Hey,
It’s a wrap at the Rally, although Sturgis grows every year from a place people leave, to a place where people stay for awhile.
More and more folks are moving to the Badlands. I’m considering it. There’s a side of me that always wanted to live in the West where freedom still rings, where populations are still small and open roads abundant.
Not being the richest cat on the block, I need to consider my options carefully. How can I pull it off and create a retirement for an old outlaw.
I want to mention one more item, Trump. We seem to be living through a tough political time. Folks are loud about hating Trump, others seem to keep to themselves about liking him.
I don’t care. But I do care about our country and as long as we have a President, I don’t care who he his, I’m listening, watching and learning. I want the best for our country and I’m looking to the most powerful guy, who could possibly get the job done. That’s why I will continue to report on his progress.
I quit watching commercial TV a few years ago. I watch CSPAN, which are free and I read the Week Magazine for my news. They are struggling, but make an effort to deliver a balanced approach.
A lot of this rubs off on motorcycles. So, we need to stay very involved in what’s happening at the Capitol. Fortunately Trump is on our side right now and Pence is a rider. We need to stay very tuned to what’s happening.
NEWS FROM THE WHITEHOUSE–Help is on the way for high drug prices
We live in a golden era for American medicine, senior health leaders from across the Trump Administration point out. Incredible new medicines and technologies improve and extend our lives. Yet all Americans at some point will face the burden of paying high prices for prescription drugs, say HHS Secretary Alex Azar, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, and CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
President Trump has a message for these Americans: Help is on the way. “One of my greatest priorities is to reduce the price of prescription drugs,” the President said earlier this year. In May, he unveiled his blueprint for achieving just that.
The “American Patients First” blueprint has a few important principles to guide the Administration’s plan of action:
Encouraging innovation, such as by streamlining the approval process for over-the-counter drugs
Promoting real price competition, including by advancing “biosimilars” and generics where appropriate
Addressing foreign freeloading, including the practice of subsidizing countries that use socialized healthcare to offload costs on Americans
Help is on the way for Americans facing high drug prices.
The plan: See President Trump’s “American Patients First” blueprint
FIGHT FOR SAFER ROADS– by joining
the “We, The Riders” movement
The FIM is proud to launch its global Road Safety campaign at the occasion of the Austrian round of 2018 FIM MotoGP World Championship at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg today.
With the support of Dorna, the Red Bull Ring circuit, ACEM, the European Commission and MotoGP stars Andrea Iannone (ITA), Jorge Lorenzo (ESP), Marc Márquez (ESP), Jack Miller (AUS), Johann Zarco (FRA), the FIM is looking forward to raising the awareness on road safety through the launch of this campaign in front of recognized international media and a large, passionate audience of fans.
“We, The Riders” campaign is a call to action. It is a new movement of responsible motorcyclists from around the world, who all share the joy of riding – and the fight for change.
In 2018, it is still far more dangerous than it should be to ride on our roads. That needs to change – and it will only change if all motorcyclists come together as never before to demand it.
Joining the movement is very simple. A few clicks could help build a movement powerful enough to win a better, safer life on the roads for everybody. To do that, the movement needs you.
“We, The Riders” vision is roads that are safe for everyone. Roads where all are seen, no matter their mode of transport. Roads that are built and planned with everyone in mind. Roads made for the joy of riding – not the fear of crashing.
The FIM stands with the riders who take their responsibility and, together, we all demand that others take theirs. We fight for riders’ rights.
During the Press Conference, Vito Ippolito, FIM President declared “For more than 100 years, the FIM has been representing the interests of motorcyclists – both on and off the track. Every day, road traffic crashes claim nearly 3,500 lives and injure many thousands more, 23% of all lives lost are those of our fellow riders. At the FIM we do not have all the answers and there is still much left to do.
That is why we are launching this movement “We, The Riders” because we recognise the potential of people-powered change – the power of a network of individuals with something in common to create real change in the world and improve road safety”.
