Hey,
I watched a documentary last night by the Labor Secretary for the Clinton admin, Robert Reich. He’s been in the business of working for the government for 50 years. The film was about his recent book and economic problems with the United States.
He spent an hour explaining the problems and five minutes on the solution. My question is: He had 50 years to fix it. What the fuck?
But beyond all the bullshit there is a silver lining. We have the best of the best and it’s the holidays. This is the most magical time of the year. Enjoy it.
We will fix everything else next year…
THIS JUST IN FROM THE BIKERNET TECH DEPARTMENT– Here is a challenge!
For all of you who keep thinking you are computer experts…
Try this!
So, you think you’re smart? Let’s see how computer literate you are:
WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS TO APPEAR ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN?
123490=qweriop[ asdhjkl (zxcvnm
THE ANSWER IS BELOW!
–from Steve Bauman
MEMO FROM THE BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER– Colonoscopy
Being nervous, and embarrassed about my up-coming colonoscopy, and on a recommendation,
I decided to have it done while visiting friends in San Francisco , where the beautiful nurses are allegedly more gentle and accommodating.
As I lay naked on my side on the table, the gorgeous nurse began my procedure…
“Don’t worry, at this stage of the procedure it’s quite normal to get an erection,” the nurse told me.
“I don’t have an erection,” I replied.
“I do.” replied the nurse.
Don’t get a colonoscopy in San Francisco!!!
–Warning from David Campbell
Earl’s Garage
ANOTHER OUTLAW GONE– Just found out from a friend of his family that Outlaw Biker Owner/Publisher ‘Casey Exton’ (Harvey Shapiro) has passed at the age of 85. Casey gave me my first hard copy publishing break during the early ‘80s when Outlaw Biker Motorcycle Magazine first hit the streets. A publishing career for me that now spans 4 decades.
Casey Exton.. Gone but not forgotten….
Eddie Sorez
–Rogue
Supreme Commanding Editor
Bikernet Baggers
JESSE JAMES BAGGER ON THE AUCTION BLOCK– Merry Fuckin Christmas!
Flippin my Jesse James Bagger at Mecum Auction January in Vegas.
1996 H-D FLU Jesse James
Offered at Mecum Motorcycle Auction, Las Vegas, January 26th,
Friday, Lot R110, Televised NBCsn, www.Mecum.com
Jesse James built Street Glide Prototype
H-D designers Willie G. & Louis Netz “borrowed” the design of this bike to create the Street Glide, per Jesse. Originally built from an Ultra Classic.
Has appeared in numerous TV spots, hundreds of thousands of catalogs, books and famous paintings.
Previously owned by Kenny Price of Samson Exhaust
Currently in the collection of Eric Herrmann, famous motorcycle artist, for over 17 years.
Bike that changed contemporary touring motorcycles with oversized tires, low windshield, raked frame, lowered suspension and big motor
Hope all is well with you and yours.
–Eric Herrmann
The more I read about Australia, the more I wonder if that’s what our political leaders want for us.
— AJ
Deland, FL
Of course they do, especially the control freaks.–Bandit
WE KNOW OF A COLLECTOR WHO IS LOOKING FOR A RARE MILITOR— Let me know if you have one hanging around.
1920 Militor
Country: USA
Engine: Air-cooled 4-cylinder in-line 4-stroke
Ignition: Magneto
Power Rating: 11hp
Displacement: 1306cc (80ci)
Valves: Inlet over exhaust (F-head)
Fuel System: Single up-draught carburetor
Transmission: Three speed and reverse. Hand shift, shaft drive
Suspension: Front telescopic fork, rear quarter elliptic leaf spring
Brakes: Rear drum only
Weight: 800lb
Top Speed: 35mph
1920 Militor 1
The Militaire, later known as the Militor, was designed for the U.S. Army. A small number of these machines were taken to France in 1918, but with a weight of 800 pounds they sank badly in the battlefield mud. The wheels are wagon-style and made of wood.
–Bandit
BIKERNET HEALTH ALERT–
Falls for the elderly are a serious concern.
As balance goes, muscles are used less and bones are more brittle, we all need to be aware of the potential danger and take precautions..
This morning I was outside working when I heard my neighbor calling out for help.
“HELP ME! I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP!”
I said “Hold on. I’ll be right there.”
