Hey,
Life is so damn interesting nowadays. I feel like we need a new slant, a positive one, from a position of strength. And of course Freedom needs to be part of the mix.
We asked a couple of young persons last night if they were getting out and about. One mentioned going to Knotts, Six-Flags, or maybe Vegas, and the other is planning a trip to Thailand and wants to climb a mountain…
I’m watching a series of documentaries on the Theory of Relativity and history with guys like Gallia, Newton and Einstein. Interesting thinking. I may need to watch each one a dozen times to grasp the speed of light or the multitude of rays we swim in each day from radio waves, to light rays, to microwaves.
Let’s hit the news before confusion collides with microwaves. Hopefully you will see some changes to Bikernet next week. We are going to improve the flow. Hang on!
I love it! It’s very cool.
–George pope
Point Blank, TX
Wait until he sees the Slingshot from Polaris.—Triking Viking
INTRODUCING A LIMITED EDITION TRIBUTE TO CHRIS KYLE– In partnership with the Chris Kyle Foundation and the Kyle family, Springfield Armory has introduced the Limited Edition Chris Kyle TRPTM Operator as a part of the Legend Series of pistols.
A portion of the sales proceeds will provide direct support to the Chris Kyle FROG Foundation.
–from the Springfield Armory
COMING SOON: ICIJ to release Panama Papers offshore companies data
The searchable database will include more than 200,000 offshore entities–
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) will release on May 9 a searchable database with information on more than 200,000 offshore entities that are part of the Panama Papers investigation.
The database will likely be the largest-ever release of secret offshore companies and the people behind them.
The data comes from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, one of the top players in the offshore world, and includes information about companies, trusts, foundations and funds incorporated in 21 tax havens, from Hong Kong to Nevada in the United States. It links to people in more than 200 countries and territories.
When the data is released, users will be able to search and visualize the networks around thousands of offshore entities, including, when possible, Mossack Fonseca’s internal records of the company’s true owners. The interactive database will also include information about more than 100,000 additional companies that were part of the 2013 ICIJ Offshore Leaks investigation.
While the database opens up a world that has never been revealed on such a massive scale, the application will not be a “data dump” of the original documents — it will be a careful release of basic corporate information.
ICIJ won’t release personal data en masse; the database will not include records of bank accounts and financial transactions, emails and other correspondence, passports and telephone numbers. The selected and limited information is being published in the public interest …Meanwhile ICIJ, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung which received the leak and its media partners, including several new outlets in countries where ICIJ has not yet been able to report, will continue to investigate and publish stories in the weeks and months to come.
By International Consortium of Investigative
WAL-MART PRODUCT RECALL–
Recall Item: Sun Lounger #125 blue
–Bob Clark
Wal-mart Recall Supervisor
CHROME CAPITAL EXPANDS SALES TEAM– Experienced financial services professionals join growing leasing company.
Chrome Capital, the nations’ leading lessor of pre-owned Harley-Davidson and new Indian and Victory motorcycles, has expanded its inside and field sales teams by adding Rylan Palmer of Corona, CA, Karl Prather of Olathe, KS and Jonathan Broven of Naples, FL.
Rylan Palmer, business development manager for Chrome’s Southern California region, has spent 19 years in the automotive financial services, including dealership management experience.
“Southern California represents an important territory for Chrome Capital’s continued expansion,” said Jim Koza, director of sales. “Our search for an experienced and determined professional to coach our dealer partners in SoCal resulted in an exceptional fit. We are pleased to welcome Rylan to our team of professional business development managers.”
Karl Prather is Chrome Capital’s new business development manager for Kansas and Missouri. Prather has worked in dealer relations for lending companies in these states for nearly 18 years. He is an avid motorcycle enthusiast.
“Karl’s background in lending and experience achieving targeted objectives, drives his daily commitment to help dealers post higher sales and more profits through Chrome’s proprietary system,” said Koza. “We are excited to see his passion for motorcycles applied to helping our dealer partners put more riders on more bikes.”
Joining Chrome Capital’s inside sales team is Jonathan Broven, an accomplished retail sales professional with account management experience.
“Jonathan’s sales acumen and ability to articulate the benefits of motorcycle leasing in telephone conversations will serve Chrome Capital and its dealer partners well,” said Koza.