ACEM President Stefan Pierer stated “As President of the European Association of motorcycle manufacturers; I reaffirm that for all leading manufacturers and member associations the most important issue is safety.
The motorcycle riders are vulnerable road users. According to official statistics 50% of the fatalities are caused by a third party and the biggest problem is visibility. That’s why every action and initiative that improves visibility is supported by the industry. ABS became mandatory in Europe and manufacturers have been ready to implement this fundamental safety tool to save lives.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta Dorna CEO commented “Riders ‘safety on track and off the track is our top priority, so Dorna is extremely proud to support this important initiative. We, The Riders campaign is making motorcyclists visible on the roads and raising awareness to road users about being mindful of everybody they share the roads with. Our World Championship riders are riders who everyday road users share the roads with, so we stand by the FIM on this movement that is very close to our hearts”
The FIM will deploy “We, the riders” campaign together with its 113 affiliated federations worldwide.
Visit the official website wetheriders.com now!
BIKERNET INTERNATIONAL EDITOR BACK IN BANGKOK—
First Day started at 6am to a/p. 3 hour flight Bkk. Arrived hotel about 2:00 pm. Checked in and went to Mr. Bok Street food noodle soup. Best in Bangkok. Then a few blocks to Vasu money exchange. Best rates in town 33.24 per $.
Walk some more to phone store at mall 21 to get data and phone time on local SIM card about 17.50 for a month. Took crowded skytrain back to room for short nap 50 cents. Lots of construction still going on. Met a friend for dinner at Marriot soi 56. Very good Australian wagyu rib eye. $$$$. Finished nite at Insanity disco. 5th anniversary Big show and $20 entry with one beer.
Notice the “7” building in skyline.
Took skytrain $1.75 to express riverboat 50 cents to grand palace($17) wat poh($3), and govt buildings area.
Pic two is a building that has not been completed since I came here in 2000.
Another one with the round top was vacant for many years as built too close to river. How did Marriot fix that? $$$
River boat is a bargain ride for about 20 scenic minutes.
Monuments are for past kings. Wat Poh has very big reclining Buddha and home to famous massage school.
It’s not tourist season but train and boat packed over capacity. Must be a real zoo in summer.
Empty streets around palace good idea to control the many touts and scams from before.
Traffic nightmare.
Longtial boats on river are unique using car engines and very long exposed propeller shaft to get rooster tail.
Almost all high rise buildings are condos built in very recent years.
And very expensive cost of one mil US is common.
Gold dome building was bar scene for bachelor party one movie.
Oriental hotel is in front regularly rated as best in world.
–Art Hall
Supreme International Editor
Bikernet.com™
THE JUDDS VISIT
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM EXHIBIT–The Judds: Dream Chasers Exhibit Open Now
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Judds are one of the most celebrated duos in country music history. They’ve earned dozens of industry awards and held a rarely interrupted stretch of 14 No.1 hits, while every single released to radio by RCA landed in the Billboard Top 10.
To this day, their enduring career has inspired their peers, as well as established and aspiring artists. The Judds broke the mold for what it means to be an entertainment titan and remain one of the most successful acts in the history of the country music format.
These lifetime achievements are all honored with a new, extensive Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum exhibition. The Judds: Dream Chasers opens today, August 10, and continues through July 14, 2019.
Wynonna and Naomi visited the exhibition with family and friends during a private reception this week.
“Our lives are on display and it’s so surreal, because I’m still living the dream. It’s the American Dream. I hope someone comes through the Hall of Fame and sees our humble beginnings and is inspired to pursue their dreams,” Wynonna shared.
“I think the exhibit is remarkable and reminds everyone to hold onto moments from their own life. We live in such a digital age, but report cards, handwritten notes and awards, even if it’s a sports trophy from school, are important to hold onto. It’s our history. Our lives were changed forever when we signed to RCA Records and we’re incredibly thankful for the Hall of Fame to tell our story through these items,” Naomi said.