Now I’m sure you wouldn’t believe what I saw when I opened the door to her house, fortunately; I had my phone with me
and I was able to get a photo. ( See Below )
–Buckshot
NMA ALERT– Police in Two States use Hospitals to take Motorists’ Blood without a warrant
By guest writer Joe Cadillic, from the MassPrivatal Blog
Police state America has found a disturbing new way to forcibly take motorists blood without a warrant.
Law enforcement is using private hospitals to do their dirty work.
Earlier this year, I reported that police in Oregon were forcing hospitals to take motorists blood without a warrant.
I thought it would end there and the courts would call the practice illegal, I could not have been more wrong.
Oregon Appeals court sides with law enforcement…
“As part of defendant’s medical treatment, hospital staff had drawn a sample of his blood and tested it, ascertaining that his BAC was .333 percent. After defendant refused to consent to a blood draw, Trooper Dunlap did not seek a warrant for a blood draw. Nor did he ask hospital staff for the results of the blood test. However, pursuant to their duty under ORS 676.260, hospital staff verbally disclosed to Dunlap that defendant’s BAC was .333 percent and Dunlap included that information in his police report.”
Trooper Dunlap did not need to get a warrant, because he knew that the hospital would take motorists blood without a warrant and give it to them.
“Oregon statue 676.260 says a health care facility “shall notify” a law enforcement officer in the course of treatment when a person’s blood alcohol level exceeds .08 percent or their blood contains a controlled substance.”
Appeals court refuses to consider hospital staff to be state actors…
“We need not, and do not, consider whether the fact that OR S676.260 required the hospital staff to disclose defendant’s BAC to law enforcement means that the disclosure constituted state action.”
It does not take a law professor to know, that when private hospitals forcibly take people’s blood without a warrant, they become state actors.
Illinois law enforcement, also want hospitals to do their dirty work.
Recently, the state (law enforcement) asked the Illinois Supreme Court to allow hospitals to forcibly take motorists blood without a warrant.
“…The State maintained that defendant had failed to prove that his blood had, in fact, been drawn at the hospital, as there was no evidence introduced at the hearing on the motion to suppress which established that fact. In addition, the State asserted that, even assuming defendant’s blood was drawn, there was no fourth amendment violation because any blood draw performed at the hospital was a private search, not a governmental one, and thus there was no State action.”
The Supreme Court agreed…
“…We conclude that, even assuming blood was drawn from defendant at St. Anthony’s, it was a private search that did not implicate the fourth amendment. Accordingly, for this additional reason, the circuit court erred in granting defendant’s motion to dismiss.”
Nothing says police state, quite like letting private companies circumvent our Constitution and do things law enforcement cannot.
How long, before all the remaining states follow suit and get first responders to draw motorists’ blood without a warrant?
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regularly claim first responders are state actors and treats them as such.
All across the country, first responders are considered ‘state actors’. They have their own national shooting contest, train for urban warfare, use guns, Kevlar helmets and ballistic vests and train for active shooters. (To find out more about first responders, click here, here & here.)
Hospitals also use private police departments to circumvent our Constitution.
Hospital police always search overdose patients
On December 1, 2017 an Ohio Appeals Court ruled that hospital police must stop questioning and searching overdose patients without probable cause.
For the past three and a half years, Ohio’s private hospital police have been questioning and searching overdose patients without probable cause.
“Officer Jordan West has been employed by the Grandview Medical Center Police Department for 3½ years, and several times per shift, he comes into contact with individuals suspected of overdosing on drugs. He indicated that it was a “general policy” for the hospital police to be called for every drug overdose patient. “
Ohio’s hospital police always question and search overdose patients…
“Officer West approached Robert Weisgarber and asked him “the standard question we ask people, if he was in possession of any drugs or weapons.”
Law enforcement’s use of private actors to circumvent our Bill of Rights is getting worse and must be stopped before it spreads across the country.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the author.
Editor’s Note: Here are some other stories from the past year on this topic that might be of interest:
After Utah Nurse’s Arrest, Lawmakers will Draft a Bill on Officers drawing of blood
South Dakota: Lawsuit Challenges Motorist Catheterization
Use this link to share this NMA E-Newsletter with others:
https://www.motorists.org/alerts/police-two-states-use-hospitals-take-motorists-blood-without-warrant-nma-newsletter-466/
SCOTT JACOBS REPORTS FROM DEADWOOD– As the year comes to an end, we reflect on the wonderful times we’ve shared together.
We are grateful to have completed our second year here in Deadwood and we wouldn’t have been able to do that without your love and support!
