"Mike McCrea" wrote in message
om...
That said, I'm still opposed to mandates that infringe on my personal
freedom of choice.

Thanks for the statistics Mike. Part of me agrees with your last statement
but I think in the end I'll accept the regulation. I used to ride a
motorcycle. I was a kid and wore a helmet because NY had a helmet law.
It's too easy on a beautiful day, or when going on a short spin to pass on
the helmet (or pfd). The law makes us think twice. Especially the kids. I
gave up bikes when someone with good aim clocked me with a bottle from an
overpass on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at rush hour. The helmet did
double duty there. Without the laws too many kids will be 'cool' and avoid
the hassle. Too many adults will either be fools or lazy. In the end
everyone pays. I guess it's the clash of 'individual freedom' with 'no man
is an island'. I recognize the other side of the argument though, as in
'where does it end?' Mandatory helmets while skiing or bicycling?,
Mandatory kneepads when gardening? Mandatory lipitor for baby boomers?
But mandatory use of pfd's is ok with me.
Billy Sarokin

William Sarokin wrote:
I recognize the other side of the argument though, as in
'where does it end?' Mandatory helmets while skiing or bicycling?,

There are already countries where that helmet law for bicycling is in
place. Living in a country where everyone has bicyles, I rarely see one,
except for mountain bikers who go ride through rough terrain.

Granted, we have seperate bicycle paths in a big part of the country,
and everyone is used to watch out for bicycles: here they have the right
of way when coming from the right, and hitting a bicyclist with a car
means that you *always* get part of the blaim as a motorist.

Mandatory kneepads when gardening? Mandatory lipitor for baby boomers?

How about mandatory guns? Isn't there a town in the U.S. where everyone
is supposed to own a gun?

But mandatory use of pfd's is ok with me.

Me too!

Same goes for a helmet when running whitewater.

IMNSHO Faceguards and elbow pads are optional for whitewater, as long as
the individual getting hurt in their face or at their elbow pays for a
decent part of the hospital costs themselves.

--
--
Wilko van den Bergh wilko(a@t dse d.o.t)nl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.
http://wilko.webzone.ru/

The problem is that too many people these days think that they're
entitled to personal freedom, but absolved from personal responsibility.
If we accept responsibility for our actions rather than blaming someone
or something else (the victim mentality), there is no need for such
laws. However, we've become conditioned to place blame and litigate at
the drop of a hat and such laws are a natural result. Everyone loses
except the lawyers. Personally, I'd love to see unemployment lines full
of trial attorneys, as it would indicate a return to personal
responsibility and common sense.

There is this strange one in France where the floatation of pfd you
don't have to wear (unless in a commercial situation) depends on what
craft you are in. Bigger floatation for rafters than for canoeists and
kayak paddlers. Why does it make a difference what craft you fell out
of!

Also will end up with having to wear a pfd if we want to go swimming in
a river or lake!


--
Dave Manby
Details of the Coruh river and my book "Many Rivers To Run" at
http://www.dmanby.demon.co.uk

Dave Manby wrote in
:

There is this strange one in France where the floatation of pfd you
don't have to wear (unless in a commercial situation) depends on what
craft you are in. Bigger floatation for rafters than for canoeists and
kayak paddlers. Why does it make a difference what craft you fell out
of!

Maybe it more to do with what craft you're more likely to fall out of.