Did you honestly think that, other than gaining a few "ass kissing Brownie points" that based on his past actions your meeting with Rosenker would actually accomplish anything ? Please inform us of any commitments more substantial than the proverbial, "thanks for writing..........." letters we all get from our Senators and Representatives that you may have received.
My God, he starts out with, "The fact remains that the NTSB stands behind their recommendations and supports them entirely." And you capitulated by one very significant act of omission. You did not say, "Screw you" and walk out. Did you wait until you were "dismissed" before leaving the meeting, congratulating yourselves on how you brought him to his knees? And are you so contemptuous of the motorcycling population that you honestly thought we would buy a "load of crap" thinly disguised as a "press release."
Compromise has always been the enemy of the activist. It perverts and corrupts the cause. The leaders of movements begin to lose touch with the streets, keep their own counsel, and advocate for their own self interest, forgetting what it was all about to begin with. FREEDOM!!!!
Every day you capitulate you lose a little more of that there freedom.
If the body of the press release is an accurate description of the results of your meeting and you believe that was a positive outcome then it is apparent that the only persons you and Mr. Reichenbach represent are yourselves. Please return any travel expenses to your respective organizations. Next time use a stamp.
rc
http://bigbendbikersforfreedom
