Presidential State Of The Union

In a perfect world......

Presidential State of the Union Address:

"My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed. Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.

Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there.

The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on list #2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. THEN EVERY YEAR THERE AFTER IT'LL GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WON'T GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world 'Hellholes' and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption. Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home.

On that note, a word to terrorist organizations; screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China.

I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bonne chance, mez amies.

I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN-diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and Limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.

A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on list #2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.

Mexico is also on list #2, its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra thousand tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security.

Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now. We are tired of the one-way highway and, immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska - which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to list #2 above: pick a country and move there.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin'.

Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America.

To the Nations on list #1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget.

To the nations on list #2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic.

God Bless America. Thank you and good night."

OK, I can dream can't I? Darn tootin.

Our Congress At Work

If you think our Congress is earning their 6 figure paychecks, just watch this video and decide for yourself if our tax dollars are being used wisely.



So while we all pay at the pump for environmentalist lobbying against drilling for American oil, we polute the environment with Mercury. Gosh, knowing our government, why does this not surprise me?

For all you Hilary supporters out there, consider this: As a member of Congress, Hilary Clinton holds the record in history for voting yes on the most bills that spend the most tax dollars for things such as this. Are you ready to forfeit even more of your paycheck to pay Congressmen/women for work like this?

It's time to force the government to acknowledge the term "public servant". What are YOU going to do about it?

Bravo Rep. Poe from Texas.

Tip of the day: Buy stock in Duct Tape.

Florida Politicians Block Resources to End High Gas Prices

The next time you fuel up and don't like the prices, look to Florida politicians, Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson, for the blame. We (Floridians) have the greatest amount of offshore oil as yet untapped, and our own state politicians are standing in the way of harvesting it. High fuel prices are a huge threat to Florida's economy and tourism, not to mention the wallets of each and every one of us. But apparently, rich coastal residents are more concerned with the view out their balcony windows than ending our dependence on foreign oil.

I don't know about you, but this gets my hackles up. Add yet another item to the list of government interference that dips into the American peoples' pocket books.

Drill, Coast Haste
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY Posted Friday, May 23, 2008 4:20 PM PT

Energy Security: With the prospect of an oil shortage and $12 [gallon] gas, the energy crisis is turning into a national emergency. One solution: Give states the option to develop offshore tracts.

Uncle Sam bans states from drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific and eastern Gulf mainly to protect the environment. Some 85% of the U.S. coastline is off-limits to energy production — including huge reserves off Florida's coast, which China is exploiting in Cuban waters.

China? We are letting China have our oil????

To change that, a lawmaker is offering a novel idea. Rep. Sue Myrick of the House Energy and Commerce panel wants to let coastal states decide whether drilling is environmentally risky. She has introduced a bill that would give coastal states that want offshore drilling the power to opt out of the Interior Department's offshore restrictions.

And as a powerful incentive, Myrick, R-N.C., proposes cutting them (and adjacent states) in on the federal revenues from leases. Washington now collects as much as $8 billion a year in existing Gulf royalties, a figure that would balloon as coastal regions opened for exploration.

Her Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act would give states the ability to control energy production up to 100 miles off their shores and would extend their territorial waters.

The biggest energy finds are off Florida's coast. But the state's congressional delegation in Washington has almost single-handedly kept the national drilling moratorium in effect for the past 25 years — while keeping potentially millions of additional barrels a day of supply off the market.

That was when gas prices were $2 a gallon or less. They've since doubled, and now threaten to hurt Florida's tourism industry. The governor, fearing high pump prices will spook tourists, is trying to slash the state's gas tax.

Tallahassee also faces big budget deficits from a statewide recession, and may warm up to the federal revenue-sharing idea. Under Myrick's bill, state legislatures can vote to end federal restrictions and allow drilling.

But the bill faces major hurdles. Even if Myrick can get the House panel's Democrat chair, Rep. John Dingell, to take it up, it would face stiff opposition in the Senate. Florida Sens. Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson have blocked previous attempts to lift the ban on drilling — although Martinez, a Republican, lately has shown signs of softening.

Foes have successfully cloaked their arguments against offshore drilling in eco-apocalypse, claim it will lead to oil spills. Fearing tar-ball-pocked beaches, the tourism industry has joined the greens in lobbying against such bills.

Wonderful. Our own tourism has joined with the tree-huggers. Look to Oregon and their screwed-up economy in an effort to save a field mouse. The government isn't the only one who needs to do their homework!

Their fears are unfounded. And politicians concerned about America's energy security ought to do a better job educating the public with the facts. For example:

• Less than one one-thousandth of a percent (0.001%) of the 7 billion-plus barrels of oil that Washington has allowed to be produced offshore over the past 25 years has been spilled, according to the Interior Department.

• A whopping 63% of petro pollution in North American seas comes not from offshore rigs, but from natural seepage from the sea floor. Source: National Academy of Sciences.

• There hasn't been a major oil spill from an offshore well since 1969 even though rigs since then have been lashed by Katrina and other major hurricanes.

Don't we pay our politicians to serve the public? And doesn't that include making intelligent decisions based on accurate research? When will the American public wake up and begin voting with some sort of logic? Why are we allowing these politicians to stay in office when they continue to rape us daily through their ignorance?

Today's drilling operations are safer and cleaner. Offshore operators are subject to at least 17 major permits and must follow 90 sets of federal regulations. Clean beaches can coexist with offshore production. The mammoth reserves can be captured with little risk to the environment.

In fact, the government estimates that 50% of our undiscovered oil lies offshore. It's time to let states go after it.

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Write to Rep. Sue Myrick and tell her you appreciate her efforts to help end the energy crisis.

Write to Rep. John Dingell and encourage him to support Rep. Sue Myrick.

Write to the overbearing, arrogant politicians below and express your views on this issue. Don't forget to tell them you vote, and they won't be getting that vote in the future should they decide to ignore you.

Senator Mel Martinez

Senator Bill Nelson

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Read more about the energy crisis here. That is, if you want to be informed. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

Ride safe. Ride free.... if you can afford the gas.

Just the Facts Ma'am - Why Bikers Should Vote Ron Paul 2008

As biker, I am concerned with bikers rights, and if you ride, so should you also be. But as an American citizen, bikers rights are just a sub-set of what I believe in; my personal rights and freedoms.

In the video below, Ron Paul speaks of a "message":

Ron Paul is all about personal rights and freedoms. Yes, as with all candidates, Ron has some differing views, no doubt about it. But in comparison to his undying support of the the Constitution, those differences are minor. In the long haul, less government means less infringement on each of our personal rights. Less government means less money stolen from our earnings. Less government means I still only have ONE mother; the woman who gave birth to me.

I want to see less government, less regulation, less, less, less. Don't you? Only through that will everything else follow. Ron Paul has been called "radical". But this country needs sound and even radical changes if we (the people) are to turn things around and take control of our country again.

I'm tired of my tax money funding our legislators to create hundreds of new and restricting laws every day that infringe on my individual rights; from telling me how to raise my children, to legal confiscation of personal property, including the 15-20 (out of 40) hours I work per week to fund a government that cannot control it's spending and continuously invades my personal life.

Ron Paul has consistently voted no to any new taxes. He wants to phase out many unfair taxes that rightfully belong to each of us, such as capitol gains, inheritance, and death tax.

I'm tired of paying out so much of my earnings in taxes that are spent in other countries, when that money could help me pay my medical bills, and other expenses all Americans pay. When that money should go to our own poor, our own homeless, our own starving children. Ron Paul wants to bring all our troops home, end our world domination policies and give those funds back to Americans, where they should be.

Ron Paul wants to bring our soldiers home. All of them. No other candidate has come close to this statement. How long must we fund 130 military bases worldwide to the tune of 3 Trillion buckaroos each year? How long will the world tolerate our "occupation" on their lands before someone worse than Bin Laden comes along and finds a way to Nuke us? Learning the hard way, in this case, is not an option.

Only with Ron Paul do we have a chance at Freedom and Liberty again. Not to mention restoring worldwide respect for our country.

Hilary, OTOH has a long history of sucking us dry:

"In 2003 and 2004 [Hilary] Clinton grew even more generous with the taxpayers' dollars. She sponsored or co-sponsored 211 bills to increase spending and just three bills to reduce it, yielding a total net cost of $378 billion. This made Clinton the second most "expensive" senator during that time."

