Big Ben's Safety
First blog I saw last night about Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle crash:
When did sports writers and radio blowhards become such a bunch of big, cold-hearted, meddling nannies?
First off, skip the lectures about helmets until we find out how the kid is doing after surgery.
Second, i really don't care what it means for the season until i find out how Roethlisberger is doing.
It's from Lead and Gold, a conservative blog about business and politics, written by Craig Henry.
Then this, an example of what Henry was bothered by:
Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, last year's Super Bowl winning quarterback, was listed in stable but serious condition following his motorcycle crash earlier today. He was not wearing a helmet. In fact, he had always said he preferred riding without a helmet. He had even been lectured by his own coach regarding his outspoken stance on this issue. I wonder if he'll still insist on that when he recovers, if he's lucky enough of course to be able to independently make that decision again. Or will he rather not ride than to ride with a helmet. Sad as this incident is, funny how he's forced to wear a helmet when he's playing the game guarding the ball against 300 plus pound guys running toward him with almost similar force and velocity as a moving vehicle. Sad and stupid!
Here's another, from a blog named Attention citizens of Earth! and economical:
Ben Roethlisberger = squid.
A sport bike is hard to ride without a full face helmet because the windshield directs the airflow right into your face. Hopefully Ben survives and uses this to teach others about the advantages of wearing a helmet.
Closer to home, Buzzstuff writes:
Sometimes you've just got to shake your head and think "Man, what a dumbass." This is one of those times.
On Phillyblog, chiefsalsa pens some words to life by:
You have a gift. You can make a fantastic living and gain finanical security for your grandchildren by playing a game. You are adored by millions. You can use your celebrity for great things. Drive a BMW and do not speed up on yellow lights.
The question that moves Attytood, is why did Pennsylvania go helmets-optional in 2003? Those behind the change argued it was a "matter of choice." That's true, writes Will Bunch, when we're talking about millionaires football stars who have insurance:
For most people, insurance -- if they have it -- doesn't begin to cover the often-millions of dollars in long-term care that's required for a head injury patient. And ultimately those monies come from taxpayers -- you and me.
Some freedom of choice.
Other costs? Attytood counts them:
In 2003, Pennsylvania changed its law to allow experienced or trained riders over 21 to could chose not to wear a helmet. Since then, motorcycle deaths have risen sharply here.
Fatalties among motorcyclists in the Keystone State were up 30 percent in 2005, from 158 to 205 - with deaths among riders not wearing helmets accounting for most of the gain. In 2003, the final year of the old helmet law, officials confirmed just 27 deaths of riders without helmets -- a figure that soared to 70 in 2004 and 87 last year.
That dovetails what happened in other states that eliminated helmet requirements. In Florida, one of the first of seven states that repealed its mandatory helmet laws since the 1990s, the motorcycle death rate rose nearly twice the national average.
But advocates, led by the riders' group ABATE, had been pushing for changes in the helmet law for years before the amendment was signed by Gov. Rendell in his first year in office.
"Safety is a matter of the individual taking responsibility for himself," said Richard Beth of Croydon, president of the Philadelphia chapter of ABATE, last night.
Attytood's commenters seem split so far. One says helmets are not a matter for legislation. Another asks, How does this differ from seatbelts? A third, using the name didderbops, writes:
These morons who insist it's their "freedom" that's being infringed upon by a helmet law, can ride freely without a helmet on one condition. They should sign a waiver, waiving the state, taxpayers, and any hospitals from any legal responsibility to help them when they suffer head injuries in a crash. When they get into a horrid wreck and suffer massive head injuries that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet, the rest of society shouldn't have to bear the financial costs. That isn't just in taxes, but in the burden it puts on the healthcare system. One of us could end up needing that hospital bed someday that is being occupied by Joe DumbAss who has been in a coma for a month. We might need those nurses, doctors, and orderlies to be taking care of more responsible members of society.
Freedom doesn't mean freedom from responsibility.
I have an Arai Quantum F with a deep gouge along the left side from the eye to the back of the head as a reminder to wear a helmet. I was wearing that helment when I hit a puddle on a 90 degree turn, was going too fast, and inertia was not my friend. Got thrown through a set of fence posts that thunked by body pretty good, and tore up my knee, but my pumpkin was intact. I still shake my (intact) head when I look at others riding w/o helmets. I hope BR is okay...and I hope that he doesn't end up, as one of your sources suggested, being the guy who goes around to high schools and talks about riding with a helmet. We already have Gary Bussey for that.
Since Ben is okay, I'll make light of the situation.... Wonder if this will help Lynn Swann's campaign? Typically the GOP is all about individual freedom. But Rendell's the guy who signed the repeal of the Helmet Law. Coincidence??
I think it's stupid to ride a motorcycle without a helmet (actually even to ride one at all), but can someone explain to me... How can PA make it optional to wear a helmet, but it's the law to wear a seatbelt in a car???
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13283050/ This is another well written article on the Big Ben story
in today's age of having a zillion air bags in cars sharing the road with two-wheeled daredevils, maybe we should ban all motorcycles unless ridden in motorcycle-only zones.
First off, I think that it is unfortunate that this happened. I do and always will support the helmet law. But the truth is, it is up to the individual to think about what is best for them when it comes to protective gear and wearing it. A car is always going to win against a pedestrian, a cyclist, or motorcycle rider. Most people who ride motorcycles accept this, and other consequences, that come with the joy of the ride. The gear may look nice but that is just a bonus, its main purpose is to give the rider a better chance to survive an accident with little to no injury. To the individuals who feel it is stupid to ride, or that there should be a restriction placed on where and how one can ride, that is only your opinion.
Riding without a helmet, in shorts, t-shirt, maybe your right, but it is about the stupidest thing anyone could possibly do. Think otherwise? Go pick up a brick and rub it on your arms and face...feels good eh? His rationale for not wearing a helmet of "I don't want to" shows his immaturity and ignorance. As a rider, I hope he learns his lesson, continues to ride...with leathers and a full face helmet.
Live your life the way you want and die knowing you enjoyed yourself. That's what choice is and we are losing it to people who worry about the almighty buck which means nothing in the end.
If I was in my early 20s, just won the Super-bowl, and had Ben's talent, then I would do something just as stupid. I wouldn't ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but truly I would do something really dumb. So, let's see what choices he makes in the future. If he continues riding without a helmet, then let's trade him. If he steps up, conducts himself as a professional, and uses this to promote riding safely, let's ensure he is promoted as the best Steeler ever. Live and learn. Once you learn, share the knowledge. Yes. Share what you know so that others can make thier decisions, thier choices, with as much information as possible.
Everything I read has it's points. The one thing that really hit me was "knowing when you died that you enjoyed yourself. Thats it.Life is about the choices you make and death is inevitable. I ride, I am not an expirenced rider so I wear my helmet.When I ride with my man...I don't....I enjoy the freedom it brings and the wind in my face and hair.Evrything you do poses risk....I feel that I may die tommorrow...on my couch, at work , in my car, or on my bike.....or in my garden, in my barn...get the picture. Their is a date out there in the future with my name on it. I believe that no matter where I am that day..it's my day....and it doesn't matter where I am or what I'm doing.
Wendy: You can eliminate or reduce risks sometimes to prolong your life. If you care about that. Otherwise, we could all cross the street when it says 'don't walk.'