Focus Pocus
 

"An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea." ~Buddha

 

Some motorcycle “enthusiasts” think ABATE is a one trick pony, only concerned with the helmet law. They couldn’t be more wrong. It’s one thing to be out of touch with reality, it’s another thing entirely when you trust your essential liberties to somebody else. If I had to choose just one issue as the pre-eminent threat to motorcycling, it would be APATHY. People just don’t seem to care that they could wake up tomorrow with a 700 pound paperweight in their garage. I’ll never understand people who can spend $30 bucks a week on a t-shirt or a charity run, but won’t spend $30 bucks a year to help support an organization that does all the work for their benefit.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I'm not in the freedom business for the fancy name-tag or the pat on the back, but an "atta-boy" every once in a while sure would help to inspire our troops who work so hard and so selflessly for all the riders in California , without ever asking for anything in return. Only to be misunderstood, taken advantage of, scorned and slammed by our own species. Following is a partial list of important things we all need to do in 2008.  

 

Help get Biker-Friendly candidates into the legislature. What you do this year affects the legislation we introduce next year. Do nothing, and that’s exactly what you’ll get. The blame will be on those who stayed home to watch American Chopper, and there’s no reason to watch that show if Vinnie ain’t there anymore. If you’re gonna ‘act’ like a Biker, your butt needs to be stapling signs and stuffing envelopes with me at the campaign headquarters of a Biker-Friendly candidate. 

 

Please donate to the ABATE Voter Guide for 2008. Make your check payable to ABATE Voter Guide and send it to ABATE of California , 10240 7th Avenue , Hesperia , CA 92345-2631 . Attention: Voter Guide

 

Helmet Law Modification. It's not about the helmet at all, it's about the choice. When we get a bill number, it is your responsibility to get your Union or business listed as “in support” of the bill by writing a letter of support on official letterhead and sending that to the Chairman of the Transportation Committee in the house carrying the bill.  

 

Please donate to the ABATE Judicial Fund. Help us pursue the lid law through the courts. We all know the law is unconstitutionally vague. All we need now is an official ruling and money to pay the lawyer. Just like that famous Rutles song, “All You Need is Cash.”  Please make your check payable to ABATE Judicial Fund and send it to ABATE of California , 10240 7th Avenue , Hesperia , CA 92345-2631 . Attention: Judicial Fund

 

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month in California . Here's an easy one everyone can agree with because it's a win-win for everybody. Get Motorcycle Awareness Month officially proclaimed in your city or town. Need the proclamation language to make things easier? Visit my website, http://www.bikernation.net/mcaware.htm for practically everything you need to know to make motorcycle awareness month a reality in your town. It's been an enormous help in building relationships with my legislators, and I highly recommend you give it a try. Remember, today’s council member or mayor is tomorrow’s assemblyperson, senator, congressman or governor.

 

Public Service Announcements for Motorcycle Awareness Month. The PSAs are produced by Casto, the guy who does the Biker Nation TV Show. No other organization is putting out PSAs, and you can help get an ABATE-friendly message on your local television station.  Please visit your local station and speak with the person in charge of airing PSAs. Find out what media format your station needs. (beta, beta sp, dvd, mini dv, super 8) Casto will mail the PSA to you and you’ll get the pride of bringing motorcycle awareness to your community. Hey, the life you save just might be your own!

 

Petition to make toll roads FREE for Motorcycle Riders. Please take a moment to sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/cocsc2/ which essentially asks the State of California to pass a law allowing free access, without initial cost, to all existing and future toll roads for those traveling on a motorcycle.

 

Loud Pipes. Law enforcement is cracking down all over the state. If you're really that desperate for attention, maybe you should visit your mother more often. Yeah, I have loud pipes - so don't even start with me. I don't cuss in front of my Gramma and I don't try to wake up sleepy towns while representing the rest of youse guys. The hardest part about preserving freedom is exercising personal responsibility for your own actions. Keep the pipes, rev responsibly.

 

ABATE Hospitality Booth at Run For The Wall, May 14, 2008 . ABATE steps up to provide FREE coffee, donuts and goodie bags for our heroes and their supporters on an inspirational journey of healing from Ontario , CA to Washington , DC . Volunteers and donations needed and much appreciated. No preaching - it's all about taking care of them and doin' what's right.

 

The ABATE Merchandise Program. Cynthia has done an incredible job at making our merchandise program a success. Somewhere inside this issue you’ll find an order form for ABATE swag. I highly suggest the knit blanket or the license plate frame.

 

The ABATE State Rally, Northern Regional Rally and Southern Regional Rally. Volunteer to help, donate some time or prizes, stick flyers in bike magazines at the newsstand, get the time off work and show your support. Who knows, you just might have a good time and it won’t seem like work at all.

 

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Best of the West will be in Vancouver , WA on

June 13-15, 2008 . The 24th Annual Meeting of the Minds will be held in Denver , Colorado from September 25th thru the 28th. Are you an MRF member? If not, join today! http://www.mrf.org/join.php

 

Helmet Law Protest, San Diego . All riders welcome. Contact Red Barron for info 858-270-7771 steve_red_barron@yahoo.com

 

Ride to Work Day will be on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 . For more information, visit: www.ridetowork.org/

 

Sell those ABATE of California Membership Raffle Tickets and sign up new members! Sporty works his butt off for this organization to grow our membership numbers. Buy or sell some tickets and help support this worthy endeavor.

 

We also need donations to the General Fund, the Lobbyist Fund and the ABATE Safety and Awareness Program (ASAP).

 

Miss Penny of the Virginia Freedom Riders and Biker Republic sends this message to riders in California and across the nation; "GET INVOLVED! Stop counting on a handful of people to protect and restore your rights. They're YOUR rights - and it's up to YOU!"

 

Focus. Direction. Whatever you want to call it, there's a LOT of work to be done and plenty of jobs to match your talents. With a little focus pocus and steadfast resolve, we can achieve anything. Thanks for being there for us, you're the most important part of our team.