Yesterday, I rode up to Thomasville, GA to participate in a ride for cancer victim Benjie King. This was the first organized ride into this part of Georgia that I've been on, and it was refreshing to say the least. My good friend, RC, has already posted a story on this ride here.
It was a beautiful day, with of course, our wonderful (not!) friends, the "love-bugs" ever present, to keep things lively, and to remind us not to display and toothy grins while riding.Ride Tip #1: When riding in a large group during "love-bug"
season, be sure to place yourself somewhere in the back. This provides many
targets ahead of you for the "love-bugs" to hit before you arrive at the same
spot in the road.
All in all, I only have several red spots on my lower face, and two knuckles, that encountered flying fornicating bugs. Fortunately, I have a windshield on my bike, and that, combined with my helmet visor and sunglasses, served as pretty good protection.Ride Tip #2: When riding during "love-bug" season, make sure you remove the little buggers from your bike within 24 hours, or they will leave pits in your paint and chrome. Apparently all that "love-juice" is caustic stuff!
Now on to more serious things.
This ride went extremely well, considering the large number of riders and the distance the majority rode; from Tifton, GA (Harley Davidson dealership), to a home somewhere northwest of Thomasville where the end party awaited. Why did this go so well for all of us?
Shortly after leaving Tifton, three Georgia police cruisers arrived, lights blazing, and we were escorted nearly all the way to our destination. With an estimated 75+ riders, this was welcomed with open arms, and very much appreciated. Thank you Georgia law enforcement! Three cheers to you, from all riders, and especially our small group from Tallahassee!
These Georgia public servants took 45 minutes from their day and provided us with safety and brought our noble effort to the attention of those out in their cars this day. As we rode by, many of them got out of their cars and saluted us. Thank you Georgia residents!
In addition to the police cruisers, several riders from the group rode on ahead (very well planned out!) and blocked side roads. With the police cruisers blocking major intersections and riders blocking smaller intersections, we rode without a hitch, en mass, to our destination.
On the "dark side", the "the force" is not with us in Tallahassee. Florida law enforcement, in particular, Lean County, take notice. Why is it that riders in Tallahassee have no support from YOU??? Is it just "lip service" we're getting from you during Motorcycle Awareness week? Do you not recognize the charitable efforts from very large motorcycle organizations in Florida's panhandle? What gives?
Would it be so hard on you to provide some support to large motorcycle runs in Leon County? We are citizens too, and motorcycles especially need protection on our roads. For all appearances, this support is extended during Motorcycle Awareness week (or is it?), but the rest of the year, we are second class citizens?
WE live here year round, legislators and politicians do not. Yet they are afforded major police escort when in town, in spite of the fact that they bring their own protective entourage.
I hereby challenge Leon County law enforcement to show support of motorcyclists beyond the "lip service". We are residents deserving of your services too. We would not hesitate to support you if called upon.
To all those who organized the Benjie King charity run, KUDOS to you! Well done. Ride long, ride free (well sort of, given Georgia's helmet law). I'll be back to ride with you again!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Charity Ride For Benjie King
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Reinhold Schlieper, Philosopher: My New Hero
Finally, a thoughtful analysis that hits home. Thank you Mr. Schleiper. (Who is this guy anyway? And where has he been hiding?) I think I might have a new hero. And a Philosopher at that. Whooda thunk?
Without solid crash data, helmet dispute is worthless
By REINHOLD SCHLIEPER
COMMUNITY VOICES
News-Journal editorials are just as unlikely to tighten motorcycle safety as the state Legislature is unlikely to improve education: The intentions are admirable, but the decisional brushstrokes are too coarse to be truly helpful.
Helmets may indeed save some lives; however, the increased inertia of head turning, the impaired auditory sensations and the decreased peripheral vision may also increase the likelihood of accidents. I have great sympathy for the view that automobile drivers cause most accidents involving motorcycles, my one and only accident having been caused by a young student-driver who thought that the red light required speeding up instead of stopping, and whose guiding Mom was too busy chatting with others in the car to admonish the driver otherwise. But such a determination of guilt is of little help when I have to live with my own injuries afterward. The goal here is accident avoidance, not guilt diminishment by slapping some helmets on other people's heads or some guilt on other people's conscience.
So, the question is how best to avoid accidents. And that question is not answered by intermittent cries of "Helmet!" and "No helmet!" We must evolve some greater sophistication here.
I could simply assert that helmetless riding is a victimless crime just as seatbelt-less driving would be a victimless crime. In other words, if I decide to ride helmetless, I am the only person affected by that decision because I am the only likely victim if the decision were to have been the wrong one. Traditionally, our society has no right to limit by law what is in my private domain. Victimless crime is decidedly in the private domain. I make decisions about my life, not everyone else.
Hospital cost, however, victimizes all others also by my exercise of faulty judgment, my opponents will be quick to argue. And yet, this reflection does generally not enter into what we think about what we eat, obesity claiming many lives; what we drink, alcohol claiming as many lives; what we smoke, tobacco having been established solidly as taking lives; and what we believe, religions and ideologies having caused many wrong-minded deaths. Also, those sundry ways may be erroneous, yet we respect the privacy of decision-making here. Besides, the high cost of emergency rooms, as recently stated by another letter to the editor of the News-Journal, derives from our society's shirking its responsibility of providing affordable health care to all, not from an onslaught of helmetlessly injured motorcyclists.
Given all of the uncertainties about the benefit of helmets, I would conclude that only the individual rider may be able to decide what works best for him or her. What risks individuals take in their lives are obviously not the decision of the society they live in. Surely we do not want to forbid parachuting, hang-gliding, Bungee jumping, etc. merely because to some of us these activities look awfully dangerous? Risk-taking behavior for pleasure has a firmly established tradition in our culture, else roller coasters would have gone the way of the dodo long ago. Were I to indulge myself here with a slippery slope, I might argue that ultimately that kind of thinking is likely to lead to safe couches with virtual-reality hook-ups, the safest kind of environment one is likely to find anywhere.
What we can do, however, as a society is to make sure that risk-takers are fully informed. Motorcycle-safety experts Risto Kaivola of Finland and H. Ecker of Austria suggest a close analysis of each accident to determine cause and circumstances. And we have a pattern to follow here. With every plane crash, the folks from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) get busy analyzing each detail that may have led to the crash. I suspect that aviation has such an excellent safety record precisely because of such exhaustive analyses. I submit that what is right for the wealthy with planes is also right for the middle class with other vehicles.
In fact, if we were to go general with such an analysis for each crash on our roads, we might have found out much earlier about the BIC-lighter condition of the Pinto, about the Bridgestone-Firestone tire splitting, and about the rollovers of the SUV trucks. If such thorough analyses determine that careless driving of automobiles is at fault with motorcycle accidents, then we should probably tighten the standards of vehicle licenses and of the examinations that lead to them. If such analyses point to a weakness in the design of vehicles or safety equipment, then those standards must be tweaked. But these shouting matches about helmets are silly in the extreme without such thorough analyses.
Schlieper, Ph.D., a philosophy professor, lives in Palm Coast.
Original editorial posted here.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Mark Rosenker (CREEP), Chairman of NTSB
"CREEP" is in reference to Mr. Rosenker's involvement with Committee to RE-Elect the President (Nixon), and those who were involved with Watergate in 1972. The photo above is from that era. I find CREEP to be an acronym appropriate for Mr. Rosenker, given his actions and incompetency I have seen to date.
Mr. Rosenker has announced NTSB recommendations to all states to implement a mandatory motorcycle helmet law, siting inaccurate statistics as a basis for this mandate, and implying that motorcyclists are responsible for their own deaths by not wearing a helmet, even in the 80% of deaths caused solely by another motorist, and where head injuries were not involved.
- I urge you to write to your representatives and voice your concern over spending millions of tax payer dollars on this farce to remove the right of legislation by the states.
