Post by Wyldcomfort on May 13, 2007 23:00:38 GMT -5
First of all, Happy Mother's day...Second of all, it is well worth reading the Oregonian today and over the next few days. Today was frontpage and included a total of four full page articles. Jeff Manning interviewed me several months ago during our campaign against Senate Bill 49. He had been working with Sue Rabe over the course of several years and was intensely involved with investigating ATV safety, Senate Bill 49, etc. He seemed most concerned at where I obtained the Document Sue had signed stating she wouldn't allow anyone under the age of 18 to operate and declining supervision. He also said I would not like the story. He was surprised that our group, who opposed SB49, actually had begun to write safety legislation for next session. I explained we were not opposed to making this sport safer but felt the true problem lied with the lack of supervision in each of the cases we had reviewed. I also asked him that no matter how he choose to attack the industry, riders, etc. would he please get out the message to parents of the importance of parental supervision. After reading the article to ay, it is obvious he has no intention of doing so. Once again the press, this time our press, has chosen to sensationalize and pass blame in a manner that will help no one. Unlike Senate Bill 49 that had some thread of good intention, my concern is these articles will undermine the hard work that all parties have been collectively involved. Over the past week the Oregonian has been trying to schedule what was referred to as my "mug shot". I have agreed to having my picture taken on Monday but I have no illusions that it is in my best interest. On the front page they list a preview of what is to come for each day next week - ironically on Wednesday there is a picture of Sue Rabe touching her child's picture and a caption of "why legisilation in Oregon wasn't passed".. Somehow I get the feeling that my picture will be posted the villian - next to Sue's picture as the grieving mother. Sue is a wonderful example of what went wrong and she has not only been deceptive, but there are so many inconsistancies she is also not credible. Senate Bill 49 banned kids from riding - tearing apart a wonderful family activity. Kids are not dying when they are with their parents - they are dying alone. SB 49 didn't require supervision - didn't require safety training. SB101 does.
In today's paper Jeff beat around the bush. He tells the tragic tale of young lives lost but what he neglects to point out is simply this...they were not supervised. Three girls were on a quad at grandpas house - they were speeding, fishtailing, hit a cattle guard and lost control. They didn't have helmets on and there wasn't an adult in site. There is a pretty girl, track star, double on a quad with her boyfriend - no helmet, no adult supervision.... Just like all of the other deceptive stories that plague our sport we read a story but rather than focus the responsibility it passes blame. Blame to an ATV that suddenly springs to life, blame to an industry who doesn't care about kids but not only offers free safety training but pays people to take it, and to the CPSC who has worked harder on doing the right thing while constantly being attacked by special interest groups. Why would a paper skirt the truth? I have the same numbers they have that tell me almost every accident is unsupervised and on private land - not public. Why imply something that is not true - imply supervision or helmets when this time there wasn't any. Why tell us how these parents took every precaution - except for this one time?
The Oregonian has spent huge dollars on this story - even purchased atvs and hired an engineer. But once again common sense isn't a part of it - nope, spend tens of thousands of dollars leading us down the same misleading path for what - a story. A story. Are ATVS dangerous...yes. Are horses dangerous...yes. Are bikes dangerous....yes again. Is life dangerous?? YES. A parent has the responsibility to supervise and protect their children. Why is it so difficult to hold a parent accountable and yet not think a thing about slapping a lawsuit on anyone else - including a grandfather? Why is the truth so distasteful we would rather promote a lie. A lie that will continue to cost children their lives. Why will I be portrayed the villian when my children are kept safe and I take my responsibility very seriously when a parent who made several wrong choices that put their child at risk be protected and honored?