QUICK OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY, BLONDE WING– A blonde was shopping at Target & came across a shiny silver thermos. She was quite fascinated by it, so she picked it up and took it to the clerk to ask what it was.
The clerk said, ‘Why, that’s a thermos….. It keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold.’
‘Wow, said the blonde, ‘that’s amazing…..I’m going to buy it!’ So she bought the thermos and took it to work the next day.
Her boss saw it on her desk. ‘What’s that,’ he asked?
‘Why, that’s a thermos…. It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold,’ she replied.
Her boss inquired, ‘What do you have in it?’
The blond replied, ‘Two popsicles & some coffee.’
–from Sam Burns
Justices likely to ease public corruption rules – Line between favors, felonies seen as vague in McDonnell case
WASHINGTON The Supreme Court appeared likely to side with politicians over prosecutors Wednesday and rule that federal corruption laws are unfairly entrapping public officials.
A clear majority of justices sided with lawyers for former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell, who was convicted in 2014 for accepting more than $175,000 in gifts and loans from a wealthy vitamin executive in exchange for government favors. The problem, justices on both sides of the ideological spectrum agreed, is that the laws allow prosecutors to characterize everyday favors as criminal acts.
How to define political corruption in the absence of clear federal standards presented the eight justices with a tough case to close out the 2015 term’s oral arguments, following others on abortion, contraception, immigration and affirmative action. They must decide what constitutes the “quo” in quid pro quo — exercising influence over government decision- making, or merely providing access.
McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, who sat together in the courtroom, were convicted for accepting lavish gifts such as $20,000 in designer clothes, $15,000 to cater a daughter’s wedding and a $6,000 Rolex watch from Jonnie Williams, CEO of Star Scientific, a Virginia company marketing dietary supplements. In return, they helped Williams gain access to university and health care officials who could help him win federal approval for one of his products.
While none of the justices defended McDonnell’s acceptance of expensive gifts, most had doubts about whether his actions in return constituted “official acts.”
They also worried that upholding his conviction could endanger public officials who do favors for constituents in exchange for campaign contributions, expensive lunches or a day’s trout fishing excursion.
In the federal indictment, Justice Elena Kagan said, “the party becomes an ‘official act’ or calling somebody just to talk about the product becomes an ‘official act.’ … I’m troubled by these particular charges and (jury) instructions, which seems to make every piece of evidence that you had an ‘official act.’ ” Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy also seemed passionate in their defense of public officials who might cross the line between legal and illegal without realizing it. “The government has given us no workable standard,” Kennedy said.
Roberts noted that former counsels to Democratic as well as Republican presidents signed a brief on McDonnell’s behalf. “I think it’s extraordinary that those people agree on anything,” Roberts said. “But to agree on something as sensitive as this, and to be willing to put their names on something that says this cannot be prosecuted conduct, I think is extraordinary.”
Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in February has resulted in two 4-4 votes since then, with the possibility of more to come. But McDonnell’s appeal of his federal court conviction did not appear to be headed that way. Breyer and Kagan seemed just as skeptical of the federal laws used to indict and convict public officials as their conservative colleagues.
McDonnell, 61, who served as governor from 2010-14, was convicted in 2014 along with his wife. He was sentenced in 2015 to two years in prison; she received a year-and-a-day sentence. The convictions were upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit last summer.
“It puts at risk behavior that is common, particularly when the ‘quid’ is a lunch or a baseball ticket, throughout this country.”
Associate Justice Stephen Breyer
–Richard Wolf
USA TODAY, published in Florida Today
With Corruption Being Out Of Control We Need Harsher Laws Not Weaker Ones.
Favors Being Done By Politicians After Receiving Any Gift Is Wrong And Should Be Against The Law.
–Rogue
CUSTOMER BUILT BRASS BALLS KIT BIKE– We’d like to congratulate and thank Art (pictured here) on building a clean, cool, Brass Balls Cycles Kit Bike. He recently sent in pics of the completed bike.
Art went to our site, selected the components he wanted and was consulted with about his build. He opted to order the “prefabbed” kit, whereby we pre-mock up the bike, weld all the mounting tabs on the chassis, shape and weld the fender, build the fender struts, and a few other things so that he would not have to do any welding, cutting or fab work at home.
