here's a copy of the e-mail that I sent to this scoundrel of a dork. I hope it makes some positive impact on his thinking and attitude, but I am afraid it's too late... anyway, here it is:
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Good day, Mr Leone.
My name is Sean O'Neil. I am a 44-year-old man who lives in Missoula, Montana, USA. I am a lawyer like yourself. I am a member of and admitted to practice before all federal US courts, as well as the State tribunals of Montana, Maryland and New Jersey. I specialize in product liability, insurance, personal injury and corporate law. I am also a sole businessman, operating my own corporation that builds custom steel bicycle frames. And most assuredly, I am a mountain athlete. I ride MTBs as well as skis in the mountains. I hike, backpack, and fish for trout on the fly. I believe strongly in the natural world and believe that it is an ESSENTIAL counterbalance to a city life.
I understand that you have decided to litigate the matter of your injuries sustained while riding a MTB.
I am asking you, sir, as a kindred spirit in law and in the world of cycling and mountain sports, to PLEASE reconsider your lawsuit.
PLEASE.
Canada presently is thankfully free of the litigious and COSTLY "blame others first" attitude that pervades America. One of the things I have long enjoyed and admired about Canadians is the fact that Canada seems to have a much better sense, culturally, of where personal responsibility lies. This is reflected in Canada's sensible attitude toward marijuana, toward health care, and toward liability.
I travel frequently to British Columbia to ride my MTBs. I enjoy riding in Fernie and Nelson. And, I am registered for and intend to compete in the 2005 Squamish, BC Test of Metal race.
In true fact, I often think of repatriating in Canada.
But if your lawsuit indicates how Canada SHOULD view the issue of personal responsibility for athletic mountain activities, I think I'd prefer to stay in the horrendous world of Bush Co., the USA.
I have sustained many injuries on my MTB. Let me tick them off for you: fractured vertebrae, fractured scapula, broken fingers, dislocated fingers, many cuts requiring sutures, detached clavicle at SC joint, and frequent ankle sprains. I cannot for a moment fathom the notion of holding another liable for injuries which I CHOSE TO RISK by being a mtb rider.
Mr Leone, I want to suggest that you are letting greed -- and money specifically -- cloud your judgment. Search your heart of hearts. Ask yourself, do you really think the injuries are ANYONE ELSE's fault? Sincerely?
Please, Mr Leone. Rethink your lawsuit. It can't possibly be another person's fault that you fell and were injured. NOBODY made you choose to be a mtb rider, and NOBODY made you ride the trails that you say injured you. YOU were injured because YOU decided to ride trails. YOU. It was YOUR fault. YOUR FAULT.
PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR LAWSUIT.
Sincerely,
/s/ Sean O'Neil
Sean O'Neil
2121 Burlington
Missoula MT 59801 USA