Today my son cooked scrambled eggs, my daughter blueberry waffles, and dad made tea. They brought it to me in bed with fresh picked flowers and a handmade card. They are my life and everyday I worry for their safety, education, acceptance at school, and providing an environment where they will flourish. I know and understand the risks of riding ATVs just as I do any activity that involves my children. Yes they tip. Yes they can roll over. Yes they can crash into trees. But today is mother's day - just like everyday of the year and my children will never ride alone. Just as my children will never swim alone, ski alone, hike or climb alone, ride horses alone - they will not ride ATVs alone. Helmets, chest protectors are only a small part but vital part of safety. Parents controlling speed and behavior is the most critical in accident prevention.
Tomorrow is the hearing for Senate Bill 101 in the House at 3:00. A bill designed to protect our sport and the children involved in it. It is a proactive rather than a reactive approach - it is good, honest, and team-based. If passed it will be the best legislation in the Nation and a very good start in truth rather than "story". Please come if you can. This issue is huge and together we can make a difference - hopefully enough to combat the four page report each day for four days. Maybe we should all ask him how many children have died with helmets, with parental supervision, and are not riding illegally on roadways. That answer wouldn't have made for a "good" story....
Happy Mother's day, Lindy
In today's paper Jeff beat around the bush. He tells the tragic tale of young lives lost but what he neglects to point out is simply this...they were not supervised. Three girls were on a quad at grandpas house - they were speeding, fishtailing, hit a cattle guard and lost control. They didn't have helmets on and there wasn't an adult in site. There is a pretty girl, track star, double on a quad with her boyfriend - no helmet, no adult supervision.... Just like all of the other deceptive stories that plague our sport we read a story but rather than focus the responsibility it passes blame. Blame to an ATV that suddenly springs to life, blame to an industry who doesn't care about kids but not only offers free safety training but pays people to take it, and to the CPSC who has worked harder on doing the right thing while constantly being attacked by special interest groups. Why would a paper skirt the truth? I have the same numbers they have that tell me almost every accident is unsupervised and on private land - not public. Why imply something that is not true - imply supervision or helmets when this time there wasn't any. Why tell us how these parents took every precaution - except for this one time?
The Oregonian has spent huge dollars on this story - even purchased atvs and hired an engineer. But once again common sense isn't a part of it - nope, spend tens of thousands of dollars leading us down the same misleading path for what - a story. A story. Are ATVS dangerous...yes. Are horses dangerous...yes. Are bikes dangerous....yes again. Is life dangerous?? YES. A parent has the responsibility to supervise and protect their children. Why is it so difficult to hold a parent accountable and yet not think a thing about slapping a lawsuit on anyone else - including a grandfather? Why is the truth so distasteful we would rather promote a lie. A lie that will continue to cost children their lives. Why will I be portrayed the villian when my children are kept safe and I take my responsibility very seriously when a parent who made several wrong choices that put their child at risk be protected and honored?
Today my son cooked scrambled eggs, my daughter blueberry waffles, and dad made tea. They brought it to me in bed with fresh picked flowers and a handmade card. They are my life and everyday I worry for their safety, education, acceptance at school, and providing an environment where they will flourish. I know and understand the risks of riding ATVs just as I do any activity that involves my children. Yes they tip. Yes they can roll over. Yes they can crash into trees. But today is mother's day - just like everyday of the year and my children will never ride alone. Just as my children will never swim alone, ski alone, hike or climb alone, ride horses alone - they will not ride ATVs alone. Helmets, chest protectors are only a small part but vital part of safety. Parents controlling speed and behavior is the most critical in accident prevention.
Tomorrow is the hearing for Senate Bill 101 in the House at 3:00. A bill designed to protect our sport and the children involved in it. It is a proactive rather than a reactive approach - it is good, honest, and team-based. If passed it will be the best legislation in the Nation and a very good start in truth rather than "story". Please come if you can. This issue is huge and together we can make a difference - hopefully enough to combat the four page report each day for four days. Maybe we should all ask him how many children have died with helmets, with parental supervision, and are not riding illegally on roadways. That answer wouldn't have made for a "good" story....
Happy Mother's day, Lindy