Mea culpa

Dear True,

I don’t know what came over me. How could I be so presumptuous as to not only have an opinion on the ATV issue, but to actually express it? I ignored the rule that those who own ATVs can arrogate the right of freedom of speech, excluding it from us unwashed villains. We can never forget that they receive a special certificate in the owner’s packet when they buy their ATV; it elevates them well above us pedestrian U. S. citizens. I should have anticipated the hang-up phone calls, the threatening silent stares, and the letters of public personal attack from the county’s new nobility, those entitled ladies and gentlemen of the local ATV leadership, our new world order!

However, in the long tradition of uppity peasants everywhere, and with absolute certainty of bringing on more of the same for daring to again offend our ATV overlords, I proffer that it is clear the local ATV leadership, and their hangers on, flout the law regarding riding ATVs on roadways, while flaunting disdain for normal standards of decent behavior, civil discourse, and public argument. This shows how far local ATV leaders have fallen from the “speak-your-peace” wagon in their pursuit of happiness – theirs alone, that is.

I, for one, want everyone to be happy. If your nirvana is riding your ATV around your place and not infringing on your neighbor’s right to enjoy their own property, have at it. Slap on your grin and let ‘er rip. Flip it, roll it, or slam it into your tree, or your rock, or your ditch. It’s your life to give on the altar of whatever stupidity you may care to worship. Most would agree that is your right. But, to ride elsewhere than your own property is a privilege. It is a privilege that can only be carved from the rights of a majority who do not want to hear your noise or smell your fumes, and do not share your delusions, happy or otherwise.

Is there anything inherently wrong with ATVs? No, the problem is not the ATV, but the ATVer. ATVs don’t kill, but, though most ATVers don’t either, way too many of them do. Ready evidence, statistics, and accident records prove it.

ATVers kill wetlands, waterways, and watersheds. They kill the quiet of the woods and of the byways. They kill the peace of the trails and of the community, whether audible or civil. They kill flora and fauna. They kill drivers of, and passengers in, other vehicles. They kill pedestrians. They kill themselves. Often they kill their passengers, and too often those passengers are their own children.

Sometimes they kill due to ignorance, sometimes due to inebriation, sometimes due to recklessness and carelessness, and sometimes due to inanity. And, why do ATVers so often turn their ATVs loose in the hands of children who have neither the wisdom, strength, or experience to handle an ATV rationally or safely, risking both the child driver and whoever that child may encounter, on or off the road?

Most of this damage, death, and tragedy results from the violation of reasonable regulations, or from lack of common sense, yet the local ATV leaders want still more, boasting that their goal is to be able to freely ride ATVs on every roadway in the county. The incredible part of this is that they make their demands amidst evidence and admissions of their own criminal ATV riding. I guess grinning scofflaws have immunity, since not one that I know of has been charged for this behavior, or for that matter, for any of the other, all too common, ATV violations we are all aware of. Where is our law enforcement? And, where is the common sense of the broader ATV community and of those officials considering giving in to these bullies for more, more, and more?

There are good, civil, law abiding folks riding ATVs in Cook County, and I believe they are likely in a majority, but they have leaders who boast of their own illegal acts, and that makes you wonder what the future will bring should the county and state grant them any further privileges. It certainly won’t be civility, quiet, and peace.

It is now clear that the “speak-your-peace” wagon has been dragged out of town by an ATV, with the driver grinning and waving, and likely down the center of the road. If we know what’s good for us, all us uppity peasants better keep to the ditches, be quiet, and humbly eat our cake.

John Haluska
Grand Marais