Louisiana has lost their right to free choice

Louisiana has lost their right to free choice as the 1999 helmet choice law
has been repealed!! The governor will sign the Bill revoking La. riders
right to choose.

 

I'm not sure if anyone else picked up the slight stirrings amongst some of
"our own" legislators.. After spending considerable time with many of them
over this past week, I am being impressed with the feeling that Texas is
facing the same predicament in the very near future.. As you well know,
Elmer... there was an undercurrent of this same helmet proposition rumored
in the not too distant past.. Those undercurrents were addressed and
dismissed at the time.. Also .. as you well know.. I confronted several of
"our own" during the State Democratic Convention with quite a few of our
concerns.. The "helmet law" being on of them.. I did come away with many
assurances, but there is still that undercurrent that I am sensing.. Mike
Alvey and some of our other good brothers were forced to "remove" me from
the presence of one of our legislators who I feel, may be involved in this
"helmet law" controversy.. As advocates for Bikers in Texas, we should be
aware of and sensitive to the situation in Louisiana.. Thanks for the post..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Beemer, my friend.. The right for us to choose how we make our way through
this life, is the main issue.. Responsibility is the decisions that we must
make for ourselves.. Some decisions we make are good ones and some are not
so good, however, they should not be made for us by legislators who are only
interested in their own agendas or the agendas of some special interest
entities who are financing them.. Whether or not we want to wear a helmet,
should be the decision each of us make under the various conditions which we
may find ourselves.. We can decide to allow legislators to make these
decisions for us, or we can fight for the right to make our own decisions..
When we concede the right to decide for ourselves, then we are being
overcome by "Big Brother" and should just submit to what will come next..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Wear your helmet if you wish.. Many have fought long and hard battles to
make sure that you have that choice.. Many have fought long and hard battles
so ensure that those who don't like helmets for whatever reason has the same
choice that you do.. Your eagerness to impose a mandated requirement on
those people has no merit nor indicates any example of respect for the
wishes of others.. It does indicate a lack in your own measure of imposition
into the choices of others.. No one has ever advised you to not wear a
helmet.. I insist that you not impose on my choices by legislative mandate..

 

Yes .. there ARE all kinds of people in this world.. and they do make it go
around.. For some.. the ideal would be for ALL to look alike, dress alike
and conform to the standards set by a few.. Independent thoughts and ideas
would not be of any use, because "Big Brother" will be dictating each
movement ..

 

Very few of the accidents involving motorcycle fatalities happen at speeds
under 15 mph.. Very few of those fatalities would be prevented by wearing a
helmet..Those studies are valid and should be considered.. More importantly
is the consideration of our own decisions that we make ..

If you have followed my postings in this issue, over the years, I have never
referred or depended on links to some scientific "study" to determine my
argument against laws which would curtail or limit my right to decide my own
destiny..

Important issues which are crucial to the kind of government we live under
and the kind of country we live in, are being passed every day in our
legislatures.. Those laws are hidden away and are passed unseen, unread and
barely noticeable, until they affect us as individuals.. Two such laws were
stopped before they were voted on last year during our regular legislative
session.. Most of us didn't even know they were proposed nor what the
implication of those laws would have been, should they have passed ..We
didn't know about them..

The ones who advocate and support laws of this kind, and support
legislation, which would limit the right to choose, CANNOT then make claim
of supporting the right to choose.. The two positions are not compatible and
contradict each other..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

You don't have to get it.. The bright side of the situation is that guys
like you and Texdays can have all the opinions you like.. the rest of us can
be sure that you two will never be instrumental in passing any legislation
that requires ALL of us to comply with wearing helmets.. Meantime, be
comfortable that none of us will subject either of you to the possibility of
proposing legislation that would "ban" or "prohibit" ANYONE from wearing a
helmet..

 

Damn... all these accidents that you have been privileged to, might indicate
that your friends and you should have developed your survival skills a
little better.. If you had paid better attention, you might have learned
that the best way to survive an accident is to avoid them.. Expensive and
glamorous riding apparel WILL NOT ensure your survival in any high speed
crash..

Perhaps you should consider the possiblity of an army surplus tank for your
security on the street and highways.. Meantime... you are free to ride in
full mail armor, if that is what you prefer.. Should you (by any stretch of
imagination) propose, submit or "publicly" support legislation to require me
to do the same, we will certainly confront each other...face to face..

