It looks like a proposed bill to require whitewater rafters to wear helmets is unlikely to go anywhere.

Thank goodness.

Now, I'm sure the bill's sponsor, Rep. Ken Fletcher of Winslow, is a nice enough guy, but geez, must the folks in Augusta continually try to protect us from ourselves?

The Kennebec and Dead Rivers are deep rivers at rafting levels. There are no exposed rocks, so you don't need helmet. Wear one if you want (and many people choose to, key word: choice), but you really don't need one.

The Penobscot River is a whole different animal. Plenty of big rocks and ample opportunity to smack your head. That's why rafting companies already require everyone to wear a brain-bucket out there.

Is this starting to make sense now?

I thought so.

Besides, (and this is what I just love about this type of do-good legislation), do we really need to require rafters to wear helmets, when we don't require the same of motorcyclists on our roads.

Hey, now there's a situation that requires a helmet, don't you think?!

Now, I fall down a lot just going down the hallway to the men's room. Do I need a helmet?