"All men are timid on entering any fight.
Whether it is the first fight
or the last fight,
all of us are timid.

Cowards are those who let their timidity
get the better of their manhood."
               General George Patton

     In the last year, repeal efforts have been taken in up in several states.

     Two states stick out for repealing their helmet law. Actually, one repealed, one sold out the rest of us.

     Arkansas repealed their adult helmet law flat out. No compromise, no amendments, no bullshit. They muscled the votes and spent years working the state house to gather the support, votes and respect necessary to effect the legislative change necessary to regain their freedom. They went through the committee hearings, floor fights and the whole process and came out the other side with the brass ring in their hand. And yes, it took time -- years.

     Texas on the other hand took a different path towards their repeal. While states without helmet laws have fought off the arguments of the social burden motorcyclists are to society, Texas accepted them and ratified them with legislation.

     The Texas sell out requires every motorcyclist who rides with out a helmet to have proof of medical insurance. The argument goes that if you ride without a helmet, you are bound to have an accident and cost the taxpayers of the state of Texas money, therefore motorcyclists should be required to have healthcare insurance beyond what other motorists should have.

     To prove this you have to by a sticker to place on your license plate to let the cops know that you've paid the price to ride free. Advocates of the law said that it was their state and their business what they did. That other states had no say and no right to meddle in their affairs. Never mind that the rest of the country had been fighting the social burden argument since the first attacks in the mid 60's.

     So standing at the crossroads of principals and expediency, Texas was faced with a decision. Fold up or sell out. They opted to sell out. The lure of riding free was so great, that rather than do it like Arkansas, they went for the quick fix. That quick fix has now become a plague across the country as we see this type of legislation popping up in other states.

     Just weeks ago, the state of New Hampshire killed a bill that would require motorcyclists to obtain extra health insurance in order to ride free. No one else's business? Ask the bikers in New Hampshire if the Texas sell out isn't their business now.

     Or how about Nevada. Just weeks after the Texas sell out, it wasn't a compromise they sold out their soul, Nevada had the very same language show up as an amendment to their helmet law repeal bill. The riders there having more brain cells than a tumble weed killed their own bill because the recognized the threat it posed to motorcycling as a whole. Score another one for the good guys.

     So in a matter of weeks it was across the border of a nearby state. Months later its across the country on the eastern sea board. Happenstance? No. Just as we talk to one another about information, statistics and tactics, so do our enemies.

     Now comes word that two other states are moving forward with repeal bills with insurance requirements attached.

     It should come as no surprise that one of them is California. The other is Kentucky. First the land of fools, nitwits and cowards.

     After living with a helmet law and failing at just about everything they've tried, it seems California has decided to sell out it's soul in order to obtain a taste of freedom again. And just like Texas, people there are saying its no big deal.

     The requirement is that riders "show proof of current medical insurance that covers the potential costs of personal injuries that may be incurred when riding a motorcycle, motor- driven cycle, or motorized bicycle."

     In the world of legislation, one never leaves anything to a vague definition like "covers the potential costs of personal injuries" that phrase is so broad that since they are accepting our opponents argument of the social burden, they might as well write in the $1 million dollar plus figure that our enemies toss out at almost every committee hearing.

     They say this won't lead to harassment by the cops, but given the history of the CHP and other groups this just gives them another reason to pull over bikers on whim. Never mind that another state signs up on the insurance industry support group saying motorcyclists are a social burden. Sooner or later one has to ask what price do you place on freedom? Your soul? Your principals?

     We can understand the price paid in blood by the defenders of freedom, when soldiers answer the call to take up arms for their country to defend what was fought for. But for all the tough talking, bar room bragging, "defenders" of freedom, the truth comes out in the end. They make a mockery of the fifty-six signatures on the Declaration of Independence where those brave and honorable men pledged their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor."

     Part of our name is a Brotherhood. And part of having a brotherhood is looking out for one another. Doing what is right by the other guy/gal, even if it means some personal sacrifice. You look out for me and I'll look out for you. Cover my back, I'll cover yours. So was the code.

