This is the story, written in an e-mail to Steve Shmerler, of Don "Don't Shoot" Blanset's report on his trip to Sacramento last weekend to find out what, if anything, the American Motorcyclist Association was going to do in support of their 30,000 California members regarding AB-1412's insurance provision amendment to Dick Floyd's helmet law.
It's a kinder, gentler Blanscet than his reputation suggests . . .
March 24, 1998 Steven,
It is with interest that I read that according to Sputnik the President of the Texas riders who bought into the Insurance Comprimise that surprise!, surprise! Texas law enforcement is ignoring the Law as written in Texas and now Sputnik has to sue the State of Texas to abide by the very law that they the State of Texas demanded??
Perhaps now we will refer to the Texas Comprimise as the "Texas Sellout."
Sputnik's report of the sideways law enforcement also forces me to question the accuracy and truth to statements made by one Joe Lester of AIM/NCOM at an ABATE meeting in Concord, California on Febuary 17, 1998.
Mr. Lester stated to a room full of "bikers" that the insurance compromise in Texas was not causing any problems for Texas bikers and that the law was so vague that Texas Dept. of Public Safety "just threw their hands up and quit enforcing the law."
Since AIM/NCOM is so closley connected to the Texas Sell Out, according to Sputnik, one would think that Mr. Lester would be more in tune with the state of events in Texas. This apparent misrepresentation of the facts -- either Sputnik is not telling the truth or Mr. Lester is not telling the truth -- causes me to pause as I ponder the fate of California. (Click here to see how it's really working out in Texas! -q)
Will we let our axiousness to do something about a helmet law lead us down another path that may threaten motorcycling to an even greater degree? Please, let's not do that.
Turning to more encouraging things, I want to briefly tell you about an AMA Eagles seminar I attended March 20/21 in Sacramento Calif.
That weekend (March 21 & 22), I had more questions answered than I could ask. I learned a great deal about the AMA, its history and heritage, and I have to say that I am really sorry that you missed it.
I know you want to hear their position regarding AB1412 so I am glad to report that Ed Youngblood, AMA President, along with Dana Bell, the AMA west coast representative, conducted this Eagles workshop.
I was impressed with not only how well Dana interacted with everybody, including me, but with her overall professionalism and her pasion for not only riding but her desire to preserve motorcycling for future generations of Americans. Bikes are for girls too.
Mr. Youngblood proved to be the thoughtfull, deliberate, committed person I have heard that he was.
Ed did tell us that the AMA had over Twenty Five thousand members in California, and that to serve their members interests they, the AMA, were not only oposed to AB1412 as amended, but that the AMA would be taking steps to opose the Insurance Sell Out with more than just lip service.
Naturally Ed didn't elaborate at that time, but he did assure all those present that action would be forth coming, and soon. ("Soon" being the very next day after Don copied this letter to Youngblood, and only two days after the meeting. To see the letter from AMA to Senator Quenton Kopp -- click here. -q)
I guess there aren't that many AMA Eagles out there, but now I am one.
The evironment was friendly, supportive , informative and just down right fun. Ed and Dana know what they are doing and it shows from the moment they greet you till the moment you say good bye.
Please encourage everyone and (that includes you Steve) to attend an AMA Eagles workshop.
It's two days, but well worth it.
Don