We even did the paint for him at his request.
We can help you too!
We think Art did a great job building his bike and are grateful to have him as a customer.
Want to build a bike but don’t know where to start?
Brass Balls Cycles bike kits are offered in five (5) separate & customizable phases. Why? So customers can build at a pace that works as their time and budget allows.
It’s a great time to get started on your Fall / Winter project. You can do it! We can help.
QUICK LINKS:
Shop BrassBallsCycles.com
The Deported RUSSIAN SPY Anna Chapman– Remember The Deported RUSSIAN SPY Anna Chapman?
I wonder how did she ever managed to get so close to men with government secrets?
Dirty rotten Russian spy… I can barely stand to look at her.
I’m sending this so you can get an idea of what to look out for.
Next time you see someone who looks like this, just remember she might be a Russian spy.
So be on the alert!
–Bob Clark
Bikernet Secret Agent
LANE SPLITTING LAW CONSIDERED IN CALIFORNIA– Here are some of the key attendees during the AB51 discussions:
Attendees:
Bill Quirk – Assemblyperson, Author, SB51 Lane Splitting
Tom Rice – Safe Transportation Research & Education Center, UC Berkeley
Bobby Tabaldo – MCANSG/UMCoAC
Nick Haris – AMA Western Region Representative
Bud Kobza – Bay Area Riders Forum, CMSP
Surj Gish – Editor, CityBike Mag, LaneSplittingIsLegal.com
Nick Haris is a good contact. If you don’t know him you can say I referred you
Bud Kobza, I have had very little contact but I understand he is easy to work with. Bay Area Riders Forum (BARF) is primarily sport bikes. So I don’t care for his forum; I’ve been on it once or twice. The riders want you to dress like they do. But Bud is a good guy and of course lane splitting is important to this crowd.
Surj Gish is okay. We butted heads a few times, so probably best not to bring up my name.
Besides BOLT, those would also be good contacts to get a different perspective. ABATE was involved but they really don’t fight anymore. They are endorsing AB51 and went neutral on SB435.
–Mac “BOLT” Henderson
13TH ANNUAL CAR AND BIKE SHOW– Hi, I am with Aisin Automotive Casting and we are hosting our 13th annual Car and Bike Show to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation.
We are excepting 125-150 entries and are providing goody bags. If possible we would like to have goody bag stuffers or door prizes. Anything with your logo is great; I would like to ensure that I provide our car and motorcyclists with as much information as possible to keep them safe.
I feel like this venue is a perfect opportunity to do just that.
— Tina Fisher
606-767-1104
tfisher@aisinauto.com
VIDEO of NEENAH STANDOFF shows police shooting hostage without warning–
New info on the Eagle Nation Cycles shooting.
–from Charles P.
Bikernet Internal Investigations
‘THE LEAK OF THE CENTURY’
Note from the Center-an update from our CEO on the Panama Papers from Public Integrity’s ICIJ unit
This April 5, 2016 file photo shows the entrance of the regional head office of Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, one of the world’s biggest creators of shell companies, in Hong Kong, America’s openness to foreign tax evaders is coming under new scrutiny after the leak this week of 11.5 million confidential documents from the Panamanian law firm. The Panama Papers show how some of the world’s richest people hide assets in shell companies to avoid paying taxes.
Vincent Yu/AP
Leak of the Century
The Economist calls it “The Leak of the Century.” The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists called it “Prometheus” when it was a secret project, and the world now knows it as Panama Papers.
It is a monster project and an even bigger story: the biggest story in the world this week. Millions of Tweets, thousands of stories from the more than 100 ICIJ partners, tens of thousands of pick ups from the rest of the media and millions of video streams.
I’ve written to you, our staff, our board, our donors and partners before with updates this week so I won’t repeat those other than to say the story is still rolling. #resigncameron is trending on Twitter this morning after the British Prime Minister acknowledged — after much fudging of the issue — that he had benefited from offshore trusts the ICIJ team revealed his father had set up.
So far, the Icelandic prime minister has resigned, as have the head of Transparency International in Chile, a leading Austrian banker and a leading world football executive. The leak and our reports identify public officials, rulers, despots and democratically elected officials. Investigations have been launched by authorities around the world, conspiracy theories are multiplying and the impact has just begun.
