From: jeq@i88.isc.com (Jonathan E. Quist)
Subject: Re: Dear Abby sez "Don't let kids get on motorcycles"
Organization: INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation, Naperville, IL
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 22:14:59 GMT

In article <1992Dec28.190147.17320@spdc.ti.com> serafin@epcot.spdc.ti.com (Mike Serafin) writes:
>In article <1hiq0gINNdvh@agate.berkeley.edu> delorme@garnet.berkeley.edu (Lisa DeLorme) writes:
>>San Francisco Chroncile's Dear Abby Column on Sat. Dec 26, 1992:
>>Reproduced verbatim without permission
>>
>>Headline: "Don't Let Kids Get on Motorcycles"
>>
>>"Dear Abby,
>>   I read with interest your recent letter about adults freely allowing
>>children to sit upon or play around horses, and the dangers involved.
>>   We belong to the Goldwing Road Riders Association and often take trips
>>with as many as 20 motorcycles- sometimes more. You would be amazed at the
>>number of times we have come out from restuarants, etc., to find children
>>sitting or climbing on our bikes! These machines weigh close to 900 pounds
>>and are valued from $15,000.
...
>>Abby's reply:
>>Dear Barbara,
>>I presume you have insurance in the event that a child (or an adult) is
>>injured on- or falling off- your vehicle. A motorcycle is legally termed
>>"an attractive nuisance. Owning a motorcycles is an awesome responsibility."
>    
>Does this reponse burn anyone else as it does me?   Not only does she appear to 
>condone the actions of these mush-brained assholes and their brain dead
>offspring, she claims that we should be held responsible if one of these idiots
>happens to knock one of our bikes over on themselves.  It scares the hell out 
>of me that crap like this can be allowed to propagate.  If motorcycles truly
>are termed "attractive nuisances" in legal circles, in ain't gonna be much
>longer before some brain dead legislator will move to remove the nuisance. 

It doesn't burn me so much that she holds motorcyclists in contempt (after
all, she has the same attitude towards private pilots, why should riding
be different from flying?).  The thing that bothers me more is her utter
disregard for human life and health.  She seems to think that, after
a 900 pound bike with hot pipes falls over on a little kid that
insurance will make it all better.

>Everyone reading this, who shares an interest in motorcycling needs to write to
>this stupid bitch and let her know our feelings.  Not to mention being involved
>in whatever politically active motorcycling organization happens to toot your
>flute.  If opinions such as these are the only ones being given to the spoon
>fed masses, our favorite pastime will be just that.  

You will have far more positive effect by writing a calm, rational letter
to her explaining the dangers involved in her attitude than you will
by starting the letter "Hey, ignorant bitch:".

Be sure and send a copy of the letter to the editorial and circulation
departments of all local paper that carry her column as well.  They're the
ones who ultimately decide whether to send her a check.


-- 
Jonathan E. Quist                              INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation
jeq@i88.isc.com  '71 CL450-K4 "Gleep", DoD #094        Naperville, IL
                Celebrate the winter holiday of your choice by
                  offering your hand to someone who needs it.
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles,alt.autos.antique,ca.driving,rec.autos.driving