Hello, I would like to let you all know that I am not the hooligan you read about in the media... I am not the guy who blasts through your property, tearing up the grass... nor am I the guy who breaks the silence with my loud exhaust. I am not the kid that does wheelies down the road, or tracks mud all over the place either. Mostly, I am not some person from out of town that comes to town to raise he!!, or the environmental disaster on wheels that you read about....

I am your neighbor, who cares about my neighborhood, and it's citizens. I am well aware of the damage capabilities of my machine, and I try to the best of my abilities to keep from damaging the fragile environment. I teach my children to respect nature, and the people who live around where I ride and their property and rights to privacy. I share this sport with my family, in a non hostile environment, and together with my wife and friends, teach our children the values that we learned from our parents while growing up as a kid.

I support the jobs of people like you and me who manufacture the parts that are used to make my machine. The jobs for the people who put them together, who sell and service them, and the people who sell me gas and food while I am out enjoying my sport. In short, I support the American spirit, and the hard working people who make up this land.

I am not your enemy. I and people like me are out working in our national forests building, cleaning and clearing trails so others can share the experience... and we are putting food on the tables of your neighbors. We are holding raffles, and bake sales in support of friends and families that have medical needs. We are adding much needed funds to your tax base, and we are literally saving the economies of many areas of our great nation at a time when our citizens are strugglinig to keep their balance sheets in the black...

In short, we are your friends... and look to walk next to you to solve the issues working against some who use lies and sensationalism to sway your opinion against us. Don't let them cloud your vision.. please keep an open mind... and help by working with us in a spirit of cooperation.

We extend our hands... will you join us...

DB

 

WELL SAID.

 

Excellent! Dragginbutt- would you give us permission to publish this in our local papers (with credit to you of course). This needs media attention!!

Thanks for taking the time to write down in words what I feel in my heart but have trouble writing down.

 

God Bless you DB, took the words right out of my mouth. Except you removed the venom from my version. Great job. A few more years and I should settle down too, ignore the little woman who follows me around all the time. Her opinion is biased. LOL

 

Yes of course... feel free to use it... any way you need to. The important thing is to get the message out that we are not their enemy...

Thank you all for your kind words. Those that have followed my rants know that I wear my emotions on my sleeve at times. I think we are starting to see some results of our efforts. I am greatly impressed with the progress being made in MN. We need to keep the fires lit, and turn up the pressure. Common sense will prevail

I am an ATV enthusiast trying to overcome the false impressions that many in this country have of our sport and it's member citizens.

I liken this struggle to the one that the bikers of the 60's had. Back then, they were seen as hellions, criminals, murderers, and drug dealers. Today, they are mainstream America. A typical Harley rider could be a Doctor, Lawyer or an Airline pilot, right along side the blue collar American worker.

ATV riding is a family sport, that can be shared by people of all walks of life. We recognise that just like any sport you might mention, there is a bad element... but the important thing to remember is not to steriotype us into one category. The bad element only represents a small faction, and not the mainstream ATV population.

We are here to set the record straight, and deny the false information and accusations being spread by certain environmentalist groups hell bent on total denial of all forms of motorized access to public lands. Their twisting of facts, and orchestrated use of the media has led the formation of a negative public opinion of our sport, and it is time that the truth be made known.

 

WOW 'dragginbutt' you said it man, i definatly know how you fell, and i agree all the way. that was one DEEP post that makes plenty of sense, and i say the moderators should post it in EVERY forum on this site. its all to often us honest riders that are just trying to have fun (usually with family or friends) are targeted and slammed for what the irresponsible riders do.

 

DB FOR PRESIDENT

 

You know I read that letter and got goose bumps,,, Because I am that guy also!!!!!!!!!!!

I Worry sometimes in our town, because the same people that bring me cookies for cleaning there drive ways in the winter, are the ones that have to go to the city meetings and beg to have something done with the "stupid atvers" in our town Heck ive went to the meetings and complained myself!!. I know, I was cutting my own throat.

The town is has no idea what to do because it is litterally divided in half with guys like me and guys like them.

Any way, sorry about the rant, With permission Id like to read that letter at the next town meeting if its ok.