What is clear though is the quality of the journalism of the ICIJ and its partners and the power of the network created over the years since Chuck Lewis founded the ICIJ and particularly in the past four years under the direction of Gerard Ryle and Marina Guevara Walker. The fact 370 journalists around the world could work in the same enormous project, in private and securely, and the leak not leak is astounding. It is a testament to the trust and strength Gerard and his entire team have built into the platform and the relationships with our partners.
I am going to take the risk of calling out Mar Cabra, Matthew Caruana and Rigoberto Caraval for their work on that platform. The entire ICIJ team stands behind this work and they are all identified here, as are our media partners here.
By Peter Bale
To critics, those who were left out of the story, the conspiracy theorists and anyone else who would take pot shots at it, we have decided to say only: “We will let our journalism speak for itself.”
THE EVER-CHALLENGING BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for April 28th, 2016
This should apply to the US under the Rico Act.
Everyone should be reporting members of Law Enforcement and Government who are Breaking Laws and also make sure they are Not Exempt From Laws That Affect Everyone Else.
— Rogue
rogue@bikernet.com
Let me get this straight. If a politician is corrupt in Australia, any member of his gang or party should be put out of business. Since being a member of the government
“facilitates” corruption.–Bandit
[page break]
KERRY ALTER Land Speed Racing teammates newest female members of Mojave Mile 200 MPH Clubs
Motorcycle racers Loretta Flores and Lisa Taylor set new personal best speeds of 200+ to become latest members of famed 200 MPH Clubs
Kerry Alter Land Speed Racing teammates, Lisa Taylor and Loretta Flores, became the most recent members of three different 200 MPH Clubs at the Mojave Magnum speed event April 8-10 in Mojave, California. The event has separate speed clubs based on distance raced. The Mojave Mile is for 1-mile runs and the Mojave Magnum is for 1.5-mile runs.
Retired Scottsdale motorcycle officer and event rookie, Lisa Taylor, earned membership in the Mojave Mile 200 MPH Club with stout run of 215.7 mph on her Kerry Alter prepared Suzuki Hayabusa. To top her new personal best one-mile speed, Taylor raced the same Hayabusa on the 1.5-mile course to a blistering new personal best 1.5-mile speed of 226 mph, earning her membership in the Mojave Magnum 225 MPH Club.
Loretta Flores, a 24-year old motorcycle technician from Tempe, set a new personal best top speed of 204.2 mph on Alter’s 2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale, earning her membership into the Mojave Mile 200 MPH Club. Flores top speed at last year’s event as a rookie was 195.6 mph.
Kerry Alter Land Speed Racing was formed in 2008 by Phoenix-resident and 17-time land speed record holder, Kerry Alter. The team races three different bikes tuned by Alter, including a Suzuki Hayabusa, Ducatti 1299 Panigale and a BMW S 1000 RR.
“I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of both Lisa and Loretta for their outstanding performances at one of the fastest race courses on the West Coast. Both worked hard and smart to meet their objectives,” said Kerry Alter, team owner and driver. “We set a lot of goals for this event and achieved all of a them. The bikes responded well to my tune-ups for both courses and we lucked out with the weather,” added Alter, who did not race due to recovery from injuries from a non-racing accident.
The next Mojave Magnum event will be held October 8-9, 2016 at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California.
Some of Alter’s many racing accomplishments include:
* 10-Time FIM World Land Speed Record Holder
* 7-Time AMA National Land Speed Record Holder
* Member of BUB Speed Trials 201 MPH Club – Top speed 221.9mph
* Member of Mojave Magnum 200 MPH Club – Top speed 219 mph
Additional Information
Kerry Alter Racing Web Site: http://forceofphoenix.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kerry-Alter-Land-Speed-Racing-157783754232542/
Mojave Mile: http://www.mojavemile.com/
Press Contact: Eric Studer (214) 676-3860 EricStuder@mac.com
QUICK A METALSPORT TESTIMONIAL–
The Metalsport team machines these wheels in the USA in 17 sizes from 16-inch to 34-inch monsters. They can fit your bike. Check out all of their 2-D Styles.
