Re: [Paddlewise] How and when to speak up

From: Steve Cramer <cramer_at_coe.uga.edu>
Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 16:44:07 -0500
James Lofton wrote:
> 
> If the kayaking communty wants to have laws that says you have to dress a
> certain way and carry certain things, well fine. You still can't
> legislate common sence or even half way good judgement calls.
> 
Actually, you can. Look at the emergence of state laws on using seat
belts, and even better, using car child restraints. Wearing a seat belt
is for me common sense, but lots of other people are doing it now only
because they risk getting a ticket if they don't.

But the kayaking community certainly doesn't want laws dictating dress
and equipment requirements. However, it would have only taken one highly
visible hypothermia induced drowning in NY Harbor (and you know who I'm
thinking about) to have Rudy & Co. clamoring for laws to protect us from
ourselves. If we can keep our comrades safe through education, we don't
need laws.

Those two paragraphs may sound contradictory, but bear in mind that if
people had worn seatbelts when they were invented, we wouldn't have need
to have airbags.

> My personal opinion is to help pass on help and information to those that
> ask, but don't try to cram it down those that likely don't.
> 
I have to agree, and in that spirit...James, I always wear a helmet when
I ride a motorcycle. I know that the ground is harder than my head.

Steve
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Received on Tue Nov 02 1999 - 13:40:38 PST

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