Hey,
Our Ultimate Builders party went off without a hitch, but no one shot any photos, so it remains the Underground Bikernet Motorcycle industry party sponsored by J&P. Ultimate Builders attended, famous authors and Hamsters.
We had a blast and the Redhead made an incredible Chili and Chicken soup with a variety of garnishes, plus baked apples, amazing. And hang on, we are going to have a Thanksgiving dinner here on Thursday, so I’m no sure how I will handle the news.
A brother is coming over with a new gadget. It laser cooks the Turkey to perfection. We’ll see. I’ll try to take a photo…
AMERICAN IRON GARAGE DEAL! Great deal on a full collection of all tech and DIY American Iron Garage magazines! Buy all 20 issues and save $100 from single copy price.
ONLY $38.90 FOR ALL 20 ISSUES! While supplies last! https://www.aimag.com/30883-2
SPORT CHROME REINFORCER WHEELS– Now Available from Tucker
New line of wheels is available exclusively from Tucker V-twin.
Beyond the Reinforcer’s pleasing aesthetics, these wheels are designed to allow the owner to optimize their factory-equipped braking system. Made specifically for (but not limited to) all 2014 and up Street Glide® and Road Glide® models, the Reinforcer immediately gives the bike that sought-after stance of a 21” front wheel. When Sport Chrome designed these extraordinary wheels, important considerations were made to make sure that key areas are precision fitted. No excess material is used in any area of the wheel which keeps the Reinforcer lightweight.
Each Reinforcer wheel is first precision checked to industry-leading standards. All casting marks and lettering are hand-smoothed until flush with the rim. After being professionally prepared by Sport Chrome master metal finishing technicians, each Reinforcer wheel is then hand polished to a mirror shine and treated to its show chrome plating process that is specifically designed for wheels constructed like the Reinforcer. Each technician that works on your wheel has an average of ten years of experience with Sport Chrome’s process and standards. The process produces a finish that is superior to any other similar wheel in the world and Sport Chrome guarantees that with a Lifetime Warranty.
• Every Reinforcer wheel goes through a rigorous quality inspection process that has been implemented over the past 17 years
• Every Reinforcer wheel sold includes a wheel installation kit and fender lift kit in either Show Chrome or Piano Black finishes
• Manufacturer’s lifetime warranty
Sport Chrome Reinforcer wheel in chrome finish.
Model Applications and Retail Pricing
Harley-Davidson® Year Type Finish Retail
FLH, FLT 08-19 ABS Chrome $1,799.00
FLH, FLT 08-19 Non-ABS Chrome $1,799.00
FLH, FLT 08-19 ABS Piano Black $999.00
FLH, FLT 08-19 Non-ABS Piano Black $999.00
FLH, FLT 08-19 ABS Factory Finish $899.00
FLH, FLT 08-19 Non-ABS Factory Finish $899.00
Sport Chrome Reinforcer Wheels are exclusive to Tucker V-twin.
For more information, visit www.tucker.com/v-twin
BRAND New Bikernet™ Reader Comment!–
SHOWTIME BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for November 15th, 2018
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/SHOWTIME_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_November_15th_2018.aspx
Another great read, I can’t believe the stupid, stupid California voters. Prop 6 failing amazed me, I recently bought a basket case 83 fxwg from AZ., it cost me close to 300 by the time I did the reg. and title transfer.
The cat that I bought it from in AZ. had just gone through the same process to get it in his name. His AZ. bill was 35 dollars and the roads and infrastructure seem to be very good over there. go figure.
I was also wondering if a non-motorcycle industry rider could stop by Friday night, I would love to check out the belly tank. Take care and Happy Thanksgiving.
–Robert
robertjr102@sbcglobal.net
Orange, CA
Of course, come on over.—
Bandit
BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEKEND CLUB–Thousands of drag race fans remember Pete Hill – the humble and very successful racer from Greenville, SC. Without a big sponsor, riding a blown, fuel-burning Knucklehead, Pete Hill not only beat the other Harleys, he beat the Kawasakis. All with an obsolete V-Twin design that went out of production in 1947.
Written by his one-person pit crew – his wife Jackie Hill – this book follows Pete’s career from his first Knucklehead-powered 4-wheel dragster, to motorcycle Top Fuel.
Jackie tells the story like it was. The joy of winning and the hard lumps that came before the wins. The long nights on the road, the struggle to find pushrods that don’t bend (make your own), and learning how to mix Nitromethane.
Pete Hill was and is the real deal. The one who built his own bikes and won with an outdated engine – the Knucklehead. Jackie walks the reader through each set back, and each win. She puts you right in the middle of the action. Reading Jackie’s book is like going back in time with a pit pass for hundreds of drag races. Pete Hill, A Legend on Two Wheels: 304 pages, 200+ photos, $27.95 + S&H. www.wolfpub.com.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING ANNOUNCES 2019
AMERICAN FLAT TRACK FACTORY TEAM
Reigning Champion Jared Mees Returns, Welcomes Briar Bauman & Bronson Baumam to
Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew
Brad “The Bullet” Baker Joins Factory Team as Technical Advisor & Rider Coach
Following a dominant 2018 season, where the Indian FTR750 won 17 of the 18 American Flat Track (AFT) races, Indian Motorcycle Racing today announced its 2019 AFT factory race team. Along with the return of reigning Champion Jared Mees, Indian Motorcycle Racing welcomes Briar Bauman and Bronson Bauman to its 2019 Wrecking Crew. Additionally, former Wrecking Crew rider Brad “The Bullet” Baker returns to the team as technical advisor and rider coach.
After back-to-back AFT championships in 2017 and 2018, Mees returns to the 2019 Indian Wrecking Crew with Crew Chief Kenny Tolbert, Mechanic Bubba Bently and Jimmy Wood on suspension. Dick Tibbits also returns and will aid all three Wrecking Crew riders with nutrition, fitness, and mental preparation. Team operations for Briar and Bronson will be conducted by Paul Langley and S&S, while Dave Zanotti will serve as crew chief. Michelle DiSalvo has signed on as Briar’s mechanic, while Bronson’s mechanic will be named at a later date. Indian Motorcycle Racing also welcomes the return of Dean Young as Wrecking Crew team manager.
“We’re excited to bring back Jared, and his championship pedigree, as we embark on the next chapter for Indian Motorcycle Racing. We welcome Briar and Bronson and are proud to have them represent our brand on and off the track,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology & Service for Indian Motorcycle. “When it comes to racing, we’ve assembled some of the most talented professionals in the sport, and we’re looking forward to the upcoming season.”
One of the key team members who will assume a leading role as a technical advisor and rider coach is Brad “The Bullet” Baker. Indian Motorcycle Racing is extremely proud to continue its relationship with the former AFT Champion and Wrecking Crew rider. Baker will closely support and mentor Briar and Bronson throughout the 2019 season by analyzing their on-track performance, help with race-day strategy and bike setup. Baker brings a championship-winning perspective and a wealth of knowledge and experience on the FTR750.
The 2019 AFT season will be challenging for the Indian Wrecking Crew due to a new rule designed to increase competition. This new rule will allow competitors using ‘production bikes’ to run 40mm throttle bodies while all FTR750 riders will be restricted to 38mm throttle bodies.
Over the last two seasons aboard the Indian FTR750, Mees has recorded back-to-back AFT championships and has tallied 20 total wins. Through nine races aboard the FTR750 as a privateer, Briar secured six top-five finishes, including a second-place finish at the Peoria TT and a win at the Williams Grove Half-Mile. Following Baker’s injury at X Games, Bronson filled in and ran his factory FTR750 in the final seven races. During that time, Bronson garnered his first top-five finish of the season and his first career Twins podium with a second-place finish at the Williams Grove Half-Mile.
The 2017 Wrecking Crew swept the season standings, finishing first, second and third. The team earned Indian Motorcycle Racing’s first Manufacturer’s Championship. In 2018, Wrecking Crew riders and FTR750 privateers swept the top nine positions in the final standings, securing another Manufacturer’s Championship for Indian Motorcycle Racing.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, the Indian Wrecking Crew and the FTR750, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. For information on purchasing a FTR750, please contact Racing@IndianMotorcycle.com.
To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
–Jeff Millard
NEW RESOURCE–Ran into this place by accident today. It’s a Harley-Davidson resale store.
They sell all kinds of new & used Harley Davidson parts. Really good quality
stuff. Motorclothes, engine parts, new & old. Custom H-D painted parts etc.
Jeff Smith is running the place. Very knowledgeable about all things Harley!!
They also have a ebay store on their website
The Garage Sale Store
2001 N. Rand Road
Palatine, Il.
Ph. (847) 221-8523
ShopGarageSaleStore.com
Jeff Smith
Store Manger
ShopGarageSaleStore@gmail.com
–PSD
Bikernet Tech on the Road
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BROTHER REPORTS ON FIRES–Not good. House seems to be saved, but it is getting pretty bad in this area. Over 50,000 evacuees in small towns. We are working with the Hope Center in Oroville who are handling all of the distribution of supplies, feeding people and organizing all of the churches in the area who are donating clothes, etc.
If at all possible, it would be great if you could include something on your site for people to donate to the Hope Center. Jody and I are working with them, and truth be told, they are broke, and need funds to keep going. They are good people, and working hard to help everybody up here.
If you can, PLEASE put a link for people to donate to:
https://www.orovillehopecenter.org/
It would be a big help!
Bob Bitchin
Cruising Outpost Magazine
America’s #1 selling Marine Lifestyle Magazine
Currently hiding out from the Camp Fire, in Oroville
bob@cruisingoutpost.com
530-589-7979
www.cruisingoutpost.com
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY STILL OPEN– Q: Who was the worlds first carpenter?
A: Eve, because she made Adams banana stand
Q: Why does Dr. Pepper come (cum) in a bottle?
A: Because his wife died!
Q: If a dove is the “bird of peace” then what’s the bird of “true love”?
A: The swallow.
AUSTRALIAN CLUB NEWS–Australian biker and wife sentenced to death over attempted Thai drug deal.
An Australian Hells Angels motorcycle club member and his wife have been sentenced to death in Thailand over an attempt to smuggle half a tonne of crystal meth via that country to Australia.
Luke Joshua Cook, formally from Perth, and his Thai wife Kanyarat Wechapitak were arrested last December at the Bangkok international airport off a flight from Australia after local police linked him to a plot of attempting to import methamphetamine into Thailand two years earlier.
The Thai courts sentenced the pair to death for the plot to traffic the crystal meth, with an estimated street value of $300 million, although their sentences are expected to be commuted to life in jail. Assets linked to the pair worth $800,000 including property, cash and cars were to be formally forfeited.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Cook and his wife would receive full consular support but he reminded Australians the government could not offer any special protection for Australians overseas.
“This would clearly be a distressing time for him and his family and friends,” Mr Morrison said when asked about the arrest.
“I would also say that Australia’s position on the death penalty is well known. We do not do it and we do not support.”
He added: “As is the case with any Australian citizen who finds themselves in this situation, they will get the full consular support you would expect them to receive.
“I would also say this … we need to remember that when you are travelling overseas, you are travelling in their country, as their guest, according to their rules and laws. There is no special protection afforded to you when you enter that country, and you need to be mindful of that.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs declined to comment citing “privacy” reasons but a spokeswoman confirmed “the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian in Thailand”.
Thai police accused Cook, 35, of co-ordinating the movement of drugs from China to the Thai coast in 2015 although the haul was dumped overboard after the Thai Coast Guard came across the yacht named Jomandy bought by Cook specifically for the operation. The patrol boat saw a man dumping bags over the side but he escaped in the dim early morning light about the waters off Chonburi. Later that day four sacks containing about 50kg of the meth were found washed ashore on Mae Ramphueng Beach in Rayong province.
Thai authorities alleged Cook was given $15 million by another Hells Angels Wayne Schneider to buy and store the drugs in 2015 for later shipment to Australia.
After the failed drugs delivery, Schneider — a fugitive who was wanted in Australian on multiple warrants and was deemed at the time to be the biggest importer of narcotics into Australia — demanded his money back but was then murdered in November that year by members of his own group, his naked and mutilated body found in a shallow grave by the side of a road in beach resort town of Pattaya.
Cook was convicted and handed a two-year suspended sentence over his involvement in the Schneider murder after attempting to help former Sydney ‘gangster’ and champion kickboxer Antonio Bagnato to flee the country and across the border to Cambodia.
Bagnato, was arrested found guilty and sentenced to death over the murder later commuted to life in prison. He was also wanted in Australia over the murder of racing identity Bradley Dillon in Leichardt in August 2014 over a debt owed to an alleged ‘secret society’ of men belonging to an illegal fight club.
The arrest of Cook and his 40-year-old wife last December was part of a series of raids by reawakened Thai police in an operation dubbed “Clipping the Wings of Angels” as it sought to dismantle Australian led motorcycle club chapters in Thailand. Several Australians were arrested and deported and at least two remain on the run. Thai police said the Australian men were involved in drugs, extortion, money laundering, weapons, human trafficking for the sex industry and posed a national threat to security.
It was reported by media that up to late last year, it was said in Thailand alone, 36 motorcycle club chapters have been established by Australian-led or affiliated club members, particularly around the popular tourist resort cities of Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai and capital Bangkok.
Chapters have also been established in Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, through a series of shelf companies, and soon also Laos and Vietnam, whilst in Japan, media are claiming there is now evidence Australian motorcycle club affiliates have linked with the Yakuza.
In Myanmar, Australian police claim known Australian ‘gangsters’ are sourcing drugs to on-send to Australia and recruiting locals to protect their hauls through to shipment stage. Other drugs, predominantly meth and precursor chemicals are being sourced from China and India but transiting Thailand and Malaysia.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has actively been looking at disrupting motorcycle club operations, last year producing a record more than 400 intelligence reports about significant on and offshore biker activities to share with law enforcement partners.
DA: WOMAN HAD SEX WITH TEEN SHE MET AT SCHOOL FUNCTION– Naked Cheer Mom, Busted In Car With 17-year-old She Met At Highschool Football Game.
A 42-year-old Pottstown woman is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old boy at a Montgomery County park.
POTTSTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) —
Upper Pottsgrove Police officer was making his rounds when he noticed a car parked illegally in Hollenbach Park after closing.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, when the officer approached the car he saw a naked Gibney performing a sex act on a 17-year-old soccer player from Pottsgrove High School.
The teen admitted to the officer that he was in a sexual relationship with Gibney. He said he met her at a high school football game earlier this year when Gibney was volunteering as a “cheer mom” for her daughter’s cheerleading team.
Gibney allegedly told the officer, “I’ve never been in trouble before. I can’t believe I did this. I have three children of my own — I am so, so sorry.”
Iris Gibney, 42, of Pottstown, Pa. is facing charges including corruption of a minor.
The district attorney’s office accuses Gibney of having sex with the 17-year-old boy inside a car at a local park.
Investigators also allege she sent explicit photos of herself to the boy.
She allegedly met the teen at a school function, but investigators aren’t naming the school involved.
–from Rogue
NEWS FROM THE HORSE–I was at the news stand the other day and saw a copy of what used to be THE HORSE magazine and now it is back to being IRON HORSE?
Maybe they changed the name to avoid paying former subscribers back for pulling our subscriptions? I never have heard of anyone getting a refund. Strange, real strange?
–STEATLH
East Coast News Investigator
Bikernet.com™
VA NEWS–Judge Allows Class-Action Lawsuit By Veterans With PTSD Over Discharge Classification
The veterans say they were given less-than-honorable discharges for minor infractions linked to untreated mental health problems, preventing them from getting Veterans Affairs health benefits
A federal judge in Connecticut has ruled that thousands of Navy and Marine Corps veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who developed post-traumatic stress disorder but were denied Veterans Affairs benefits can sue the military.
Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Haight Jr. on Thursday certified a class-action lawsuit against Navy Secretary Richard Spencer by veterans who say they were given less-than-honorable discharges for minor infractions linked to untreated mental health problems.
The discharge designation prevents them from getting VA health benefits.
They also say the Naval Discharge Review Board, which handles applications from former sailors and Marines, unlawfully denied their requests to change their discharge characterization. The board granted 16 percent of discharge upgrade applications involving PTSD last year, compared with 51 percent approval of such applications by Army and Air Force boards, the veterans say.
Navy officials did not immediately return messages seeking comment Friday.
The lead plaintiff, Marine veteran Tyson Manker, of Jacksonville, Illinois, called Thursday’s ruling a victory for tens of thousands of military veterans.
The veterans are represented by students with Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which filed a similar lawsuit against the Army last year.
Amazon’s Would-Be NY Neighbors: Cynicism, Some Hope for Jobs
The lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, Marine veteran Tyson Manker, of Jacksonville, Illinois, said Americans need to know that hundreds of thousands of veterans with service-related mental health problems are being denied Veterans Affairs resources because of unfair discharge classifications.
“It is a national disgrace,” said Manker, who served during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. “By taking this action with the courts we intend to restore the rule of law along with honor for thousands of patriots who were treated so poorly by the nation they served.”
The New Haven-based National Veterans Council for Legal Redress, which includes veterans with less-than-honorable discharges, also is a plaintiff.
“We made mistakes with how we treated the Vietnam generation, before PTSD was well understood, but now we are doling out the same injustice to the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Garry Monk, executive director of the council.
–Copyright Associated Press / NBC 7 San Diego
ROYAL ENFIELD 650 twin-engine double-barrel shoots for the top–
NOW ON SALE: The new “Twins” or as old school Enfield purists call it locally “Twin-engine, Double-barrel”, replaces the old-guard. The Enfield Rifles, which are still fit for official duty use in historic rural police “chowkies” would probably cherish an all-round upgrade in their garage as Enfield royally rolls out a first twin-engine after many decades.
The world’s longest production eternal brand “Bullet” in continued success, now has Enfield shooting for bigger revivals of icons such as Interceptor.
Modeled on “California Cool” image of the Flower Power ’60s, the Interceptor is back in stock at Enfield dealerships after many years of no hip or hop in the mid-weight motorcycle segment worldwide.
–by Ujjwal Dey
Chief Motorcycle News Editor
Bikernet News Bureau India
Read the whole exclusive story this coming week on Bikernet.com™. –Bandit
.
[page break]
COVERT FACIAL RECOGNITION STREET LIGHTS—Coming Soon to a Neighborhood near You…
A recent Reuter’s article revealed that ST Engineering has been awarded $5.5 million to install facial recognition street lights in Singapore. ST’s smart street lights come equipped with sensors, LED screens and covert cameras already installed. Incredibly, ST claims their spying streetlights can bring “healthcare benefits to residents.”
Just like smart city projects everywhere, Singapore claims that spying street lights “are not built by the government but by all of us – citizens, companies, agencies.” And just like Riverhead, New York who claimed that police surveillance drones will revitalize downtown, Singapore claims their spying street lights will “lead to meaningful and fulfilled lives.”
Facial recognition streetlights are designed to be covert. ST Engineering has even gone so far as to rename its covert facial recognition program: ST Countenance. Here is some information directly from ST Engineering’s website.
“ST Countenance identifies people from a distance, without being intrusive. Covert and scalable, the system has the capability to be integrated with CCTV systems, reducing awareness that it is in operation.”
ST boasts that their street lights can secretly identify people in real-time 24/7. But it doesn’t end there, ST has also won a contract to install their smart street lights in Hong Kong. ST’s project to turn Hong Kong into a giant surveillance city is called the “Smart City Transformation Initiative.” The following statement is from the company’s press release on the project.
“The team from the Electronics sector will install customized multi-purpose street lights in Kowloon East, Hong Kong’s Smart City Pilot Area. The MPLP will be interconnected with a telecommunication network to form an Internet of Things (IoT) backbone.”
This is just another example of how smart city technology is being used to spy on everyone. Let’s call ST’s “Smart City Transformation Initiative” what it really is: a “Government Surveillance Initiative.”
In a recent press release, ST Engineering revealed that smart street lights are collecting a disturbing amount of information. ST’s President Ravinder Singh boasted:
“This program goes beyond installing lamp posts for smart lighting services. It leverages technology to transform lamp posts into smart infrastructure that will enable smart services to be delivered to the residents in Hong Kong.”
ST’s spying street lights do much, much more than identify everyone. They are also collecting information about the weather, air quality, temperature, vehicle flow related information. They also provide services such as Wi-Fi hotspots, electric vehicle charging facility, information dashboard for maps and directions, real-time traffic updates, and car parking space vacancy. Basically a one-stop shop of convenience.
Earlier this year, ST launched a facial recognition hands-free rail collection system called Automatic Fare Collection (AFC). According to an article in the Singapore Business Review, commuters must submit a picture of their face in order to use the rail system. ST claims their AFC system in Taipei, Taiwan “delivers a seamless travelling experience for commuters.”
ST’s reach goes far beyond Hong Kong and Taiwan. They boast of having a global presence spearheaded by its subsidiary VT Systems in the U.S.
StreetLight Data Inc. a Mobil Analytics company, provides the technology for the government to spy on vehicles on demand. Company officials say they can release accurate on-demand traffic counts for nearly every US road.
“Annual traffic counts available on-demand for any roadway in the USA are considered a ‘holy grail’ by transportation planners and engineers. Historically they have had to task staff or consultants with manually counting, installing equipment or modeling traffic, which is neither feasible nor accurate enough for understanding road congestion at scale.”
“Now available for any road in the USA, whether large or small, and for both rural and urban areas, the company’s 2017 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) counts outperform industry-standard accuracy targets, as published recently in StreetLight’s 2017 AADT Methodology and Validation white paper.”
The rapidly expanding use of surveillance technologies like facial recognition in the rush toward smart cities’ development should have everyone greatly concerned about governments automatically coopting their privacy.
–From guest writer Joe Cadillic of the MassPrivtel Blog
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the author.
CLIMATE ACTION–
Why electric cars may not reduce pollution
The clamor for global action to dramatically cut emissions has reached fever pitch in recent months
–By Jeremy Hodges
Bloomberg
Driving electric cars and scrapping your natural gas-fired boiler won’t make a dent in global carbon emissions, and may even increase pollution levels.
Higher electrification may lead to oil demand peaking by 2030, but any reduction in emissions from the likes of electric vehicles will be offset by the increased use of power plants to charge them, according to the International Energy Agency’s annual World Energy Outlook, which plots different scenarios of future energy use.
In order to significantly reduce harmful pollution by 2040, electrification will have to form part of a comprehensive package of policies to reduce power sector carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, the Paris-based body that advises nations on energy policy said.
The clamor for global action to dramatically cut emissions has reached fever pitch in recent months following the publication of a United Nations report that called for annual investment of $2.4 trillion in clean energy to avoid irreversible damage to the world.
A common belief is that the electrification of transport and heating systems will go a long way to meeting stringent pollution targets set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
“Electrification is a necessary part of deep decarbonization because it is relatively easy to decarbonize the power sector,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, a senior analyst at Greenpeace’s air pollution unit. “But electrification only helps if the power sector moves rapidly towards zero emissions.”
Since the turn of the century, carbon dioxide emissions from utilities have grown at an average of 2.3 percent a year, with coal-fired plants the biggest culprit, the IEA said. However, the rate of growth is slowing due to more electricity from booming renewable energy markets and an improvement in fossil-fuel plant efficiency.
Total global carbon dioxide output rose 1 percent last year and the IEA expects that to reach a record high in 2018.
The opportunity for electrification is startling. From 19 percent of total final energy consumption today, it could potentially reach 65 percent as policies to electrify mobility and heat come into force around the world.
Renewable energy is playing its part with wind and solar now providing 6 percent of global electricity generation compared with 0.2 percent in 2000. Investment in the power sector hit $750 billion in 2017, higher than oil and gas investment for the second straight year, the agency said.
The look and shape of the global power fleet is rapidly changing. In less than two years, more than 150 gigawatts of new coal capacity will come online. That’s less than 160 gigawatts of new wind production and 230 gigawatts of solar. Gas-fired generation will overtake coal by the middle of the next decade and solar will outstrip the dirtiest fossil fuel before 2040.
About the same time, battery storage capacity will reach 220 gigawatts, equivalent to India’s total coal fleet today.
Asia’s influence in world energy markets is laid bare in this year’s report. The continent makes up half of the world’s growth in natural gas use and 60 percent of the increase in wind and solar capacity. It will also account for all of the growth in coal and nuclear, given the fuels’ declining use in other parts of the world.
Chinese-owned power companies now account for more than one-eighth of global installed capacity, with six of the leading 10 utilities hailing from the Asian nation. In 2003, there were no Chinese companies in the top 15, according to the IEA.
“If the world is serious about meeting its climate targets then, as of today, there needs to be a systematic preference for investment in sustainable energy technologies,” said Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director. “To be successful, this will need an unprecedented global political and economic effort.”
–Wayfarer
Climate Investigator
Bikernet News Desk India
wayfarer@bikernet.com
Sick! School Punishes Male PE Teacher For Refusing To Watch Girl Undress–
Florida’s Chasco Middle School proved that they have lost their way. They did so when they tried to force a male gym teacher to watch over a biologically female student in a changing room. It was nothing perverted. The student simply identified as a boy. So the school allowed the confused middle school girl to change with the boys in their locker room.
The school permitted this without informing any of the students or parents, which left many boys embarrassed when a gender confused girl suddenly started changing beside them.
The school decided to bend over backward to try and accommodate the little girl. The confused teen had free reign to the male facilities and was permitted to shower and change with the boys. When teachers objected, they were scolded and given gag orders.
“Both of the P.E. teachers, Robert O. and Stephanie C., objected to administrators’ orders to allow the girl into the bathroom, with no forewarning of the boys, or their parents, so that the boys could take steps to protect their privacy. Administrators told them that informing the boys so they could take steps to protect their privacy would be
“discriminatory,” and subject them to discipline.”
“Robert also objected to administrators’ order that he continue to walk into and supervise the locker room, despite a girl potentially being nude or undressed in that area. The administrators told him that the girl in question had “every right to use the locker room,” including the right to disrobe in the open locker area, and shower in its open showers, where Robert is required to periodically walk in and supervise.
Robert will not knowingly place himself in a position to observe a minor female in the nude or otherwise in a state of undress. Now, Robert has been told by administrators that he will be transferred to another school as discipline for “not doing your job in the locker room.”
Luckily for everyone involved Liberty Counsel, a non-profit, stepped in to inform the school just how wrong they were.
A formal letter of complaint was sent to the school by Liberty Counsel. It was explained that the school was clearly in the wrong. They had no legal precedent for what they were trying to force on the teachers and students. They were making an uncomfortable situation for everyone except the confused middle schooler.
“It is not ‘discrimination’ to respect safety and privacy rights based on biological sex; nor is it ‘discrimination’ to respect parental rights to protect their minor children; and maintain safeguards against involuntary observation or molestation by members of the opposite sex, where children have a right to sex-based privacy protections.”
Liberty Counsel attorney Richard Mast discussed the situation. He explained how it is becoming more common for schools to make decisions without parental consent.
“Unfortunately these things are going on across the country, primarily with school psychologists and guidance counselors,” said Mast. He noted that it’s standard for public schools to pass transgender policies without informing parents, voters, or taxpayers first. That means the public only hears about it after children have been affected, withholding all opportunities for parents to prevent their child’s exposure to this kind of sexual indoctrination, confusion, and exploitation.”
–from Rogue
POWER PLANT WORKING TOWARD MASSIVE BLACK FRIDAY SALE—With Vintage layers to bridge the gap between seasons.
NICK PERRY NEWS– I am recording a live album in my hometown, Philadelphia PA, on Sunday Dec 23rd at The Ardmore Music Hall.
The Underground Thieves will be in fighting shape and we’ll be joined by some special guests as well (wink, wink, don’t miss this one).
Stolen Rhodes will open the show.
https://www.ardmoremusic.com/event/1775642
I’m excited to come back and celebrate with all my friends and family. Tickets on sale now and VIP packages are available.
Xo
Nick
KNUCKLEHEAD OF THE WEEK– really caught my eye and wanted to share.
–Sam Burns
NEWS FROM SCOTT JACOBS STUDIO IN DEADWOOD–I wanted to tell you about an exciting experience I got to share with my family last week.
We flew to Newark, NJ to embark on a self-discovery journey at Tony Robbins’ event called, Unleash the Power Within.
I am happy to say that I was wrong in believing that I couldn’t get any closer to my husband and family. This event changed our lives and I hope you enjoy my write up.
Check our site for a complete report.
Have an OUTSTANDING weekend,
–Olivia
PRISON REFORM COMING?–
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his support for a bipartisan prison reform bill, called the FIRST Step Act.
“Today, I am thrilled to announce my support for this bipartisan bill that will make our communities safer and give former inmates a second chance at life after they have served their time,” Trump said during brief remarks in the Roosevelt Room.
Trump added that the White House pledge “to ‘Hire American’ includes those leaving prison and looking for a very fresh start — new job, new life.”
Trump to announce support for criminal justice overhaul proposal
Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, who has taken on criminal justice reform efforts since joining the White House, was present during the President’s remarks. Also present were fellow White House adviser and first daughter Ivanka Trump, faith leaders, law enforcement leaders and lawmakers supporting the legislation were also present.
“I’m waiting. I’ll be waiting with a pen and we will have done something that hasn’t been done in many, many years, and it’s the right thing to do,” Trump added.
The President also spoke about Alice Johnson, a first-time nonviolent drug offender whose sentence he commuted over the summer after the case was brought to his attention by reality television star Kim Kardashian.
“I’ll never forget the scene of her coming out of prison after 21 years and greeting her family and everybody was crying. Her sons, her grandsons, everybody was crying and hugging and holding each other. It was a beautiful thing to see, it was a very tough situation,” he said.
Trump came to support the criminal justice reform bill on Wednesday after White House officials were able to demonstrate to him that there is a growing coalition of support for the bill, representing people on different sides of the political spectrum and law enforcement groups, a senior White House official said.
Trump was first presented with the framework for criminal justice reform the White House was pursuing “about a year ago” and had “no objection to the policy” at the time, the official said.
“In fact, he thought it made a lot of sense,” the official said.
The President ultimately signed on once the midterms had passed and White House officials presented him with “the body of support that we’ve gotten for this,” the official said.
Supporters of the FIRST Step Act expect that Trump’s backing will help propel the prison and sentencing overhaul bill through Congress, a push White House officials hope to accomplish during the lame duck session of Congress. The White House plans to begin circulating the final text of the reworked legislation this week.
Once members have a chance to look it over, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has promised to bring the bill to a floor vote if there are 60 votes in favor of it.
“I am optimistic that we’ll way more than clear 60 votes,” the senior White House official said. “There’s a big group of Republicans that were waiting to see what the President was going to do on this.”
The official said Kushner met with McConnell in September and had hoped to get the FIRST Step Act through Congress before the midterms, but was told the bill had to wait until after the midterms.
The official also denied that former Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ departure contributed to moving forward on the bill, calling the timing coincidental. Sessions was an opponent of the legislation.
Pressed about the lack of Democrats at the President’s announcement on Wednesday, the official insisted the bill has Democratic support and pointed to praise for the bill from both sides of the ideological spectrum. The issue for today ultimately came down to the final text of the bill not having yet been widely circulated, the official said.
The new legislation would eliminate “stacking” provisions that result in offenders serving consecutive sentences for crimes committed using firearms; shorten mandatory minimum sentences, including reverting life imprisonment to a 25-year minimum for those convicted under the “three strikes” provision; and expand the “drug safety valve” to reduce the number of nonviolent drug offenders receiving mandatory minimum sentences.
Proponents of the bill made several changes to it to win backing from law enforcement groups, including excluding individuals convicted of some fentanyl-related offenses from accessing good time prison credits and a compromise provision to modestly expand the definition of a serious violent crime.
–from Rogue
APPEARING LIVE IN HAWAII, KURT YEAGER–
Join us Sunday, December 2, 2018 on a Ride that you will remember at the 44th Annual Toy Parade. Meet & Greet Kurt Yaeger from the Hit TV Series
“SONS OF ANARCHY”
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KEEPING THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN ON A SHOE STRING–
Q: What’s the difference between your job and a dead prostitute?
A: Your job still sucks!
Q: What did the hurricane say to the coconut palm tree?
A: Hold on to your nuts, this is no ordinary blow job!
–from Rogue
GETTING READY FOR SHOW RUN—The brothers are headed over to make the run to the Ultimate Builder Show. I’m thinking about riding my ’69 Panhead, if that makes any sense.
Next week will bring Ujjway’s full Royal Enfield twin report. And a Shovelhead rebuild report from the Stealth, if he got his images together.
We will prepare for another Thanksgiving party and maybe someone will take a few shots, especially of the laser-cooked turkey. Hang on.
And don’t forget to ride free forever or die trying.
–Bandit