And Hilary's response? (drum roll):

While other candidates are addressing issues seriously, Hilary is cackling.

Old habits die hard, and I don't expect Hilary to change colors any more than Osama Bin Laden. In her interviews, Hilary never makes any mention of removing our military presence completely from other countries, only juggling them around some, as if that would make a difference in government spending. She has yet to provide any sound method of paying for all the health care she wants to "give" everyone, including non-citizens. In fact, I've never seen her give a straight or intelligent answer to anything. She plays with our livelihood like an eleven year old plays with Barbie dolls.

As a woman of 52, I've waited many years for a qualified woman candidate for President, and quite frankly, Hilary makes me want to shave my head and pass for a man so I don't have to admit to being a woman. The ignorant women of this country see only a "woman candidate". Oh goody, Women's Lib-ers unite. Where's my paper bag, it's time to puke yet again.

I know! Let's elect Hilary based on her cackling laugh. That's just as good of a reason as any other I can think of. After all, hubby Bill was elected based on his charm and good looks. (Not MY opinion, so don't go there.) Are we supposed to give her "brownie" points because she "stood by" a philandering cheating husband who got caught? All so she could run for President? Sorry Hilary, you lost any respect I might have had for just this reason.

Then we have Mitt Romney, who is, quite frankly, a joke. He can't decide what he is proponent for, or opponent of. He should be renamed "Flip-Flop Romney". (Though I value my summer shoes here in Florida, it will give me cause to chuckle the next time I wear them and accidently step in something nasty.)

Romney supports (for now) illegal wire-tapping and invasive spying on American citizens, including censoring the Internet. His views in nearly every category include discriminatory comments regarding race, gender and/or religion. And he LIES. In his stint as Governor of MA, he closed MA budget gap of $1.2B, not $3B as he claims. In high school, we called that "two-faced".

Can you say "Flip-Flop"?

While Ron Paul is calmly quoting the supreme law, the Constitution, discussing the end to war and the return of our sons and daughters, and lowering our taxes, Mitt Romney is stumbling over his position on issues and beating his chest. And let us not forget that Hilary is busy making her vapid, flowery speeches, that cloak the consequences of her proposed actions, to less than informed young women, who haven't lived long enough to understand the meaning of more taxes imposed on an already over-taxed population, more unnecessary spending in foreign countries, more government spending, more, more more. Which translates into dipping into mine, yours, and every other American's pocket.

Why do I pick on Hilary, a Democrat, AND Mitt Romney, who is a Republican? Because neither, in spite of their party, want to turn the government back over to the people. Neither has any concept of what Freedom and Liberty is. They are both selfish individuals. Hilary wants to be the "First Woman President", just because she's a woman (her only qualification). Mitt Romney just wants to add another notch to his, um, pole - I love me, so you love me, we all love me. [gag]

Ron Paul is a Libertarian running on the Republican ticket. And Ron has all the right agenda. His agenda is my agenda. Because that agenda includes my Liberty, my Freedom.

I am a Libertarian and the following says it all for me:

WHEREAS libertarian Republicans believe in limited government, individual freedom and personal responsibility;
WHEREAS we believe that government has no money nor power not derived from the consent of the people;
WHEREAS we believe that people have the right to keep the fruits of their labor; and
WHEREAS we believe in upholding the US Constitution as the supreme law of the land;

Ron Paul intends to return control of government to the American people, not the other way around. Ron Paul wants states to be vastly more independent, and govern based on what the people of those states want. We are a nation of free individuals, not a nation of uniform servants.

So how does Ron Paul apply to bikers?

If you weren't convinced by the above, Ron's quote below makes it pretty clear how he views bikers rights - just like any other right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Paul said, "wearing a seat belt or a motorcycle helmet "may well be good advice" but should not be mandatory."

In a Ron Paul Presidency, the efforts of bikers to defeat helmet laws would not be saddled with the federal mandate of the NTSB. Or a Federal government intent on absolute control.

And in relation to government controlled health care?

"Once the government gets control of paying the hospital bills, then they want to control our lives," he said.

If the current attempt to force a universal helmet law down our throats isn't enough to concern you, when Hilary hands over our health care to the government, how hard to do think it will be to fight it then? Even our country's no-helmet states.

Ron Paul is for less government, and I believe him. Past history and actions speak volumes.

Carl Fiser, of NewsLI.com said of Ron Paul:

"His voting record is one of the most consistent this writer has ever seen. No flip-flops are to be found [hellooooo, Mitt Romney]. As well, he is a courageous and wise man, and a heck of an economist. Just ask the Wall Streeters. However, he bears to his fellow countrymen (and countrywomen), an empty pot. He can’t claim to have brought you wars or higher taxes, which we now have [Yo, Ho, Hilary]. He never brought you an unbalanced budget, which is a perennial joke. He never voted himself a wage increase and, to this day, gives back part of his salary every year. He has always voted to preserve the Constitution, cut government spending, lower health care costs, end the war on drugs, secure our borders with immigration reform and protect our civil liberties. Sorrowfully, he was outvoted or shot down on all measures. The Constitution has been chiseled down, government spending is through the roof, health care costs are out of control, the war on drugs keeps getting less effective, immigration issues remain unresolved and our civil liberties have been crimped for our own safety. I’ll just throw in that Ron Paul opposes regulation of the Internet; [Flip-Flop, are you listening in on this?], which has been a revolution in the exchange of ideas, this article being a case in point.

The eye-popping reality of the situation is this. No longer can it be said that Ron Paul is running for President. Amazingly enough, his candidacy has been hijacked, and it appears now that the people are running for President. . . through Ron Paul!"

Do YOU want a President who will do what HE/SHE thinks is right? Or do you want a President who will do what we, THE PEOPLE, think is right.

I'm an American citizen, I'm a biker, and I want a President who will work FOR ME, not the other way around.

If you ride, vote Ron Paul.
If you value your right to choose, vote Ron Paul.
If you feel you are the best judge of raising your children, vote Ron Paul.
If you think you'd like to keep more of your paycheck, vote Ron Paul.
If you want our soldiers to come home, vote Ron Paul.

It's that simple. Vote Ron Paul.

Read the issues here.

Sam I am. Still riding free... this year anyway.

Because I Said So

When I was a young adult, and not yet a mother, I wasn't interested in children much. I would notice other people and their children and how they attended to them. Some parents allowed their children to run wild, and some kept some semblance of control. Most of it was just observation, with no presumption. After all, I had never had children. Who was I to give advice on parenting? And even if I had children, those children weren't mine.

After I married and became pregnant with my first child, I still didn't have those "motherly" feelings, other than being happy to be having a child. I had my doubts like most parents do. Would I be a good mother? Would my child grow up strong and stable? Other than the practical side of things, like feeding, diapers, etc., there really isn't any book than can tell you how to be YOUR child's mother. You just know, and you learn.

I had always heard that labor and delivery of a baby was painful. And women told me I'd never remember afterward just how bad it was. Well, it was bad, and they lied.

And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

You see, being a parent is such a gift from God that whatever you had to endure to get to that point, is just plain OK. The sight of that beautiful baby girl, that we had made together, was a miracle in itself. All those feelings I didn't have before her birth came rushing in like a tidal wave and drowned me with love for this little wonder.

For weeks I refused to allow anyone but myself and my husband to hold her, much to the surprise of my in-laws. I didn't care. She was mine. Well-wishers tried to tell me how to take care of her, but I ignored them. I was, after all, my baby's mother, and I WAS the best judge of what was best for her. And you know what? I was an awesome mother.

As she grew, I realized that, to my daughter, I WAS the best (and only) mother she could ever have. I could do no wrong in her eyes. I chose the best schools and the best care for her. I stood up for her when she was wronged. I protected her from danger.

I used all those phrases my parents used on me. "Mom knows best", "because I said so", "because I'm the Mom and you're not". But what that really means is, we know what's best for them. We have the age and wisdom, and the all consuming, unconditional love for our own children.

I know I speak for every parent out there when I say, I know what's best for my children. I warned them about the dangers that can befall children. I gave them permission (or not) to do the new and exciting things children want to do. I know their every ailment, what makes them happy, sad, upset, bored, and angry. I taught them right from wrong long before they went to school, and that concept is continued even there. We teach our children to listen to their teachers.