“HOLY S%!T, THESE ARE THE SLICKEST WHEELS ON THE PLANET” is usually the response we get when we run MetalSport wheels on our bikes. MetalSport takes the time to figure out the right size, finish and style wheel that will work best for your application. For someone who likes to stay ahead of the trend, MetalSport is the way to go”
– Chris Wayne
Criminal Customs
EBR Motorcycles Announces Racing Partnership– EBR Motorcycles and Splitlath Racing Team have partnered for the 2016 season.
EBR Motorcycles has partnered with Splitlath Racing for the 2016 Superbike racing season.
“It has been an amazing few months since the new EBR Motorcycles was launched, and we have been focused on the process of getting our great new EBR street motorcycles into production,” said Erik Buell, Chief Technical Officer of EBR Motorcycles.
“The demand for new motorcycles is really fantastic, and for certain we will stay focused on this by growing our dealer base. But we do love racing and we are happy to announce that EBR will be joining forces with Splitlath Racing, and featuring them as our factory team for 2016. It’s not about big budgets, but the passion and joy of racing and the fierce independence of the riders, crews and owners of such teams.”
Splitlath will be racing at select international venues that will represent EBR Motorcycles well, and will showcase the adventure and excitement of racing the EBR 1190 around the globe.
John Dimbylow, team principal of Splitlath Racing touched on the plan for 2016:
After working with Erik Buell for a few years now, Splitlath is excited to be fully integrated to the EBR family, and to have the opportunity to be part of the growth of this unique brand and philosophy.
The engineering of all EBR products is a delight to work with, and for us to be in a position where we can work with a very talented set of engineers and are part of the process of race development is a real privilege.
As race fans know, Splitlath has been racing in 2015 and 2016 mainly in the emerging and exciting Chinese Pan Delta Superbike series, where the crowds and TV coverage are huge. Our team has been incredibly successful there, winning every race entered to date in the premier Chinese Pan Delta Superbike series, against full factory efforts from big players. This series is where all of the world’s major motorcycle manufacturers are positioning themselves as the Chinese market opens up, thirsty for high-end Western machines. EBR is gaining huge respect there.
Splitlath also attended the Isle of Man TT and Macau GP, more to produce videos of these amazing events and the experience around them, than to go for the win.
Incidentally, when the stock EBR 1190 was entered two years ago, it was the first trial of these bikes. When we finished, we were informed that EBR was the first manufacturer ever to compete in, and complete the TT circuit at its first ever attempt.
The Isle of Man TT is just so savage that it shakes bikes apart in ways that you can’t anticipate, so it is a real proving ground for any street bike. Our riders say the EBR incredibly assured handling, wide powerband, and light wheels that stayed on the rough tarmac make the TT course a bit less daunting!
Splitlath anticipates returning to the US to compete in due course and we are very excited about this. Currently we are talking with sponsors and looking for approval from the US organization.
Splitlath Racing would like to thank their following sponsors:
IJS Global GBracing MotionPro
Zero Gravity Impact Prowear Metzeler
HEL
FusionMX
Engelbert Strauss Workwear
Parties interested in racing partnership opportunities with EBR Motorcycles should contact info@ebr.com.
SECRET HORSE STAFF MEETING REVEALED– Join us at Chop Day at Myrtle Beach, SC, just hide in the back until they get there.
Meet the Horse Team at SUCK BANG BLOW for Chop Day during Myrtle Beach Bike Week
Edge, Hammer, Debo, Englishman, GTP and the entire crew are rolling into SUCK BANG BLOW and having a party on May 14, 2016.
Get your bike in the bike show… We have over $30,000 in prizes for the lucky winners.
Bike Show Details
Chop Day
At SUCK BANG BLOW
313-414-3955
3393 HWY 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
AMAZING COLLECTION ABOUT TO BE REVEALED IN STELLAR PHOTOGRAPHIC ENDEAVOR– This is a book of photographs taken by a good friend, Eddie Lee. The motorcycles featured are from a collection of a very dear friend of mine.
If you can help Eddie get this project funded it would be a great contribution to the history of the motorcycle in America.
Thank you
–El Waggs
60% FUNDED!!! & 17 More Days To Go!!!
Posted by Eddie Lee (Creator)
We’re getting close!!! I’m excited beyond belief and THANK YOU for all your support. I just received a prototype copy of Timeless American and It looks GORGEOUS!!! I’d like to thank Wendy Nelson and the crew at John Roberts for doing such an amazing job.
