July 17,  2001
BROOKLYN SKYLINE - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Smoke Bat

To the Editor:

When will people open their eyes and see that the infringement on one choice "for our own good"  will lead to a whole host of other intrusive legislation because someone in authority thinks "something must be done."

Councilman Oddo illustrates that threat all too well when he describes his reasoning for banning aluminum bats from minor league play in New York City.  In several statements in the article, Striking Out Against Aluminum Bats, Councilman Oddo directly links the sale and use of these bats to tobacco industry issues.

Using tobacco companies to compare the two issues he has glaringly shown that the infringement link smokers' rights advocates have been telling everyone about is not fiction.

This is not about which is more dangerous.  This is about turning a blind eye to one groups' right and opening the door to a government who will seize every opportunity to legislate "safe behavior" until we're all living risk-free, meaningless, unenjoyable lives.

Sorry Mr. Oddo, but playing sports, period, is an inherent risk and there is no evidence that aluminum bats have even minutely increased injuries.  In January, 2000, The National Federation of State High School Associations, in discussing the use of aluminum bats versus wood bats said, "The Committee is aware that student-athletes have suffered bat-related injuries in 1999 and in previous years.

However, the committee is not aware of a material change in the rate of such injuries. Nor does the Committee believe that the rate of such injuries has yet become materially greater than it would be if wooden bats were in general use."

They continue to discuss the "threat" of increased injury.  If you're going to create laws based on what may occur, then you had better reconsider wood bats.  The injuries and deaths from being struck with a baseball by someone using one of those are far more documented.  I know, let's do with away with the baseball and use a beanbag instead.

My point being that rhetoric such as yours, "The science is irrefutable.  The injuries and deaths are real and something must be done," is alarmingly the same as those who cry about secondhand smoke; a technique used to scare people in order to promote biased legislation which has no significant proof to back it up.

Moreso, it's about smokers knowing it's a risky choice and kids playing baseball knowing there is general risk involved.

Life is about choosing which risks to take and which to avoid.  It's all relative. No one should be allowed to drum up reasons to promote their pet peeve. Councilman Oddo, I hate to disappoint you but nothing "needs to be done" except for you to find something better to do with your spare time.

Everyone take heed... When they came for the smokers nobody spoke up.  When they came for the cell phone users nobody spoke up.  And when they came for your baseball bat there was nobody left to speak up for you.

Sincerely,
Audrey Silk
NYC CLASH



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