|
||||||
|
IMMEDIATE RELEASE August , 2006 Connecting the dots at the Greenville News(Columbia) In the Monday, August 21, 2006 edition of the Greenville News ran an editorial titled, Motorcycle fatalities rise. Once again, another editorial department of a South Carolina newspaper has attempted to connect dots that are unrelated in a peculiar effort to persuade lawmakers to force totalitarianism onto the heads of freedom loving bikers. Why the Greenville News opposes freedom of choice for motorcyclists is anybody’s guess. Ed Haas, ABATE of SC Media Coordinator, contacted the Greenville News editorial department on August 23, 2006. Haas spoke with Mr. Paul Hyde. “I asked Hyde why the Greenville News referenced motorcycle fatality statistics absent the proper context of vehicle miles traveled, a question he could not answer. Hyde seemed frustrated by this challenge,” explains Haas. Instead of answering the question directly, Hyde responded by saying, “Look we just want to see a decrease in traffic fatalities in South Carolina.” Haas then asked, “If that is true, and considering the fact that head injuries are also the leading cause of fatalities in automobile and truck accidents, does the Greenville News support a law that would require all operators and passengers of all motor vehicles traveling on South Carolina roadways to wear helmets? Does the Greenville News support an all rider, driver, operator and passenger helmet law for each and every person traveling in or on any motorized vehicle in South Carolina?” Hyde said, “I don’t believe this paper has taken that position.” “Then why is the Greenville News taking such a discriminatory position towards motorcyclists,” asked Haas? Hyde responded, “I don’t see it that way.” Finally, Haas asked, “Does anybody working in the Editorial Department of the Greenville News ride a motorcycle?” Hyde said, “No”. “These types of editorials are nothing more than self-serving publicity stunts. The people writing them like to wrap themselves up in the concerned citizen and responsible journalism blanket, but at the end of the day, they have no real personal interest in motorcycle safety. They refuse to take up causes such as right of way violation laws; one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes where car and truck drivers fail to yield, and crowd motorcyclists out of traffic lanes and off of roadways. They remain silent on funding for improved motorcycle awareness training in driver education classes taught in our public schools. They lack any interest in increasing the availability of motorcycle safety courses in South Carolina. Their answer is always the same – pass another totalitarian law, infringe upon the freedoms and liberties of the people, and call it - for the common good,” says Haas. “Respect for freedom and liberty, personal responsibility, and education - not legislation is the ABATE answer to improved safety on South Carolina highways and byways. Anything else is oppressive and intrusive. ### ABATE of South Carolina is a State Motorcyclists Rights Organization dedicated to defending the rights of all motorcyclists who choose to ride in South Carolina. ABATE of South Carolina also encourages all motorcyclists to register to vote and become active in the political process. ABATE encourages motorcyclists to voluntarily obtain motorcycle rider training. Many members of ABATE are involved in a variety of charitable organizations and take great pride in being active members of their communities. To learn more about ABATE of SC visit http://www.abatesc.com |
||||||
