Date: 3-15-08
From: sudsfxstc@aol.com
My name's Suds and I'm an independent rider in the Great State of Texas. I wanna talk about our constitutional rights and the need to protect them. We all, as motorcyclists, enjoy our freedom to ride the open roads of this great state, and in doing so are exercising our constitutional right of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
As it would seem though, these liberties are under constant attack. Maybe there are those who can’t stand to see someone having that much fun. With some of us, our motorcycles are a way of life. To some, it’s a hobby. Others, it may just be an economical mode of transportation. Everybody who rides knows the issues of helmet laws vs. no helmet laws. I believe it’s not whether we wear a helmet or not that’s at stake, but the freedom of choice. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
There are many more civil rights being violated every day. Someone recognized this early on and a few like-minded people got together and started what are known as Motorcycle Rights Organizations (MRO’s). They have done an excellent job of helping preserve the many freedoms we still enjoy today. All too often, when you approach someone about joining an MRO, the answer is "I don’t wanna get involved in politics, I just wanna ride". Which is cool, because that’s what freedom is all about. The thing is, that MRO’s can only do so much without the support of everyone they can get.
Traditional motorcycle clubs are organized and can function as one voice. The concerns of independents on the other hand, may or may not be taken seriously because as an individual, we are but one tiny voice that can be ignored.
To combat this being ignored there is an organization that I am proud to be a part of called the Texas Defenders. I got the luck of the draw and was chosen to head up the Coalition of Independent Riders or COIR Division. I see a vast opportunity here as an organized voice to assist a call to action from an MRO in letter writing, making phone calls, or flooding an office with black leather and blue jeans if necessary in order to be heard.
The Texas Defenders program is not and MRO, but a manpower organization to fill in the gaps or a reinforcement when areas are weak and need shored up when congress or somebody gets the bright idea that they know how to take care of us better than we do.
The COIR division will be made up of members and supporters on an all-volunteer basis. This way, you don’t have to make a commitment and attend regular meetings and so forth. There are no obligations, just do what you can when you can. No one should ever concentrate on what they can’t do, rather focus on the things they can.
The Texas Defenders program falls under the Texas Confederation of Clubs, where independents and clubs alike are working toward a common goal. What we have done so far is a drop in the bucket, but never the less, the longest journey begins with a single footstep. We have done a few classes in the Austin area to teach letter writing skills and how to get them to congressmen and women. A phone call can be ignored, but handwritten letters generally are not. Just incase they are, we are compiling records of copied letters just so we can take them down on a dolly if necessary and say, "Hey, What about all these? Now tell me you didn’t hear from anybody in your area". Is that brilliant or what? Total simplicity.
The Austin area is really getting their COIR division off the ground. Soon every COC region in the state will induct the Texas Defenders program. I am looking fwd to the COIR division, because we as independents can make a difference, just as the militia did when Texas fought for independence and won.
The MRO’s need us, and we need each other. Think of the COIR division as the mortar that holds the bricks together and fills in the gaps. We can accomplish great things when we work together. Texas Defenders will be more than a political movement. With our communication networks, we stand at the ready to support a call to action or assist in community emergency situations up to and including Amber alerts, search parties, etc, to the general public. Some members may wish to take on a more active role, and these men and women will be known as COIR Texas Defenders. If anybody is interested or needs more information, please e-mail me at (sudsfxstc@aol.com). I have info on membership and support packages. I’m looking forward to it. Truth, Honor and Dignity.
Respect,
~Suds
Texas Defenders Undersecretary/COIR division
----------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Info provided by Suds & bttrfly Newsletter
Events Page
http://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/Events.htmlwebsite
http://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/Newsletter signup
http://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/NewsletterSignUp.html