That being said, we are offering 20% OFF all Jacobs Gallery Apparel to say thank you. Simply add Promo Code: 20XMAS to your order upon checkout.
**If you order before the weekend, I know you can still make it! We are watching our online orders closely to help the procrastinators of the world (me included this year… sigh) get their gifts on time!
Glass Fireballs
Hand-blown glass fireballs with 24 karat gold flecks from 720 Glassworks based in St. Augustine, FL.
Gentlemen, these are an elegant way for your ladies to add ambiance to any room. Display them on your mantel or make a centerpiece on your dining table. The options are endless!
–Scott and Olivia Jacobs
ANOTHER BROTHER DOWN–
We’d like to take a moment to reflect on the passing of one of the most innovative performance Harley guys that most folks who ride Harleys never heard of.
Wes Baisley of Baisley Hi Performance left our world on Monday, and our world is a lesser place now. The first photo has the late Dick Hilferty, Red Shift Cams founder (center) and Wes (right) sharing ideas with Zipper’s Dan Fitzmaurice.
The second shot shows the teamwork trifecta – three generations of Baisleys, Wes, son Dan and grandson Ryan. Godspeed Wes, we will certainly miss you.
–Sam Burns
[page break]
KEEP THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS– Thoughts for the day
1. I’m not saying, “Let’s go kill all the stupid people.” I’m just saying, Let’s remove all the warning labels and let the problem work itself out.
2. I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds. People move out of the way much faster now.
3. You can tell a lot about a woman’s mood just by her hands. If they are holding a gun, she’s probably very, very angry.
4. Gone are the days when girls cooked and cleaned like their mothers. Now they drink and cuss like their fathers.
5. You know that tingly little feeling you get when you really like someone you’ve just met? Well, that’s common sense leaving your body.
6. I don’t like making any plans for the day…Because then the word “premeditated” gets thrown around in the courtroom.
7. I didn’t make it to the gym today. That makes 1,508 days in a row.
8. I decided to change calling the bathroom “the John.” I’ve renamed it to “the Jim.” I feel so much better saying, “I got up and went to the Jim this morning.”
9. Dear paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers: If you do find one, what’s your plan?
10. Politicians should have two terms ~ one in office and one in prison.
11. Just remember, there is a major difference between intelligence and stupidity; intelligence has its limits.
–David “Dangerous Dave” Campbell
Earl’s Garage – Motorcycle, Hotrod, and Event Photography
DOFFO WINEY WINS–
2015 Zinfandel
1st Place Winner
Last year, at the inaugural Temecula Valley People’s Choice Blind Tasting & Awards, our 2014 Zinfandel made a big impression and was awarded 2nd Place. This year we returned with our 2015 Zinfandel and once again the people spoke — this time awarding Doffo 1st Place for this delectable estate red!
Winemaker Damian Doffo on the win: “We are so excited to have taken the top honors at the People’s Choice Awards. We knew we had something special in the 2015 Zinfandel and can’t wait to share it with you in the upcoming wine club shipment!”
The 2015 Zinfandel will be first released to Doffo Legacy Club members and then will be available online and in the tasting room in February 2018.
The Trump Administration Is Making Progress on Veteran Affairs–
By Larry Alton
Whether you’re on the right, left, or squarely in the middle, we can all agree that veterans aren’t treated nearly as well as they should be in this country. In fact, they’re blatantly disrespected in many ways. But how is President Trump, who made lots of campaign promises to veterans, doing on this issue after roughly a year in office?
Where Trump Found Things
When Barack Obama entered office in 2009, he found the veterans of this country in the middle of a decades-long plight, which he promised to fix many times during his campaign for the presidency.
“Caring for those who serve — and for their families — is a fundamental responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief,” Obama said in a 2007 campaign speech. “It is not a separate cost. It is a cost of war. It is something I’ve fought for as a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. And it is something I will fight for as President of the United States.”
Perhaps Obama did fight, but he certainly didn’t get any results. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in worse shape than it’s ever been. Scandals, abuse of funds, and a toxic workplace culture are just a few of the issues plaguing the VA, and they all seemed to be exacerbated under the Obama administration.
Even something as seemingly simple as trying to locate and receive military documents that are needed in order to apply for things like VA mortgages, retirement benefits, and employment is nearly impossible to do on your own. Most veterans end up using a service like DD214 Direct to streamline the process.
