Freedom fight

Dear Editor,

"... somehow repeal will be "good" for Nebraska citizens, employers, and tourism.

-- certainly not somehow but specifically a small but pertinent freedom ceded back to Nebraska's citizens; traffic jams aren't a problem?; and if you don't think some bikers deliberately skirt Nebraska, then you're not looking ...

First, proponents of repeal count on "training." They cite as proof training works the "fact" that Iowa has training, and no helmet law.

-- the California Motorcycle Safety Program realized an 86 percent decrease in fatalities among its graduates. Nebraskans are surely no less adept than Californians, eh ? . . .

LB 70 has no training requirement for about 58,000 riders -- 98 percent of all licensed riders in the state.

-- but it won't be 98 percent tomorrow ...

Training, for all its many benefits, is designed to prevent collisions.

-- 2/3rds of which are the fault of the car-driver . . .

NHTSA's statistics for fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcycles show that Iowa has a "lower" rate than Nebraska. This is an illusory statistic ...

-- because it doesn't suit Mulherin's nanny mentality ...

helmets are only designed to withstand a 14 mph crash.

-- if you want the protection of a helmet, put it on !

A lot of riders don't want to ...

-- be TOLD what to do ! ...

wear helmets. They don't want to be told what to do. Fine. Let's repeal all the things that government tells us we have to do for the good of society as a whole.

-- no, just the things that my mother told me how to deal with . . .

A helmet is a small price to pay to help ensure you survive an accident.

-- but it's MY choice . . .

All the training in the world ... can only help you avoid it in the first place.

-- if only they'd include this training for car drivers ...

Please, call your state Senator now and urge them to vote in LB 70 and restore just a little bit of freedom in America.

Wayne Phillips

Orinda, Calif.