     But in their quest for freedom, other MROs across the country have opted out for the quick fix. Essentially throwing a sucker punch to start a fight then turning tail and running out the door to leave the rest of us to fight it out on our own. With friends like that, who needs enemies.

     Some say that we have never stood the test of fire and what would you do if you had the choice? Easy. We'd fight to the death and if the insurance clause was still there we'd kill the bill. But we faced a problem not that long ago.

     Once upon a time we had our backs up against the wall and were coming down to the wire on a helmet law vote. This was long before we had planted thousands of yard signs and had any real political clout. All we had at the time was a bunch of shoe leather and warm bodies talking to any legislator that would listen. So we faced a choice. Chance losing a helmet law for all riders, or accept an under 18 amendment. Some leaders in ABATE thought we should cut a deal. But our State Coordinator, Gopher, said no deal. If we lose, we go down swinging. No compromise no deal. That was one somber lunch as he took the weight of the whole decision and laid down how it would be. The legislators there understood what was said and would press our case on the floor of the Senate.

     Hours later we won. And we've been winning ever since.

     So we have been there. We faced the tough choice and we stuck to our principals. Unlike other states who now seek simple solutions to complex problems. The difference was leadership. Truman defined it as "A leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do, and like it." It seems to be missing in California and Kentucky.

     Leadership in ABATE is not a popularity contest. Every decision is not popular with every person. But being a leader means having to make the tough decisions when a lot of people want to take the easy way out. Sure it's easy to win and compromise on down the line. But where would be if we just gave up and rolled over because it looked bad? Our rider ed bill was another of those decisions. Kill our bill to help the program and come back with a better bill and start all over. Easy -- no. But it was the right thing to do. That's leadership. Putting your ego aside and doing what is right and best for all. Not what is popular and expedient.

     Sure it's easy to stand up and rally the troops with great motivating speeches. Get your picture in magazines and hob knob with important politicians. The true test of a leader is not what they do when everyone is with them. But what they do when they are the lone voice standing for what is right. All of which seem to be lacking in these two states.

     I don't know what they have been doing during the last few elections, but it must not have been the type of work that has earned us the clout we have. Maybe that's what makes the difference. Instead of having members and leaders who bitch, whine and moan about the situation from a bar stool, we have members who give up nights, weekends, family time, riding time and yes bar time to ensure that any rider that comes to Illinois can ride with or without a helmet by their own choice. That they can ride on any public road without fear of motorcycle bans.

     I guess that love ride, charity work and getting your picture in some national biker rag must be worth having to wear a lid all the time. That instead of working for the political clout that gets things done many were to busy posing for the cameras.

     So why is this so important? because a neighbor to our south, Kentucky, just signed off on an insurance clause in the repeal of their helmet law and it won't be long before some legislator introduces it here. Imagine a bill -- you must have $1 million in healthcare coverage in order to ride without a helmet.

     Here is what the Kentucky bill says:

"Upon notification to the Department of Vehicle Regulation from an insurance company of the cancellation or nonrenewal of a policy under subsection (2) of this section, the department shall immediately notify the insured. Notification to the insured shall state that the insured's policy is no longer valid and that the insured shall have thirty (30) days to show proof of health insurance to the department or the county clerk. The department shall further inform the insured that if evidence of health insurance coverage is not received within thirty (30) days the department shall suspend the operator's license of the insured for ninety (90) days, or until the person presents proof of health insurance to the department or the county clerk and pays the reinstatement fee required by KRS 186.440 and the relicensing fee required by KRS 186.450."

     Every time you change jobs, you have to go to the DMV and show proof of insurance. Don't have a job with healthcare bennys -- to bad. Course the Kentucky guys opted out for a nice little sticker so the cops won't pull you over. I guess that makes things OK.