The Judds brought a fresh acoustic sound to country music, with unmistakable harmonies surrounding Wynonna’s powerful lead vocals. They dominated the touring industry in the ’80s, have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, and blazed a trail for duos and the women who have followed them.
The Judds: Dream Chasers exhibit follows the popular duo from their mother-and-child beginnings, from (mother) Diana Judd and (daughter) Christina Ciminella to their chart-topping career peak as one of the most successful duos in country music. In the span of their 8-year career, The Judds earned 20 Top 10 hits, as well as five GRAMMY®, nine CMA and seven ACM Awards.
More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.
BIKERNET HISTORY LESSON–Beer and the Wheel
The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. Beer required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture.
Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That’s how villages were formed.
The wheel was invented to get man to the beer and vice versa. These two were the foundation of modern civilization.
Actually the wheel came first from the invention of pottery. They designed the wheel to spin the pots. They needed containers to hold food and grain safely. So the wheel was born.
Shortly after pottery and the wheel came Beer and Wine. Humans needed liquids that would last and beer and wine did the trick, plus they had containers to put it in and wheels to make carts for shipping.
–from Rogue
NEW MOTORCYCLE SALES SITE–
Reaching out with some early info from RumbleOn (NASDAQ: RMBL), the only 100 percent online powersports marketplace, as this coming Tuesday, they’ll be launching a new mobile application for both iOS and Android, alongside a revitalized website experience.
Why the push? Recent research from eMarketer forecasts that mobile-commerce sales, “will account for 39.6% of total e-commerce in 2018, growing at a rate of 33% annually, and will represent the majority of e-commerce spending by 2021.” With an all-new, easily accessible and robust digital platform, RumbleOn aims to address consumer buying preferences head-on.
–Jake
BLASTmedia
317.806.1900 ext. 122
BLASTmedia.com
NEW FROM THE MPP–Report Released Under Pressure After Ex-Sheriff Kills TN Biker
The McMinnville Tennessee Police Department has been refusing to release any public information related to the death of 21-year-old motorcyclist Jay Alan Webster, probate member of the Silent Creed Motorcycle Club, killed on July 7th, 2018, after former Warren County Sheriff Kenneth Taylor failed to yield and hit Webster while driving his Toyota SUV. But after more than a week of stiff public record request denials, and less than 24 hours after public demands to release the information was published on motorcycleprofilingproject.com, the McMinnville Tennessee PD has finally released the accident report.
The release of public information is a small but important victory for motorcyclists in Tennessee because it demonstrates what a focused and unified grassroots motorcycle rights campaign can achieve. Yet important unanswered questions remain and the grassroots pressure must continue to be a voice for Jay Alan Webster.
Results of Former Sheriff’s Blood Tests “Pending.”
The accident report indicates that the although there were no drugs or alcohol found at the scene, the former sheriff was administered a blood test to determine the presence of drugs or alcohol, but the results were still pending when the accident report was filed on July 8th, 2018, more than a month ago. Why have the results of Taylor’s blood test not been released? Do the results explain why an investigation into further charges is still on-going?
Release the Results! Motorcyclists Nationwide Demand It!
Rodney Mancini, a National Council of Clubs (NCOC) participant and Tennessee motorcyclist that originally requested the accident report from authorities, followed-up with a public records request for the results of Taylor’s initial blood test. The McMinnville PD rejected Mancini’s request because criminal charges were pending.
The McMinnville PD can arguably exempt these results until the investigation is complete, but the results could also be released through discretion. The public simply has a right to know if a former sheriff was under the influence when he killed a 21-year-old man.
The NCOC and the Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP), organizations representing the legal and political interests of motorcycle clubs nationwide, urges the McMinnville PD to:
Serve justice as dictated by law and charge former sheriff Kenneth Taylor with Vehicular Homicide for the death of Jay Alan Webster, a probate member of the Silent Creed MC, if the results of the test indicate the presence of drugs or alcohol OR if Taylor’s conduct created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to Jay Allen.
The grassroots pressure demanding justice for motorcycle clubs and their members through a unified voice must continue, so individuals negligently killing bikers are at least legally forbidden from driving a vehicle. The life and memory of Jay Alan Webster demands this at a minimum.
WEEKEND GUN NUT REPORT–Gov. Cuomo Rockin’ the NY Socialism Vibe by Targeting the NRA and Free Speech
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo First Amendment Second NRA Lawsuit Attack.
The National Rifle Association, which has incurred “tens of millions of dollars in damages” from financial sanctions imposed by the state of New York, may potentially face an avalanche of additional penalties in anti-gun states throughout the union if New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has his way.
Cuomo, who is positioning himself for a possible 2020 presidential run, has seized on the issue in the wake of subsequent mass shootings.
“If I could have put the NRA out of business, I would have done it 20 years ago,” Cuomo said Friday.
And he’s not only trying to do that in New York, he’s encouraging his gun control cronies across the country to do the same.
On Monday, Cuomo urged leaders in other states to take similar actions against the NRA’s Carry Guard insurance program, which covers legal costs stemming from self-defense shootings, something New York argues is unlawful. The Department of Financial Services has also pushed firms not to do business with the NRA, the NRA contends, under threat the firms could lose their license to operate in New York.
The effect of these moves and Cuomo’s public statements has been to “coerce insurance agencies, insurers and banks into terminating business relationships with the NRA that were necessary to the survival of the NRA as a charitable organization,” the NRA said in an amended complaint filed July 20.
The NRA claims it lost insurance coverage after the state took action against companies underwriting their NRA-branded “Carry Guard” insurance program. The lawsuit also claims Cuomo’s administration has pressured other insurers to avoid doing business with the NRA.
Without liability coverage, the NRA cannot maintain its offices, operate educational programs or hold rallies and other political events.
“Absent injunctive relief, defendants’ blacklisting campaign will continue to damage the NRA and its members, as well as endanger the free speech and association rights guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States and the State of New York,” the lawsuit states.
After New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood filed a motion to dismiss the NRA’s suit Friday, William A. Brewer III, an attorney representing the NRA, said in a statement; “The actions of defendants are a blatant attack on the First Amendment rights of our organization.”
“It appears the Governor has launched yet another crusade against the NRA to fuel his political ambitions,” the statement continued. “The governor’s current campaign against the NRA extends far beyond Carry Guard. His scorched earth tactics are designed to prohibit the NRA from having access to insurance and banking services — simply because he disagrees with the political viewpoint of this law-abiding organization. Suffice it to say, the NRA will continue to vigorously defend itself, advocate for the Second Amendment, and fight to protect the Constitutional freedoms of all Americans.”
David French writes in the National Review:
As the Second Circuit has recognized, there is a difference between “permissible expressions of personal opinion and implied threats to employ coercive State power to stifle protected speech.” When “comments of a government official can reasonably be interpreted as intimating that some form of punishment or adverse regulatory action will follow the failure to accede to the official’s request,” a First Amendment claim exists.
Think Cuomo is the only joker in this deck of cards?
PETA is also jumping on the “NRA is in dire straights” bandwagon.
In a letter to Wayne LaPierre, the group offered the Second Amendment organization $100,000 to do two things: deny memberships to “trophy hunters” (or individuals who hunt wild animals solely for fun) and stop promoting assault weapons.
Good luck with that, kids.
As Cuomo himself admitted, if he “could have shut down the NRA 20 years ago, he would have.” But he couldn’t then and he certainly won’t now. Call your state representatives and remind them they vote for you and your interests.
And as of today, that still includes the First and Second Amendments.
[page break]
THE BIKERNET STAFFER RETURNS TO THE TEXTONES–
Upcoming release on Blue Elan Records: ‘Old Stone Gang’ by The Textones. As an alumnus Markus Cuff, Bikernet™ Feature Photographer, is on one track, which includes another original member–Kathy Valentine of The Gogos on lead guitar, and he also did the album cover photos.
Other add-on players: Rusty Young [ Poco ], Allan Clarke [ The Hollies ], and Barry Goldberg [ Steve Stills, Electric Flag ]. Only available by pre-order on Amazon right now, release in a couple of weeks.
UPDATE – Aug. 10, 2018 Wildfire Impacts on California’s State Parks
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks advises outdoor enthusiasts to plan carefully their next outdoor adventure in areas near wildfires. Some parks are closed, while others around the north Sacramento Valley and Sierra north of Calaveras County are impacted by smoke. Visitors with health issues or smoke sensitivity may want to reconsider visiting parks until the air quality improves. To ensure safety, the public is prohibited from entering closed areas.
Below is a list of parks currently impacted by California’s wildfires:
Carr Fire
Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park – Closed, Not on Fire
Park closed due to power outages and a road closure at the Trinity and Shasta county lines.
No immediate threat to the park by the fire.
Shasta State Historic Park – Closed, Was on Fire
Park remains closed until further notice.
Fire destroyed a 1920s schoolhouse and damaged the brewery and cemetery.
Artifacts were removed from the park and transferred to a secure location.
Hat Fire
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and Ajuhmawai Springs State Parks
Both parks are open but affected by smoke.
Highway 299 between Burney and Fall River Mills is closed.
River Fire (Mendocino Complex)
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park – Closed, Not on Fire
Park will remain closed until further notice.
Clear Lake State Park – Reopening, Not on Fire
Day-use areas have reopened.
Reservations for camping and cabins will resume beginning Monday, August 13.
For the latest fire conditions and evacuations, please visit CAL FIRE’s website at www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents.
Updates on air quality can be found online at www.airnow.gov.
California State Parks encourages all visitors to enjoy state parks safely and responsibly, and help reduce wildfires. For campfire safety and campfire permits in California’s state parks, visit the department’s blog.
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–RALLY BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for August 9, 2018
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/RALLY_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_August_9_2018.aspx
All of this doom and crying over Harley building in another country too avoid tariffs, while a love affair with Indian motorcycles, are they not built by Polaris? I believe that is a Canadian company. Sure Canada is another country.
Just a thought.
— AJ
Deland, FL
HEALTH ALERT for Men–If you are taking the Viagra pill, make sure it says
“Made in the USA”!
We cannot have the Russians meddling in our erections!
–Sam Burns
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY– I’ve been sick and NEEDED a doctor. *
I’ve encountered trouble and NEEDED a police officer.*
I’ve lived through times of war, when our nation NEEDED our military.*
But I have NEVER, NOT ONCE, NEEDED a pro athlete or entertainer for ANYTHING.*
So which is it?
If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, ‘It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you,’ and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct…… …….leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting ‘Oh my God.’
–Sidehack Jerry
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
There’s nothing like vagabonding: taking time off from your normal life—from six weeks to four months to two years—to discover and experience the world on your own terms. In this one-of-a-kind handbook, veteran travel writer Rolf Potts explains how anyone armed with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel. Now completely revised and updated, Vagabonding is an accessible and inspiring guide to
• financing your travel time
• determining your destination
• adjusting to life on the road
• working and volunteering overseas
• handling travel adversity
• re-assimilating back into ordinary life
Praise for Vagabonding
“A crucial reference for any budget wanderer.”—Time
“Vagabonding easily remains in my top-10 list of life-changing books. Why? Because one incredible trip, especially a long-term trip, can change your life forever. And Vagabonding teaches you how to travel (and think), not just for one trip, but for the rest of your life.”—Tim Ferriss, from the foreword
“The book is a meditation on the joys of hitting the road. . . . It’s also a primer for those with a case of pent-up wanderlust seeking to live the dream.”—USA Today
“Veteran vagabond Potts regales readers with his mantra: anyone with an adventurous spirit can achieve the feat of taking extended time off from work to experience the world. In 11 short chapters that follow the same structure, Potts tells how to negotiate time off from work, prepare for travel, and get the most out of your time on the road.
Each chapter contains a profile of a famous proponent of vagabonding (e.g., Thoreau, Annie Dillard), quotes from everyday people with extensive travel experience, and a tip sheet of print and online sources for practical travel advice on topics such as airline tickets and accommodations as well as safety concerns. Alternately warning readers about using drugs in foreign countries and entertaining them with anecdotes from exotic ports of call, Potts gives a thorough recounting of his outlook on traveling.”
– Joanne Wilkinson
This book seems squarely aimed at twenty- and thirty-somethings. Anyone with decidedly non-vagabond obstacles such as children or career ambition tying them down to “normal life” or “society expectations” might be more skeptical of Potts’ philosophy. For those with a bad case of wanderlust.
Author Rolf Potts is the author of Vagabonding (Random House, 2003), Marco Polo Didn’t Go There (Travelers Tales, 2008), The Geto Boys (Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series, 2016), and Souvenir (Bloomsbury’s Object Lessons series, 2018). He has reported from more than sixty countries for the likes of National Geographic Traveler, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, The Atlantic, Slate.com, The Believer, National Public Radio, and the Travel Channel.
His adventures have taken him across six continents, and include piloting a fishing boat 900 miles down the Laotian Mekong, hitchhiking across Eastern Europe, traversing Israel on foot, bicycling across Burma, driving a Land Rover across South America, and traveling around the world for six weeks with no luggage or bags of any kind.
Paperback of book Vagabonding available on Amazon for $11
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812992180/
–Ujjwal Dey
Bikernet™ Correspondent
Bikernet.com™ News Bureau India
wayfarer@bikernet.com
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING WINS MANUFACTURER’S CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON–Wrecking Crew Rider Jared Mees Secures 10th Win of Season;
Indian Scout FTR750 Sweeps Top 12 at Black Hills Half-Mile
In its second season of American Flat Track competition, Indian Motorcycle Racing has secured consecutive Manufacturer’s Championships. At the forefront of the championship season is Wrecking Crew rider Jared Mees, who returned to the top of the podium for the 10th time this season at the Black Hills Half-Mile.
Mees piloted the Indian Scout FTR750 and won a hard-fought race by a mere .032 seconds over Indian Motorcycle privateer Jeffery Carver Jr. (Roof-Systems, Indian of Metro Milwaukee). The epic battle saw multiple lead changes as the two stretched their lead from the rest of the pack. Wrecking Crew rider Bryan Smith returned to action and finished third on the box, completing an all-Scout FTR750 podium sweep for the ninth time this season.
“This is the fastest half-mile on the schedule and the racing proved it,” said Mees. “My hat’s off to Carver, as he ran an incredible race. I can’t thank my team enough for always having my Indian Scout FTR750 dialed in.”
Through 13 races, Mees has secured 10 wins, two second-place finishes and totals a remarkable 290 points at the top of the leaderboard. With five races remaining, Mees is 102 points ahead of the second-place rider, Henry Wiles (Bandit Industries/Wilco Racing/Willy Built).
“This has been one of the most incredible seasons in professional flat track history, and we cannot thank our factory team and privateers enough for trusting Indian Motorcycle to supply their race bike,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology & Service for Indian Motorcycle. “Not only are the riders at the top of the leaderboard performing consistently on the Scout FTR750, but new riders like Bronson Bauman and Hayden Gillim are jumping on the bike for the first time and securing top-five and top-ten finishes.”
The Indian Wrecking Crew and stable of privateers aboard the Scout FTR750 will continue its season on August 18 at the Peoria TT. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, backed by Allstate Insurance, the Indian Wrecking Crew and Scout FTR750, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. For information on purchasing a Scout FTR750, please contact Racing@IndianMotorcycle.com.
THE TRUMP BOOM– even the media can’t ignore
Last week’s jobs report has shined a light on the incredible gains American workers are seeing in the Trump Economy. The media, both liberal and conservative, can’t ignore the story of this remarkable turnaround:
• THE NEW YORK TIMES: Workers Hardest Hit by Recession Are Joining in Recovery
• FOX BUSINESS: Millions Drop Off Food Stamps
• THE HILL: Employment Data Hasn’t Been This Good Since the Days of the iPod
• CHICAGO TRIBUNE: This Is What a Booming Economy Feels Like
Unemployment dipped to 3.9 percent last week—just the eighth time since 1970 it has fallen below 4 percent. (And nearly half of those occasions happened in 2018.)
Most important is who is benefitting. President Donald J. Trump promised to look out for Americans from every corner of the country, not the well-connected and powerful. He’s delivered. “The least educated American workers, who took the hardest hit in the Great Recession . . . are a striking symbol of a strong economy,” The New York Times reports.
The Trump Economy, in the media’s words
More: President Trump is getting the economy critics said wasn’t possible.
First Lady Melania Trump: ‘My passion’
First Lady Melania Trump continues to advance her ‘Be Best’ initiative, an awareness campaign dedicated to protecting children.
Two weeks ago, she visited patients at an intensive care unit in Nashville, Tennessee. “My passion is to shine a light on the opioid crisis,” the First Lady said. “I want to continue to learn and believe in starting early to educate young mothers and children about the dangers of drugs.”
Be Best focuses on some of the major issues facing children today, while also teaching them the importance of social, emotional, and physical health. The initiative concentrates on three main pillars: well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse.
“I believe the more we talk about this, the shame and guilt will go away,” the First Lady said about the dangers of drug use.
NEW FROM SCOTT JACOBS–
I wanted to quickly give you a sneak peek at our newest flat track painting that Scott and Jacobs Gallery proudly unveiled during the Sturgis Rally with Indian AMA Champion Jared Mees!
We invited Mees to make an appearance while we unveiled the new painting in the Gallery. I was also able to capture the exciting moment on Facebook Live!
Bill Tuman #51 was a racer during the 40-50s. He was the last single-day winner of the AMA Grand National Championship after his victory at the Springfield Mile in 1953.
Tuman was part of Indian Motorcycle’s famous racing team known as the “Indian Wrecking Crew”, a group of top racers in the late 1940s and early ’50s that included Bobby Hill, Ernie Beckman and Tuman.
Jared Mees #1, is currently a rider for Indian Motorcycles. So far he has won the GNC1 title in 2012, 2014, and 2015, the Grand National Twins Championship in 2009, and the Grand National Singles Championship in 2012.
Both Tuman and Mees have won the AMA Grand Nationals FIVE times so Scott thought that it would be cool to include these Indian Champions in one painting.
THE MEANING BEHIND IT
Scott painted Tuman in the background in black and white and Jared in the foreground in color to tell a story of Mees’ potential of beating their 5x record.
The contrast between color and B&W makes Jared pop off the canvas and into the room.
NEW “Wheels Through Time”
Image Size: 34? x 24
Edition: 51
Signed by Scott, Jared Mees #1 (and hopefully Bill Tuman #51)!
FUN FACT
This is the first dirt track painting since 2006! The last racing piece was of Jay Springsteen called, “The Gunslinger”.
It’s also the first time Scott has ever done an Indian Racing painting so we hope you enjoy!
–Olivia Jacobs
LET’S SEE—What’s happening this week? If only I knew. I’m going to try one thing with my Panhead tuning problem today, before I ride my Indian down the coast.
I’m working with our editorial team on a story about Exile. Hopefully, we will pull together a story on the Trike show in Sturgis this year, the first of it’s kind. Rhonda said she can handle it.
I’m sure lots of reports will filter in from the Badlands. Micah McCloskey is headed to the Bonneville International Motorcycle Speed Trials and then onto Milwaukee for the 115th and the Ugly World Run.
I had to peel out early to meet my son and granddaughter for lunch after site tech problems. See you next week.
Ride free forever,
–Bandit
