From the President

GET INVOLVED OR QUIT COMPLAINING....WHY AREN'T YOU GETTING INVOLVED...

Well, I hope that I have a lot of you thinking now. I hope you are thinking that the time to get involved is now. I hope that you are wondering what you can do to get involved in the fight.

One thing you can do is get involved with your 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 ride in all of those benefit/charity rides every year." Riding for these charities are fine, but they were not created to fight for your rights. 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, leathers, 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 understand my opening statement. There are many who have joined ABATE and just haven’t 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. 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: Are You Involved ENOUGH? 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.

Sooooo...GET INVOLVED OR QUIT COMPLAINING !!!

Wally B.

ABATE Dist. 1 President