So why am I writing this blog on being a mother? Because our government is overstepping its bounds and trying to tell me what I can and can't do as the mother of my children. I don't know about you, but I didn't allow my neighbor to tell me how to parent my children, so why would I allow the government to do so? And what gives them the right?

SB 828 is such a bill. In it the law states that a child under the age 12 cannot ride on a motorcycle as a passenger.

Read SB 828 Details here.

WTF??? What next? More laws to tell me what school they can go to? What religion they can worship? How dare this Senator have the audacity to tell me he (the government) knows what's best for MY children.

And this from a government who refuses to recognize the dangers of using cell phones while driving, and the negligent drivers who threaten the lives of many every day, and who are given a traffic ticket for taking a life?

My children are grown. They know how to make sound judgements on their own lives. I taught them as much as I could, and the rest is probably just dumb luck. To this day, they still call me and ask for advice. I am, after all, their mother.

So I challenge all parents, whether you ride a motorcycle or not, are you going to allow the government to pass laws that tell you how to raise your children?

Write to Senator Bennett and tell him you don't want the government telling you, a United States FREE citizen, what you can and can't allow your own children to do. Protest this law that removes your constitutional right to raise your children as you see fit.

I did. My constitutional rights are valuable to me. The more the government regulates, the fewer rights you and I have. If things continue the way they are, soon we will have no rights at all.

And if you won't do it for yourself? Do it for your children's rights.

Send your letters to:

Senator mike Bennett
bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Dave Aronberg
aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Burt Saunders
saunders.burt.web@flsenate.gov

Diversity Defines Who We Are

Diversity is a wonderful thing. Each of us has some sort of diversity that defines ourselves and makes each of us unique. Without diversity, we would all be the same. Now there's a scary thought.

di-ver-si-ty (noun)

variety
a variety of something such as opinion, color, or style
social inclusiveness
ethnic variety, as well as socioeconomic and gender variety, in a group, society, or institution
discrepancy
discrepancy, or a difference from what is normal or expected

Simply put, our diversity defines who we are; through controlled and non-controlled circumstances and choices. I like to think of myself as being diverse, but some would say I am different. Same thing, according to the English dictionary.

We are born into a particular race, sexual preference, visible attributes such as color of hair, eyes, and body size. For some, that includes religion, such as the Jewish nation which is composed of race and those who are converted. Each of us has a calling or has made a choice in employment.

In our personal lives, each of us employs diversity in everything we do. Should I buy that metric cruiser, or the sportbike, and should I deck it out in chrome, and which chrome accessories do I want? What color should it be, and what will I wear while riding it?

What hobbies or activities do I enjoy? How many children should I have, if any? What beliefs do I want to have, of those we have a choice in; is Halloween an evil holiday, or a fun one where I can obtain boatloads of candy and dress up in cool costumes?

Our individual diversities cause us to form opinions about others who prescribe to a different set of lifestyles. Opinions are never right or wrong, they are just opinions. But when that opinion becomes a judgement, this is where many forms of bigotry come from; i.e. cruisers are better than sportbikes, he/she is an idiot for doing bungee-jumping as a hobby, his/her sexual preference or lifestyle is different than mine so it must be wrong.

I recently commented on a friend's blog in response to a post about one of our political parties hosting a holiday dinner at a posh resort (Delaware Curmudgeon). My response was a tongue-in-cheek response to her comment about what to wear, should she be invited to attend; also a somewhat derogatory comment with a flair of amusement.

I said I'd happily accompany her in a black vinyl dress and thigh-high leather boots with 5 inch spiked heels (yes, I own such adornments).

What I found amusing was an anonymous response to my comment where the poster did not know if I was male or female based on my signature (Sam). He did eventually look at my profile, but not before responding in a short sentence that spoke volumes.

It was obvious that the poster thought I was male, and I was willing to dress up like a female to attend this political gala. The questions that immediately came to mind were: Would it make any difference if I was a male cross-dresser? A Lesbian? A Dominatrix? Would my comments be then invalid? My intelligence less than worthy?

And would I attend dressed that way? You bet I would! What fun to see all those high society snobs looking down their noses at me while their husbands drooled at the way I was dressed. But the likes of Shirley and myself, part of the common folk, would never be invited to attend such an event. We are not part of the rich and famous who can further the career of the politicians who govern this country. Our lack of diamonds and pearls, our date's long hair and beards, and our obvious lack of millions in our bank accounts, exclude us.

Now, I'm guessing most people reading this blog are of the same class as me and Shirley. We are the majority. We are those whose paychecks put salaries in the pockets of those who deem to call themselves "public servants" when it suits them. And we are not welcome to ride our motorcycles to this event, dressed in our leathers, and rub elbows with the rest. Sound like society a few centuries ago? I've got news for you. It hasn't changed, except to thinly veil the facts through media and lies.

I wrote my comment on Shirley's blog without any mention of what gender I am so I would know if people bothered to look at my blog, or my profile. I'd say it worked. I also don't think I need to. What difference does it make? Would my comments be any less important than if I came out and described my diversity in some way? Would it add to the point I was trying to make?

There are those in forums visit that still think I'm a man because of my name. I don't correct them either. It is simply too amusing when they finally realize their error. My profile isn't a secret, and I nearly always comment using my blog signature.

In my 52 years, I have known, and still have, friends who are from all walks of life, including cross-dressers, gay people of both genders, and BDSM lifestylers. Some of them I'd trust with my life. Their diverse life contributes to who they are, and in most cases, they are as open-minded as I am. For I am uninhibited in most things and appreciate that mind-set in others. I have my own set of rules and ethics for myself, the first and foremost being "harm no one".

A very good friend of mine is an under-cover law enforcement officer. He is a quiet, handsome man, who rides motorcycles, has a wife and children, and basically does not stand out in a crowd. I would place my life in his hands without question. He is also a cross-dresser. Another friend is a professional Dominatrix. She looks or acts no different than I when encountered on the street. Some of my best friends are lesbians. Do I engage in any of these activities? No. Does it matter to me if they do? Again, no. They are all intelligent diverse people I would place high on the list for honesty and integrity.

Being the diverse person I am, I can appreciate, and embrace in some cases, the views of others. And in keeping with my #1 rule, I limit my personal judgement of others to activities that harm or may harm others. Beyond that, who am I to judge what other people choose as their diversity in life? What is important to me is honesty and integrity. Not what a person does after hours, unless it is harmful to others.

In most jobs (including government jobs), a person has customers, internal or external to their employer, with which they must interact. Your paycheck is dependent on how you meet the needs of your customers. In government, public servant means serving the public, for which they are paid a healthy salary. Last time I looked, I am part of the public, same as you. To discriminate or judge me because I am not rich or influential is a crime deserving of getting fired in the least.

Circumstances are such that I do not belong to this "class" of people. Does it make me less of a person? No. I may have the same years (or more), of education, just in a different capacity, than many politicians, and we pay their salaries. What we get (or should get) from our government is service based on our needs, as part of the public, regardless of our diversity.

The government advocates that a person not be discriminated against based on diversity, yet it happens every day, as in the political event Shirley writes about. Every time politicians pass a bill that removes freedoms from us, their employers, against our will, they are in direct conflict with my needs and desires as their employer.

Would I agree to have politicians as part of my inner circle? That all depends on their honesty and integrity. As far as I can tell, very few meet my criteria, as a friend, or a public servant.

Judge not, lest ye be judged. The freedom to choose your own diversity in life is a God given right.

Ride long, ride free.

The Battle For Freedom: Must Reads

As each of us goes through our daily lives, today and every day, while rights and freedoms are being removed by our government and put into law, unless you join the fight to stop them.

In early November 2007, Dave Christy, Bikers' Rights Advocate, Colorado, began a narrative on the current (and alarming) state of affairs with regards to Biker's rights, and the escalating loss of freedoms directed at us, as bikers, in a way that is clearly discriminatory. It is published on LDRLongdistancerider.com and I've posted links below.