- I urge you to write to President Bush and ask for Mr. Rosenker's removal from his post.
- I urge you to speak out on behalf of yourself and of all Americans who appreciate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as our country's forefathers envisioned.
- I urge you to take opposition to yet another move by government officials to exert authoritarian control over American citizens who pay their salaries.
What you see in the media is mostly slanted material (gee, are you surprised?). I have not heard one report of motorcycle fatality statistics quoted accurately to date. The media continues to blame rider deaths and injury on the presence/absence of a helmet, whether the rider died as a result of head injuries or not. And especially when the rider is not at fault.
I urge you to consider these points when you see or hear a report of a motorcycle death in the media:
- Was the rider's right-of-way violated?
- Was the rider at fault?
- If the answer is NO to either, then all other comments are irrelevant.
- It is about our government mandating laws based on false information to further a political agenda.
- It is about protecting all of us with sound safety laws.
- It is about the trend of controlling the few, to falsely satisfy the needs of the many.
- It is about our tax dollars being spent on futile efforts and ignoring the true issues.
http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/860082/
http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/859099/
http://ntsb.gov/events/Boardmeeting.htm
http://www.checkyourfacts.org/latest-journalism-news-updates-54.php
http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/860126
http://ntsb.gov/Publictn/2007/AB07-Motorcycle_Safety_Rec-Ltr.htm
http://www.motorcyclists-against-dumb-drivers.com/
Letter to Mr. Rosenker
To: Mark Rosenker (mark.rosenker@ntsb.gov)
Chairman
National Transportation Safety Board
429 L'Enfant Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20024
202-314-6000
CC: President Bush (President@WhiteHouse.gov)
Mr. Rosenker,
As a citizen of this country, I expect, no, I demand, that NTSB focus on the VIOLATORS instead of implementing laws intended to control the VIOLATED.
The majority of highway injuries and deaths are caused by the other drivers in some negligent form or another. Continuing on this path of "band-aiding" the individual "effects" merely chips away at the iceberg but never really makes a substantial difference. Until you take measures to address the root cause of collisions, fatalities will continue in spite of your ill conceived decisions. The NTSB MUST address the root cause in order to protect ALL Americans.
VIOLATION OF DRIVING LAWS is the ROOT CAUSE of HIGHWAY FATALITIES in this country, Mr. Rosenker. Please read this line over and over until you understand this concept. One does not need statistics to see this truth.
Driving violations are caused by many things; distractions, blatant disregard, lack of education, each with underlying sub-categories. The more driving violations there are, the more deaths there will be. There are states that have implemented laws controlling these aspects of driving and have lowered their fatality rate.
Drunk driving is indeed a distraction, but it is NOT THE ONLY distraction that drivers participate in. It is one of MANY. Addressing one without the others is criminal on your part.
Seat belts save lives by increasing the percentage of survival in a crash as an additive to other safety features of an automobile, not the least of which is a metal cage around the driver. Yet even seat belts only address the RESULT of crashes, not the CAUSE. Put a seat belt on a motorcyclist and it does nothing for them without a metal cage around them, in the event of a collision with an automobile.
Motorcycle helmet laws also only address the effect of the crash and not the cause, protecting the head to a small degree, but leaving the rest of the body still vulnerable to blunt force trauma. In most cases of motorcycle collision with an automobile, a helmet does not prevent death, and certainly not catastrophic injury to the body. Prevention of collision does.
The prevention of distracted driving should be the primary focus of NTSB, which provides safety for ALL; motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Everyone benefits. The fact that you continue to ignore this, only serves to show your incompetency in spending my tax dollars to control the very few when this effort could save a great majority of lives, including the very few you seek to sensationalize.
Over the years, the creation of laws to make man invincible inside automobiles, has perpetuated distracted, complacent, and deadly drivers; running over bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians, all with a punishment for killing most often resulting in less than the fine for littering! Because our safety laws target the victim, not the perpetrator. Adequate penalties are needed to deter traffic violations. An automobile is, after all, a deadly weapon.
In addition, you conveniently ignore the onslaught of electronic devices inside vehicles that further distract drivers. This can be controlled, while shaving, reading, putting on makeup, cannot. However, overall distractions can be controlled by stiffer penalties for violating traffic laws that maim or kill a victim.
Is it that you are afraid of becoming unpopular in the process of saving lives, Mr. Rosenker? I'm sure you and your "esteemed" colleagues are not too keen on giving up your own selfish distractions while driving. And you are most certainly unpopular with the small minority you are now targeting. How do you sleep at night, knowing you can stop the majority of highway fatalities through competent recommendations, but instead choose only to target a small minority in order to further your ambitions?
Or is that you feel imposing your authoritarian laws on motorcyclists, through the support of the uninformed public, is the easy path? For most certainly, much to your advantage, the public has only seen one side of this story. I think it's called propaganda - "The NTSB is responsible for saving millions of lives through seatbelts, airbags, blah, blah, blah". The public has not seen the accurate fatality statistics that I know are available, even to you, but you have seen fit to ignore they even exist. The public is unaware of the political intonations of the NTSB actions. The public is unaware of all sides of this issue.
The public in general [auto drivers] has no worries, because they will survive the crash (thanks to seat belts and other safety enhancements), with only a minor traffic violation in most cases, while the victims of negligence are severely injured or dies. And the public is led to believe that the victims are responsible for their own deaths. How pompous is that?
I, as one of the general public, am outraged that you consider protective gear and equipment in cars and on motorcycles to be the cure-all for deaths due to traffic violations, and that if I am injured or killed by another negligent driver, it is MY fault.
Over and over I see reports of motorcycle deaths in the newspaper where the motorcyclist was in no way at fault, and run down by a negligent driver, yet the "tag" line is always: "He was/wasn't wearing a helmet". Where does the media get this type of attitude? From our government, from NTSB, from YOU, Mr. Rosenker.
What does wearing a helmet have to do with an unsuspecting motorcycle rider being run over and killed through an auto driver's negligence? I ask you, how does a helmet prevent that driver from violating a rider's right-of-way? It isn't about helmets at all. It is about sharing the road with responsible drivers who avoid distractions and drive within the law. No amount of protective gear will promote that, Mr. Rosenker.
In fact, drivers may feel it is OK to drive within MY space if I am NOT wearing a helmet! After all, if I'm not wearing one, it will be deemed MY fault if I am killed by them, though I rode safely and within the laws of the road. You are, through your incompetent decisions, promoting loss of safety for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrains by not addressing the root causes of traffic fatalities.
Auto drivers everywhere will tell you with a straight face and adamant conviction that they can handle all the extra distractions they participate in while driving (and I'm sure you're among them), until they kill someone. Why must people die before a driver realizes what distractions can cause? Each year, a new distraction manifests itself (i.e. in-vehicle electronics), and accumulates along with all the other distractions available to drivers. Is it any wonder that traffic fatalities rise? And, when drivers are allowed to walk away without penalty for taking a life, how can you expect them to even bother paying attention while driving?
Our government has created a monster by allowing our children to drive at younger ages, unsupervised, while using cell phones, texting, and all manner of distractions. Yes, laws are now surfacing to curb these habits (instigated by states), but these laws will be looked upon by our youth as just another age limited law to overcome, such as drinking, smoking, and now, using a cell phone while driving after 18 or 21 years of age. And, media reports show that young people adamanatly object to these laws, proving they are not even aware of the reasons behind them. Society has been led to believe over and over that injury and fatality in traffic accidents are the responsibility of the victim, not the violator.
What about the millions of children that have already come of age, who have already learned these bad habits? Too little, too late, wouldn't you say? We already have 10 years of our youth who will continue these deadly habits, but who are too old to be regulated by these laws. Who will protect me from them, Mr. Rosenker? You demand better child restraint, but do not protect our youth from themselves before they are old enough to know better. And again, perpetuate more driver caused accidents that maim and kill through your ignorance.
What I find most significant about your integrity (or lack of), Mr. Rosenker, is that you were involved in Watergate back in 1972. I am not surprised that you have managed to end up where you are, given the state of our government today. How many other "interesting" political scams were you involved in since then, that are not known? Your resume shows your involvement in many election campaigns since then, in spite of your involvement in Watergate.
I am further dismayed to learn that President Bush, a President I supported, placed you in this position. Did he not learn from history?
I am not impressed thus far, in your move to impose yet another series of laws to limit MY individual rights, when I am not the one doing the violating, and while you do absolutely nothing to address the root cause of the majority of traffic fatalities. All I see is your misguided attempts to control specific groups, and suppressing individual rights that will have no effect on the root cause, and very little effect on the results.
I already CHOOSE to drive without distractions. I already CHOOSE to ride with a motorcycle helmet. I AM educated in motorcycle awareness and safety. Yet I am still confronted daily by a majority who is not, and who attempt to take my life in spite of those precautions. And not threatened just from young people, Mr. Rosenker, but from people of all ages, gender and race. Crashes are not specific to any "groups", they apply to all.
If your helmet law had any merit, you would require ALL drivers to wear them, including auto drivers, for surely that would save a few more lives, based on your reasons for it's recommendation. Pedestrians should also be required to wear them, as it may save them from a head injury also, should they be run down by a distracted driver. If you're going to rob me of my right to choose, at least be fair about it.
But it isn't about being fair, is it Mr. Rosenker? It's all about your "image" as Chairman of the all-knowing, all-seeing NTSB. For I find it hard to believe that you are not intelligent enough to see the truth of my words. And that makes YOU the violator of my safety.
The choices I make will not save my life, Mr. Rosenker, should an auto driver run me down out of driver "inattention". My choices will not stop a driver from gabbing on a cell phone and miss seeing me coming. They will not stop a driver from being a repeat offender after being let go with a $45 traffic violation fine. They will not pay my bills or care for my children in the event my helmet saves my head, but not my body. And if that happens, I will be coming after you, Mr. Rosenker, for you were made aware, and did nothing to protect me.
It doesn't take extensive reports to figure this one out, Mr. Rosenker. What it requires is for you to look at all the facts, not just the ones that lend credence to your personal egotistical agenda. It requires you to see the whole picture. It requires you to think. All of which you are sadly failing at. So far, all I see is "lip service" and bombastic announcements.
Please do not send me one of your "form" letters, as I have already seen the ones you've sent to others repeating the same dribble you've already announced to the public.
Instead, please reply and SPECIFICALLY tell me what you and NTSB are going to do to reduce multi-vehicle crashes so that I might live, whether I wear a helmet or not. Get rid of the liberalistic view you have of the world. It has no place in the realm of safety FOR ALL. Your position requires accurate facts and logical thinking, neither of which I have seen to date.
If you cannot base your recommendations on accurate data, then I will consider you to be acting upon your own agenda and ignoring my rights as an American who pays your salary, and will have no choice but to join the effort to remove you from this position.
If President Bush continues to support you, I will have no choice but to withdraw my support of him as well.
I am speaking out solely as a citizen of the United States of America, and as a tax payer who contributes to your livelihood. In short, you work for me, not the other way around. I expect to be treated as such. Please choose your words carefully, as I will be posting your reply for all to see, unedited.
[My name and address]
Mother of two, educated, gainfully employed, group member of one.
http://rider-sam.blogspot.com/
Advocate for the truth:
http://www.motorcyclists-against-dumb-drivers.com/
Believer in the Constitution of the United States of america.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
In God We Still Trust
A friend sent me this video and when I first watched it and heard the song, it brought tears to my eyes. Play it and see if you don't feel the same way.
This song was written by Bill and Kim Nash and performed for the first time in March 2005 by Diamond Rio. While performing, Diamond Rio received an immediate standing ovation, and continues to do so every time they perform it.
Sadly, major radio stations wouldn't play it because it was considered politically incorrect. Consequently, the song was never released to the public - until now. This song has now been released on a new album by Diamond Rio. But, it is still not being played on the radio.
I wonder why that is? Could it be that it should be renamed, "In 'the omnipotent being of a thousand names' we still trust"? I remember the Easter holiday, and we all got candy from the Easter bunny. I remember when Halloween was that fun holiday when we dressed up in scary costumes and we all got candy (again!). And don't get me started on Christmas and Santa Claus. Now they're called Spring Break, Fall Break, and Winter Break.
Give me a BREAK!
God, the Almighty, the Creator, is known by many names, and whoever you believe in or whatever you call Him, He is still who I trust.
In this day and age, when Viagra can run commercials every other hour, we still can't say the "G" word without offending someone. How very sad.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Of Heroes and Legends
The cartoon above was published in a Santa Cruz, CA newspaper.
Richard "Quig" Quigley was a hero to many, and a legend to bikers everywhere. I didn't know him, but I've read countless testimonials of friendship, love, and admiration, all in the name of "Quig".
It is with a touch of sadness that I realize I will never have a chance to meet this enigma of a man. And I say that from my own perspective, having listened to audio recordings of him, and read of his 15 year battle with California courts over the motorcycle helmet laws in that state.
By all accounts, this man took on a mountain of opposition, one step at a time. Some were small steps, and some were greater, but he never slipped backward, and he never gave up. By the time he passed away on September 15, 2007, he was so near the top I'm sure he could see over to the other side.
He was a man who lived every day exactly true to his own self and his own beliefs. The world is a smaller place without him in it. I feel that - in spite of never knowing him. There is not a man or biker alive who can walk in his shoes.
The cartoon above is a wonderful and accurate depiction (in my limited opinion) of "Quig" and proves without a doubt that he left a mark on Santa Cruz, and on California, that won't ever be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Quig. You're truly riding free.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Hillary in the Whitehouse? I think NOT!
When I was little, I thought I wanted to be President some day. Then I discovered how much I despise politicians. Instead I decided to concentrate on voting for those who believed in what I thought was right.
So when I ran across these quotes, I felt they were relevant to the freedom fighting we've all been up to with regards to motorcyclists and bikers in general; i.e. helmet laws, stiffer penalties for ROWV fatalities. They reminded me why we must all be vigilant and make good choices in who runs our government.
From the pages of Neal Boortz (and a few extras quotes thrown in for good measure):
"We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society." [Hillary Clinton, 1993]We are all individuals. I am not like you, and you are not like me. In all this world, there is only one of me. No one has done what I have done, exactly the way I have done it. I am unique. My thoughts, desires and goals in life are derived solely from my individuality.
If everyone focused on their own individuality, instead of their race, religion or gender, or perceived rights over another, bigotry and hate would decline. Who you are inside has nothing to do with the color of your skin, what God you worship, or whether you can bear children or not.
Our individual choices in life are what make or break our destiny and future.
"We can't be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans ..." [President Bill Clinton, 'USA Today' March 11, 1993: Page 2A]Ordinary Americans???? This country was founded on Liberty and Justice for all. Including "ordinary Americans". So just who is not an ordinary American here?
What this country's government needs to do is be less controlling and focus on individual rights that apply to all, not some group or another. I'm not part of any group, I am an individual.
I pay the wages of government officials, as does every American, ordinary or not. When you vote, focus on what that person you're voting for, will do for you, the individual, not the "group" you perceive to belong to. You may find that your affiliated party falls short of your individual needs, wants and desires, or that your beliefs will be challenged.
We have all done some good deed or another, only to have the recipient exploit it, abuse it, and general throw it back in your face. Making decisions based on the needs of a "group", rather than your individuality, will leave you out in the cold, I guarantee it.
I challenge you, and every other American, to be the individual that you are. Use the brain you were born with and think with it. Leave your heart to the love of your family and friends. It has no place in government or politics.
"Most people can't think, most of the remainder won't think, the small fraction who do think mostly can't do it very well. The extremely tiny fraction who think regularly, accurately, creatively, and without self-delusion- in the long run, these are the only people who count." [Robert Heinlein]I challenge you to be one of those who counts. Read, study, absorb and understand the words of each candidate running for office. Does it address your needs as an individual? Most importantly, does it mesh with what this country stands for? Liberty and Justice for all? Which, by the way, includes you. Do they respect the Constitution, or do they seek to amend it every which way but right?
Discard your party "label", your "left or right" affiliation, and become a group of "one". Think with your brain, make decisions based on your individuality, not with your heart, or your race, religion, or creed. Because, ultimately, that's all that really counts.
And, in the end, if I'm deemed an "ordinary American" because of my individuality, so be it. The world consists of individuals over anything else. It is the only group I'll ever truly belong to.
Hopefully this time around, Americans will vote based on logical thinking. I remember seeing a poll on why women in America voted for Bill Clinton. The answer? Because he was so handsome and charismatic. Pa-leeeese! Come on ladies, Ted Bundy was handsome and charismatic! (See any similarities there?)
I completely lost my faith in American intelligence when Bill Clinton was voted in a second time. I can forgive the first, but the second?
Hillary in the Whitehouse? I think not. Some day I'd like to see a woman President, but first a woman worthy of the position needs to come forth. And Hillary ain't it.
But For the Grace of God
This is how traffic looks in India. If this was in America, this 1 minute 8 second video would show multiple crashes. Perhaps we should send our ROW violators to India to learn how to drive?
Veterans Memorial Service, Bainbridge, GA
September 14, 2007 - Veterans Memorial Service, Bainbridge, GA
Many thanks to those who showed up to pay your respect to those who fought for our freedom.
On the flipside, I am very disappointed in the biker community at large that more of you were not present for this, given the very large number of participants in the Bainbridge Motorcycle Rally currently taking place. Shame on all of you who couldn't find the time to attend this brief memorial.
More photos of this ride here.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Boycott To End? You Be The Judge
Recent events show that Denver's Alice 105.9 is willing to make amends. It does not, however, appear to be the public apology the Colorado Sport Bike Club wanted.
I am a bit skeptical that a public apology will for forthcoming, and believe that Alice is feeling the "pinch" from all the bad publicity and ordered our "friend" Howie to make a peace offering. For now, it appears that Alice is agreeable to promoting Motorcycle Safety on their morning show. Being agreeable to that however, does not admit any wrong-doing. Many of the club members are skeptical as well. We shall see what unfolds.
At this point, the motorcycle club is calling off their boycott (see previous post).
You can read the forum posts and announcement to end the boycott here.
Many thanks to all who helped get the word out. It is very likely that other states had this issue on the radar as well. It is reported that this topic made the airwaves as far away as Orlando.
If only we could unite as quickly and easily to squash the national push our government is aiming for; mandatory helmets for all states. No freedom, no choice. Whether you wear a helmet or not, it is your obligation as a motorcyclist to oppose this movement adamantly. Giving away our rights in any capacity will lead to the loss of more, until we are at the mercy of the government for permission to even own a motorcycle.
Live to ride, ride to live. Sam I am, fight I will.
Death by Automobile - Guilty or Not Guilty?
I believe individuals are responsible for what they do, in every sense of the word. We are brought up to know right from wrong, yet some people insist on pushing the envelope.
Consider our driving habits for instance. Most of us drive 5 miles over the speed limit. We do this because we feel the need to go faster than the speed limit, and know that it is unlikely you will be ticketed if caught. We know it's wrong, but we do it anyway. Those who exceed the speed limit by more than 7 mph will most likely get a ticket sooner or later. They also know it's wrong, but don't seem to mind paying the fine if caught.
Traffic signals are there to keep people from colliding with each other in the flow of traffic, as are the white lines in the road depicting individual lanes. How many times have you accelerated to get through that yellow light so you didn't have to stop? You know you may not get through in time, but you do it anyway.
And changing lanes without signaling, this is commonplace also. You give a quick check in the mirrors as you change lanes. Notice I said AS you change lanes, not signal first, look, then change lanes. And how many people actually turn their heads to look in blind spots? Ever had a close call when you started changing lanes and saw someone there at the last minute?
And drivers do these things, all in the name of being in a hurry, or lackadaisical attitude toward driving an automobile.
Not such a good thing when you consider that a car is an enormous object, hurtling down the road at speeds that prevent you from stopping quickly. It is essentially a very large weapon with which you can kill others if you do not follow the traffic laws. We all know this, but many ignore this fact.
Other traffic laws are also there to protect us from each other. Such as right-of-way laws. You must only pull out into traffic when it is safe and you will not hit another vehicle sharing the road. We know this also. We learned it in drivers ed, and the driving tests we take, both written and driving, and we are evaluated on these laws of the road. That's what a license is; a license to drive a car safely and to show you understand and will follow the laws of driving.
Isn't a Drivers License the same as signing a document saying you understand fully what the laws are? And that you will obey them?
You must yield to oncoming traffic when crossing roads, turning left (when there is no left-turn signal) and when changing lanes. We have all learned these things. Yet, drivers insist on rolling through stop signs, pulling out without looking or looking hard enough, running red and yellow lights in an effort to shave a few minutes off their commute, or negligently change lanes without the small effort of turning their head and looking.
Do drivers know they do these things? Yes! Should they be held accountable for them if they are caught? Yes! That's why we have driving laws. To protect others while sharing the road with them.
Now, consider this scenario. You are driving your car on a two-lane divided highway, in the fast lane, at the speed limit, and suddenly a van pulls across both lanes of traffic to make a left turn into the opposite flow of traffic from your direction. You see him and start to slow down to give him more time to complete the turn, calculating that he'll completely turn before you get there. He has but seconds to make the turn before you get there.
But he doesn't complete the turn, and stops dead in your path. You hit the van broadside, totalling your car. You have minor injuries, but are otherwise alright.
Is the driver of this van guilty of a driving law? Yes, he is guilty of pulling out into traffic when it wasn't safe. The law states that when entering traffic, you must yield the right of way to other drivers and wait until it is safe.
Now consider if you had been riding a motorcycle instead of driving a car. Now driving laws have a direct effect on your life, since to broadside a van at nearly any speed on a motorcycle will most certainly cause horrific injury, or even death, regardless of the protective gear you might be wearing.
The driver of the van sees you coming, and attempts to beat the traffic anyway, but is brought up short when the opposing traffic does not allow him to enter. He has knowingly, and willingly, placed himself in your path.
Again, is he guilty of violating your right of way? Again, yes he is. When he makes this decision and causes you injury or death, is he guilty? Yes, he is. Is he punished for murdering or slaughtering you during this act? No, he is not.
In our society (and this country), when a person knowingly takes a person's life, they are charged with murder or manslaughter, and sentenced to prison for this act. Yet, when another driver knowingly violates a traffic law and takes another person's life, they are fined for a traffic violation and are free to go do it all over again.
When a person handles a gun, and knowingly fires it in an unsafe area and kills another person, they are tried in a court of law for manslaughter. If it is proven they "knew" it was unsafe to do so, but did it anyway, they are guilty. No fines, no slap on the hand. Guilty as charged. When drivers pull out into traffic while "knowing" it was unsafe to do so, they are not held responsible. Why is this, do you think? It sounds the same as the scenario with the gun, but society in general does not think knowingly violating a traffic law at the risk of another person's life is a crime.
An automobile IS a deadly weapon. It does cause harm. How is this different than a gun? When you handle a gun, you need to be cognizant of the injury you might cause another, and follow safety rules to prevent that from happening. How does this differ from driving a car? There are driving rules, laws and regulations that are designed to prevent injury and death by auto. When you disregard those rules, laws, and regulations, and kill a person as a result, you are guilty of knowingly taking someone's life.
A law in Delaware that finds a person guilty of death by automobile when knowingly violating a driving law is currently before the state Supreme Court to decide if it is constitutional or not. There are 14 cases of vehicular manslaughter pending this decision. 14!!! You may think this is a paltry figure, but if you knew how many other cases, just like these, in other states where there is no law, and those drivers received a small fine and were free to go, you could multiply that number by at least 50, and probably more.
Americans raised holy hell over the death of a hand full of people who swallowed poisonous punch, death by cult. Americans mourned the loss of a hand full of students this year at Virginia Tech, at the hands of a depressed and deranged gun-toting student. Yet Americans think nothing of letting hundreds of negligent drivers go with a simple fine after knowingly violating a driving law and killing someone.
I say, my right to live, and others to be punished for taking my life, IS constitutional. If we allow this law to be declared unconstitutional, we are signing away our lives at the hands of millions of automobile drivers to simply violate a traffic law any time they choose, whether they take a life or not. Can you live with that? You may not have the choice to live with that.
Whether you ride a motorcycle, like to walk along the road, ride a bicycle or have children who ride bicycles along the roadway, or even driving a car, you are declaring that the death of anyone you know, or even yourself, by automobile is worth a mere $41 fine for violating a traffic law, if you do not support this law and keep it active.
The current Delaware law fines a person $1,150 fine and a mandatory prison sentence of 30 months for the first offense and a $2,300 fine and 60 months imprisonment for subsequent offenses. This in itself is a crime. But without this law, anyone can run you down in their auto, without any true retribution or punishment beyond a traffic ticket.
If you believe your life, or the lives of your loved ones, is worth more than a $41 fine when it is knowingly taken by an automobile driver, please view the following links and act appropriately. Whether you live in Delaware or not, this concerns YOU. This law MUST remain on the books, and set a precedent for other states to follow. This law may need modifications as it stands, but starting over from scratch may mean that many more will die as a result, and the killers will still go free.
Go here to read an editorial about this issue by Shirley Vanderver.
Go here to read this law's text in it's entirety.
Go here to read about the death that caused this law to come about.
Go here to read about the actual case my hypothetical story above corresponds to, and sign a petition and in an attempt to keep this law in effect.
In the mean time, as Shirley says,
"There may be those that think a murderer should be given a pass when it is 'just one of those things'. I don't. Keep §4176A. Enforce it. Let people know it is being enforced. And above all, be careful out there."
Hear, hear!
"Drive it like a 357 Magnum with a hair trigger." Author Sam I Am
Harley Davidson of NYC - You Suck!
This evening I was given the URL of a CNN segment that rankles the very fiber of my being. You can view it here.
If you ride, you will immediately see how one-sided this broadcast really is. And if you don't ride, know that this news report is so bogus it is worthy only of SNL (that's Saturday Night Live, for those of you who are not night owls).
What this news segment focuses on is that motorcycle deaths are outrageously high (gasp!) and that wearing a helmet will prevent those deaths (oh pa-leeeese!).
Watch closely in this report, as they show a motorcyclist hitting the front end of a car and flying over it. Note also that this car made a left turn and violated the right of way of this motorcyclist. Somebody please tell me how a helmet would have kept this car from hitting him???
Now, watch further and see how an utter ignoramus of a reporter wanders around Harley Davidson of NYC and expounds on how WE bikers look ridiculous wearing half helmets.
Notice also that an interview with an MSF representative (and whom they don't even identify!) is cut short. Apparently he wasn't saying the fluffy, I-agree-with-you statements.
The truth is, those who wear helmets very often have brain injuries, while those who don't and hit their head, simply die. The very small percentage they speak of that end up with brain injuries and have to be cared for, are much less in number than Americans with chronic obesity, heart disease through self-inflicted habits, drug abusers, etc.
But let us not drift off the subject here. As you saw in the broadcast, riders are hit by auto drivers who violate their right of way. This accounts for 2/3 of all motorcycle deaths. A helmet will not prevent this from happening. Isn't it smarter to prevent the occurrence rather than hope you won't die because you're wearing a helmet?
I wrote to CNN in protest of this broadcast segment. They, of course, sent me a canned response, and said they would not reply personally but would review my comments the next morning in their feedback pow-wow meeting. Ya, and pigs fly too.
But what really sticks in my craw is that Harley Davidson of NYC was willing to participate in this whole sham. Anything for free advertising. 'Buy our motorcycles, [who cares if a inattentive driver runs you over and kills you], we got our money'. I'd say this HD dealer needs to be put up on the "Wall of Shame".
I wonder if they were promised anything for supporting this new helmet fiasco that may force riders everywhere to put on a helmet or get a ticket, while cagers are allowed to run us over, murder us, and get away with a $45 fine?
CNN is just doing what they do best, report the sensational regardless of what the truth really is. But Harley Davidson of NYC? Well, you SUCK.
'Nuff said. Ride free as long as you can.
Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. It may be a large vehicle with one headlight, about to run you down.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Sponsors on Boycott List Respond
I plan to update this list as I receive responses from other sponsors, so check back periodically to see any new responses.
Favorable Responders:My Girlfriend's Kitchen
Lone Star Vino, LLC
To see the original post about this boycott, click here.
Dear Heather,
I appreciate you sending me this message. I will note your response on my blog, as you have written. Your business is listed on The Alice website as an advocate/sponsor of that radio station. I would suggest you notify them of your wish to have your business name removed and sever all links with them. You may also wish to post a notice in the window of your business noting your position in this affair. I know the local motorcyclists will appreciate your good will in announcing your opposition.
Best Regards,
Sam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: chleonelli [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: 2007 Sep 13 2:18 PM
To: fxdwgrider@comcast.net
Subject: [Sam I Am] New comment on Boycott Sponsors of Motorcyclist Hate Radio.
I am 1 of the owner's of My Girlfriend's Kitchen, we have never paid for advertising with Alice 105.9, what we did was sell Gift Certificates online with them and sister station giving our customers money saving offers. We would appreciate not being held responsible for what Howie said. I do not agree with him, and I appauled by what he said and how he has reacted about what he said. My father is an avid Sunday Harley driver, and would die if anything happened to him. Let me know if there is anything we at My Girlfriend's Kitchen can do.
Thank you,
Heather Leonelli
Posted by chleonelli to Sam I Am at September 13, 2007 11:39 AM
Subj: Alice 105.9 Boycott
Date: 9/12/2007 7:36:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: winery@winerydenver.com
To: soeastbiker@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)
I would like to sincerely thank you for bringing this disturbing situation to our attention. We do not support Alice 105.9. We had donated some wine tasting party certificates to Alice 105.9's Cyber Sidewalk Sale over two months ago and have never advertised with the radio station. Our logo is no longer up on their website and I will be calling the station tomorrow to have them cease and desist from using our name in conjunction with their organization.
We have many customers from the motorcycle community and we support this boycott. Furthermore, we have several motorcycle enthusiasts within our organization and we enjoy participating in the Lone Star Rally on Galveston Island in Texas.
We respectfully request that you remove us from the boycott list and forward this email throughout your organization to show our support for the motorcycle community in this disturbing matter.
Sincerely,
Steve Barton
Managing Partner
Director of Sales & Marketing
Lone Star Vino, LLC
Texas & Colorado Winery Operations
www.dvinewineonthestrand.com
www.wineryindenver.com
www.wineryinsilverthorne.com
Posted on Bruce-n-Ray's Biker Forum Sep 13, 07 - 12:31 PM
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Boycott Sponsors of Motorcyclist Hate Radio
Recently, in Denver, Colorado, a radio station DJ incited the public to call in and tell how they would like to "off" a motorcyclist. The outrage from motorcyclists in Denver, and subsequently everywhere is overwhelming, as it should be.
The radio station refuses to produce the transcripts of the aired segment, nor make amends for such a horrific act on the part of one of its DJ's. As a result, The Colorado Sport Bike Club is calling for a boycott of the radio station's sponsors. Some are local to Denver, some are nationwide. Whether you live in Colorado or not, please consider boycotting these sponsors.
Full text reprinted below:
September 7, 2007
Over the past two days, one of the DJ's on Alice 105.9 Radio named "Howie" has been inciting quite a bit of hateful calls from the community, specifically directed towards sport bike riders. Now, everyone has a right to their opinion, however he has actually been suggesting that people take violent action against anyone they see riding a sport bike - this is completely uncalled for, and many of us who ride such motorcycles now have a real and legitimate fear for our safety on the road, and possibly even our lives.
Typically the CSC respects everyone's right to an opinion, however this is serious enough that the Colorado Sportbike Club is calling for a statewide (or beyond, if you so choose) boycott of not only Alice Radio, but the companies that advertise on their station. Advertisers are where the money in any radio station comes from, and only by threatening or removing that source of funds will the radio station get the message that we're serious.
The CSC will not lift this boycott until the following conditions are met: 1. The management of Alice 105.9 Radio issues a statement that this type of hateful and dangerous speech will not be tolerated on their station ever again. 2. The DJ Howie and his producer(s) that stood by and allowed this to continue issue a formal, written apology to sport bike riders in the state of Colorado.
As you may be aware, our motorcycle site reaches thousands of motorcyclists across the state; we are also hoping that other clubs and organizations will follow suit and join us in making sure Alice gets the message that this will not be tolerated.
If even one motorcyclist's life is saved or spared from years of debilitating injury, then this boycott will have served its purpose. It also sends the message to Alice and other radio stations that we are not open to ridicule and acts of violence just because we choose a different mode of transportation, and will make it known financially that this is the case.
Below is a list of the companies we know to advertise on Alice's station or web site, and are the ones that you should not only avoid, but make known to them why you are doing so. This list will be updated as we get new information, so check back often!Panera Bread
Also, here is a PDF file you can email or print and hand out to any establishment you avoid as a result of this boycott: Letter to Alice Advertisers
Geico Insurance
Wendy's
Foresters Financial Partners
TLC Laser Eye Centers
Isle of Capri
Jose Cuervo Tequila
Hacienda of Colorado - 3 locations
Cinema Grill - E. Alameda
My Girlfriend's Kitchen - 8555 W Belleview Ave
Water 2 Wine -8130 S. University Blvd
D'Vine Wine - 1660 Champa St
BJ's Resaurant - 14442 E. Cedar Ave
Miyama Steak House & Sushi Bar - 9101 Kimmer Drive
Texas de Brazil - 8390 East 49th Avenue
Thank you for supporting us in this unfortunate but necessary step to ensure our safety on the road, and our place as legitimate motorists.
Weblink: Open call for a BOYCOTT of Alice 105.9 Radio and their advertisers!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
On Life and Liberalism
In perusing some of my favorite blogs, I came across a post on the Delaware Curmudgeon (GirlGeek) that had me enthralled. I didn't think there was anyone out there who viewed Liberalism in the same light as I did. Or maybe I hadn't met anyone that was so willing to speak about it with such reasonable clarity.
While GirlGeek's post is an "address" to college students, who are preparing to enter the "real" world, her words apply to everyone of us, no matter what age you are. If you live, and pay taxes, it applies to YOU. If you don't pay taxes and you're old enough to vote, you're either a pampered housewife, or a welfare case, just go away and finish eating your bon-bons on the sofa while watching your favorite soaps. The rest of us work for a living.
And why am I posting this on my motorcycle blog? Because I'm all about riding free, riding safe. Which constitutes some of the individual rights I'm entitled to. And Liberalism is all about sacrificing my individuality in favor of others. And, ya GirlGeek got me going, and you know what happens when I get on my soapbox....
(Correction 9/10/07: GirlGeek's referenced post is a reprint of a commencement speech made by Neal Boortz, a Texas lawyer and radio talk show host. The reprinted comments further down in my post are also from Neal Boortz.)
On Death and Taxes
With election time approaching once again, I am prepared to vote in favor of my beliefs, regardless of party affiliates. My concerns? My individual rights. My right to live, earn a living through my own efforts, and enjoy the fruits of that hard work. Not those of any group, or affiliation, nor those of any race, religion, or gender. Just my rights, as an individual. Everything I've done in life has been through my own efforts. My choices, my blood, sweat and tears, no hand-outs.
In this country, no, in this world, the only sure things are death and taxes. Now, we all will die sometime, but taxes? I can tell you this right now, if there was a movement by the majority of this country's citizens to refuse to pay taxes on their income, I'd be right there with them. I have no desire to go to jail, which is where I would end up (same as you) if I didn't pay my income taxes. Could they put us all in jail? They could try, but they would not succeed.
Will a movement like this ever happen? I doubt it [reality check], because we all know that people in general can be lumped in with cattle or sheep, blindly following the leader to the next patch of greener grass. Complain they will, but do anything about it, they won't.
My motto? Lead, follow, or get the hell out of my way. But see if you can understand my point of view (and GirlGeek's), and then tell me why you oppose it, if in fact you do.
Now I don't mind paying taxes that go for reasonable government official salaries (notice I said reasonable - I think it's a crime in itself the amount of income for life that politicians get), and I don't mind paying for maintenance/services for which I use, such as roads, bridges, public services, armed services, etc.
However, I highly object to the government using my hard earned cash, for which I put in my own blood, sweat and tears, to support those who are too lazy to earn their own living, or for those immigrants who work here illegally and don't pay taxes, refuse to learn the language (don't get me started), and refuse to integrate themselves into our society.
Liberty and Justice for All. And this means?
Liberty: the right to choose; the freedom to think or act without being constrained by necessity or forcePretty rude awakening, isn't it? Did I just burst that bubble containing your idealistic view of our great country? Great! Now do something about it! Our government works for the people of this country. Allowing them to control us, rather than the other way around, is why our Liberty and Justice is NOT for All.
Hmmm, the right to choose? Our Pledge of Allegiance says I have the right to choose. Can I choose not to pay taxes? No. Out of necessity (or go to jail) I must pay taxes, out of force (or the government will seize everything I own) I must pay taxes. Therefore this country does not give Liberty to all.
Justice: fairness; fairness or reasonableness, especially in the way people are treated or decisions are made
Is it fair that I be forced to pay a portion of what I earn to support those who refuse to work for their own living? No. Can a citizen of this country kill another human being out of negligence and walk away unpunished? Yes. It happens every day when an automobile driver kills a motorcyclist. Therefore this country does not provide justice for all.
All: used to indicate that the whole of a particular amount, area, quantity, group or thing is involved or affected
This is perhaps the only word with any weight in this phrase, as we are ALL in this boat together.
Free Enterprise
America is the richest country in the world. Every person's standard of living is higher than anywhere else, right down to the "urban outdoorsman" (that's Liberal for a homeless person who prefers to sleep on the the ground, wallowing in their own filth, while clutching that liquor bottle they bought that day with panhandled money - which, by the way, is NOT the same as a deformed homeless child in China, though you may think it is, in your Liberalized mind).
We have the opportunity (notice I said opportunity and not right) to earn a good living in this country. You may become rich, you may not, depending on your degree of ingenuity and motivation, but you will eat and have decent clothes, with even the lowest paying job. Free enterprise provides that. Yes, that's those rich corporate conglomerates who make lots of money, and provide those jobs.
And those rich big business owners? Most of them educated themselves, and through hard work and business savvy, built their business to where it is today. Because they had the opportunity to do so, and took that opportunity. That's what Free Enterprise is. While liberalism is all about the "have nots" wanting everything the "haves" work for, but aren't willing to put forth the same effort.
Unless you are lucky enough to win the lottery, and smart enough to invest it so it grows, the only other option you have is getting an education, working hard for many years, and enjoying a comfortable living. It requires uncanny intelligence, hard work and long hours to grow a business and make it into something that will thrive and make even more money. If you don't have that kind of drive and above average intelligence, it's the luck of the draw and your genes. Go blame your parents if you have to blame someone, but get over it. It isn't your money to take or give away.
I'm not rich, but I earn a good living for myself. I got here through my own will-power and hard work. I had no more advantage than anyone else. I just had the drive and determination to run on my own steam, not someone else's. It's your choice, and if you pass it up and don't exercise that choice, it's no one's fault but your own.
Pride and Greed
Americans have become self-righteous in thinking that our poor are truly unfortunate, but in reality, our poor are much richer by comparison than 3rd world country citizens. Our country is overrun with immigrants from these countries because of this fact. Americans refuse to "lower" themselves and take one of those jobs an immigrant is grateful to have. Rather than do honest work for a living, some feel the need to sit around and do nothing while the government feeds them out of my pocket. Pride and greed will be your downfall.
This is a free country, or is supposed to be. Immigrants have been coming here since the beginning. We are all descendents of immigrants. But when they become American, they need to be American; speak our language, obey our laws, contribute to the same [unfair] tax base, and not expect any more leniency than any other American. I'm half Dutch, but not considered a minority, and neither should any other ethnic group. All that separates us is our individuality, not color nor creed, not religion, and not age or gender. Illegal immigrants who do not contribute to the economy are not entitled to any government assistance. Period.
And, before YOU complain about all those illegal migrant workers in YOUR town, be sure you're willing to go out in those fields, in the hot sun, and pick [you name it], because THEY certainly are. Remember that, when you're sitting in your cozy little sun-porch eating breakfast and you stuff that ripe strawberry in your mouth. And be sure to give thanks at Christmastime when you put up your Christmas tree in your $300,000 home, to all those migrant workers who cut them down for you every year. Again, if you don't like them there, get out of your lazy-boy and do something about it.
In my youth, I had my share of those unskilled jobs. That's all I could get where I lived without a college degree. I took those jobs because it was expected. It was how I was raised; earn your own way. Every single American can do this in this country. But do they? NO. Why is that, do you think? (You can think, can't you?)
I'll tell you why. The lure of free and easy is a powerful motive. Liberalism provides that "free and easy" route, touting our poor and homeless as having the God given right to our hard earned pay, yours and mine. It's dishonesty in disguise. Stealing. I earned it, I gave hours and labor for it. It should be mine to do with as I see fit. All of it.
Liberty and Justice For All, One Nation Under God, Thou shalt not steal. Our government makes a mockery of these words.
Age and Wisdom
If you allow politicians to be voted into office who support giving away your hard earned cash, you deserve to lose it. In fact, give them more. Don't want to? Why not? Liberals are willing to give away MY hard earned cash.
And if you're a college student? Well, I remember being there, and it didn't take me long to figure out the error of my ways. It's one of those things you only get from age - a thing called wisdom.
Or, if you're one of those "bleeding heart" Liberals, you obviously won't agree. How about we just give all your income away to those poor "unfortunates". I mean, gee, if you really feel that strongly about it, hey, I don't mind who you want to give your income to. Perhaps another caring sensitive Liberal will give you his/her income so you can survive after you've given away all of yours.
Below is an excerpt from GirlGeek's post. Ditto on every comment, plus a few of my own. Kudos to you GirlGeek, for speaking to our youth without pulling the proverbial punches. Sadly, I well remember my youth and how I already "knew everything" back then. I'm hoping there's a few who will see the wisdom of your words.
Random thoughts from GirlGeek:
- You need to register to vote, unless you are on welfare. If you are living off the efforts of others, please do us the favor of sitting down and shutting up until you are on your own again.
- When you do vote, your votes for the House and the Senate are more important than your vote for president. The House controls the purse strings, so concentrate your awareness there.
- Liars cannot be trusted, even when the liar is the president of the country. If someone can't deal honestly with you, send them packing.
- Don't bow to the temptation to use the government as an instrument of plunder. If it is wrong for you to take money from someone else who earned it -- to take their money by force for your own needs -- then it is certainly just as wrong for you to demand that the government step forward and do this dirty work for you.
- Don't look in other people's pockets. You have no business there. What they earn is theirs. What you earn is yours. Keep it that way. Nobody owes you anything, except to respect your privacy and your rights, and leave you the hell alone.
- Speaking of earning, the revered 40-hour workweek is for losers. Forty hours should be considered the minimum, not the maximum. You don't see highly successful people clocking out of the office every afternoon at five. The losers are the ones caught up in that afternoon rush hour. The winners drive home in the dark.
- Free speech is meant to protect unpopular speech. Popular speech, by definition, needs no protection.
- Finally (and aren't you glad to hear that word), as Og Mandino wrote, 1. Proclaim your rarity. Each of you is a rare and unique human being. 2. Use wisely your power of choice. 3. Go the extra mile ... drive home in the dark.
- Oh, and put off buying a television set as long as you can.
- Wisdom comes with age. No matter what your parents' education is, they DO know more than you do. Unless you prefer to do everything the hard way, ask someone who's been there done that. It could save you years of living with a major mistake.
- Blame no one but yourself for the choices you make. To do otherwise lowers yourself to the equivalent of "whale dung".
- Never complain about your lot in life unless you are willing to put forth the effort to improve it. I've got news for you: Your ship is NOT coming in. Donald Trump is NOT going to adopt you. Get off your ass and earn your own keep. If you don't like your job, get a better/different one.
- It's OK to give your money away to those who need it, as long as you earned it.
- Don't speak for me. I belong to a group of ONE. I'll speak for myself, thank you very much.
- Whether you follow a religion or not, live by the principles of the 10 Commandments. If you don't, you'll answer to MY God.
- Never let anyone tell you something is out of your reach because of your age, race, gender, or sexual preference. We all have the same opportunities, go for it with gusto, provided it doesn't violate another's rights.
- The primary group you should ever stand up for, speak for, live for, die for, is the unique individual that you are. Protect your individuality, nurture it, develop it to your fullest. All that you are, and can be, is the best contribution you can make to others, and this country.
- When you get behind the wheel of a car, remember that you are in control of a 5000 lb potential murder weapon. Drive it like a loaded 357 magnum with a hair trigger.
- Oh, and never get in a car with someone you don't know, especially if there are no inside door handles...
Ya, like that's ever going to happen! SG1 to the rescue!
Live free, ride free, pay taxes. It's the American way. Well, taxes are anyway.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Capitol Photo Session
I would be remiss if I didn't publish the photos taken at the Capitol building last spring. I have another pose coming to me, and will post that when I get it. These photos were taken by Dusty Hall Photography. The bottom photo, of course, is the group shot taken of the Tallahassee chapter of the Chrome Divas. Not all are present, as this chapter now has about 75 members.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Labor Day
Labor Day has meant many things to me in my life. When I was very young and still living at home, Labor Day meant opening day of Dove Season, and a yearly hunting trip with my family. But mostly it's a long weekend, signifying the beginning of fall. That has mostly meant the beginning of the cold weather. Not so in Florida. Here it means the beginning of cooler days, the new school year, and most significantly for me, the beginning of 9 long months of great riding days. Woooohoooo!
This Labor Day dawned with sunny skies and lots of big white fluffy clouds. The weather was supposed to be 40% chance of rain and/or thunder storms, but it wasn't raining here, so the weather was moot. The plan was to ride west today and collect more pictures for Jeanne. Time to meet: 10:00 AM. This was the first holiday in a very long time when I did not either have to work, or choose to work.
After putting in a new battery last night, I was ready to ride again, and looking forward to it. Out to the garage I went this morning, backed out the bike, and viola! It started right up. Yea!! Off I went, across to the west and down canopy road for a cruise in the cool morning air. And it was lovely.
Arriving at the meeting spot, first thing I notice is the one person who is there has a flat front tire. Not good. She had gotten there just fine, but the tire went flat after she arrived. After inflating the tire with a can of flat fixer, she rode her little bike to a repair shop to leave it for tomorrow, and get a ride home.
Down to three of us now; Jeanne on her Dyna, me on my Dyna, and Carlena on her little Virago. I like to think of Carlena's Virago as a mini Dyna. Carlena is a tiny woman, and she fits as well on her small Virago, as my tall frame does on my bigger Wide Glide. I had to chuckle to myself, as cars went by the three of us riding together, with Carlena in the middle; Oh, look honey, a kid out for a cruise with her two older sisters! That little Virago had no problem keeping up with our Big Twins though.
We rode out Rt 90 and racked up about 200 miles today. I was a bit apprehensive about riding on Labor Day, since holiday drivers tend to be a bit preoccupied. However, traffic was light, and we didn't have any close calls or see one questionable driver that might cause us problems. How nice is that? And on a holiday weekend, no less. No rain to speak of either.
At one point, some guy had to pass all three of us and race off into the sunset, and as he passed us, something flew out of his pocket and shattered into bits on the pavement. We think it was a cell phone.
And oh Lord, the roadkill was everywhere. I have GOT to get a bandanna to wear over my nose ALL the time!
We had a nice lunch together, and then took off for home. I rolled into the driveway at dusk, and as I pulled in, I noticed that my garbage can was out at the street. I didn't put it out. I thought the garbage man was coming tomorrow because of the holiday, but as I left this morning, I saw them collecting. I wasn't about to turn around so I could put the garbage can out either, and kept going. Upon asking, none of my neighbors put it out either. Apparently, the garbage man came all the way down my 100 foot driveway and got it.
So, not only did I have a very relaxing and safe ride, but the garbage collectors decided to do a random act of kindness. It was a very good Labor Day indeed.
Home again, and preparing for another week in the grind. Until next weekend, ride safe, ride free.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Riding Bitch Revisited
Today I got up late (pretty normal for me), and took care of little things while waiting for the call to ride. The call came in around noon. So I changed clothes, pulled on the boots and prepared to ride. Out to the garage, back the bike out into the driveway, close the garage door, start the bike.
Only it didn't start. No battery charge! Took the seat off, checked the connections, everything looked OK. Out came the battery charger. It says, the battery is fully charged. Try to start it again, no dice.
So everyone came to my house to see if my bike could be started. Still no luck. I looked at the sunny skies and thought, I'm not missing this day of riding for anything. So I hopped on the back of Jeff's Ultra Classic (the caddy of bikes for riding bitch) and off we went. 
The plan of sorts was to head northeast to get pictures next to Florida county signs for a contest. We were to meet up with another in Monticello. There were about 8 bikes to start, but a few inexperienced riders dropped off early on.
Our friend in Monticello met us all for lunch. The restaurant had just closed, but they reopened just for us, called their cook back in, and served us a wonderful meal of Mexican cuisine.
After lunch, a bike dropped out to go home early and get ready for work. We had just the five bikes now, and six riders altogether.
Our friend from Monticello took us all through the countryside on back roads, and what a ride! This is why we do what we do. Nothing but rolling hills, farmland, forests, pastures, and warm, cozy homes. Peacefulness and relaxation overtakes you, as the bikes rumble through the gentle curves, and you find yourself in that zen place all bikers know about.
Jewels wore her "signature" white shirt, flapping in the wind like super woman. How could other drivers not see this biker?
And Jeanne's pig-tails never fail to capture the attention of everyone. At a state park we stopped at, an officer wanted to know how she pulled her hair through holes in the helmet! That brought a round of laughter from the rest of us.
This was an unplanned ride, but it turned out to be one of the best ever. I quickly forgave my ride, sitting back home in the garage, for nearly ruining my day. As the day progressed, we rode through one county after another, stopping at state parks and historical sights to take pictures.
Now, about 5pm, as is usual this time of year, the skies began to cloud up with more consistency, but we rode anyway, daring the rain to come and just try to ruin the day. Totally impossible by now. At one state park, it did begin to rain in earnest, so we sat underneath a covered patio at a picnic bench, told stories, and laughed for a while, engaging some of the state park officials working there.
When the rain let up, off we went. As it was, we were heading into the stormy areas, and not away from them, but that still didn't stop us. Eventually, we headed for home, which was about 2 hours away, after our last stop, Suwannee River State Park.
The clouds were looking pretty ominous, and blackened more with each minute, lightning flashing everywhere, followed by claps of thunder. As we pulled into the town of Madison, the heavens opened up and dumped buckets on us. We quickly pulled into a gas station to wait out the worst of it, donning rain suites, jackets, and face coverings. Man, those rain drops can feel like needles at a anything over 35 mph!
Jeanne's helmet pig-tails looked a little worse for wear! And the overhang in the gas station allowed a small amount of respite.
The rain didn't stop, but it did get a bit lighter, so we decided head out and stop for dinner down the road about a mile. And while we sat in the restaurant, it continued to pour rain on and off, lightning and thundering throughout, with occasional moments when the rain stopped or lightened. And as it got darker outside, we thought we'd better head for home in spite of the rain. We all took off, hoping for the best, expecting the worst.
From Madison, perhaps an hour from I-10, in pitch black darkness, we headed for home with a main purpose.... to get out of the rain. About 10 minutes into this home stretch, it began to rain hard again, and we all got soaked (and cold) wherever our clothing didn't prevent it. Fortunately, the traffic was light, but the distance was a bit far to be caught in a downpour. Though so far it wasn't unbearable. At least not until we were about 4 miles from home, then it came down so hard, and the roads began to fill up with water. Even the curbs and medians were hard to see, never mind the lines in the road. By then, my legs were used to the wetness, and I was no longer cold, albeit uncomfortable.
The going was slow the last few miles, and miserable, but I didn't mind. Except for the occasional rain drop that found its way to a bare patch of skin on my face, and my wet legs, I was fine. A few of the others didn't fare as well, but all in all, it was a very fine ride indeed.
Here's the kicker.... I would not have done as well, had I been riding my own bike, because I don't see well at night. And seeing at night in the rain is even worse. I was very glad to have been spared the long ride home, in the dark, in the pouring rain, riding my own bike. I could have, and would have done it, if I'd had to, as did the others, but I didn't, and I was not unhappy in the least about that!
Yes, I would have preferred to be riding my own machine through all those wonderful back roads our friend led us through, who wouldn't? But in retrospect, my bike saved me from making a wonderful ride less than perfect. For that I "forgive" it for letting me down today.
Another cool benefit of not riding my own... I got lots of cool photos of the ride. And hey, it was an awesome bike to be sitting on the back of, and in such comfort too! Jeff's wife, Christina, was on her own bike, who, incidentally, offered to let me ride hers, and she would ride with her husband - now that's a friend! I know the joy of riding your own, and didn't want to transfer my own misfortune to another. I also don't feel comfortable taking a long ride driving an unfamiliar bike either. So I gratefully declined.
Sitting here tonight, at home, dry and comfortable, I'm thinking, what a great day! Tomorrow I'll go buy a new battery and ignore the fact that I can't really afford it right now. Then I'll take my bike out and make up for not getting to ride my own machine today. Stuff happens, and you make the most of it. Good friends, long ride, beautiful countryside, what could be better?
Oh, and one more thing, I really should practice swinging my leg up that high getting on and off the higher back seat of a dresser. I know my muscles are going to protest tomorrow!
Well, OK, you're right. I doubt that I will. (Did I mention I'm almost 52?) I'll just be riding my own anyway. Ride safe. Ride free. Ride comfortably. Or just ride, any way you can.
