Freedom and Liberty Watch

I start a little differently with this month’s column, the First Ride for Bubba was an overwhelming experience. Yes I mention First because there will be more. What started as a short talk between Dawg and myself surely took on a life of it’s own. The flyer was made up that night and Bikers pushed the hell out of it from there. Flyers turned up every where, folks all over jumped in and did what they could to help. People this is what it’s really all about……..BIKERS HELPING BIKERS!!!! Mother Nature cooperated pretty good sunny and 80 degrees, you can’t ask for a nicer day. The huge wash out’s coming down the mountain did create 2 difficult situations. From what I was told both bikes rode away and I’m glad no one was seriously hurt. For those who know Bubba you know why you were there. For those who never heard of him before, I hope you came away knowing more and understanding what you were a part of. Go out and let others know too how we can pitch in and help out our own. And for each and every biker this should be a real lesson in when all parties are focused on 1 goal the positive results that are possible. In what was most likely the largest ride this county has ever seen, we had to break into 3 packs and it was an awesome sight to see. The gratitude we want to express to all of you who helped and came out is unreal. This truly was incredible and I want to Thank each and every one of you for all your support. The old saying “Charity begins at Home” does need more focus put on it, there are very few groups out there who specialize in helping Bikers when in need. I have recently learned of an Organization to help fallen Bikers. I will be checking into it for more details. If anyone would like to get involved in this, get in touch with me. I have so much on my plate I can’t handle much more. I will do all I can to help, support and guide those who want to get involved in this worthy project. PA now has Freedom of Choice……….almost. Those 21 and under or those with less than 2 years riding experience will still need to wear a helmet. Not a total victory but pretty damn close. Had more of those 2 groups chose to get involved in this battle, I’m sure we could have accomplished that too. The new law will take effect on September 4th. The final vote in the House was interesting, most voted as expected but some did flip flop. While 8 changed from a no vote to a yes vote, more of these Civil Servants changed from yes to no. Listed by last name and District # they are, Benninghoff 171, Cruz 180, DiGirolamo 18, Hess 78, James 186, Kenney 170, Major 111, Micozzie 163, Mundy 120, Myers 201, Petrone 27, Phillips 108, Rieger 179, Semmel 187, Stairs 59, Thomas 181, Turzai 28 and Washington 200. So Now would be a good time to thank the Governor, those who kept their word and those who listened to their District and changed to a positive vote. As for those who refused to listen to reason and the 18 turncoats above, these fine Civil Servants need voted OUT of office next election. These turncoats need to be shown who they work for, the citizens of this State. Those who voted positively need a Thank You, and we will need them again. For the complete list of who voted how, go to www.abatepa.org/sb259HOUSEvote_2003.htm and see for yourself. Seems one of the biggest opposition’s to this was the AAA. You know the people who tow cage’s and change flats when they’re broke down. WTF is it any of their business if we wear helmets or not? Well we found out, seems they survey their members every 2 years and whether we should wear a helmet or not, is one of the questions on their survey. So now is the time to show them your pissed off with their meddling in your personal freedoms and let them know why you are canceling your membership. This really needs immediate attention and action. Not to go hog wild with accolades but ABATE, SoLR, the COC’s and you get the picture, worked hard to get this passed. Each person out there can look in the mirror and take Sputniks mirror test, “Have I done everything I can do to Preserve my Liberty”. We can all determine if we did or not. If you did great job, if not I have a new sticker for your helmet or bike…….. “I’m a Welfare Rider”. Many many people spent countless tiring hours spreading info and combating bad press. A real way to go does go to Jayne Challinor, ABATE of PA’s Webmistress. She was the cog in the middle of all this, keeping everyone informed and did one hell of a job. The sad part of all this is the opposition doesn’t want to debate the issue, just spread the sky is falling rhetoric. I know I wrote over 100 letters to media outlets and yet the Source is the only one who will publish me. Typical disinformation is how we have lost so many Liberties, but now they will know a sleeping giant has been awakened. Using the power of the net our message was spread far and wide. Many Reps claimed to have heard from more out of staters than people in their own district. All I know is we played to win, the only rule is there are no rules and we won!!! Now that Bikers of PA and across the country have seen again, we can be one of the largest grass roots lobbying groups out there where do we go next? This battle will come up again for sure, but in my opinion Insurance needs addressed dearly. In PA and many other states you can’t even buy PIP on your motorcycle policy. So your thinking you have hospitalization to cover you if you are injured on your bike, maybe not. HIPPA can kick in and you are SCREWED! 100k in medical bills and you are responsible for them. This needs attention at both the State and Federal levels. The PA Insurance Commissioner and our elected officials need to enact legislation to force insurance companies if they want to do business, they have to do ALL business not just pick and choose the gravy stuff. Over 100 Federal Legislators are backing HR 1749, the Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act of 2003 to close the loophole HIPPA created. We need more action on this and State action instigated to enact legislation so those who want to, can purchase PIP. Right of Way Violations, Equal Access, Education and Awareness are some things also in dire need of attention. On a recent trip to visit Bubba in the hospital in Pittsburgh, I was clobbered by a woman who “Didn’t see me” What makes this even stranger is it was at night at a peculiar intersection where the left turn lane coming from the opposite direction is directly in front of me. How in the hell she didn’t see me with 3 headlights in her eyes is a mystery to me. Since the helmet modification and this I’ve been studying why cagers “don’t see us”. Looking at accident stats, helmet use, rider age, bike size and rural vs. urban settings. All motor vehicle groups really need to put their heads together and attempt to find out why these accidents keep happening. As a Biker when I am caged I’m very aware of bikes on the road. What do we need to do to make the incompetent cagers aware?? Billboards, PSA’s, changes to the Drivers Manual? Insurance and accident prevention go hand in hand with operating a motorcycle and must be addressed real soon. Texas recently enacted a Share the Road Program, a cheap but most likely effective way to keep in the cagers minds we’re out there and have just as much right to be as they do. For a look at their new sign go here http://www.solrpa.com/images/sharetheroad.jpg So for those who thought the work is done, we did find out we can get it done. Now we have much more work to do in order to avoid as many hospital and cemetery trips as possible.