"The makers of the Constitution conferred,
as against the government,
the Right to be let alone;
the most comprehensive of rights,
and the right most valued
by civilized men."

United States Supreme Court Justice Brandeis

Olmstead v. United States (1928)

Two examples of letters sent addressing Florida SB 828 taking away parents rights

One letter written by Sam from those who may wish the traditional respectful approach (for which their is much merit) And one written here that may only serve to alienate them. Feel free to use either one or a combination of the two as templates or get creative as hell.

Dear Senator Bennett,

As a mother, I am appalled by Senate Bill 828. However, it is as a citizen of this country that I am most outraged. It is my unequivocal right to decide who can ride as a passenger on my motorcycle, including my children. Not my neighbor, my pastor, nor my government.

As a child, I rode behind adults often and enjoyed many family outings riding behind my brother or my father. What audacity for you to assume to know what is right for my children or anyone else, when it comes to recreational time.

We do not need more laws to tell us how to raise our children. We need fewer laws, and less government in our lives.

If you are concerned about safety, then perhaps you should focus on raising the penalty for negligent auto-driver right-of-way violations that cause more motorcycle deaths each year than any other cause.

How about making an effort to remove the threat at the source, instead of meddling in our private lives?

Please withdraw this bill. It violates my constitutional rights and places you at the head of my list to campaign against for re-election.

Respectfully, and

Senators,
Re: SB 828

It is with great regret that I note that our Florida legislators have taken up the Washington banner of interfering with the individual rights and responsibilities of it's citizens. Maybe our state legislators have been so busy crafting new laws that they have not yet noticed the deteriorating public confidence in our elected officials. In part, I suspect, due to our lawmakers increasingly involving themselves in micromanaging our private affairs instead of attending to the issues of state.

Despite the fact that this action does little to address the escalating casualty rate on the Killing Fields we refer to as our public highways, this is a prime example of how, when government gets an inch, it wants a mile.

You started with seatbelts. Then you moved on to airbags. Then children's seats in automobiles continuing to believe the nanny state philosophy that one can "fix" the consequences without addressing the cause. The cause of fatalities, dear sirs is not seatbelts, airbags, child seats, helmets, or motorcycles. The cause of the increasing fatality rates is the increasing irresponsibility of the people who operate motor vehicles on our highways with little fear of experiencing significant consequences, even after killing somebody.

The European Union and United Kingdom have finally recognized this part of the behavior and have been aggressively addressing driver behavior, with to date, promising results.

I challenge you to survey the individual parents in your districts. Not with the question, "should children under 12 be allowed on motorcycles", but with the question, "would you like the government to be in charge of parenting your children?"

Considering the behavior of children of some of our elected officials, I find it hard to fathom how they might feel they have the wisdom to govern ours. We will be watching closely and publishing those who vote against parents rights.

Sent to: To: bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov; aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov; saunders.burt.web@flsenate.govAdd to Technorati Favorites

From the American Motorcycle Association Finally some IMPORTANT info

Someone with bad intentions is using the honored name of the "Patriot Guard Riders" as part of a phone scam. The solicitor targets veterans, and asks them to join the Patriot Guard Riders, along with submitting a membership fee. But in reality, the Patriot Guard Riders doesn't collect membership fees. Anyone who has information about this, or has been contacted by the scammer, should contact 316-522-2000.

The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary of pro-active lobbying in Brussels and in Geneva in 2008. Reducing congestion, pollution and accidents while increasing mobility is one of Europe's main challenges. The use of motorcycles clearly offers major advantages to the transport mix as well as solutions to many of the transport problems faced by EU Members. Recognition of their positive contribution has been one of FEMA members' main reasons for creating the Federation in 1988. 20 years later, promoting fairer and appropriate legislation for motorcyclists remains FEMA's main task.
On 25 June 1988, motorcyclists' associations from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Austria and Luxembourg decided to form a European citizens' organisation in order to make European riders' voice heard in the political debate: The Federation of European Motorcyclists (FEM) was born. Ten years later, on 10 January 1998, FEM and the European Motorcyclist Association (EMA) merged to form the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA). The two associations joined their forces to offer motorcyclists the best representation possible. Today, FEMA counts on a 4 person office in Brussels. In 2008, 24 national road riding motorcyclists' organizations from 19 European countries will hence celebrate 20 years of riders' representation in Brussels. Throughout the year, FEMA will disseminate information about its history and how it works, but it will also organize a series of activities, such as participation in shows, workshops and conferences, interviews of keynote representatives, and a special edition of the MEP Motorcycle Ride in Brussels. The detailed program and additional information are available on FEMA 20th Anniversary dedicated web space www.fema.ridersrights.org/20years.

