Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Michigan lawmakers push helmet requirement for skiers, snowboarders
Grand Rapids Press ^ | 1/26/08

Posted on 01/26/2008 7:36:44 AM PST by Mr. Brightside

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last
To: Oshkalaboomboom

Michigan actually has quite a good skiing tradition with 40 or so ski areas. None of them can compare with mountain resorts of course, but there is plenty of opportunity.

I used to help run a junior high ski club for about 30 years. In fact we went to the same local ski place as the Dearborn ski club mentioned in the story.

That said, I believe that snowboarders ought to wear helmets because they fall very often as falling is in the nature fo that sport. Skiers are less prone to head injuries when falling so helmets aren’t as important. However, it should be voluntary.


41 posted on 01/26/2008 9:31:43 AM PST by cyclotic (Support Scouting-Raising boys to be men, and politically incorrect at the same time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: xjcsa
I’d like to introduce an amendment to also require helmet use while participating in a session of the Michigan State Legislature.

How about requiring a muzzle, too?

42 posted on 01/26/2008 9:32:56 AM PST by timm22 (Think critically)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Brightside

So much for skiing in Michigan...and I’ve done it many times.


43 posted on 01/26/2008 9:38:14 AM PST by BobL (http://www.brusselsjournal.com/blog/4556 (here is where the real Europe is going))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IronJack
It is in your best interest to fight this buttinsky-ism with all your might.

It will be their corporate lawyers who recommend the resorts mandate the wearing of helmets. I'm surprised it hasn't already happened.......

44 posted on 01/26/2008 9:58:24 AM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: The Electrician
The biggest mystery of all:

The second biggest is what the hell does Coleman Young (The politician formerly known as JOEL LOVING) know about skiing?

The illegitimate son of Mayor Coleman Young, JOEL LOVING, decided to become a Jr. a few years ago when he got into politics. He figured by changing his name he would then have "name recognition" which would help his political career amongst the idiot massses of Detroit. Looks like it worked.....

45 posted on 01/26/2008 10:09:42 AM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Gabz
Is there any freedom that the nanny staters would not be willing to give up in the name of safety?
46 posted on 01/26/2008 10:46:00 AM PST by kanawa (Don't go where you're looking, look where you're going.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Gabz
Last year I could get info on was 1997: 26 deaths vs 54,000,000 skier-visits.

Miniscule risk shows it's just another power grab.

47 posted on 01/26/2008 10:55:49 AM PST by metesky ("Brethren, leave us go amongst them." Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton - Ward Bond- The Searchers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: IronJack

I disagree with laws making it mandatory for skiing, as I would for biking. But personally, this is the first yeat I myself am actually considering buying a helmet. So many snowboarders on the mountains and many times they move to their blind backside without even looking. Just too many close calls......


48 posted on 01/26/2008 11:23:39 AM PST by Red in Blue PA (Truth : Liberals :: Kryptonite : Superman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Kirkwood

Last year when I wa skiing, they guy behind me fell and his snowboard went flying in front of him, exactly where I was. It hit my skiing pole so hard I thought it cracked it, and proceeded to keep on sailing into the woods. If that had been my head.....

I think I am off to the store......


49 posted on 01/26/2008 11:25:55 AM PST by Red in Blue PA (Truth : Liberals :: Kryptonite : Superman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: metesky

But how many head injuries? I bet the number was many-fold over that 26.


50 posted on 01/26/2008 11:27:40 AM PST by Red in Blue PA (Truth : Liberals :: Kryptonite : Superman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: WV Mountain Mama; All

It is not that wearing a helmet is either right or wrong, but a matter of choice & NOT being told to do so by some nannystate legal-winnie!

I make my kids wear a helmet when we go outside and do things like ride our 3 wheelers or ride a bike ect..., but I do not want any legal-winnie telling me to do so!


51 posted on 01/26/2008 11:46:22 AM PST by TMSuchman (American by birth, Rebel by choice, Marine by act of GOD!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Springman; sergeantdave; cyclotic; netmilsmom; RatsDawg; PGalt; FreedomHammer; queenkathy; ...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

52 posted on 01/26/2008 12:00:03 PM PST by grellis (Is this the best we've got??!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: xjcsa
I’d like to introduce an amendment to also require helmet use while participating in a session of the Michigan State Legislature.

Sounds like a good idea, since they're already wearing earplugs and blinders. The noise of the overtaxed masses here is preventing them from doing important work, such as figuring out which fees to raise and when to hike the state gas tax.

53 posted on 01/26/2008 12:07:13 PM PST by Kieri (Midwest Snark Claw & Feather Club Founder)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Gabz

From the article:
“A report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that head injuries account for 14 percent of skiing and snowboarding accidents, as well as 56 percent of related deaths.”

So......44% of deaths are not related to head injuries, therefore, in Nanny-eze, Skiing should be banned entirely.

Apparently there is no safe level of skiing and even a well ventilated helmet will not protect against skiing injuries.


54 posted on 01/26/2008 12:27:24 PM PST by libertarian27 (Land of the Fee, Home of the Shamed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Brightside
The bill calls for a $100 fine for those caught without helmets, but Constan said that fines would not be strictly enforced.

"I don't want to see someone with a $100 fine who's an experienced skier," Constan said, "but the time has come to encourage people to wear helmets when skiing."

Boy, that's a great example of public policy. Announcing selective enforcement right from the get go. How did this guy ever get elected?

55 posted on 01/26/2008 12:35:00 PM PST by weaponeer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kirkwood

Great. I respond to that the same way I respond to people who praise seat belts and motorcycle helmets: neither is a bad idea, and in fact, may have much to recommend them. But I’m a big boy, and I can decide for myself if I want to do things that are good for me or not. I don’t need the government following me around forcing me to “for my own good.”


56 posted on 01/26/2008 12:46:53 PM PST by IronJack (=)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Hot Tabasco

Then their lawyers will be recommending their death warrant.


57 posted on 01/26/2008 12:47:54 PM PST by IronJack (=)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: petercooper

I never wore a helmet in 35 years of skiing until about 3 years ago. I thought it would be a nuisance, but got used to it after one or two runs. I thinks it’s just common sense today with the modern helmets, but not something to be legislated.


58 posted on 01/26/2008 1:39:45 PM PST by oncebitten
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: IronJack

I spent the week before this skiing at Mont-Tremblant, and I’d say about 90% of the people on the slopes are already wearing helmets. I wasn’t one of them, but I’ve been thinking it might be a good idea.


59 posted on 01/26/2008 1:42:09 PM PST by -YYZ- (Strong like bull, smart like ox.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: -YYZ-

The issue isn’t whether it’s a good idea or not. It’s whether or not the government has the authority to force people to do things for their own good.


60 posted on 01/26/2008 2:53:26 PM PST by IronJack (=)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson