The INDsider -> Leslie Turk THU, JUN 11 5:41AM by Leslie Turk

Morris feels 'like a criminal' over helmet repeal bill

Yesterday Republican state Rep. Jim Morris of Oil City said he felt like a criminal (or was made to feel like one) for sponsoring House Bill 639, which would have repealed the state’s motorcycle helmet requirement. The repeal would make helmets optional for those age 21 and older.

That qualifies as criminal in my book, and is also fitting for Gov. Bobby Jindal who backs the repeal. The last time the repeal went through, under Jindal mentor/motorcycle enthusiast Mike Foster, motorcycle fatalities increased 100 percent, according to Jim Champagne, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission's former executive director.

This year, the effort to repeal the state’s motorcycle helmet requirement died after failing to get a single nod in the state Senate’s Health and Welfare Committee. The committee, which deals with health and safety issues, beat up on Morris and other backers, eventually deferring the bill. While it could be heard again by the committee, it's highly likely this harebrained idea has gone away for good. The Advocate reported today:

Jindal has argued in favor of the helmet repeal, calling it a freedom of choice issue. His executive counsel, Jimmy Faircloth, represented him in committee.

Faircloth admitted the bill “doesn’t stand a chance” when argued on health issues. “On the basis of personal choice, the Governor’s Office fully supports this,” Faircloth said.

State Sen. David Heitmeier, D-New Orleans, pointed out that Faircloth was in the Health and Welfare Committee to deal with safety issues.

“I just want to kind of help you with what committee you’re in,” Heitmeier told Faircloth.

Read the rest of the story here.

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written by Phil , June 12, 2009 - 02:09 am

A good question would be, how many motorcycle fatalities occurred before and after. How many of those fatalities had no helmet? In the helmetless fatalities, how many would wearing a helmet made no difference, like a motorist taking a left turn in front of a bike. Saying fatalities increased 100% is the same as saying, last year we had one fatality, this year we had two. I hate statistics, and so should you.

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written by Acadiana Watch , June 12, 2009 - 02:49 pm

No Phil, your reasoning is criminal.

All of you who support repeal of the helmet law, according to Ms. Turk, are criminals.

Anyone else you would like to label as criminals, Ms. Turk?

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written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , June 12, 2009 - 03:11 pm

The court of public opinion has no effect on changing the law. Only a legislative majority and the Governor's signature matter.
.
Bikers can build this legislative majority by visiting B4BS.NET. Everyone else can keep on debating. Those who ride WILL decide.

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