NOTE: The federal infrastructure committee recently held hearing I caught on C-SPAN. One of the things they talked about that will affect all of us is the need to decrease congestion on the highways. Methods being considered, include: Seeking to get the Federal ban on toll collecting on interstates lifted n order to raise the price of driving on interstates. Increases in gas taxes to help fund infrastructure improvements and reduce congestion. (rc)

Florida Senate bill 828, sponsored by Sen. Michael Bennett (R-Bradenton), would prohibit passengers younger than 12 years of age on a motorcycle or moped. Use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com to let your state senator know that parents and guardians, not the government, know best at what age their children should ride on a motorcycle.

Kentucky Senator Julian Carroll (D-Frankfort) has introduced legislation making a law whereby all motorcycle operators and passengers would be required to wear motorcycle helmets while on a public highway. This legislation seeks to remove adult choice; use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com to let your state senator know how you feel.

IMPORTANT
With support from the Michigan Secretary of State's Office and the State Police, Senate Bill 104, introduced by Sen. Valde Garcia (R-Howell), was substituted in the Senate Transportation Committee and passed unanimously by the full Senate. Michigan motorcyclists who called for tougher penalties for right-of-way violations that kill or injury other roadway users watched the bill expand to include all traffic offenses where injury or death occurs. Contact your representative using the AMA Rapid Response Center to encourage his or her support of this important legislation which is consistent with the AMA's Justice for All campaign which can also be reviewed in the Rights section of www.AMADirectlink.com .

MORE ACTION AGAINST PIPES: THIS BECOMING AN INCREASING THREAT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
The Honolulu City Council is considering a proposal to require all motorcycles to have stock exhaust systems with the federal emissions label prominently displayed. Motorcycles are the only class of motor vehicle being proposed to be equipped with an exhaust system labeled according to the Code of Federal Regulations (40CFR205, Subparts D & E). Other classes of motor vehicles including passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs are excluded from this additional level of scrutiny from law enforcement. The AMA understands the public's growing concern with all forms of excessive sound, including that from automobiles, trucks and motorcycles with modified exhaust systems. Over the years we have acknowledged the problem and taken steps to make the riding community aware of the dangers of unchecked excessive motorcycle exhausts. Further, we acknowledge the right of communities to establish and enforce reasonable ordinances to consistently address sound related issues including excessively loud vehicle sound. However singling out one class of vehicle for this burdensome regulation is simply going too far. The AMA has mailed the City Council to inform them of our opposition to this proposal. AMA members in Hawaii are being notified of this proposal and we continue to work with activists and Sport Bikers United of Hawaii to thwart this legislation. For additional information contact: Nick Haris, AMA Western States Representative. 530 626 4250, nharis@ama-cycle.org.Add to Technorati Favorites

Fl HB 193 SB 266 and 504 relating to cell phone use while driving.

It is reported that this accident was the result of using a cell phone while driving!

S266     GENERAL BILL by Wilson  (Identical H 0175, Compare H 0357)
Cellular Telephones/Use in a Motor Vehicle [EPCC]; Prohibits the use of
a cellular phone while dialing, sending a call, texting, listening, or
speaking while operating a motor vehicle without using a headset or
hands-free device. Exempts the use for safety or by law enforcement if
approved by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle, etc.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2008.

S504     GENERAL BILL by Baker  (Identical H 0193)
Motor Vehicles/Wireless Communications Devices [EPCC]; Prohibits a
person who has not attained 18 years of age from using an electronic
wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle. Provides
that this offense must be a secondary action when a driver has been
detained for a violation of another noncriminal traffic infraction.
Provides that the driver shall receive a one point assessment against
their driver's license, etc.  EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2008.
10/15/07 SENATE Filed
12/13/07 SENATE Referred to Transportation; Communications and
Public Utilities; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations

HB 193 - Use of an Electronic Wireless Communications Device While Driving

GENERAL BILL by Legg

Use of an Electronic Wireless Communications Device While Driving: Prohibits person under 18 years of age from using electronic wireless communications device while operating motor vehicle, except under certain circumstances.

Effective Date: October 1, 2008.Add to Technorati Favorites

Last Event: Now in Committee on Infrastructure on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 11:11 AM

Florida now wants to regulate who you can ride on your motorcycle

S828 Filed by Senator Bennett would restrict a person from operating a moped or motorcycle from while carrying a child under the age of 12. My best guess is that now the government feels that it is in your childhoods best interest if they take over YOUR parenting duties. Once again the attacks are coming out of the wood work. Start writing them now. Once a bill gains momentum it's hard to stop. The bill can be read and down loaded here.

The AMA has it up on there rapid respnse system making easy to contact you representatives.

http://tinyurl.com/3xvxcl

Give em HELL

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