For example, in Florida legislature, now on the table:

Did you receive the notice not long ago from your vehicle insurance company about PIP? Do you know what that means to you as a rider? HB265 and companion SB984 relieves an at-fault auto driver's insurance company from the responsibility of paying for your injuries if that driver runs you over. You will not be able to purchase PIP on your motorcycle (the bill excludes motorcycles from the term motor vehicles), which means you personally can be sued for the medical bills of someone you hit. You will be required to purchase catastrophic personal medical insurance in order to ride your motorcycle and be covered. Uninsured motorists coverage will not apply to motorcyclists. Your only recourse will be to sue the driver who ran you over, at great cost to you, and that's assuming the driver has anything of value. And, of course, if you can still walk, talk, still have a place to live, and are independently wealthy.

And Federally, now on the table:

Unless the HIPAA law loophole is amended, your medical insurance underwriter can continue to refuse to cover you when you ride, or drop it if you have it.

Without PIP and affordable personal medical coverage when you ride your motorcycle, you you are not covered on all angles. If you own your bike outright, are you prepared to ride with no medical coverage whatsoever? And if your lien holder requires it, can you afford it?

And if you are run over? Well, your life will be, in a word, over. Even if you survive.

It's not just about helmets, handlebars, or after market pipes. There are bills in the works (Florida State and Federal) THIS YEAR that will take away your freedom to ride.

Want to know the real reason mandatory helmet laws are being shoved down our throats? Insurance companies. They believe if we all wear helmets we won't be injured or die. Ludicrous? Yes, we, as bikers, know that's pretty far-fetched. But insurance companies know that when one of their insured runs us over, they pay BIG. They want out of that responsibility. And they have the money to lobby for this. We just have our little letter-writing fingers.

And for all of you reading this who don't live in Florida? If this Florida bill goes through, how fast do you think YOUR state will follow suit?

So, if you ride, and you have thus far chosen not to involve yourself in the fight to ride free, these installments written by Dave Christy are a must read. Beware all - you are about to learn of very real and present dangers of losing your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in owning and riding a motorcycle.

If you don't ride, whether you have opinions about motorcyclists and the laws that govern them or not, PLEASE show that you are not narrow-minded and ignorant of the facts, and read these installments. They are fact based, and portray the real situation. Even though you don't ride, they do involve you in a very real way.

I will be posting the link to each installment as they become available, and I have taken the liberty of adding quotes from each installment, as a "hook".

Remember, opinions, to be taken seriously, should be based on fact.

BATTLE ESCALATES AGAINST RIDERS' FREEDOM OF CHOICE

Part 1 (click the link to open the installment)

"We're all in the traffic mix and rely, with an x-factor of trust, on each other to do the proper things. In spite of that reliance, vehicle operators commit 'fouls' on other roadway users, and/or themselves, to the tune of millions of collisions, crashes, and "accidents" every year in the U.S.A., resulting in 40,000-plus fatalities every year, to include an escalating percentage of motorcyclists in that figure. It's a sad fact. What must be understood is that 95% of all accidents are due to human causation factors!"

"The motorcycling community is relentlessly pounded upon by NHTSA, and more so in the last few years due to the increase of motorcyclist fatalities as a percentage of the yearly highway total. The news media are fed the stats, latch on and stoke the flames through inference among the general public, who view us riders as a careless liability, damn-near miscreants who ride "donor-cycles" and deserve what we get because motorcycles are 'dangerous.' And you have to wear a helmet. If you don't wear a helmet you brought it on yourself."

"Without helmets, we all pay" says NHTSA, as they create polarity in the public realm and influence opinion, deliberately against motorcyclists--attempting to establish motorcyclists as a disproportionate drain of injury and medical dollar consumption. This is called the Public, or Social Burden theory."

Part 2 (click the link to open the installment)

"By inference, the message is "You motorcycle riders - when you don't wear a helmet and you get hurt - are costing the public money. And when you get killed, it's because you weren't wearing a helmet!"

"Using my home state as an example, our Colorado government estimates (probably conservatively) we have almost 800,000 medically uninsured, or about 17% of the population. This figure would probably include some people who ride motorcycles. At any given time, any of these folks are dependent on publicly-funded medical care, for any reason under the sun. Shall we paint all these folks with the brush of 'Social Burden?' Using the logic, after all, what's the difference between "us" and "them?"

"It is also a known fact that over 100,000 people die annually due to "medical mistakes," more than 20 times the number of annual motorcycling fatalities. That's about 280 average everyday, folks."

---

"The battle for bikers' rights is not about patches, parties or poker runs. We fight to protect the freedom and promote the interests of American motorcyclists ... to defend our right to choose our own modes of transportation, attire and lifestyle ... to deter and defy discrimination against us ... and to vanquish those who violate our rights or right-of-way."--Bruce Arnold

Dissension Among the Troops

Recent issues surrounding motorcycle rights have glaringly brought to the forefront a wide dissension among the ranks. Why this is can only be discerned from a number of sources. I apologize up front for the long post. However, this post encapsulates many related issues of late.

Since coming to Tallahassee, I have become accustomed to frequenting several "bike nights" in the city. This is a great place to share information, find out who is doing what, and enjoy camaraderie. Tallahassee has two such bike nights that attract a large number of motorcyclists; Famous Dave's BBQ on Wednesday night, and Hooters on Thursday night.

About three weeks ago, information about a new bill in Florida raised its ugly head. A bill that, if passed, would allow law enforcement to permanently confiscate your motorcycle and remove your endorsement for 10 years. The violation? Speeding at 30 mph over the speed limit in what is deemed reckless operation of a motorcycle. The call on reckless driving would be up to the officer's judgement.

Now this bill is first and foremost a HUGE discriminatory move on the part of law makers. No mention of automobile drivers committing the same act is included.

Many of us who actively work independently as freedom fighters immediately called all those we know to action and wrote or called the state rep responsible for the bill.

The question cropped up, as it has in the past; where is ABATE?

ABATE of Florida, who claims to work for all Florida motorcyclists, was silent. No word of encouragement that all would be well, no alleviation of fears. Upon opening the ABATE of Florida's website, I expected to see a call-to-action. Nothing. Not until a few weeks later, when out of the blue Doc handed a "directive" down for everyone to cease and desist with the phone calls to the state rep. The missive said - the bill is killed.

Calls to the rep's office for days afterward confirmed it was not - as Doc stated - killed, but very much alive. Rumor has it that Doc was negotiating for different wording! Not for the demolition of this bill. Did Doc offer any information on what he was really doing? No. Just the usual "run along, children, it's all taken care of".

With all the "helmet" stuff going on with NTSB and NHTSA, and no substantial information on any assistance from ABATE of Florida, I had just about had it with ABATE-come-lately.

Then, recently, the city of Delray Beach, Florida, announced a hearing and their intention to ban ALL motorcycles from a 5 block stretch of road in their city, simply because diners along that stretch of road do not like loud motorcycles. A huge outcry from many biker sources ensued.

NO WORD FROM ABATE. Nothing. Nada.

I am a frequent visitor to a forum called Bruce-n-Ray's Biker Forum, where all issues surrounding motorcycle rights are posted by many freedom fighters around the country. Bruce Arnold of this forum is like the rest of us. He wants the protection of biker's rights for all, and has drawn us all into a unified army of freedom fighters through this forum. His logic is sound, and his motives are non-judgemental, and if biased, only heavily so in favor of our basic right to ride free and safe from cagers.

Many of us voice our "opinions" of ABATE, and other various motorcycle organizations around the country, but Bruce carefully remains "politically correct". (Remember this later when I tell you about an unwarranted attack on Bruce, by one ABATE chapter president and then by Doc himself.)

As a blog writer, I enjoy the freedom of saying exactly what I think, but always try to substantiate those words with facts. My goal is to get readers to think, and to sit up and take notice of what is going on around them.

Florida bikers, sit up and take notice.

Now, I've never met the president of ABATE of Florida. But here's what I know about ABATE and the infamous Doc. I will leave out what I have heard from RC of Big Bend Bikers For Freedom, as it is common knowledge that there is no love lost between RC and ABATE, and I wish for you to understand that these are my own conclusions. The words that follow are based upon articles and letters written by others about Doc and ABATE of Florida over the past many years. It is also based on ABATE meeting videos as well. I'll add my comments to the statements in italicized text in square brackets.

Doc is a paid lobbyist and President of ABATE of Florida. ABATE hired him on a contract to lobby for them. He cannot be fired from the job without being paid off for the guaranteed two years of salary. Doc is also reimbursed for all expenses incurred.