We still have a ways to go so I encourage all my backers to keep spreading the word. I will be hitting the road to show everyone this book from now until the end of the campaign. Here are some images to give you a brief look.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!
AND SO FREEDOM DIES IN QUEENSLAND– It has been over a year since the glorious deposal of former Premier Campbell Newman and his baby-faced Attorney-General Jarrod Bleije. Yet their festering stench remains, thanks to the suite of abhorrent and draconian laws, which strip away the basic human rights of thousands of Queenslanders, writes Eva Cripps for BIKE ME.
Under the guise of combating organized crime, the lily-livered pair, egged on by a vindictive and arrogant Taskforce Maxima, embarked on a vicious personal vendetta to destroy the lives and honest livelihoods of men who have committed no crime.
The target of the social cleansing operation is, and was, no secret.
Bikers/Bikies: Motorcyclists and their friends who dared to be a part of, or associated with, so-called one percent clubs.
Following a public biff on the Gold Coast, and spurred on by the vicious and sensationalist Courier Mail, in October 2013, the then-Liberal National Government swore to do everything within its power to wipe out anyone who did not conform to Bleijie’s personally defined cultural norms.
Tattooed club members, with their grunting black machines and leather patched vests, were declared to be so scary, intimidating and frightening, that the only way to keep Queenslanders safe was to ban them all…
— Eva Cripps
Read the whole tamale in Bikernet Special Reports next week.–Bandit
CHOPPERTOWN STAFF RELEASE THEIR STASH– We’ve got both Mooneyes Yokohama Show movies on sale this week – more info below or click here to download. Have a great weekend!
Stay independent,
Zack and Scott
Weekly Special
Download the Mooneyes movies
“Excellent! well made movies, lots of cool Cars & Bikes “
~Kyle O., verified buyer
TIP: Don’t forget our “Build Your Own Bundle” plan so you can save every time you order. Choose ANY three items from the site (even discounted ones and bundles!) and you save 10%, any four save 15%, and any five take 20% off.
Email PRIVACY Act Passes House (it’s about time!!), Senate Hesitates– Email privacy act in the works, but will it pass?
Although the Email Privacy Act received a unanimous approval from the US House of Representatives, the bill is already getting some push back from the Senate.
This act would prohibit law enforcement from obtaining citizens’ private emails without a warrant. Currently, officers are allowed to get this information with only a subpoena. This is much easier to obtain because it requires less judicial oversight. With law enforcement being mandated to acquire a warrant this would help give citizens’ more protection.
Even though there was a 419-0 vote in favor of the act by the House, Sen. Charles Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, indicated that the Senate may not support the bill.
“Members of this committee on both sides of the aisle have expressed concerns about the details of this reform, and whether it’s balanced to reflect issues raised by law enforcement,” said Grassley.
Evidently, Grassley and some members of the Senate are apprehensive about creating these legal hurdles for law enforcement. Those in opposition believe the bill lacks clarity.
“For example, if a warrant’s required to obtain email, should the constitutionally-recognized exceptions to the warrant requirement — such as the email owner’s consent — be fully available for law enforcement as well?” said Grassley. “I plan on taking a close look at the bill that passed the House, and talking with interested stakeholders and members of this committee to try to find a path forward for ECPA reform here in the Senate.”
However, many feel strongly about addressing this issue. The previous Electronic Communications Privacy Act from 1986, doesn’t take into account today’s digital developments, such as the web-based email systems that allow communications to be stored in the virtual cloud versus solely on computers.
There is a similar legislation already in the works by the Senate which has 26 co-sponsors.
“Now that the House has passed this bill by a vote of 419-0, it is time for the Senate to act. We urge the Senate to take up and pass this bipartisan, common-sense legislation without delay,” said Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Republican.
He hopes with the unanimous success of the Email Privacy Act by the House, this will encourage the Senate to pass this comparable proposal.
–The Post
WORDS DISCOVERED SCRAWLED INTO THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN—People can have no money, but cannot have no compassion.
People can have no power, but cannot have no affinity.
