I remember the moment I became, if not a liberal, at least a moderate.   Considering myself fortunate to get through the screening process I, felt honored to have and opportunity to speak to directly to such a venerable member of "my" party.   Never in my life have I had the misfortune to speak to such and un-educated, un-informed person as I did on that day.   From that day forward, I became much more liberal and much the better person for it.

Yesterday I had another paradigm shift.  I was speaking to someone whose job it is it to track riders out of the country.   She told me this chilling tale. 

At almost the same moment another rider had almost the same accident, but in Mexico.  Now these are crushed chest injuries requiring immediate attention, but the "authorities" on the scene threw him in the back of a pickup truck for a half hour ride to the hospital until his buddies could max out there credit cards to pay for some treatment.  By this time, he had lot a lot of oxygen to his brain and it is unlikelely he will ever fully recover.  

I have read a number of motorcycle travelogues glorififying the primitive state of affairs south of the border.   I no long find that romantic.  I have canceled our trip to Mexico later this year and will not be scheduling another one.  The advice from the world travelers right now is enjoy civilization and stay near those helicopter blades. They are the sweaters music in the world if you need them

BMWeerman