[I view this as a direct conflict of interest. As President AND lobbyist for ABATE, membership is helpless to oppose Doc's final decisions, many of which are indeed opposed by the majority.]

Doc has never disclosed a financial report as a lobbyist for ABATE, nor has ABATE disclosed when they've received government monies or how and when it was used.

[More suppressed information.]

ABATE of Florida is either late in confronting serious issues with regards to Florida's bikers, or does not deem it their responsibility to inform all of it's membership (or other Florida bikers) of what is happening, when it happens.

[It is my opinion that ABATE does not feel it's their responsibility to inform Florida's bikers. I also believe that Doc develops his own agenda until his actions are brought to light, and then changes them to align with what is supported by all. What I do know along these lines, is even when the ABATE membership wants a particular issue handled in a certain way, Doc has the authority to change it without the membership's consent. He did this blatantly with the cell phone bill. The membership wanted the bill to say 'ban all cell phones', and Doc amended it to 'all but hands-free'.]

Doc informs all government officials in Florida that he, as a lobbyist for ABATE, speaks for ALL Florida's bikers.

[Doc does not speak for me, or many other bikers of Florida. Doc speaks for himself, and a small number of ABATE members. This is a concern for me. What arrogance and disregard for those of us who differ in opinion from Doc. I am entitled to my opinion of what my rights are as a biker. So is Doc. However, Doc is paid by ABATE to lobby for it's membership, is NOT entitled to inform anyone that he speaks for me.]

ABATE of Florida has a history of bickering over who was the organization responsible for resolving individual issues.

[My, my, my. Are we talking about adults here? Or children arguing over who found the best tree house first. This is surely an overflow of Doc's arrogance onto it's membership.]

Now, let me break away for a moment and address a few things. First of all, when I first started reading about ABATE and their President, Doc Reichenbach, I started with a clean slate. I wanted to be objective in the outcome of my view of this person who has caused discontent with so many for so long. So one of the things I did was to ask others, face to face, what they knew of or thought of this person. What I heard was overwhelmingly negative.

Interview question: "Do you know who "Doc", the President of ABATE, is and what he does?"

Out of approximately 100 people, 43 of them were women, 57 were men. All own motorcycles. Of those 100 people, 66 did not know who Doc or ABATE was. Of the remaining 34, 26 were women. Here are the main threads of comments in this survey:

Those women who knew who Doc was, had starry-eyed praise for Doc as a figurehead, but when asked, had very little clue of what he does or doesn't do.

The men who knew of Doc merely stated Doc was a lobbyist, or president of ABATE.

Those women who DID know about Doc, and what Doc does, had a common thread to their comments; Doc is a sexist.

Now, I won't print their comments here, as I do not want to worry about meeting up with some hit man in a dark alley, but some of these comments would make any woman's skin crawl. It is enough for me to know that Doc feels threatened by women of any intelligence. I guess that means there will never be a chance to ask Doc questions and get reasonable answers. I am, after all, a woman engineer of reasonable intelligence, and very tall (strike three).

But I digress.

I got two line items from this interview with local bikers:

A very alarming number of motorcyclists in this state do not know who or what ABATE is.

Those women who have had any interaction with Doc aside from exchanging pleasantries, thought he was a sexist.

I don't know which one alarms me more; the fact that a great majority of bikers know nothing about ABATE, what they do or are doing (even members), or that Doc, who presumes to speak for me as one of Florida's women bikers, is a sexist. At this point, I'm struggling to find a reason why I should like or trust Doc with any of my freedom fighting.

Somehow I don't think I'd get idle pleasantries from Doc. So here's a few questions for ya Doc, so you can be prepared if and when we ever meet and we can avoid the idle UNpleasantries:

Why do you think you have the right to tell me whom I can and can't write to, when no one (other than maybe a choice few) has any clue what you are up to, at any one given moment?

Why is it that a place like Bruce-n-Ray's Biker forum broadcasts issues long before ABATE does? And very often from forum visitors, not moderators.

What gives you or ABATE the right to criticize those of us who fight for the rights of bikers?

As a public figure, and paid lobbyist for ABATE, why is it no one has ever seen a financial accounting for the ABATE money you spend?

If you have nothing to hide, and you know people are questioning your motives and actions, why won't you disclose to the public what you are doing?

So let's look at a recent squabble involving ABATE and another Florida motorcycle club, the Enforcers. We've already covered the fact that ABATE is more often than not late in addressing serious issues at hand. Last week, Bruce Arnold sent out a call-to-action requesting help in stopping the Delray Beach motorcycle ban ordinance. The highest of praise and heartfelt thanks should go to Bruce for calling in all freedom fighters and swamping the email boxes of the city commissioners who will decide this issue tomorrow.

NO ONE HEARD ANYTHING FROM ABATE.

However, apparently the Enforcers MC planned to rally and protest this city hearing, and since ABATE had already made contact with the city's officials, an argument ensued. Not about the fact that another club was organizing a protest, but about who got there first! And of course, the president of the Palm Beach ABATE chapter had to throw in a slur against the Enforcers MC, and Bruce Arnold as a scapegoat for anyone hearing this call-to-action from other than ABATE, because once again, ABATE failed to inform anyone of what they were doing!

Here's a few quotes from the Palm Beach ABATE President, "Strongbow" in answer to an inquiry as to what is going on (see the thread here and judge for yourself):

Of the Enforcers MC, he says, "In fact this group of cops and ex cops are not welcome at alot of local establishments and motorcycle events for the very same reasons that this ordinence had been proposed. This action is purely for their own purpose.

"Their trying to make it appear that they are responsible for organizing this rally when in fact they contributed to the the city taking this action."

Read a rebuttal to this comment from a member of the Enforcers here. Now there's a man with integrity.

And here's what Strongbow says about Bruce:

"You must have received an email from Bruce Arnold who has had a hard on for ABATE since he was rejected as a candidate for webmaster for ABATE of Florida 4 years ago."

A "hard on"? This is an elected chapter president? Is this how an organization conducts itself, who claims to represent me, a biker of Florida?

So I ask you, the reader, is it any wonder our right to ride free is being challenged more and more frequently? That we are losing ground, losing respect?

What else can we expect, can I expect, from these immature little boys making an attempt to play at being adult.

Can we focus on what the issues are at hand? Can we unite as bikers, one and all, in an effort to thwart the ever increasing violations to our rights as Americans to ride free?

Over and above the obvious kowtowing to Doc Reichenbach by a whole lot of bikers who can't think for themselves,

Over and above the fact that Doc Reichenbach is a sexist (my opinion based on numerous other comments made directly to me),

Over and above ABATE's sad organizational and social skills,

The issues at hand are more important than anyone's ego.

Get over yourself, all of you. Put aside your differences, and GIT'R DUN!

Rumor now has it that Doc went into a tirade, in an ABATE meeting no less, about RC and his blog. It seems that Doc doesn't like that RC prints things about him. Yet, when RC has tried to ask Doc questions Doc doesn't want to answer, Doc gets angry, Doc gets nasty, and Doc threatens RC with his bodyguards. If this is how Doc has treated the women I interviewed, no wonder they have a low opinion of him.

OK, so let's recap here.

Doc Reichenbach has treated some women bikers with less than acceptable decorum.
[Surely does make me anxious to meet him! I can't imagine any woman biker would want to support ABATE or Doc knowing that Doc treats women this way.]

ABATE is slow on the take when it comes to critical issues, and squabbles over who got there first.

Doc and ABATE's reputation is gaining notoriety which causes Doc to launch into a tirade at a state ABATE meeting. [Enough to cause someone to warn RC to watch his back. Read a threatening letter from Doc to Bruce here, when he posted his support of RC.]

ABATE and Doc Reichenbach continually warn off those of us who would add our voices to the others in Florida who are not ABATE members, stating that we 'might screw up' Doc's (ABATE's) chances of achieving his agenda. [They insist "we" must join them, but they will not join "us" and unite in a common cause.]

And to all this I say, to Doc and ABATE of Florida: You are not the majority I think, not anymore. You're screwing with OUR goals now. (Squabbling with, and defamation of, the Enforcers MC. Lagging and withholding of information on critical issues. Opposing what Florida bikers want on legislative issues.)