 

I gotta agree with you on this one, Bill. Helmets may offer an open casket
funeral to the families... However "consenting adults" who know the
risks of driving a bike should have that CHOICE. I don't have a problem
with children having a mandatory helmet law - kind of like they have for
safety-vests on kids in motorboats. But, adults should have the choice.

That said - I have my helmet exemption sticker.. It's my legal choice as to
whether I wear my helmet or not.. Even though I *can* ride without it - I
promised my kids that I'd always wear it... I'm glad that I do.

On June 2nd (3 weeks ago), that helmet saved my melon. I was T-Boned at an
intersection where the lights were not working at all because of a blown
transformer in the neighborhood at Hillcrest & Walnut Hill.

I had waited for cross traffic to go (as at a 4-way stop), and took my
turn... I had crossed 4 of the 7 lanes, and a lady to my right decided it
was her turn - because her view of me was blocked by the vehicle to her
left (which was stopped and waiting for me to take my turn), and she hit
the accelerator just as I passed in front of her SUV... My bike wound up
underneath her SUV, and I had been slapped to the ground pretty hard. All
said & done, her insurance is paying up... My medical expenses for X-rays
to my left foot that was landed on by the bike (thankfully no broken bones,
though!) Bruises have finally gone away, and the soreness is about 95%
gone... But the helmet has gotta be replaced... in addition to the other
losses/damages to the bike.

Bill, I gotta ask you... I know that you put a lot of effort and energy
into working with Democrats on this issue. Are you aware of forums to
present for the Republican side as well? If the issues are important enough
to affect laws being passed, then it seems that both parties should be
lobbied for the constituants wishes. This is a matter of personal choices
that historically the Republicans have lobbied on and I (probably
blindly) in the past ahd belived that they stood for... but in this
election year, the Republicans (okay - Bush) are rallying on their tickets
for votes by denying rights & priveleges to citizens. (I do have specific
examples - but they are largely irrelevent here in this conversation)

Rex S.
T-Boned '82 XJ650 Maxim - Still in the shop.

 

Your last sentence is the crux of the entire issue.. The existing
legislation was negotiated and agreed to ..The section which exempts adults
from wearing helmets is specific.. covering financial responsibility, age
and other conditions which give us a clear choice..

That is the choice that you are free to make, for whatever reason you may
have. The "sticker" issue is a sore one for many, because we were lied to
about it's function and the disposition of the funds that it raises.. I do
not ride with the "sticker" on my license plate.. That being said, it is
your choice to do purchase the "sticker", if you so desire..

Accidents will happen and the best we can hope for, is that we survive..

The man above was with you that day, as well as the thoughts and good wishes
of the many who have protected and watched over each of us when we mount
these machines to go into the streets and highways..

TMRA II is a mixed organization.. There are probably more Dems than Repubs,
but this issue is one that we all share mutually.. In TMRA II, we address
the issues that affect all of us and work together (when we can) to make all
our lives better.. LOL.. if you've followed my posts over the years, I am
obviously a Democrat.. You will also notice that I have gone after Democrats
who have crossed the line and are not representing the constituents who
elected them...

Are you aware of forums to

Our Republican brothers and sisters have always been free and entitled to
voice their opinions and ideas at any meeting of TMRA II .. The veterans
groups which I support also host mixed party members..

This is a matter of personal choices

Nossir.. Any issues which affect our liberties and freedoms should be
discussed.. The mindset that any group of bikers will avoid specific
discussions is blatantly misleading.. As motorcyclist enthusiast's and
bikers, we all enjoy a fellowship and brotherhood that is awesome, for those
who understand it.. That fellowship and brotherhood is politically feared
and respected by the public.. Harnessed and directed properly, Bikers could
control the outcome of any election in this country.. That is a fearsome
prospect for any politician.. I'm glad you came through your accident with
no serious injuries.. Try TMRA II and see what you think...

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

You're right. Most accidents are not accidents at all.. they are a
cumulation of events that lead up to the climax. Each event with it's
consequences for the choices made. In retrospect - I can remember that
when I was waiting my turn at the intesection, I had a strong urge to make
the right turn - even though it was not the direction I needed to travel..
It was like a little voice telling me to turn.. I ignored it, and got
slapped to the pavement.

What else could *I* have done? Not been in the right lane... I could have
made myself seen earlier by being in the center or left lane... There's an
infinite variety of "could haves".

