Acoustic Shadows

 

During the Civil War, an odd scientific phenomenon wreaked havoc on both sides, equally.  Field commanders normally gauged the progress of action on the battlefield through the low-tech simplicity of sound heard from the command post, hidden a few miles away.  But in a few instances during the war, a muzzle flash could be seen in the distance that would produce no sound. Sometimes with catastrophic consequences.  At Gettysburg , cannon shots could be heard 150 miles away in Pittsburgh and yet totally inaudible from only 10 miles away in the other direction. This freak occurrence of sound refraction came to be known as the “acoustic shadow”, an amalgamation of atmospheric temperature inversions mixed with crazy terrain, dense forests and wind shear. An acoustic shadow at the battle of Seven Pines/Fair Oaks gave command of the Army of Northern Virginia to General Robert E. Lee. Ironically, it was another acoustic shadow at Five Forks that ultimately brought both his career and the war to an end.

 

How people could sit idle while a battle rages only a hop and a skip away is beyond me. Yet, the Rider’s Rights Movement is awash in acoustic shadows. Oftentimes we either get the information too late, or not at all.  There are too many out of date websites and too many unread Bailing Wires in too many bathrooms in California .  The ‘free rags’ you find at shops avoid politics like the plaque, yet enjoy staying warm and dry beneath someone else’s umbrella.  Riders in the Golden State are too dis-involved, too trusting and many of us live in denial. I know a guy that doesn’t want to come to my meetings because he finds all the bad news depressing. Maybe if he were to actually get off his ass and contribute something I would have positive news to speak of. But no, he’s content just to ride, completely oblivious to what’s really happening behind the scenes. Of course, he’ll call me or show up at meetings when he gets a ticket. Should I suddenly feel obligated to help him? He didn’t help us when we needed it most. Again, I don’t understand how people who consider themselves hard cores won’t get mixed up with the ‘politics’ inherent in the preservation of our sport. I don’t understand the arrogance of people who proclaim their love of riding and then hide behind a non-political clause in their national charter when it comes time to stand up for their rights/privileges.  I wouldn’t have ‘em in my sights if they’d at least join the cause, spread a little of the wealth around and simply skip the meetings, because we need MONEY to make things happen.  A donation/contribution would be cool. hint hint. Your group can take up a collection and join ABATE as a Business Member because you like to lane-split.  ABATEPAC has a Voter’s Guide comin’ out soon and we need money NOW to print that thing. Your group can donate because you liked skippin’ the DMV Skills Test after passin’ the CMSP.  There’s an election coming up in November and you can volunteer to work for Biker friendly candidates because you have high bars.  What you do or don’t do in 2004 has a long lasting effect on motorcycle legislation that will be proposed in 2005 and 2006.  Your group should contribute because you like bein’ able to decide for yourself whether or not to wear a hat on Sunday.  

 

Sometimes I wish I was shameless, like some of these big-time activists who walk into major corporations and shake ‘em down with threats of boycotts if the company doesn’t hire family or friends or lend monetary support to a pet project.  Bikers contribute millions to every charity in the world except our own. It’s a serious affliction known as “apathy” and it’s a silent killer. One day you’ll wake up, and motorcycles will just be gone. Illegal. Don’t think so? Try and buy a new three wheeled ATV. You can’t.

 

A fine example of the acoustic shadow just played out in Louisiana . Bikers had a good friend in former Governor Mike Foster.  A motorcycle rider, Foster helped rid the state of its lid law in 1999.  If you were 18 or older and had $10,000 worth of injury insurance, it was your CHOICE to ride with or without a helmet.  I know, choice is a foreign concept to many of you, but it’s a great idea in a country founded on the principles of freedom.  As you can imagine, registrations shot through the roof.  Oddly, Louisiana has more bikes registered than people to ride them with a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license.  Long story short, Foster ain’t the Governor no more, and just like that, Louisiana has re-instated its lid law for adults, effective August 15^th. Why? Because people didn’t get involved. I speak with confidence that I personally wrote more letters to politicians in Louisiana from my hot seat here in California than many hard core Bikers that live there. It’s not just about California to me. There’s a nationwide epidemic of apathy goin’ on out there and I’m lookin’ to stamp it out like a flaming paper bag on my front porch. My one goal in life is to not have to write this column anymore.  Of course the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, but I’d like a little vacation every now and then. Not a permanent vacation like 900,000 others in California , but at least a sharing of the responsibilities. We need a few more quality folks like you who are willing to hit some softballs over the fence for us. We’re always in need of good people.  There aren’t enough of us.  Yeah, I quote Churchill a lot, but he really nails it with this one, “Never have so many owed so much to so few”. Come on out of the acoustic shadows and let’s take care of some business.

 

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BECKY LOPEZ