Jr. Patriot Report - March 2026

John Stumpner

Critical Thinking

One of your teachers may have at one time or another mentioned something called critical thinking. Critical thinking is a thought process that uses truthful evidence, facts, real world experiences, and logic to make informed decisions. An example of critical thinking is the saying “two and two makes four.” You use critical thinking when you choose not to touch a hot stove. You know, either from previous experience or have been taught, that stoves can be hot and hot things can hurt. So, you make the decision not to touch the stove when walking through the kitchen. Critical thinking is something that is learned. That is why most states require people be at least 16 years old to start driving. By age 16, most people have developed enough critical thinking skills to be able to safely drive on the public roads.

Motorcyclists use critical thinking. Hard things like trees, telephone poles, and pavement can hurt when hit at high speed, so bikers use their critical thinking skills to avoid crashes. James’s “Bubba” Stewart, Jr. was a biker who used his critical thinking skills to become one of the most successful motocross racers of all time.

One of the things you see in the extreme sports, such as motocross, is when the athletes get some “big air.” Flying a board or bike up in the air is fun and exhilarating, and makes for some good pictures for TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. In motocross though, the bike is moving fastest when the wheels are on the ground. The time a motocross racer spends up with the birdies is lost time in the race. While it isn't much time, these races are often won by fractions of a second. Using critical thinking skills, Bubba Stewart developed his “scrub” technique, which helped him clear jumps faster and kept his wheels on the ground for more of the time. Bubba did so well with this, it earned him the title of “The Fastest Man on the Planet.”

The leaders of ABATE of Wisconsin used their critical thinking skills, both to run the organization and to lobby for the freedom of the road. ABATE's leadership looks at what the various government people are doing and saying, current events, how the media portrays current events, and the available science and technology. That information is all carefully considered and a plan is made as to how best to protect our freedoms as motorcyclists. We know high ethanol content in fuel ruins engines, electric cars and equipment are not suitable for all uses, and self-driving cars still have problems.

Some politicians and most advertisers hope that you do not use critical thinking skills. It helps them gain power over you and get more money from you. It's important that you learn to think and carefully consider what you do and say, both for yourself and possibly as a future leader in ABATE of Wisconsin. 

John