Rex S.

 

LMAO... you are just trying to start some b/s .. Beemer, my friend..

That is very true.. the only thing you are leaving out is that both democrat
and republican brothers and sisters negotiated that legislation and as
governor, Bush tried to water it down as much as possible.. That is the
reason that we do not have a perfected Helmet Law in Texas, today.. Even
amongst those who negotiated the existing law, acknowledge that it is not
finished..

Bush voted to repeal that old texas helmet law in

You have pointed out what "Bill Walker" has said and done in the past.. You
will also admit that I have gone after many of the Democrat representatives
who fail in their committments to their constituents.. That is the key to
good government .. representatives who represent the constituents who sent
them there, rather than the "special interests" who make extensive
contributions and donations to their campaigns..

Those studies that you refer to are the studies produced by the insurance
industry while they fought all of us over the costs of insurance premiums..
Those studies are as slanted as many of my own.. (democrat vs Bush) LOL..

The bill signed by gov Bush and passed

Bullshit Beemer.. those studies were implements of the insurance lobbyists
who supported Bush, to hike our insurance premiums and furthur enhance their
profit margins..

That is too damn much money to pay for your insurance..You are being
gouged..

People paying

NOSSIR... it is all our problems.. You can very well be the next one to have
your premiums increased..

If

That comment can very well come back and haunt you in the future, Beemer..
Print it off and keep it on file..LOL.. For the most part.. you and I have
been pretty much on the same page.. we differ in many of the priorities that
I hold important for many, other than myself..

Well said and well received.. Any accident involving a motorcycle is sad
news for all of us who ride.. Your concession that you were not in that
intersection at that time speaks well..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Appropriately.. one of the Resolutions we maintained was the "Failure to
Yield" resolution that would apply in your case.. The Resolution was brought
to the floor and passed with little or no discussion as to it's merits..
TMRA II and ABATE represented the Resolution in committee That resolution
had the endorsement of our republican and democrat brothers and sisters..
What a pity, you accident happened before we could make it into law..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

People say the same thing about riding cycles altogether. Why are you riding
a motorcycle when it is so inherently dangerous? I don't get it.

 

Awww... Shuddup Waco.. Put that damn bucket on your head and smile...
Otherwise.. you will have people talking about, "they don't know what you
are thinking about"..LOL.. now that I have given you the worst complex that
could be imagined.. let's go make us another "day run"... Later.. Pal..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

To be sure we have both strong supporters of Bush and Kerry at the D/FW
chapter. Your personal choice is your own, we work together to make sure
the correct people are in place in Texas. Sometimes we lose (Gov. Rick
Perry), sometimes we win (Gov. Bush). We may argue about the correct choice
for Prez, but we keep our heads in Texas.

Interesting to note that our two biggest freedom foes are (were) Republican
Senators. Former Senator Mike Moncrief who put bills in for statewide
helmet, bicycle helmet, and rodeo helmets. Senator Wentworth who actually
got the rider on the bill for additional insurance because he was sure we
would kill the bill. Both had been threatening each session to bring the
helmet issue up again, until Moncrief was taken out in the redistricting.

One more note is that in 97 the majority in both houses was not republican.
I believe the senate was republican but the house was democrat. It is also
interesting to note that the democrat house was not going to agree to the
modified helmet bill until we told them to go ahead and do it. I believe
that if a helmet bill comes up in 2005, it will be a republican that submits
it, just as it has been since I been involved in legislative sessions since
95.

Its also interesting to note that except for the faithful such as Jerry
Paterson, most of our bills have been submitted by democrats. Also it was a
democrat majority of House and Senate that voted in the concelled handgun
license in 95.

So as you can see its not so much the party, but the people you get elected.
We work to get the right people elected. The parties do tend to take
platforms, but the candidates are the ones you deal with.

 

Tell us about the economy in Japan and the living conditions there, if you
will.. Would you be interested in living there ? Sounds like an economy that
is very similar to our own, only the government has legitimized the
insurance industry to take advantage of the consumer.. Mexico also has a
system that is adequate.. if you have an accident in Mexico, you best have
sufficient financing in your wallet to compensate for the damages..While the
insurance companies post record profits and can afford massive political
donations to our politicians who are sympathetic to their bottom lines, your
argument about picking up tabs for motorcyclist's who have been injured
don't even make sense.. With few exceptions, motorcycle accidents involve an
automobile or truck .. Their insurance companies pick up the tab.. Where
does all the liability for those expenses fall on your shoulders, as a
taxpayer ? You are resorting to arguments used by insurance companies to
legitimize their rate hikes and rationale for imposition of legislation that
is directed toward enhancement of their own agendas.. Usually their bottom
line..

