Life is bizarre. I’m not alone in my positive vibes regarding 2004, but it’s also not unanimous. There are troubled souls out there. On the other hand Layla is taking her first motorcycle training course tonight, heading toward a California MC license. We’re throwing her leg over a new rubbermounted Sportster in the near future. She’ll report, or get the wanderlust fever and run out on my ass. Let’s hit the news:
AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICELEGISLATIVE ALERT:ABATE OF VIRGINIA REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH HELMET REPEAL BILL–Dear NCOM — Our helmet reform bill HB374 has been assigned to the Transportation Committee. Our request to have it moved to the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee (where we have many more friends) has been denied. We currently do not have the commitment of enough of the Transportation Committee members to get our bill out of there and heard on the floor of the House of Delegates. We are launching a massive email campaign to request support from across the nation in writing our delegates on that committee. If you could help in our efforts to spread the word to every biker in America, we would GREATLY appreciate it.
Here’s an excerpt of the info I recently sent out. It’s also on the Biker Net website at http://www.vabiker.net/html/modules.php?name=HelmetLaw2004
It is absolute vital that as many people as possible write the following Delegates of the Transportation Committee and request their support of HB374. The following is a list of Delegates who have not committed their support.
PLEASE – be respectful in your letters. REQUEST their support, don’t demand. I will post sample letters as quickly as I can.
I can not tell you how very urgent this is. Please take the time to write the following Delegates and urge their support of HB374:
Delegate G. Glenn Oder (R) – House District 94 – (804) 698-1094 email: Del_Oder@house.state.va.us
Delegate Thomas Davis Rust (R) – House District 86 – (804) 698-1086 email: Del_TRust@house.state.va.us
Delegate Timothy D. Hugo(R) – House District 40 – (804) 698-1040 email: Del_Hugo@house.state.va.us
Delegate Edward T. Scott (R) – House District 30 (804) 698-1030 email: Del_EScott@house.state.va.us
Delegate William H. Fralin, Jr. (R) – House District 17 (804) 698-1017 email: Del_Fralin@house.state.va.us
Delegate Brian J. Moran (D) – House District 46 – (804) 698-1046 email: Del_Moran@house.state.va.us
Delegate Jeion A. Ward (D) – House District 92 (804) 698-1092 email: Del_Ward@house.state.va.us
Delegate Adam P. Ebbin (D) – House District 49 (804) 698-1049 email:Del_Ebbin@house.state.va.us
Delegate Mamye E. BaCote (D) – House District 95 (804) 698-1095 email: Del_Bacote@house.state.va.us
We can not thank you enough for your help in this urgent matter.
Penny Adams ABATE of Virginia
usadams@adelphia.net
BIG DOG LANUCHES ENGAGING WEBSITE–Nation’s second largest V-Twin manufacturer gives on-line audiences a more comprehensive look at its bikes, history, and factory at www.bigdogmotorcycles.com.
WICHITA, Kansas (January 26, 2004), Big Dog Motorcycles (the leading designer and manufacturer of high performance, highly-styled heavyweight cruisers, has totally re-designed its website, making it the largest, most comprehensive interactive effort in the company?s history. Even on its first day, the visits doubled over the company’s former site, which was already considered heavily trafficked.
While the most viewed pages are those that describe the all-new Ridgeback, browsers can also take a ride through Big Dog Motorcycle’s past through a company timeline. This new feature contains thirteen vivid pages that celebrate the company’s rich ten-year history of cutting-edge design, company growth, and numerous successes.
All told, the new site contains nearly 400 images of motorcycles, components, accessories, and apparel; extensive product information; customer testimonies; upcoming events; an easy-to-use nationwide dealer locator, and, of course, the stunning monthly calendar girls and bikes. Regarding Big Dog Motorcycle’s new website, Nick Messer, president, said, “It’s the single most comprehensive collection of information on our company and bikes.”
With crisp colorful photographs of the overall bikes as well as numerous close-ups of components and design features, the site is true evidence of Big Dog Motorcycle’s core philosophy: Build cutting-edge cruisers for real-world riding.
INVESTMENT TIPS FOR 2004 In the wake of the Exxon/Mobile deal and the AOL/Time Warner implode, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in onthe ground floor and make some BIG bucks. Watch for these consolidations in 2004:
1. Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W. R. Grace Co. will merge and become: Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.
2. Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become: Poly, Warner Cracker.
3. 3M will merge with Goodyear and issue forth as: MMMGood.
4. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become: ZipAudiDoDa.
5. FedEx is expected to join its major competitor, UPS, and become: FedUP.
6. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become: Fairwell Honeychild.
7. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become: Poupon Pants.
8. Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become: Knott NOW!
–from Chris T.
HUSBANDS STORE–A store that sells husbands has just opened in Ottawa where a woman may go to choose a husband from among many men. The store is comprised of 6 floors, and the men increase in positive attributes as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch. As you open the door to any floor you may choose a man from that floor, but if you go up a floor, you cannot go back down except to exit the building.
So a woman goes to the shopping center to find a husband.
On the first floor the sign on the door reads: “Floor 1 – These men have jobs.”
The woman reads the sign and says to herself, “Well, that’s better than my last boyfriend, but I wonder what’s further up?” So up she goes.
The second floor sign reads: “Floor 2 – These men have jobs and love kids.”
The woman remarks to herself, “That’s great, but I wonder what’s further up?” And up she goes again.
The third floor sign reads: “Floor 3 – These men have jobs, love kids and are extremely good looking.”
“Hmmm, better” she says. “But I wonder what’s upstairs?”
The fourth floor sign reads: “Floor 4 – These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking and help with the housework.”
“Wow!” exclaims the woman, “very tempting. BUT, there must be more further up!” And again she heads up another flight.
The fifth floor sign reads: “Floor 5 – These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking, help with the housework and have a strong romantic streak.”
“Oh, mercy me! But just think… what must be awaiting me further on?” So up to the sixth floor she goes.
The sixth floor sign reads: “Floor 6 – You are visitor 3,456,789,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping Husband Mart and have a nice day.”
–from Chris T.
JANKLOW CASE REPORT– The following statement is Bullshit. You, I and many others asked Darrel Killion and ABATE of South Dakota to get more actively involve in this case and he and ABATE of South Dakota chose to ride the fence.
As you know I have followed this closely and the articles that I have read from news sources in South Dakota indicate that Janklow?s sentence is Not Consistent with that of average citizens.
There is No Doubt that Abate of South Dakota was afraid of offending some one in the legislature should they come out against Janklow and his actions. The jury did its job and then the Judge and the Political Machine took over and ABATE just stood there and Watched.
Just to keep the record straight. I am a Life Time Member of Abate. I am one of the Original Members when it was started by Lou Kimzey. I have fought unjust laws all over the country and have even gone to jail for it. So Yes I Do Think I Have The Right To Speak On This Issue.
I feel that generally the ABATE Chapters around the country do a good job and I request you support them any way you can. I think that I do support them when ever I can, but I reserve the Right to Question things I do Not Agree With. This issue is one of them.
I think the Fact that the American Motorcycle Association, which is very conservative did more concerning this issue than ABATE speaks for itself.
I will address some of the other issues like what should be done to stop things like this happening in the future.
–ROGUE
The following is ABATE of South Dakota’s official response:
“While we feel that the sentence awarded to Bill Janklow should have included more than 100 days of jail time, the officers and Board of Directors of ABATE of South Dakota find the sentence generally consistent with the laws and resulting penalties of the justice system of the State of South Dakota.
“In as much as in many states similar accidents result in no penalty at all or at the most a small fine, and in as much as the penalty awarded to Bill Janklow was stiffer than in many similar cases in South Dakota, we believe that the South Dakota justice system has clearly demonstrated that a person’s political, social or economic stature has little bearing on the final outcome of such a case and that the final outcome was based on the circumstances and evidence surrounding this case.
“It is axiomatic that the jury system has fulfilled their duties with fairness and justice, as it is that the sentencing process is consistent with the laws of this state. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors of ABATE of South Dakota is currently deliberating on what the next step should be regarding the penalties in future cases.
“Many of the e-mails we have received clearly demonstrate that there are some that are very discontented with the sentence. Most of those emails are indicating that they intend to boycott South Dakota and the Sturgis Rally because of this. We find it quite unfair that these people would penalize the people of this state for something that they could not control, especially since many of the people that will be affected will be motorcyclists.
“The laws are what they are, and it is apparent that our laws and sentencing for similar cases are considerably more severe then they are in many other states. Granted, there is room for improvement, but boycotting South Dakota and the Sturgis Rally will not accomplish such changes but will only serve to hamper any progress we may hope to achieve.”
–Darrel Killion
State Coordinator
ABATE of South Dakota
HATE YOUR JOB? On your way home from work, stop at your pharmacy and go to the thermometer section and purchase a rectal thermometer made by Johnson and Johnson. Be very sure you get this brand.
When you get home, lock your doors,draw the curtains and disconnect the phone so you will not be disturbed. Change into very comfortable clothing and lie down on your bed. Open thepackage and remove the thermometer. Carefully place it on the bedside table so that it will not become chipped or broken.
Take out the literature and read it carefully. You will notice that in small print there is a statement, “Every rectal thermometer made by Johnson and Johnson is personally tested”.
Now, close your eyes and repeat out loud five times: “I am sooooooooooo glad I do not work for quality control at Johnson and Johnson.”
Have a nice day and remember, there is always someone with a worse job than yours!
–from Rev CarlR
BIKERNET STICKERS AVAILABLE–You can score Bikernet Sticker absolutely free. Just send us a stamped self-addressed envelope and we’ll stuff it with stickers. Send it to Bikernet, P.O. box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733.
CLUB RAID A BUST–There was a lot of man power but no arrests made when about 100 local and federal law enforcement officers raided a Hells Angels compound.
“We’re looking for any illegal contraband,” Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt said Friday afternoon. “The investigation may broaden.”
DeWitt said the raid stemmed from an arrest made earlier in the week of a man whose address was the Hells Angels compound.
Officers chopped through the lock and used explosives to open a steel door on Friday only to find an empty clubhouse and no illegal activity at the Sineath Estates mobile home park just off U.S. Highway 78.
Sheriff’s deputies from Charleston and Berkeley counties, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Goose Creek Police Department’s SWAT team participated in the raid.
DeWitt said the overwhelming show of force was meant to protect officers.
–from Rogue
HARD ROCK ROADHOUSE, MYRTLE BEACH– Guess what? Well you won’t be able to because this is too cool……I got a big sponsor and we are on the road kicking off at Myrtle Beach!
Soooo drum roll….R & R Promotions announces the Seminole HARD ROCK ROADHOUSE! This is a touring showcase of four of our top custom builders featuring their Hard Rock custom bikes and situated at the hottest spots at five rallies. Builders featured are Eddie Trotta, Chica, Corey Ness and Kendall Johnson. Rallies on the 2004 tour include Myrtle Beach, Laconia, Sturgis, BIketoberfest and Fort Lauderdale.
Anyone can enter to win one of the four custom Hard Rock bikes. Grand prize finalists will be drawn at each rally and win a trip to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in December at the Fort Lauderdale Sun Run. Already with 75,000 in attendance. There, one person will win his choice of one of the four Hard Rock bikes. Other prizes will be from sponsors.
The HARD ROCK ROADHOUSE will feature entertainment, the builders and their Hard Rock bikes, the Hard Rock gals, Hawaiin Tropic models, Gibson Guitars and more!
–Carrie
Continued On Page 2