–Venerable Master Hsing Yun
HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?– By Gary Biller, NMA President
My indoctrination to NMA affairs was immediate when I joined the organization in July 2009. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, that bastion of the auto insurance industry, had just released a report titled, Long Term Effects of Repealing the National Maximum Speed Limit (NMSL) in the United States. The paper declared that approximately 12,500 deaths were caused by letting speed limits climb higher than 55 mph. Say what?
The claim seemed absurd, even to someone new to the NMSL battle, so I wrote this e-newsletter criticizing the IIHS for reaching conclusions that flew in the face of safety statistics since the speed limit law was repealed. The questionable methodology and the lack of published data or a meaningful peer review also raised flags.
The IIHS has a history of dusting off the tired meme of “people are dying because of higher speed limits” every few years. In 1997 it was, Crash Rates Go Up in States That Raised Speed Limits. Two years later, Motor Vehicle Deaths 15 Percent Higher on Roads in 24 States That Raised Speed Limits. With cicada-like precision they issued, Faster Travel and the Price We Pay – Deaths Go Up as Limits are Raised, in 2003.
Lest we forget about them, our friends at the Insurance Institute released another breathless study last month that ups the ante to Speed Limit Increases Cause 33,000 Deaths in 20 Years. The IIHS blended changes in unemployment, the number of potential young drivers, and per capita alcohol consumption into a prediction – stated as fact but clearly a projection of some sort – that tens of thousands of drivers lost their lives due to raised speed limits in the years since the repeal of the NMSL. This latest national report conveniently excluded nine states that didn’t fit the premise of the IIHS prognostications.
As usual, many media outlets picked up the April 2016 IIHS report of carnage on the nation’s highways due to higher speed limits. I was invited to comment by CBS National News, and spent 15 minutes on camera questioning the foundation of the “study” and pointing out that fatality rates have been in steady decline since the mid-1990s when states were unshackled from 55 mph limits. Not surprisingly, the CBS report lent legitimacy to the study by not challenging the conclusions reached while only inserting a few-second sound-bite from me noting that our highways are safer than ever.
But here’s the thing. The driving public, and state transportation officials for that matter, have a history of ignoring IIHS histrionics regarding speed limits. Motorists know instinctively that speed limits set higher to approximate the natural free-flow of traffic – which is what the repeal of the NMSL set the stage for – allow for smoother, safer travel experiences.
While we still must stand vigilant against the insurance industry’s repeated, unsuccessful attempts to sway public opinion on speed limits – the corporate version of insanity by trying the same thing over and over with the expectation of a different result?* – it is rewarding to know that the driving community has the collective common sense to ignore the scare tactics.
* More likely a matter of keeping the funders of the IIHS, the Allstates and
Geicos of the world, happy.
NEW AT BIKERNET TRIKES– New photos and video for SUNDAY POST–
Bozzies Double Trouble is a full automatic trike, model: Speedster with a 1600 cc S&S engine, Baker full automatic 5-speed transmission, air-ride, 385 rear tires, 23 inch front wheel.
Don’t miss all the action on Bikernet Trikes: http://www.bikernettrikes.com/pages/BOZZIES_COOL_TRIKE.aspx
–The Triking Viking
The Esteemed Emperor Editor
Bikernet Trikes
verb
1. to fuss over one’s dress, especially before the mirror.
2. to deck oneself out.
Quotes
Anne wasn’t a mossel vain, but nights she expected Gil she’d prink for hours afore her glass, fixing her hair this way and that, and trying on all her good clothes to see which become her most.
— Lucy Maud Montgomery, “Aunt Susanna’s Birthday Celebration,” Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1905 to 1906, 2008
GOT IT— Busy week coming up. Let’s hope for a report from Paughco on the Bagger rebuild and our Salt Torpedo. I will visit Sugar Bear and maybe see the ARCH guys for an update.
We have a new mission from the City and I need to meet with a buddy and architect. I hope to start on my Biker’s Choice ignition tech.
Rockin’ on getting my next book out. My printer connection layout artist told me I need to get my author facebook shit together. I can’t handle another project.
You’ll start to see our new logos pop up around the sites. Hang on.
We just received some new 5-Ball leathers and the apparel action is heating up.
Let’s hit it to the coast, or to Laughlin. Anywhere, just get outta town. I have a mantra I want to run past you. I’ll try to get my thoughts tuned-up for next Sunday.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