Less than four percent of the voters in Texas, elect the politicians to
office... Four percent.. That doesn't represent a majority of anything to
anyone.. More than 92 percent opposed the redistricting proposal .. That
means that 8 percent supported the proposal.. HUH ? The Republican Party as
represented these days.. by Tom DeLay and George Bush.. Tom Craddick.. Joe
Crabbe and Rick Perry.. is a far cry from the genuine Republican Party that
represented the constituents that elected them..Close examination of each
piece of legislation that has been passed in the past five years is
legislation that is geared and endorsed by the corporate interests of Oil,
Energy, Insurance and the HMO's.. That legislation is not geared for
entitlement of the middle class and low incomes.. By our tax structures and
other entitlements that have been afforded to them, those corporate
interests have shifted the burden of finance to those Middle and Lower
income groups.. I'd go furthur and hazard a guess that none of the
politicians that I named have bought a gallon of gas, paid for a pack of
cigarettes or bought vehicle and home insurance, for years..Notice .. I
didn't bring in the merits of partisan politics to this discussion...I think
I have been trolled again.. That's OK.. LMAO

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Ah Beemer, my good friend.. With all due respect.. you have seen my postings
on this group for several years, and you well know that I could spend hours
elaborating on the extravagances and corruption of the insurance
companies..LOL.. Stop trolling your old friend in Irving.. When I look at
the specifics of financial reports of insurance companies, and I hear the
cries of how much money they are losing as they demand higher rates for
their premiums, there is no compassion in my heart for them.. I feel for the
families who cannot afford the premiums.. I don't care what other countries
are paying for their insurance nor for the cost of their fuel..

The founders and some of the greatest statesmen of our time have warned us
of the dangers posed by corporate influence in our government.. Those
warnings were clear and they are upon us all, as we speak.. Many of our own
people make choices every day.. Pay the rent.. buy food... buy the medicine
they need.. or pay the ever higher costs of insurance premiums.. Pay the
high cost of the electric bill or hold your breath that the utility company
doesn't turn it off before they get the next paycheck..

We aren't talking luxury items here.. we are talking necessities of life..
Our people are making choices that control the very quality of life that let
them survive.. Is this really the best we can do ? Corporate life begins at
the top.. and ends there.. CEO's demand obscene salaries, something like 40
times the salaries for the ones who make that company run.. We've lost sight
of the kind of society that was developed for us by those founders.. When
even one amongst us suffers and is deprived, the responsibility should be
felt by the rest .. Only the very elite and wealthiest can truly claim
independence.. The rest of us can only depend on each other for survival..

When we become the society that we turn our backs on each other, we have
lost what this country is all about .. Root Hog or Die has never been the
rallying cry for any industrialized and civilized success.. Look south of
our border.. that is one fine example.. Mexico has historically been an
authoritarian government.. Until the past several years, only the privileged
few in Mexico enjoyed a quality of life that anywhere near equalled ours..
The country was historically poverty stricken.. The privileged had dominant
control over the lower classes of people and they lived in conditions that
most in America cannot imagine, much less survive under.. The country was
backward and we looked upon it with contempt.. Corporate influence in our
government is rapidly swinging our own country toward that future.. When we
compare our own costs and economy with other countries, most of the time, we
are not aware of what those consequences will bring upon us.. Be very
careful what you wish for..

Your good friend in Irving
Bill Walker
There is a saying about how people dont know how

 

Somewhere in the darkness of the audience, I can't help but hear a
"DOH!".

To hear the "gun rights" people tell it, democrats are kicking doors
down taking guns from people's homes. They think that just because
Bush signed the bill into law, that means it's a "republican thing".
They tend to forget about all the democrats who debated it and voted
on it.

 

Somewhere in the darkness of the audience, I can't help but hear a
"DOH!".

To hear the "gun rights" people tell it, democrats are kicking doors
down taking guns from people's homes. They think that just because
Bush signed the bill into law, that means it's a "republican thing".
They tend to forget about all the democrats who debated it and voted
on it.