I guarantee you, Doc, I won't be having a temper tantrum in front of multitudes in a state ABATE meeting and make idle threats over one person (now two) who isn't afraid to ask the right questions. I left that behavior behind in my teenage years. What I'd be happy to do is provide you with a mirror, for there you will find that which must be corrected; your own behavior, your own actions.

If you can't do that, stand down and allow the army of freedom fighters to march on, uninhibited by the dissension of your making.

ABATE Blunder

Recently, on October 7, I participated in an annual poker run put on by none other than the Chrome Divas, Tallahassee Chapter. This event raises money to fund breast cancer victims. Each year dozens of Tallahassee merchants contribute a considerable amount to this very worthy event.

A large number of Chrome Diva members, dressed in bright pink T-shirts, hustled through set-up, registration and the sale of raffle tickets in a smooth and efficient manner. The Director of this chapter worked long and hard, along with dozens of volunteers, to make this happen. Bikers from all over come out to this event. All in the name of breast cancer victims. Kudos to all.

In spite of being deathly ill the two days before, I went out to help with this event also. There were over 200 bikes registered that morning. Everything looked to be running smoothly with no lines at the registration table and lots of people with smiles on their faces.

ABATE makes an appearance

While mingling with the crowd and chatting with my good friend, RC, a tall man approached us and addressed RC. He had on a rider's vest emblazoned with ABATE of Florida patches and all manner of pins and such. My first impression was of surprise, since I rarely see ABATE members flying colors at any event, so if they attend anything, they surely don't advertise. However, it became apparent after a moment that he was simply there to solicit. I'll explain that in a moment.

He asked RC to print something on his blog, Big Bend Bikers For Freedom, and since I was not addressed directly I didn't catch what specifically he wanted printed. I later asked RC just who this person was, for just moments after he was there, I turned around and he was gone. I hoped to meet up later with this person [I had questions, you see] and went off to the last stop of the poker run to collect photos (see them here). I waited, but I never saw him come through.

The end point of this poker run is held at The Moon, a large dance club in Tallahassee. A good portion of the netted donation to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare comes from the silent auction displayed at The moon. All the food offered to participants was donated by local merchants as well. (WingStop on Mahan (RT 90) donated 500 wings for this event! Mmmmm). With live music and good camaraderie, I was looking forward to it.

So, when I arrived at The Moon, I went looking for this ABATE person. I figured I'd just missed him at the last stop and would find him somewhere there. Not so apparently, and not substantiated as factual, but it appears that this ABATE representative was merely there to gain ABATE recruits and didn't ride or register or donate.

Now, as a woman, this poker run is near and dear to my heart, in more ways than one [two?] and I feel even more warm and fuzzy toward ABATE of Florida now. NOT!

So he came to the registration gathering for this event to solicit members but couldn't bother to fork up $15 to register? Someone needs to educate this man on the fine art of diplomacy. Do I even want to reconsider joining ABATE of Florida now?

Secret machinations of ABATE

Currently, the president of ABATE of Florida is claiming to have 'killed' a bill that would, if passed, allow Florida law enforcement to permanently confiscate your motorcycle, AND suspend your endorsement (10 years!) for exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph (just motorcycles, mind you, not all vehicles - hello? discrimination here folks).

Since I don't ever plan to exceed the speed limit by 30 mph, my main concern for this bill is the outright discriminatory implication of its existence. And, in light of the current pitiful penalties for failure to yield-the-right of way and killing a biker, and the blatant refusal of our lawmakers to rectify that, this bill is indeed a slap in the face. Apparently it is justifiable (to one politician at least) to severely penalize the act of motorcycle speeding, and not cagers speeding or even killing through negligence or traffic violations.

And even more disturbing, word has it that this bill is still very much ALIVE, not dead as the President of ABATE states (see RC's blog here). A call this morning, October 12, CONFIRMS that this bill is NOT DEAD. So who is misleading whom here?

Not only that, the information broadcasted loud and clear to ALL motorcyclists of Florida (not just some ABATE members) is to cease and desist with calls to government officials about this bill. No real or accurate information on what is really going on has been published anywhere that I know of, and certainly not on ABATE of Florida's website.

Excuse me folks, I didn't know that ABATE was a law enforcement agency. Who are they to tell me what I can and can't do? They are not the only freedom fighters in Florida, but it would seem to me that the President of ABATE would have politicians believe HE is the final word on what I, as a biker in Florida, want. That is so far from the truth it makes me laugh hysterically. And believe me, you don't want to hear that laugh.

I informed someone I know about this directive to cease and desist from the president of ABATE. She IS a member of ABATE of Florida, and she had received no communication whatsoever on this directive. OK, so now I'm truly laughing. My view of ABATE's president [Napoleonic dick-tator] becomes more descriptive by the minute.

And why is it that this so-called president doesn't deem it important to notify all ABATE members, or even update them on what is obviously a serious issue? Never mind the website. At this moment, there is NO accurate information on what this president is doing. Why is that, I ask. What is he hiding?

ABATE makes a social and political blunder

So I ask you, if the above confusion over the bill at hand (that is an obvious slur against all bikers), and the secretive machinations of the ABATE president were not in the obvious forefront, would I want to donate my money (join) to ABATE of Florida? Not on your life! Especially after seeing ABATE solicitation at a charity event and seeing no reciprocation/participation. How crass.

Now, there may have been other members of ABATE attending this poker run, but I didn't see any of them flying ABATE colors, so I wouldn't know. Maybe they don't want me to know either. (Sounds like a trend, doesn't it?)

This event was for a charity that affects all women, including women bikers, your daughters, mothers and grandmothers, and some men too, in a very personal way. I didn't see anyone else soliciting. It would have been a social blunder to do so. And, in my view it certainly was for ABATE to do so.

Thanks to local bikers for your support

The total donation collected for this Breast Cancer Poker Run is not in yet (will post later), but it will be substantial I'm sure. I would be negligent in my blogging not to thank all who participated and supported the Chrome Divas of Tallahassee in this event. Your good will does not go unnoticed by them or me.

Message to ABATE of Florida

If you want me to support ABATE, come forth in the open, tell me how you are going to rein in your president and force him to work for what ALL bikers in Florida want. Show me you aren't just a bunch of sheep blindly following a dictatorship. Only then will I consider supporting an organization that has sadly been misled down a path far from its original Grassroots intention.

And, although I am a friend of RC, I have read all the history myself, and come to my own conclusions. I do not blindly adopt the opinions of others without substantiation. Don't even imply that I do.

If you want me to support your president and his actions, get them out in the open so I, and others, can make an informed decision. Don't ask me to blindly join the flock. I have too much respect for myself and other bikers to do that.

So far, I've only voiced my opinion on Doc's secretive ways, but if he makes another compromise on a bill that goes against the majority, it will be all out war. Hell hath no fury....

Message to ALL Bikers of Florida

Ride free, live free, write or speak to whomever you wish. The United States Constitution gives you that right. Now get the flock outa here and ride!

Disclaimer: The views of this blog post are solely my own and not those of any other member of the Chrome Divas of Tallahassee, or of said organization as a whole.

Ron Paul Gets My Vote

As a biker, I am concerned about the growing discrimination by our nation's government toward those of us who ride. It's all "dressed up" in shiny words about how they want to save our lives by making us wear helmets, but refuse to address the most common cause of motorcycle deaths; distracted drivers and ROWV.

There have been letters sent, too numerous to count, yet they still ignore the facts and insist on pushing this mandate in spite of knowing their facts and figures are wrong. In spite of knowing they could work toward saving many, many more lives if they would leave off with their own personal agenda. But they won't. And the President won't do anything either. In fact HE appointed them to their posts.

So I am looking very seriously at the coming campaign for President, and I've thought about what I want as an individual from my government. And I've made my decision.

With all the hullabaloo going on with motorcycle rights, foreign policies and the war in the middle east, here's what I'm hearing on the election front:

Liberals: Spend more money, take more control. [Stupid little American tax payers don't know any better, so we'll make all their decisions for them.] Constitution be damned.

Republicans: War, war, war. Spend more money. Constitution be damned.

Libertarians: Govern by the Laws of the Constitution, by the people, for the people.