     And once again the proponents are saying it no big deal, anyone can meet the requirements. That is almost secondary. Aside from all the petty little crap you will have to go through to get the sticker or carry with you to pass the road side check of the local law enforcement, it's the principal of the whole thing. The fact that motorcycle groups kowtow to the notion that we need to be held to a higher burden of proof as motor vehicle operators than others. So why not endorse the same .04 blood alcohol limits placed on truck drivers? It's no big deal right? Anyone can stay sober and ride. You don't need to go out and have a beer when your out on the scooter. It's no big deal. Wrong boys and girls its a very big deal.

     Now that a state that borders Illinois has signed off on the proposal it hits close to home gang. Ten bucks says it won't be too long before it's here in our very own sand box. That's why I'm mad as hell.

     When congress was blackmailing the states we didn't cave. Even though we were the state with the largest penalty hanging over our heads, we didn't cave. As a matter of fact we killed those bills without the senate giving a single yes vote despite the $60 million dollar price tag. Not only did we do our job here at home, but we played an instrumental role in getting the federal helmet law repealed. It was one of our senators that gave the most eloquent speech about freedom on the floor of the US Senate. We stood tall and worked to help everyone. So how do we get repaid? With a knife in the back.

     The die are cast as groups across this country choose to kowtow because they are of weak constitution and unwilling to stand the trials to attain their goal the honorable way. Because it is easier to take the low road and look at the short term benefits rather than the long term damages it will bring.

     It was once said that "Nay the number itself in armies importeth not much, where the people is of weak courage; for, as Virgil said it never troubles the wolf how many the sheep be." For all their rantings, the leadership of these MROs should just hang it up cause they don't seem to have what it takes to do the right thing. Maybe they need to get a spine.

     Those are some pretty strong words. But they will walk away from the mess they have created and send that cat to come over and take a dump in our sand box -- plain and simple.

     The leaders of California and Kentucky should read the words of Kia Ka'us Ibn Iskander "Cowardice results either in your being slain or in the besmirching of your name. Once you become notorious among men for poltroonery and for a display of sloth and feebleness in such circumstances as these, and for failing your comrades, you will be disgraced amongst your friends; amongst your contemporaries you will be stricken with shame. Death is preferable to such a life, and it is far better to die in good adour than to spend one's life in disrepute." Written 900 years ago, and how it rings true today.

     So our neighbors choose to sell out the rest of us because they have neither the political strength nor constitution to stand up and wait until they can do it the right way. So who's next? Where will the next dagger come from to stick in the back of the states that have stood for so long battling the insurance groups, healthcare groups and social burden crowd. We'll just have to wait and see.

     Either way Judas got thirty pieces of silver for his traitorous act. But then, trying to save some honor, Judas hung himself. To those states who choose the thirty pieces of silver, was it worth it? Is the trouble you have unleashed on other states really worth it?

     Signers of the Declaration watched as their homes were shelled to drive out enemy command posts and saw all their worldly possessions go up in smoke. They lived in caves, and died poor men for they loved freedom so much they would forsake all that they had to fight for that principal. Can the leaders of Texas, California, Kentucky and any other state contemplating such a bill say they have endured a tenth of what these men did for their principals? I doubt it.

     To think that one state doesn't effect another is foolishness. We've already seen that this idea will spread like the plague it is. Anybody that feels its OK so long as it gets the lid off my head and this will be the end of it is a fool and should be a court jester. Anyone who wants to grab the brass ring cause it's so close they can smell it and the insurance provisions aren't that bad, is a coward. Unwilling to do the right thing, to lazy to wait and build the organization to do it like Arkansas did -- the right way.

     In the future we will be able to thank the fools and cowards of these other states for the legislation we will face. New Hampshire can attest to that. ABATE of Illinois will once again take on the insurance lobby and all the safety-nazis in their zeal to try and get as many of us off the road as they can.

     We'll watch with baited breath to see which way things fall in California and Kentucky (too late . . . Kentucky got their insurance rider/helmet law passed --q). And we in ABATE of Illinois can take notes. After losing the helmet law and failing to stop motorcycle bans, and now on the verge of endorsing this requirement of extra insurance for motorcyclists, we'll take notes all right. If we want to learn how to lose we'll give you guys a call.

Freedom isn't free,
Todd