This isn’t an article about Obama’s failures — of which there are plenty — but it’s important to understand where things stood when Trump entered office. Not to give the Trump administration excuses, but rather to show why the VA was such a big priority during the campaigning season and continues to be today.
Is Trump Making Headway?
With so much in disarray, President Trump had his work cut out for him entering office. However, he promised to make the VA a focal point, so it’s fair game to hold him accountable and see how he’s doing. And if you cut through all of the media noise and BS, you’ll see that he’s actually making some headway. Here are just a few examples of small wins and steady steps in the right direction:
With so much corruption in the VA, Trump signed into law legislation that paves the way for the firing of employees who engage in misconduct. It also helps protect the whistleblowers. In what Trump once called “the most corrupt agency in the United States,” these new standards have already led to the firing of a whopping 1,163 employees and suspension of an additional 387 (as of early November).
In May, the White House proposed a 6 percent increase to the VA budget, which included an increase of $13 billion for the “choice” program that allows veterans to opt for private healthcare coverage.
One of Trump’s campaign promises was a private hotline to the White House to field complaints 24/7. While it’s been a bumpy road, the administration has followed through on this promise with a soft launch.
In August, Trump signed legislation to give veterans an additional $3 billion for educational assistance over the next decade. Forever GI, which is actually a combination of more than a dozen different bills, allows spouses and children of service members killed on duty to qualify for scholarships (or have tuition reimbursed.
This isn’t to say Trump has fixed the VA. He hasn’t even solved some of its biggest problems yet. What his slow, steady progress does show is that he’s making the VA a priority.
There’s a long way to go. Privatization of the VA is probably the only permanent solution to the longstanding plight of veterans in the U.S., but that’s an enormous battle that would likely require a two-term presidency. If the VA is ultimately fixed, it’ll be thanks to big changes like this. But if you want to know where a president should start, just look at what Trump is doing right now. You start with small wins, build trust, and then execute more sweeping reforms.
It’s Too Early to Judge
Why is it that the Left is so quick to judge the Trump presidency as a failure when he’s completed, at a very minimum, just 25 percent of his term? Who says he has to live up to every promise within the first year?
What would we have said about Obama, Clinton, and Carter if they had only been given a year to enact their policies?
History will ultimately determine whether the Trump presidency was a success or failure. It’s impossible to do so in the moment (especially when it’s only a fraction of the way complete). However, as we begin to see what sort of leadership style Trump has adopted as president, it’s clear that he’s not nearly as impulsive as most thought he would be.
Sure, the tweets are still questionable (at best), but his actual decision-making is rather poised.
On the topic of veterans affairs, Trump hasn’t lived up to every promise he made during the campaign, but he has at least three years left. He has, however, made progress in some key areas and laid promising foundations in others.
While the media will continue to bash him for breathing, the reality is that he’s already done more to benefit veterans than Obama accomplished in eight years.
Whether you’re on the right, left, or squarely in the middle, we can all agree that veterans aren’t treated nearly as well as they should be in this country. In fact, they’re blatantly disrespected in many ways. But how is President Trump, who made lots of campaign promises to veterans, doing on this issue after roughly a year in office?
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/12/the_trump_administration_is_making_progress_on_veteran_affairs.html
–from Rogue
Dark Side of the Moon: Motorcycle Deaths Linked to Full Moons– Findings Show How Small Distractions Can Have Outsized Effects
Distracted drivers, like those who text behind the wheel, are a danger to themselves and to others. Even a brief, momentary glance away from the road can result in life-threatening consequences.
Research published Dec. 11 in The BMJ points toward another potential distraction for motorists: the full moon, gracing the sky with its brightness around 12 times a year, and the dazzling supermoon, which comes into focus around once a year.
The researchers found that on nights illuminated by a full moon, fatal motorcycle accidents increased by 5 percent compared to nights without a full moon. On evenings when the supermoon decorated the sky, this increased to 32 percent. The study included data from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
While this observational data cannot prove any firm conclusions, the researchers warn drivers of the risks of seemingly minor distractions, urging constant attention while driving at all times.
“Drivers face a number of distractions behind the wheel — from texting, to phone calls to road obstructions and more,” said study co-author Eldar Shafir, the Class of 1987 Professor in Behavioral Science and Public Policy and professor of psychology and public affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. “Our study adds to the literature that small distractions can sometimes lead to life-altering consequences.”
