Hey,
It’s the Happy Father’s Day Sunday Post, amazing. And we survived a Friday the 13th and a full moon. I spent 2.5 days sequestered in a hotel room working on a final edit of my second Chance book, and perhaps my last fiction book endeavor.
I spent almost 16 hours one day just reading and editing. I crammed about 32 hours of work into those quick days. I like this book, and most of the time I’m disappointed.
This puppy is 157,000 words. And somehow I was supposed to keep my facts in order. Like what color are her eyes, yeah the girl in the bar pouring Buffalo Milk drinks in chapter 2? I’m going to open the project to our team of experts to handle the final edits, the book cover, layout, etc.
QUICK, SHARE THESE FACTS WITH YOUR DAD ON FATHER’S DAY–“If one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash.” -Multi-Engine Training Manual
If at first you don’t succeed, sky-diving is not for you.
Marine adage – ‘Incoming fire has the right of way.’
Thank goodness for studies like this. It’s not our age, it’s that damn door !
–from Jerry and Rogue
THE FLAG CONTROVERSY CONTINUES–
Gary Scheffmeyer, President
Rolling Thunder
P.O. Box 216
Neshanic Station, NJ 08853
Re: American Flag
Harley Davidson Corporation
Dear Mr. Scheffmeyer:
The enclosed documents are for informational and educational purposes, in the event you are unaware of a recent decision made by H-D. H-D decision to blame the American Flag, and its mount on the back of a trike for the premature breakdown of a clutch on a $30,000 HD Trike, is symbolic of the breakdown of values our forefathers, fathers, mothers, brothers/sisters fought and died for.
From a presidential candidate who refused to wear a U.S. flag lapel pin, to a first lady who was never proud of this Country, to an impudent Commander-in- Chief who chews gum, at a celebration to honor those who lost their lives at Normandy, and now “cutting loose” five terrorist commanders, two who were wanted for war crimes for one deserter. We may be older, and our enlistment over, but the oath we swore to is not.
Of course Rolling Thunder may choose to ignore these issues, and go about its routine business, but remember it is not the critic who counts. “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strikes valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, If he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
–Semper Fi,
Thanks Dan,
Yes all of us should look at H-D motorcycle accessories catalog!
Also my brother Jerry Zien recommends looking at “bike -riding -guide.com.
Flags on bicycles are, “perhaps the most valuable safety equipment there is,” according to them.
NEWS FROM THE BORDER– These Bikers Are Converging On Mexico As We Speak To Save Our Marine. Right now hundreds of bikers are converging together to do what our government hasn’t; free Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi
While Barack Obama put in overtime to free five dangerous terrorists in exchange for the return of a man described as an Army deserter, another American – Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi – remained locked up in a Mexican jail.
He was arrested in March after he reportedly took a wrong turn and ended up on the other side of the border with three registered guns in his car. Since then, the soldier has faced a number of set-backs, including a report Friday that a lawyer hired to plead his case is no longer representing him.
A group of bikers, however, have pledged to do whatever they can to bring the Marine back home. Organizers rallied a number of bikers to take part in a mission that will take them to Mexico.
The ride kicked off in Shiner, Texas, according to an interview with organizer John Harrington. While he said he isn’t sure what he and the other bikers will do when they arrive in Mexico, he insisted it will be more than what the federal government has done.
Harrington scoffed at Obama’s contention that he will leave no American soldier behind.
“He doesn’t leave traitors behind,” the biker stated. “He left four behind in Benghazi. He’s leaving our man behind here.”
As a display of support for Tahmooressi, Harrington said he was “willing for it to just be me holding a sign,” though he said any attempt to release the Marine will be more effective as the number of participants increases.
“I know that if you go with me, now I’ve increased my effectiveness by 100 percent,” he noted, once again explaining that he is unsure what the plan of action will be on the other side of the border.
“If I turn around and see 300,000 people behind me,” he concluded, “I might just go get him.”
Illegal immigrants continue to cross our border in increasing numbers; and as Harrington noted, Mexican soldiers often make their way into the U.S. — intentionally or not — as well. While America treats these uninvited guests with kid gloves, a military hero who took a wrong turn now relies on patriots like these bikers to ensure he is reunited with his friends and family back home.
Photo credit: son of jadedtom (Flickr)
–Western Journal
REPRESENT! Monday is Ride to Work Day– Get On Your Bikes And Ride… as the song says.
Monday, June 16 is the 23rd Annual International Motorcycle & Scooter Ride To Work Day!
Former editor of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s magazine “The Reports”, Fred Rau, first called for a dedicated Ride To Work Day in the May 1992 issue of Road Rider magazine (now Motorcycle Consumer News). Marketing materials supporting riding to work started production in 1989 by Aero Design and Manufacturing Company (Aerostitch), a Minnesota firm that creates riding clothing and gear.
In the year 2000, the non-profit, volunteer-run Ride To Work organization was formed. You can find a host of interesting information that may be helpful in getting your communities to see the benefits of having more motorcycles and scooters on the roads on the website ridetowork.org.
Their transportation fact sheet alone has some powerful, vetted research showing fuel and road-saving economy. Files include a Belgian study from 2010 that outlines the direct decreased shift in emissions and congestion in high traffic areas, exponentially equated to numbers of motorcycles traveling.
All that aside, RIDE TO WORK!
Help make the commuters in your area really NOTICE us on the roads.
Be safe, be happy, and as always, be EVER VIGILANT.
–Jeff Hennie
THE BIKERNET ZEN DOG
If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without alcohol,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then You Are Probably
The Family Dog!
And you thought I was going to get all spiritual …
Handle every Stressful situation like a dog.
If you can’t eat it or play with it,
Pee on it and walk away
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCEMENT– Gone. Done. Thanks!
That is the short and sweet of it.
In 1998, the bikers of this nation wrapped up a two-year lobbying effort with the signing of the TEA 21 (Intermodal Surface Transportation Equity Act reauthorization bill which became Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty First Century). In this bill was the work of the collective “we”. A ban on NHTSA lobbying states to enact laws. The prohibition of motorcycle bans on highways and roads that use federal monies. A change in NHTSA’s mission statement to include “accident PREVENTION”. Also, the inclusion of motorcycles in the development of the Intelligent Transportation System.
Each time some of this hard-gained ground has been threatened, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has rallied constitutionally-minded motorcyclists to contact their legislators.
The MRF issued a Call to Action on Saturday, June 7 regarding an imminent vote on an appropriations bill, Monday, June 9. With not even 48 hours with which to work, we saw a swift surgical strike by the bikers of our nation once again.
Thank you – to the constituent bikers who called U.S. Congressional House members and let them know that Section 102 of HR 4745 was inappropriate; that you considered it a violation of previous agreements, and an infringement upon the 10th Amendment of our U.S. Constitution.
Thank you – to U.S. Congressmen Walberg (MI) and Sensenbrenner (WI) for offering up an amendment to the bill language.
Thank you – to the bikers of Michigan and Wisconsin for cultivating and maintaining relationships with your U.S. Congressional Reps and Senators so that quick resolution, when needed, is possible.
We are small, but we are mighty. You are why.
Thank you.
–Kirk Williard
President, Motorcycle Riders Foundation
A zedonk , an unusual cross between a donkey and a zebra, is attracting attention at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Dahlonega after being born there about a week ago.
Origin: This portmanteau is a combination of ze(bra) + donk(ey). It came to English in the 1970s.
SUNDAY FATHER’S DAY CANTINA GUN NUT MEETING NOTES FROM THE NRA– Everytown’s List of “School Shootings” Employs Misleading Terms for Emotional Effect–Michael Bloomberg’s gun control operatives, currently organized under the umbrella of “Everytown for Gun Safety,” are trying to mislead legislators and the general public with a list of firearm-related incidents titled, “School Shootings in America Since Sandy Hook.” As of a June 10, 2014 update, “at least 74” such incidents are said to have occurred.
The list’s invocation of Sandy Hook and its accompanying photograph of a grief-stricken woman suggest that it documents only crimes similar to Sandy Hook, i.e., the murder of multiple students and/or teachers in their schools.
That suggestion, however, is false.
Everytown’s list stretches the parameters of the term “school shooting” past any commonly understood notion of that term. The current list includes crimes, some involving gangs, that simply happened to take place on or near school grounds; incidents where no one was injured; suicides; accidental discharges; at least one victim who may have been shot off-site and stumbled onto school grounds; defensive force; and even an off-campus crime spree that ended with police shooting the perpetrator after he ran onto the grounds of a college.
Of course, any “shooting” is a serious matter, and we do not mean to minimize the gravity of these incidents, whatever their details. Nevertheless, Everytown uses emotionally manipulative tactics to portray these incidents as something they are not.
Everytown’s list is so problematic that an investigation by CNN determined that only 15 (20%) of the incidents involved “a minor or adult actively shooting inside or near a school.” Most of the cases involved other circumstances that bear no resemblance to the Sandy Hook incident that Everytown invokes in its title. Even Politifact characterized the claimed total of 74 as “mostly false.” Its analysis quotes a former member of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit as stating “[t]here is an ocean of difference” between what average people consider a school shooting and various episodes in the Everytown accounting.
Based upon news reports concerning the episodes on Everytown’s list, which reports do not necessarily reflect the final outcome of law enforcement investigations or court proceedings:
* Forty-six incidents (62%) involved perpetrators who were not associated with the schools.
* Twenty-five incidents (34%) had no victims who were associated with the schools;
* Seven incidents involved gunshots but no injuries;
* Seven incidents were suicides with no other victims;
* Five incidents involved accidental non-fatal shootings; and
Everytown’s attempt to portray school shootings as a pervasive and increasingly common danger ignores the truth of national trends. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) recently reported that the annual number of school-associated violent deaths, and the annual number of homicides and suicides of students ages 5-18 at school, were lower during the 2010-2011 school year than at any time in the last 20 years. Also, BJS reported that during the 2010-2011 school year there was only about one homicide or suicide for each 3.5 million students enrolled and that only two percent of youth homicides take place at schools.
[page break]
VETERAN ABUSED IN FLORIDA–Vet Asked to Remove Biker Jacket at Restaurant; Sparks Outrage on Facebook–Robert “Pitstop” Thompson, Assistant Director Chapter 180 of the American Legion Riders, photographed at his home in Pompano Beach on Wednesday, June 11, 2014.
Thompson says he was asked to remove his leather American Legion Riders vest at the Old Key Lime House in Lantana. “The manager said he didn’t like the image of the rider,” he said. “I told him I represent the military. I should be able to wear this.” (Bruce R. Bennett / The Palm Beach Post)
By Matt Morgan
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
After a Pompano Beach man felt disrespected at a Lantana restaurant Saturday, he did what many people in 2014 would do. He posted it on Facebook.
What happened next surprised him.
Robert Thompson’s post was shared more than 100 times, a re-post of his message was shared nearly 1,500 times and a new group called “Protest Key Lime House in Lantana, FL” got more than 2,300 “likes” in its first day.
“I’m in shock that it has gotten to this point,” he said.
Thompson, who said he’s a 20-year Navy veteran, was wearing his American Legion motorcycle vest Saturday. An assistant manager at the Old Key Lime House made him take it off because the restaurant has a policy against motorcycle vests and patches because of its image as a family restaurant.
Thompson took off the vest and his group ate without incident, but when Thompson approached the assistant manager about the policy he said the man was rude.
Thompson said he told the man that didn’t belong to any motorcycle gang, he just wanted to wear his American Legion vest. He said the manager then rolled his eyes, telling Thompson he didn’t care.
“That’s a slap in the face to any vet,” he said.
A manager at the restaurant said the incident boiled down to a misunderstanding and poor judgment by the assistant manager.
Katherine Kenyon said the policy against vests and patches has been in place for about 10 years, but it does not apply to veterans in American Legion attire. She said the assistant manager, who does not usually interact with customers, was “out of line” and has been suspended indefinitely without pay.
“It is our fault, and we apologize for that,” she said. “We welcome all vets on motorcycles.”
Thompson said he wants the restaurant to issue a public apology and hold a bike night fundraiser that will go toward military charities of his choice. He said he works directly with the Heroes Entering Life’s Opportunities Foundation and Military Heroes Support Foundation, both of which he said give 100 percent of money to veterans.
The restaurant team is willing to give Thompson both requests, Kenyon said. Thompson is planning to speak in person with the owner, Wayne Cordero today.
Both Cordero and his daughter, whom Kenyon said are also veterans, called Thompson to apologize and talk about the incident.
But the protest page still exists.
Some people on the page are planning a ride-by protest for Friday around 6 p.m., but Thompson said he never wanted it to get that far.
He said he felt disrespected at the restaurant, but Thompson is giving the owner the benefit of the doubt because he wasn’t there. He said he doesn’t want the restaurant to lose business and close.
“I don’t want the doors to shut down because of this,” he said. “I don’t want people losing their jobs.”
Several comments on the page include screen shots of a page called “Old Key Lime House” that has all-caps posts attacking the bikers. One post — that was later deleted — says the restaurant doesn’t like “loud stupid bikers.”
Kenyon said that is not an official page and wasn’t created by management. She said they didn’t own the page or have any control over content.
FULL REPORT COMING TO BIKERNET THIS WEEK–Ohio Bike Week is a bike rally that has gone through many changes in it’s 12 years of existence. Now in its second year of holding the event on the streets of downtown Sandusky, it has become an event worth taking a trip to.
The downtown streets were closed to cage traffic and only motorcycles were aloud in the six block area. Two large stages, as well as three smaller stages were set up on different streets so you could enjoy the Yeagermiester stage, then walk over to the Main Stage and there was no crossover of the music.
Other music venues on site were ”The Jack Daniels Barrel House Saloon,” “The Yuengling Saloon,” and “The Mad River Stage.”
Bands from all over the country were on hand this year including “Jackyl” with Jesse Dupree, “KIX”, “L.A. Guns”, “Warrant”, “The Electric Circus Band” and my favorite, the “Iron Cowgirl Missy.”
Other events included bike shows, bike games, motorcycle racing, as well as the usual themed events. It was amazing how the town came together, as well as the local watering holes. It seemed that everyone was having a fantastic time and very kind to all the riders.
The special parking everywhere you went was very cool. A few of my favs were the “Margaritaville Bar”, ”Jimmie Buckketts” and “The Barrel House Salloon”.
“Mad River Harley Davidson” had a huge set up with music, food, and assorted venders. Traffic was intense at times but that’s to be expected.
I would definitely suggest this event to anyone who is in the Midwest during the first week of June and want to go to a fantastic week of fun, music, riding and having a really great time.
The Mad Hungarian Rating 7 out of 10 stars
–Danny Seybold
LEE STANDLEY NOTICE–Just to let you know that, at the request of the family, the Celebration of Life for Lee Standley has been canceled. Dave Hansen and Norm Neumann are planning one at a later date.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY DAUNTING QUESTIONS CLASS–
Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren’t they just stale bread to begin with?
If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person who drives a race car is not called a racist?
If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, then doesn’t it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
What hair color do they put on the driver’s licenses of bald men?
I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks, so I wondered what do Chinese mothers use, Toothpicks?
Is it true that you never really learn to swear until you learn to drive?
If a cow laughed, would milk come out of her nose?
Whatever happened to Preparations A through G ?
Why, Why, Why do we press harder on the remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?
Why do banks charge a fee due to insufficient funds; when they already know you’re broke?
Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
Why did Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Whose cruel idea was it to put an “s” in the word “lisp”?
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
How do those dead bugs get into the enclosed light fixtures?
Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that’s falling off the table you always manage to knock over something else?
Why, in winter, do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
REMEMBER, A day without a smile is like a day without sunshine!
And a day without sunshine is, like… night!!!!
–from Sam Burns
BEST SHOT FROM SWEDEN TODAY–
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NOTES FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF MOTORCYCLE DEALER ASSOCIATIONS–The National Council of Motorcycle Dealer Associations (NCMDA) is a national umbrella trade association whose board is comprised of participating state motorcycle, motorsport and powersport dealer associations. Supporting members include industry businesses and dealers.
In reaction to the Motor Industry Council’s (MIC) announcement, on February 12, that it had expanded its membership to dealers, both the NCMDA and individual dealers, wonder why a national motorcycle manufacturers’ trade association suddenly decided to open up its membership to motorcycle retailers.
For decades, the MIC refused to admit dealers, or dealer associations, to its manufacturer’s trade association since in 1974, it dissolved all of the motorcycle trade associations that the MIC had formed in every state just three years earlier.
The NCMDA’s Executive Director, John Paliwoda, cautioned dealers to carefully investigate what real benefits dealers get when they join any trade association that purports to represent their interests, the most important support being franchise protection legislation.
The MIC’s position on franchise legislation is clearly outlined in their Dealer Membership FAQs: “MIC has historically and will continue to represent the interests of its manufacturer members in connection with state franchise legislation and related matters.” In a trade association that contains both dealers and manufacturers, that statement speaks for itself when a franchise legislation opportunity arises – dealer interests will be subordinate to OEM interests in an organization founded for, funded by, and mostly benefits, manufacturers.
Paliwoda, remarked, “Joining no trade association is better than belonging to one
that fails to support or, worse, opposes dealers on the most important issue facing them: dealer–OEM relations. Why would a dealer cast a vote in favor of a group by joining it if the group wants lawmakers to vote against dealer rights?“
The NCMDA and its member associations and dealers pledge to work with the MIC and motorcycle manufacturers on issues facing our industry. It is obvious that manufacturers need dealers and dealers need OEMs. However, dealers need to belong to an association that will promote, rather than dilute, their most important expectation from a trade association — leveling the playing field between dealers and manufacturers by the promotion of OEM franchise reform legislation when introduced in jurisdictions where it is needed.
QUICK, A FATHER’S DAY BOOK OF THE DAY— Critically acclaimed author Kevin Turner (Bonjour! Is This Italy? A Hapless Biker’s Guide to Europe) heads off on another ill thought out adventure, this time aiming his heavily laden Kawasaki north towards the towering waterfalls of Norway, before heading east on a long and treacherous journey to Moscow.
This fascinating adventure – part sprint, part marathon – charts the perils, pitfalls and thrills of a 6000 mile solo motorcycle journey across Europe, Scandinavia and into Asia. The author’s observations and anecdotes transform this motorcycle guidebook into a laugh-a-minute page turner, which inspires and entertains in equal measure.
SPECIFICATION
• £14.99 UK / $24.95 USA • 134 colour pictures
• Paperback • 210mm H x 148mm W • 160 pages
• ISBN 978-1-845846-22-0 • UPC 6-36847-04622-4 • BIC classification: WTL + WGCK
• Published June 2014 UK and June 2014 USA
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kevin Turner is a freelance motorcycle journalist and the author of the critically acclaimed Bonjour! Is This Italy?
A Hapless Biker’s Guide to Europe. Following the success of his first book, Turner decided to embark on another
trip, this time heading into Northern Europe and Scandinavia. In typically hapless fashion, planning and preparation were kept to a minimum, ensuring a journey of discovery, excitement, and occasional peril, in the grand tradition of foolhardy adventure. The resulting story blends Turner’s eloquent and often hilarious writing with some truly inspiration locations, resulting in a unique adventure for bikers and non-bikers alike.
Kevin Turner was born in Cosford, Shropshire, and currently lives in London.
Veloce Publishing Ltd
Veloce House,
Parkway Farm Business Park,
Middle Farm Way,
Poundbury,
Dorchester,
DT1 3AR,
England.
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A BOOK OR E-BOOK?– Join self-publishing expert, Carla King and literary agent, Holly Root as we discuss the best ways to get published!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Los Angeles, CA
7:00 PM Doors Open, Sips & Snacks
7:30-8:30 PM Discussion followed by Q&A
8:30-9:00 PM Mingle and Network
MEET THE SPEAKERS: Carla King is an author and self-publishing expert.
Carla started writing about travel in 1988 while she worked as a technical writer in Lyon, France. In 1993 after penning a mountain-biking guide to the Alpes-Maritimes, she left for a four-month bicycle trip through West Africa. Since then she’s published seven books and many stories about motorcycling, bicycling, kayaking, scuba diving, travel technology, publishing and other misadventures in a variety of print and online magazines, and has been interviewed in many publications as well as on radio and television programs.
An unapologetic self-publisher since 1994, she co-founded Self-Publishing Boot Camp in 2010 and today leads the Indie Book School author education program.
Holly Root is a literary agent at The Waxman Literary Agency.
Holly Root is a literary agent at Waxman Leavell Literary who represents adult fiction, select nonfiction, and novels for children and teens; she is not seeking picture book clients or screenwriting clients. She recently opened a West Coast office in Los Angeles for the New York City-based Waxman Leavell Literary.
Prior to joining the Waxman Literary Agency in 2007, Holly worked at the William Morris Agency and Trident Media Group.
TICKETS:
$10 General Admission after 6/13
HEY, I’M TRYING TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE—Not sure where to go, but I’m going to go for a ride, get in the sunlight, find a girl to hang out with, stroll the Buddhist Temple, or who the hell knows.
I missed a couple of workouts last week, and that always disturbs me. I need a good workout. But wait a goddamn minute. This coming week will be a scramble. The poor bastard of Wilmington are fighting the City of Los Angeles and the Port of LA for our due Waterfront space. They had a plan in 2009 but since said they ran out of money and kicked it under the table. We will be fighting to keep it alive.
Some of us call Wilmington a little third world country between San Pedro and Long Beach. I’m also bringing the exhaust regulation issue to the surface as we put together an interview with Dave Rash. I’ve been digging around for recent regulatory info and we will discuss it.
We have several features we are working on, and hopefully I can ride out to see Yaniv at Power Plant about his cool P-16 café bobber. I watched a Mark Walberg movie last night, Lone Survivor, about at team of brave Navy seals dropped into the Afghan hills to do a job and everything goes wrong.
His team of four fight to the death against incredible odds. The message is not us against them, but about never giving up. In fact, Mark is ultimately saved by an Afghan tribe not associated with the Taliban. Incredible true story, and if Mark doesn’t receive an award for this one, or if the supporting guys don’t receive an award something is terribly wrong. Holy shit.
But the point is to make sure your communications equipment is always working, and never, ever give up.
There’s more, but I’m outta here. Big week coming.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
