Freedom Rider

This guy is great!!! He is extremely intelligent and knows his rights. Primarily (and I speak by personal experience) the VAIGNESS in which the majority of laws are written. THIS IS SO TRUE! This country has come a long way, but has one hell of a long way to go! I think motorcyclist should wear a helmet not only to protect themselves but also to protect the people who may end up in an accident with one who is not wearing a helmet. Even if the motorist in the vehicle isn''t hurt, and the accident is not their fault- If the motorcyclist is severly hurt or killed the other driver would most probably feel some guilt for this forever. I see both sides of this issue since I LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE HELMETS ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW.

Hi,

I''m Richard Quigley -- the guy this pod is about -- with just a couple of comments.

First, Kaj is destined for journalist greatness so far as I''m concerned. Not just because of his work on this project, but because some of his other work (like his take on waterboarding which actually moved me to upgrade my understanding of, and lack of tolerance with, torture.) His passion for telling a story gives it great value.

Now Christol. He''s also very good, but dead wrong on his stand about mandatory helmet use laws. By his telling, he went down due to road conditions, and credited the helmet with saving him. First, I have every reason to doubt that the "oil slick" that brought him down, did not cause any other crashes, which means it was his failure to control the bike that put him down. Wearing a helmet apparently did not make him a better rider. Second, just because he believes the helmet saved him is no justification for him to make the call that everyone should wear helmets. I hear that argument all the time . . . never when someone dies from a head injury in a car crash.

In introducing the discussion of my terminal condition, the attention of the viewer was called to the fact that I smoke cigarettes -- as if cigarette smoke might somehow be responsible for my condition. Trust me, it was sugar that set me up for my disease. All that cigarettes have done is help keep me calm about the whole situation.

All in all I can''t help but be grateful for the opportunity to bring my perspective on helmet laws to Current TV''s audience, not to mention flattered. Of all the reports that have been done about my fight against California''s mandatory helmet use law, Current TV has done the best job by far.

If these guys approach YOU for an interview, open up to them. They''ll get it right.

thanks,

quig

Richard Quigley, the Freedom Rider, embodies the spirit of America. He is courageous, smart as hell and independent minded. This is profoundly illustrated when producer Christol naively asked why Quigley just doesn''t wear a helmit. Christol is really saying why don''t you conform, acquiese, bow down, accept the party line, behave? Quigley''s epic response," Why don''t you just blow me?" will reverberate in my mind long after Quigley crosses the river. Quigley should be in Congress. Good job Kaj! You captured the essence of an American icon.

Richard Quigley is how I want be when I grow up