“Glancing at the full moon takes the motorcyclist’s gaze off the road, which could result in a loss of control,” said the study’s lead author Donald Redelmeier, professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. “The average ride on a motorcycle is more dangerous than a drunk driver with no seatbelt traveling the same distance. Because of this, we recommend riders and drivers orient their attention, ignore distractions, and continuously monitor their dynamic surroundings.”
Redelmeier and Shafir hypothesized that people’s attention may be naturally drawn to a full moon, thereby potentially contributing to fatal motorcycle crashes. To test this, they analyzed data from the official United States registry of motor vehicle crashes from 1975 to 2014, during which time 494 full moons and 65 supermoons appeared. They calculated the number of fatal crashes on full moon nights compared to nights with a quarter moon (one week before and after the full moon).
The researchers defined a full moon as the one night each month when the entire facing surface of the moon was illuminated. They also included the rare occasions in which two full moons appeared in the same month. They studied a 16-hour time frame, which they labeled as nighttime motorcycle activity, which fell between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. The overall study duration spanned 40 consecutive years.
They found 4,994 fatal crashes occurred on the nights with a full moon, which is equal to 9.10 crashes per night. In contrast, a total of 8.64 fatal crashes per night occurred on nights without a full moon. Fatalities increased further under a supermoon, amounting to a total of 703 fatal crashes, or 10.82 fatal crashes per night. This means that for every two full moon nights, there was one additional fatal crash. Under the supermoon, this increased to two additional deaths.
Overall, there was a total increase of 226 additional fatal crashes on nights with a full moon during the entire study period.
“While these figures might seem low on the surface, they are quite significant,” Redelmeier said. “All of these deaths could have been prevented completely by small differences in behavior.”
The typical motorcyclist was a middle-aged man riding a street bike with a large engine in a rural location, who experienced a head-on front impact. Less than half were wearing a helmet. Seventy-three percent of the crashes occurred during the hours before midnight, and 27 percent occurred during the hours after midnight.
The researchers repeated their analyses in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia and found similar results.
The researchers highlight the limitations of the study. For example, other distractions and traffic hazards were not taken into account, and neither were factors including the prevailing weather or moon visibility. And while they used large datasets, like any routinely collected data, errors could have been made when the data was entered.
Nevertheless, the study’s findings highlight the importance of safe, careful and attentive driving, under all conditions.
“We encourage motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, activate headlights, scan the road surface and be wary of other vehicles,” Redelmeier said. “The best approach to safe driving is reducing as many distractions as possible and keeping alert behind the wheel.”
“That’s good advice for all the rest of us who don’t ride motorcycles, too,” Shafir said.
The paper, “The full moon and motorcycle related mortality: population based double control study,” first appeared online Dec. 11 in The BMJ. The project was supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
–B. Rose Kelly
They needed to leave helmets out of the equation.–Bandit
NEW FROM NAMZ– We spend a lot of time in the shop testing and perfecting our parts, and sometimes it’s only fitting to come up with a better way to deliver what we sell. To finally find a wire rack to hang our spools was no exception.
Customers have been asking for years now and we have an inexpensive, space saving option coming your way! Available now, these compact metal racks are gray in color, can sit on a bench or hang from a wall, hold (12) 100-foot spools on each rack, (2) racks per box. (24) colors used on ALL 1996 through 2013 bagger or non-bagger motorcycle.
Order yours today! NAMZ is celebrating our 19th year in business providing “World Class” Electrical Components, Fluid Transfer Lines, Custom Installation Supplies & Badlands Lighting Modules. NAMZ/Badlands products are available through Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, Tucker Rocky, Mid USA, J&P Cycles, V-Twin, Parts Canada, Motovan, Les Importations Thibault, Parts Europe, Custom Chrome Europe, Motorcycle Storehouse, W&W, Zodiac, Rollies Speed Shop, Wildrider International Pty Ltd or directly from our website at www.namzccp.com.
NAMZ provides the best selection and support for OEM & dealers all over the world.
Send us an email at info@namzccp.com or give us a call at 1-877-277-NAMZ for more information.
LET’S PARTY FOR THE HOLIDAYS— If you want to give Robert’s book as a gift, it’s Saving Capitalism. I hope it’s more direct than the documentary, but his point is a good one.
Big corporations need to be balanced, which would put vast amounts of money back into our pockets and into the government. Like everything in out country, if it’s allowed to get out of hand, it will.
That’s why freedom is so important. It allows us to balance shit before it turns bad. But enough of this bullshit. Let’s party.
