Here you will find information about District #14, ABATE of Iowa, other motorcycle rights organizations, motorcycle related webpages, and political webpages.
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The following is something I wrote sitting around today and I am sending it here to listen to comments from the people I believe feel the same as I do about things. I welcome any and all comments. Thanks Nasty Noel ??Are you a ‘Freedom Rider’ or a ‘Welfare Rider’?? Now there is a question that will turn a lot of heads I’m sure. I’m sure there are many who will quickly jump up and say “I’m a ‘Freedom Rider” “I got a brand new Harley that I ride on sunny afternoons.” “I ride my Goldwing to Americade every year.” “I go to Daytona every year.” “ I rode in that benefit run last summer.” “Of course I believe in Freedom, I ride a Harley.” “Well of course I’m a “Freedom Rider”, I joined that ABATE thing last year at the swap meet, I just haven’t had time to go to a meeting or read their newsletter.” “Of course I’m a HOG, Star Society, GWRRA member.” I’m sure there will be others who are asking, “What’s a welfare Rider?” “What do you mean a welfare rider my bike costs 40 grand.” “What do you mean welfare I’m a doctor, lawyer, accountant, whatever.” “What do you mean welfare I don’t dress like one of ‘them’ bikers.” Well first I think we need to take a look at what a welfare rider might be. Is it that guy riding that beat up old import over there? Is it that rider that the media portrays as them ‘bad’ guys? What is a rider? Websters says: a rider is someone who rides, therefore a motorcycle rider is someone who rides a motorcycle. To me a rider is anyone who chooses to ride a motorcycle. No matter what they ride, no matter how they dress, no matter what their standing in life. If they ride, they are a rider. What is Welfare? We all know what welfare is, assistance from the Government. Something the Government gives you to live life. Most people out there know it’s usually a great way of life to be dependent on them to live. Waiting for them to give you what they believe you need to live. So I guess the definition of a ‘Welfare rider’ would be someone who his happy to be controlled by his government, when it comes to decisions about riding. He is content to sit back and watch as more and more of his personal freedoms and liberties are taken away from him. He doesn’t get involved with Motorcycle Rights Organizations because he doesn’t mind being told he has to wear a helmet and isn’t that all they care about? It doesn’t affect him when proposed EPA regulations will forever change the face of motorcycling. His bike just came off the showroom floor and he is very content to ride it just the way it was sold to him. He doesn’t care about tamper proof parts; he wasn’t going to change anything anyway. It doesn’t affect him when these regulations will put many small businesses out of work, his job is secure. He can not fathom the fact that there may come a day when he is told, by law, what to ride, where to ride, when to ride, whom he can ride with, and what to wear while he’s riding. Well I bet a lot of you are probably thinking I’m crazy. Well, you might be right. Some of you are probably wondering what I think a Liberty rider is? Well to me liberty is the ability to live my life the way I choose, without being over governed. I believe that as an adult I have the right to make my own choices as long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. I also believe that I have the right to question and try to change my Government when they infringe upon my personal rights. I believe that I should have the right to ride what I want, when I want, where I want, with whom I want, and dressed the way I choose. So has everyone answered the first question yet? What kind of rider are you? There is only one person that can answer that question and that is you. Please remember that not all welfare riders are in that class because they want to be; Hell I’ll bet many of them have never even looked at things this way. Many have never been informed that they are losing more and more liberties each day. Some people have been liberty riders only to give it up due to outside reasons and decided it wasn’t worth it. Some have allowed themselves to believe that there is nothing they can do to change it. How many have said “I’m not ‘that’ kind of rider so it doesn’t matter to me.”? There’s a poem I read years ago that sums that up for me, it’s following this letter. How many SMRO’s have seen their memberships decline over personal conflicts? How many more liberties are we going to allow them to take away before we get involved? How many fellow bikers are we going to bury because the Government spends more money to pass laws to protect us from ourselves, than it does to educate other drivers, who are at fault about 85% of the time in Car/Motorcycle Accidents. When will they decide that our lives are just as valuable as those who choose to drive other vehicles? How many small businesses will have to close due to Government over regulation? Well, I hope that I have a lot of you thinking now. I hope you are thinking that the time to get involved and be a ‘liberty rider’ is now. I hope that you are wondering what you can do to get involved in the fight for liberty. One thing you can do is get involved with you local ABATE chapter. “Awwwwww man, you mean I’ve got to join something?” Well yes, I believe you do. How else are you going to stay informed of the things that affect you and motorcycling? “But, I’m already a member of HOG, Star Society, or GWRRA.” And when was the last time they sent you information pertaining to your rights and liberties? Riding groups are fine, but they were not created to fight for your rights. “But I ride in all of those benefit rides every year” When was the last time one of those organizations stood up for the rights of riders? They are there to raise funds for whatever cause it is, and some are very good ones, but they are not there to fight for your rights. ABATE was created to give riders a place to go to stand up for their rights. We send newsletters to our members to keep them informed. We have meetings to give them a place to have their voices heard. We work to make our members and the public more aware. We work to implement legislation that gives us the right to ride what we want, when we want, where we want, and with whom we want, without unnecessary restrictions. We work to make the public more aware of our presence on the roadways, therefore hoping to reduce the number of accidents and deaths. We work to introduce the lifestyle of riding to everyone who wishes to share it. Whether you ride everyday or only when the sun is shining, whether you dress in a suit and tie, the colors of your club, or anything in-between, whether you ride a Harley or a Honda, a Beemer or a Bourget. All that matters is you ride, and if you don’t get involved, someday you may not ride at all. Well by now I hope you are better able to answer that first question. I personally don’t think that there is one clear cut answer. I think most people can fall into both catagories with varying degrees. There are many freedom riders out there. They are involved with ABATE and other MRO’s. They believe that they need to stay involved and work to keep their liberties and freedoms. There are many who have joined an MRO and just havent had the time to get involved. There are also those that give as much time as they can devote to this. And like all things this comes in varying degrees. Some people have the time to become officers and continue the fight. Some only have time to join and read their newsletter and maybe write a letter once in a while when needed. There are many that attend our events because they know that only together can we become strong enough to have liberty prevail. I hope that by reading this you will be able to answer to yourself the question that I asked. Here is a simple test that I use: Are you a freedom fighter? Do you ride for liberty? Have you done your best for biker rights? If so take the "Mirror Test." Mirror Test: Each morning when you first look into the mirror, look straight into your eyes and ask yourself "Have I done that which I can do to the best of my ability?" If the answer is no try to find something more to do that day. The best answer I have been able to give is "I'm trying." ©’Nasty’ Noel Baker December 3, 2002 'Nasty' Noel Baker ABATE of New York Inc. Central District Coordinator Oswego County Chapter President Oswego County Newsletter Editor Onondaga County Newsletter Editor Patriot - Sons of Liberty Riders NY Certified MSF Riding Instructor Member MRF, AMA * The views expressed here are my personal views and may or may not be the same views of any of the Organizations I belong to.
