Post by Wyldcomfort on May 18, 2007 6:02:07 GMT -5
Well, the Oregonian articles are done. It is unfortunate that SB101 didn't get anymore attention than it did. He refers to it as only a Safety Training Bill, says the minimum age was dropped, but neglects to even mention the requirement for supervision and rider-fit. Repeatedly, the articles point out the dangers of young riders on ATVs that are too large. The common thread that runs through almost ALL of the stories of death in the articles and posted on the Oregonian's website is a lack of proper supervision. Yet, when discussing SB101, rider-fit and required adult supervision is not even mentioned.
As I understand it, this story was born over a year ago and my guess is they had it very well planned in advance. I have met with Jeff Manning several times and he is a nice man - passionate about what he feels is right. I honestly think "they" got to him first and he was sold a bill of goods. Consumer Federation of America has worked hard at trying to ban ATVs for years. As you read in the article they actually were contacting parents to use in their anti-atv propaganda. Another partner in this is the environmentalists (see below) - no mention of that connection in the Oregonian. My husband actually gave me a bit of prospective last night - I have researched some of these parents and know the entire story. We have all come down this path together, exploring, learning, and actually being shocked at the truth we have found. Our group hasn't been contacting parents who have lost a child. Our group has contacted the two contacts responsible for SB49 - the only contacts doing their jobs. If a parent looses a child but then it becomes their JOB to write legislation, lobby, and actually establish an organization for that purpose using their story for effect in that process - should that tie the hands of the people who are attacked? Is it an attack when we are defending ourselves?? And if child safety was the concern, wouldn't supervision and training be at the top of the list for good legislation? Someone wise long ago told me there is always a path - you just have to follow power or money. So I wonder now who bought the four ATV's used in the study? Who paid for the year long study and four day anti-atv report? What was the involvement with Consumer Federation and Concerned Families for ATV safety?? If Consumer Federation contacted parents and helped them establish an organization, this organization is lobbying on state and federal levels, then the objective is clear....and to me it seems so wrong.
There have been several people who are very angry at me for exposing the facts in one of these cases....but when I ask them if they would like to see the actual reports they clearly refuse. I figured that out too. It is better to hate me than know the truth. Why, because it is easier and more comfortable to believe a lie especially if there is a hidden agenda. Didn't the Oregonian go much farther than our group ever did? In some ways the Oregonian exposed more than we ever even considered publically displaying. It was to be so outrageous it shocked our reaction to "oh please". It encouraged people to use common sense and cry foul, fight back. Jeff is an extremely smart man and I don't think it was by accident. He gave us just enough information to leave the reader outraged at the lack of common sense and responsibility. Sure, blame was placed on everyone but the parents - but what did most people get out of that story??? They got fed up. Tired of reading how it was always someone else's fault. He made his point on the dangers of ATVs also - isn't that what we want? We want parents to understand the dangers of ATV's.
Now that the Oregonian has done its bidding I hope they will take a more positive look at the direction of Senate Bill 101 and give credit where credit is due. Hard to credit the very people you said are against responsible atv legislation for putting together the most comprehensive package in the Nation... One other thing I want to clear up. Rep. Smith is and has always been a true friend to the ATV community. He has not wavered and he has my appreciation and respect. It saddened me to see him represented poorly in the article. Please show him your support. We may not always have the same anwer but we share the same goal - and he is a strong and honest man. Another shining star in all of this is Senator Metsger and his staff. He didn't have to do anything and yet he put it all together for SB101 - he is the one that brought us to one table. Senator Devlin is a kind man and even though he was put between a very hard rock and hard place - he stepped up to the plate and has become our spokesman - a job he is passionate and good at! We have a lot of work ahead of us...we have raised the bar and are breaking ground into some unknown territory. I am certain we are ready for the task but I encourage you not to forget the promise we have given to a trusting team member - Parks - they will need our help doing the "boring" stuff, the hard stuff and we cannot let them down. We all own this thing - it is the only way it stands a chance to work, and failure is not an option. Please read the following webclip and a letter that was sent to me...wow, some of our members are really smart - good thing!! Thanks again - Lindy
As I understand it, this story was born over a year ago and my guess is they had it very well planned in advance. I have met with Jeff Manning several times and he is a nice man - passionate about what he feels is right. I honestly think "they" got to him first and he was sold a bill of goods. Consumer Federation of America has worked hard at trying to ban ATVs for years. As you read in the article they actually were contacting parents to use in their anti-atv propaganda. Another partner in this is the environmentalists (see below) - no mention of that connection in the Oregonian. My husband actually gave me a bit of prospective last night - I have researched some of these parents and know the entire story. We have all come down this path together, exploring, learning, and actually being shocked at the truth we have found. Our group hasn't been contacting parents who have lost a child. Our group has contacted the two contacts responsible for SB49 - the only contacts doing their jobs. If a parent looses a child but then it becomes their JOB to write legislation, lobby, and actually establish an organization for that purpose using their story for effect in that process - should that tie the hands of the people who are attacked? Is it an attack when we are defending ourselves?? And if child safety was the concern, wouldn't supervision and training be at the top of the list for good legislation? Someone wise long ago told me there is always a path - you just have to follow power or money. So I wonder now who bought the four ATV's used in the study? Who paid for the year long study and four day anti-atv report? What was the involvement with Consumer Federation and Concerned Families for ATV safety?? If Consumer Federation contacted parents and helped them establish an organization, this organization is lobbying on state and federal levels, then the objective is clear....and to me it seems so wrong.
There have been several people who are very angry at me for exposing the facts in one of these cases....but when I ask them if they would like to see the actual reports they clearly refuse. I figured that out too. It is better to hate me than know the truth. Why, because it is easier and more comfortable to believe a lie especially if there is a hidden agenda. Didn't the Oregonian go much farther than our group ever did? In some ways the Oregonian exposed more than we ever even considered publically displaying. It was to be so outrageous it shocked our reaction to "oh please". It encouraged people to use common sense and cry foul, fight back. Jeff is an extremely smart man and I don't think it was by accident. He gave us just enough information to leave the reader outraged at the lack of common sense and responsibility. Sure, blame was placed on everyone but the parents - but what did most people get out of that story??? They got fed up. Tired of reading how it was always someone else's fault. He made his point on the dangers of ATVs also - isn't that what we want? We want parents to understand the dangers of ATV's.
Now that the Oregonian has done its bidding I hope they will take a more positive look at the direction of Senate Bill 101 and give credit where credit is due. Hard to credit the very people you said are against responsible atv legislation for putting together the most comprehensive package in the Nation... One other thing I want to clear up. Rep. Smith is and has always been a true friend to the ATV community. He has not wavered and he has my appreciation and respect. It saddened me to see him represented poorly in the article. Please show him your support. We may not always have the same anwer but we share the same goal - and he is a strong and honest man. Another shining star in all of this is Senator Metsger and his staff. He didn't have to do anything and yet he put it all together for SB101 - he is the one that brought us to one table. Senator Devlin is a kind man and even though he was put between a very hard rock and hard place - he stepped up to the plate and has become our spokesman - a job he is passionate and good at! We have a lot of work ahead of us...we have raised the bar and are breaking ground into some unknown territory. I am certain we are ready for the task but I encourage you not to forget the promise we have given to a trusting team member - Parks - they will need our help doing the "boring" stuff, the hard stuff and we cannot let them down. We all own this thing - it is the only way it stands a chance to work, and failure is not an option. Please read the following webclip and a letter that was sent to me...wow, some of our members are really smart - good thing!! Thanks again - Lindy