Hmmmm, now I wonder which of these might be what is good for our country, especially today with taxes eating us alive, too much government spending and squandering, too much government control of us, when it should be the other way around.

I've stated here before that I am a group of one, an individual, whose rights are dwindling with each new controlling law the government hands out. If I'm to be expected to hand over so much of my hard earned pay to support our government, then I want to feel like they work for me.

I believe in the Constitution and so does Ron Paul. His record speaks for itself. He says what he thinks and feels, and he does what he says. How unique is that? I like what Ron Paul says.

Ron's recent rebuttal on his foreign policy states that he is not an isolationist, but rather a non-interventionist. See the story here.

Read the comments of overwhelming support for this man who would be President. Again, I am encouraged that there is hope for the voting American people yet.

And, as a side note, I thought to myself, wow, a journalist who really does cover both sides by allowing the rebuttal, and then he burst my bubble by posting his arrogant nasty reply to all the comments.

"Ron Paul is the Dennis Kucinich of the GOP, he doesn't have a chance, he makes a good conscience for the front runners but he is not electable, I will be glad when fringe candidates like him leave the race so that we can get some substantive discussions between the ones who could be elected, all he is is a time consumer at debates., when he starts rambling I shut him off."
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

Interesting how he never makes a comment on what Ron Paul's policy positions are, but rather he criticizes Ron Paul as though he [Mr. Fortin] has a perpetual hair up where the sun don't shine. Are there any journalists out there who aren't part of the political puppetry? I am happy my daughter decided journalism wasn't for her. I would hate to lose respect for my own daughter.

The comments to Ron's rebuttal are encouraging. I found them to reflect my own thoughts after reading the story. One interesting comment though, gave me pause to stop and consider how this would affect our country's position on terrorism.

Would a non-interventionist foreign policy mean that we would not defend ourselves, or keep safeguards in place within our country as we have since 911? I don't think so. I don't get that from Ron Paul's words.

What I get is this, we are all different, unique. Each country has it's own way of governing its people. America is not to sit in judgement over whose government is right or wrong. (How much arrogance is that?) I don't believe that Ron Paul, if elected President, would tolerate crimes against humanity, but surely the form of a country's government would make no difference to him. Non-intervention means just that, no intervention.

Our ability and will to defend ourselves as a nation is strong, but politics should be left out of war as much as possible.

I have never believed it was our place to help overthrow a government so we could establish a democracy against the will of that's country's people. We must be diplomats not war-mongers, and stop using strong-arm tactics by blocking free trade. This is what Ron Paul supports.

How refreshing is that? Live and let live. We will still be a super-power to be reckoned with, but we don't have to arrogantly flaunt it in the faces of others.

Yes, there are a few things Ron Paul says that I don't agree with. But when the majority of what he says gives me hope that we can reclaim this country back from those in government who wield too much power, and get back to the basics of our Constitution, I am encouraged.

There is hope.

The media in this country will try to convince you that Ron Paul will hurt the election and hurt the GOP or divide votes. I say, pure and simple hogwash. The media is controlled by the liberalized government (see my blog on Oct 2) and this is what they want you to believe.

This election is not a popularity contest. It's not whether to vote for Hillary because she's a woman candidate or not (God help us). It's not about getting a Democrat or a Republican elected. It's about electing the candidate who will work for the people. It's about who will listen to US. Not this group or that group, but all of us.

Our government is like a large family of children who have run amok for too long; spoiled rotten, willful, wasteful and deceitful. What it needs is a strong firm hand to bring them back into line. I believe Ron Paul can do that.

I believe Ron Paul can turn our government around, straighten out our federal [non-existent] reserve, assure me that my Social Security will still be there when I retire, and that of my children, and bring this country back to the prosperity we once had. And that's what I want too.

Ron Paul gets my vote. Who will you vote for?

Left: More spending, more control up front.

Right: More spending, more control by hidden agenda.

Libertarian: Less spending, less control, more freedom of choice, Honor our Constitution.

It's a no-brainer.

Support Ron Paul NOW, and get him elected. This country needs a fresh perspective, and a return to the rightful honoring and upholding of United States Constitution.

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

I was just sitting here wondering what to write in my next blog, when in comes a couple of emails.

The first is about our Pledge of Allegiance.

OK, I admit to being old enough to remember the Red Skelton Show. I was a little girl, and I'd beg to watch Red's show each week. I still hold Red as being one of America's comedians of distinction. You see, Red never used any bad words, or disparaged anyone. And each night when his show was over, he would say, "Good night and God bless". He instilled a love of God and a love of country early on in my life.

The following link is a narrative of the Pledge of Allegiance by Red Skelton. Listen and remember, and wonder, if you will, if Red could possible have predicted the future.

Red Skelton on the Pledge of Allegiance

The second email was about a man who heard of an injustice regarding this country's flag and refused to stand for it. This man, an American who loves his country, fought for his country, became enraged and did what any American should do.

Jim Broussard of Reno, NV just couldn't stand by when he heard a downtown bar was flying a Mexican flag above an American flag. Jim is an Army veteran, and one who paid a price for the freedom of all Americans. And Jim did what every American should not be afraid to do - stand up for what this country means to him.

OK, so what did Jim do? Jim jumped in his vehicle, drove down to the bar, and cut down the two flags, then walked away with the precious American flag, daring anyone to take it away from him.

See full story here.

See news video here.

Hear an interview with Jim here.

This report makes a very blaring statement: Americans are afraid to speak out in fear of being called a bigot. Jim is not a bigot, he is an American, and one who is proud of his country, as all Americans should be.

Our tax dollars are being used to supply Hispanic speaking teachers, Hispanic printed materials, and any other thing Hispanic groups wants. And if they don't get what they want, they cry discrimination. Simply because a number of the Hispanic immigrants in this country refuse to assimilate into our culture.

I am not a bigot. I don't care what race, religion, or "flavor of the week" you are. You move here, you become a citizen, you are American. Your heritage may be of some other nation. Your religious beliefs may be different than mine. Your holidays might be on different days. But this is The United States of America, not Mexico, not France, not Russia, not Canada. It's OK to be different, just don't ask me to be you.

I am proud of the legal immigrants of this country who assimilate into our society. I am proud of their accomplishments. In a small way, I can relate. I once moved from the west coast, where I'd lived 44 years of my life, and traveled 3300 miles to New England (which is darn near a country all by itself). I had no money and no job, and I was on my own (single and free). People asked me where I was from, since I didn't talk like them. Grocery stores didn't have the things I was used to, and driving laws were different too.

I survived, and I didn't take one hand-out from the government. Imagine that! Even more amazing is I didn't remarry and get some man to support me. (That's not to say I would have said no if some sugar daddy showed up on my doorstep, but sadly there aren't any that look like The Rock.)

Seriously though, I am delighted that I, as an American citizen, can offer a better life to those who come here seeking it. Here's what I owe you: the freedom that comes with being a legal American, same as I have; the freedom to earn a living and make your life better because of it, the freedom to worship any God you choose, the freedom from slavery, and the freedom of speech.

Don't ask me for any more than any other American deserves. I don't go to work every day for you, I work for me and mine. But I will fight for your freedom, same as mine. You're free to speak any language you want, in the privacy of your own home, and to others who understand you.

But, NO, I will not press 2 for English. When I get this "command" after the Spanish request to press 1 for Spanish, I hang up. I can find another merchant to do business with. If companies don't respect my right as an American to speak English, I don't need to give them any of my hard earned money.

I view this incident with Jim Broussard and the American flag with outrage too. How DARE anyone disgrace our American flag that way? Had it been a different nation's flag, I would still see it the same way. Could an American do such a thing in Mexico and not be crucified? What Jim did was true and right. He righted a wrong, and he didn't hurt anyone in the process.

I view Jim Broussard's actions in the same vein as the crew and passengers of Flight 93. Jim decided what he would do, and he just did it. "Let's roll!". I believe I would have done what Jim did too.

Hear me now immigrants of this country - French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese or any other language but English, is not my language. I was born here. My parents and grandparents were born here. No, I will not learn Spanish, nor will I frequent a business where I am not understood. I will not tolerate the disrespect any longer.

And to all the Hispanic "watch-dog" politicians out there, who plan to make a big deal over this incident. Americans are watching. I personally will stand behind Jim Broussard with everything I have. Too bad this had to happen, as now Americans will look at this disrespect of OUR culture as a major affront. Americans have been far too tolerant, for far too long.

