Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Perhaps Assemblyman John Longville may reconsider the wording of his ammendment to Assembly Bill 1200? Possibly could be ammended to read “legislators convicted of manslaughter in cases involving the death of a motorcycle rider in traffic collisions are deemed to have consented to the making of an anatomical gift under this act.” My letter to the assemblyman is already postmarked & ready to mail. Thanks for keeping us posted on these serious issues.

Sincerely,

Gerhard Lippert
Van Nuys, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

(As sent to the Assemblyman behind the proposal in question.)

I am quite surprised! How can a member of the party that supports a woman’s right to choose what she does with her body propose a law that denies a motorcyclist’s that same right?

As a motorcyclist for almost four decades, and an organ donor by choice, I find your proposed amendment to Assembly Bill 1200 personally repugnant.

Because I value my life, I wear a helmet by choice.

Because I value the rights I fought for, I will not spend either my family’s vacation time or our vacation dollars in your state, regardless of how much I love riding the coastal roads. In addition, I will no longer do business with vendors from California.

As I am not one of your constituents, this is the only way that I can express my feelings about your actions.

Bob Dickey
Willow Park, Texas
www.willowparkvfd.com


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Just a quick comment about the proposed Organ Donor Bill.

While it is unfortunate that people out there fall ill and require organ donations, many people also choose to destroy their bodies with drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Why are motorcyclists who are killed targeted as the source for replacement parts? Who other than oneself, or ones next of kin, has the right to decide what happens to your organs due to the manner of your death?

BTW, I always wear proper safety gear when riding and am a voluntary organ donor.

Thanks,

Edmund Lewis
New Windsor, Maryland



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Perhaps the wording of the law should be changed to include ALL victims of head injuries in order to make this proposal “Politically Correct”, rather than singling out motorcyclists. Not that I’m going to ride without a good helmet…

Elliott Iverson
Riverside, California


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I wonder if Assemblyman Longville would have the courage to propose similar legislation for automobile drivers & their passengers who forgo using seatbelts and are then fatally injured in an accident? I’d imagine this would alienate quite a few voters & create quite an uproar. Yet it seems like us motorcyclists are an easy target for this type of discrimination.

Gerhard Lippert
Van Nuys, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

(As sent to the AMA regarding its press release on the piece of legislation in question.)

To whom it may concern:

Would you people stop wasting the hard earned money we send you every year!!!

Your recent press release regarding the CA organ donor bill has pushed me over the edge.

Who really cares about helmet laws or organ donor requirements anyway? Everyone w/ a drivers license should be required to be a donor. Not being and organ donor is just about the most selfish thing imaginable.

Everyone riding a motorcycle should wear a helmet.

You should spend more time and effort educating people on the importance wearing a lid and promoting helmet use. Your constant fighting of helmet laws gives people the impression that the AMA doesn’t believe that motorcyclists should wear helmets. What’s next? Are you going to spend our money to try to convince the general public that “Loud pipes save lives”?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! Put your efforts into sanctioning races, keeping riding areas open and controlling the bleeding of $$ and lack of rider representation in the decision making process @ AMA Pro Racing.

Thank you and happy new year,

Tyler Sandell
AMA #268561
Seattle, Washington