To all our American immigrants who are of Hispanic descent, and have embraced the American way of life, I salute you. Stand behind this issue as an American, stand with all Americans who came here looking for a better way of life. If not for that, there would be no America to come to.

Voice your concerns over others of your heritage who are making life more difficult for YOU, by their demands that Hispanics be given more consideration than anyone else in this country, by their blatant disrespect for the country that made them citizens.

Flying any other flag above an American flag is a federal offense. Where was local law enforcement, I ask you? According to this report, they didn't know what to do. Perhaps they were afraid of being called a bigot? Well, let me tell you, Reno PD, I am disgusted that you didn't have the cajones to stand up for our country's flag.

Jim Broussard did.

What would YOU do? I know what I would have done.

I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Isn't that what immigrants are asked to recite when becoming a citizen? Was this pledge not understood?

Journalism: Why You Should Not Believe What You Read or See In This Country's Media

The following "disclaimer" is copied verbatim from the pages of Neal Boortz.

ALWAYS REMEMBER

Don't believe anything you read on this web page, or, for that matter, anything you hear on my blog [The Neal Boortz Show], unless it is consistent with what you already know to be true, or unless you have taken the time to research the matter to prove its accuracy to your satisfaction. This is known as "doing your homework".

This statement is so very true of any newspaper report, article online, radio report, TV report, and any other media report. Media is often used by government to sway public opinion. It's called propaganda. Additionally, the government allows the media to know only what it wants them to know. Do you feel informed yet? Read on.

Gag orders

Today, government agencies are furthering this agenda by implementing a "gag" order on employees; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for instance. This is the government agency who researches safety issues and makes sure our automobiles are safe for us to drive, among other things. Today I read a blog post by a reporter (of all people!), and what he had to say is a concern, and should be a concern for every American. View that post here.

And here's a comment posted beneath that blog post, one of several hundred:

You don’t have ANY idea how bad the morale is at NHTSA. The political appointees (PA) have instituted such a culture that the entire agency is in the CYA mode.

No one is willing to take any decisions, always punting that up the chain, all the way to the Administrator, who knows NOTHING about auto safety.

The career managers spend half the time chasing unrealistic edicts from the PA, and the other half of their time trying to guess what the PA wants!!

Like in any bureaucracy, we are hunkered down, waiting for the PA to leave and certain “senior” Associate Administrators to retire.

— Posted by Current employee

Does this concern you? It concerns me. If the more than 750 employees of the NHTSA are feeling "suppressed" by the new appointed administrators, namely Nicole Nason, just what is going on within this agency? And why is information that the NHTSA is researching kept from the American public, and from reporters? Check out the NHTSA website sometime. Read the fluffy statements. Does this sound like an agency that "gags" it's employees, or promotes disrespect among them? How about the comment above? Does it sound like someone who enjoys working there?

Sounds to me like Ms. Nicole Nason needs to address her own house-cleaning before trying to clean house on Americans.

[Oh, and Nicole? If you're reading this, the key to happy employees is treating them well, and showing some integrity yourself, the same as you expect them to have. Take a page from being a mother. "Don't do what I do, do what I say" doesn't work.]

The reporter who wote the blog about the NTSB is most likely telling it like it is. It's on his own blog, and is independent of any newspaper or media syndicate he works for. So why isn't this being reported by the major national newspapers? And if the NHTSA is withholding information from the American public, does that include information on automobile recalls we should know about. What about posted studies on the NHTSA website? Are these accurate, or only what they want us to see? Why are we not seeing this information reported by the press????? And instead it shows up in some reporter's blog?

Why? Because the press only reports what they are told, and broadcast media only broadcasts "approved" information.

Propagandism

I've recently been accused of being a propagandist. I suppose that's true to some degree, since many of my blog posts are my own opinion and written here in hopes of "swaying" your viewpoint. However, I always try to base my opinion on facts that I read, such as statistical reports, studies, etc. Or, from years of experience on the subject. So when I read newspaper articles that spout statistics that I know to be untrue or skewed, I write to the journalist who wrote it. I'd want someone to tell me if I had my facts wrong, wouldn't you? Or at least read the material I present to them, and explain where and how they derived their numbers.

Propaganda: this word has two meanings; one in a positive light, and the other in a negative light.

1. information put out by an organization or government to promote a policy, idea, or cause
2. deceptive or distorted information that is systematically spread

I like to think of myself as the propagandist in #1. However, I don't think that's the one he meant. But #2 is exactly how I view some of the journalists reporting these days.

I can say with conviction that I would not skew data as it is researched and studied by those qualified to do so. If they make a mistake in their numbers, then it will get printed that way. I have no control over that. But many of the journalists out there simply grab some numbers quoted somewhere else (without verifying the accuracy of such quotes) and draw their own conclusions based on how dramatic they can make it sound.

Unethical and simply BAD journalism

The person who accused me of being a propagandist is a journalist (and I use that term loosely) in the small town (3000 people) of Towanda, PA. His name is Ronald W. Hosie, Editor of the Daily and Sunday Review. He is the Editor, and he wrote the article. In a town this small, he is probably the only journalist on this paper. That means he can print whatever he wants (bully for you, Mr. Hosie). He probably writes his own paycheck, while his townspeople trust him to print the facts and the truth. I've got news for you Towanda, you're paying for a load of crap.

I wrote to Mr. Hosie in response to an article he wrote in his small town newspaper that quoted inaccurate statistics about motorcycle deaths. He refused to answer any of my questions on where he obtained reports to support his findings. And he responded with replies that matched word for word the replies he sent to others on the same issue. In short, form replies.

So why have I posted all this on my blog, you might ask? Because I detest ignorant journalists, and this one takes the cake. And because he posted an article on the issue of motorcycle helmet laws (and clearly showed his lack of research and knowledge on the subject).

In this article, his words convey the message that helmets will save thousands of lives, and if a motorcyclist doesn't wear one, their subsequent head injury (through no fault of his own) will also cost taxpayers millions of dollars in hospital care and is subsequently the motorcycle rider's fault!

Well let me tell you sportsfans, if the people of this country endorse a universal helmet law, and I get mowed down by some inconsiderate right-of-way violator, you can bet your house on the fact that I don't care if you have to pay my medical bills. In fact I'll send them to you.

Spending money on forcing a universal helmet law down the throats of American motorcyclists will not stop the injuries and deaths. But spending that same money might save millions of lives if the root cause is addressed; driving distractions and right-of-way violations in particular.

I went back to the URL where the article was posted, and it had been removed. Could it be that he received so many negative comments that he didn't see fit to leave it posted? Who knows. I won't ask either, for I'm sure I'll get yet another canned reply.

Did this reporter "do his homework"? No. His statistics are incorrect. However, what he wrote is in itself a crime. What this article will garner from readers is outrage over statements that are over-exaggerated and statistics that are full of holes. But isn't this what newspapers want? Sensationalism? To hell with the truth, show me the money! Makes me wonder if this guy took a bribe from the representative he quoted. I surely wouldn't be surprised! (Sorry, no statistics here, just plain ol' opinion based on the ignorant replies I get when I write to journalists, and the information readily available on political bribes that happen every day.)

The "right" thing for him to have done in response to my letter was to research the information sent to him and write another article with at least the correct statistics. Even if his "opinion" was still the same, he at least owes it to his readers to print the facts, not parroted numbers from another source who also miss quoted those statistics.

So with all that said, take a look at some of this stuff that I found on Neal Boortz's website about what isn't reported in the media. I'm sure it will make you think twice before swallowing some of what you read in the media, and surely wonder why the things important to us as Americans aren't reported.

And if it doesn't, well, you could win $100,000 just by reading this blog in its entirety. Really!

Here ya go. Read and learn, if you dare. If you don't care, leave this page and go back to your mundane, submissive little life. Your spinelessly uneducated opinions mean nothing to me.

Why you should not believe what you read or see in this country's media

Observations on Journalists

Media Bias Basics

Other fascinating things to pass along here

Tasty Trivia

Do your homework. Find the truth about the candidates you vote for, before you vote! Fight for your freedom and rights. If you do nothing, don't complain, you have only yourself to blame.