Studio. –Jeff Najar
Get off your race bike and visit a politician. YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK UP– With the House adjourned and the Senate set to do so any day now, your elected officials will be coming home to politic, vacation and interact with voters. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) recognizes this as a convenient, relaxed, and productive way to meet with your legislators in their home districts. One way that they interact with a lot of voters at once is the traditional town hall meeting. However, becoming more and more popular is the so-called ?tele-town hall meeting? where you get a robo call asking you if you want to listen in on the actual meeting that usually took place a few hours earlier. While this new form of communicating can be very informative, it simply does not replace face-to-face interaction with the person you pay to represent you in Washington.
Unfortunately, the House Democratic leadership doesn?t feel that way. At this point everyone knows that Washington is urgently working on overhauling our health care system. You may have seen some footage earlier this week of Members of Congress holding town hall meetings and getting skewered by their constituents, who are begging them to not overhaul the entire system so fast or not to spend any more taxpayer money, as well as any other number of hot-button issues. Because this makes the health care overhaul unpopular with some voters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked Members of Congress not to hold actual town hall meetings, but to instead hold only tele-town hall meetings. In a memo leaked to the MRF, House Democrat leadership lays out the reasons why Members should tele-town hall. It is, of course, up to the will of the elected official to hold or not hold traditional town hall meetings.
Now, let?s be clear, this is not about donkeys and elephants. This is about you being able to go to a town hall meeting and tell your elected official how you feel on any issue face to face. It?s about looking people in the eye and getting an answer, not just merely leaving a voicemail with your concerns.
So here?s your homework in the MRF?s view. Contact your two Senators and one Representative, who you pay to come to Washington, and find out when and where the real town hall meeting is; then plan to attend. They may hold more than one, but that?s not likely.
The MRF is concerned with a few issues that you should bring up. The first issue is the upcoming Highway Bill. The House Transportation Committee will be working on the bill at the full committee level in September. The current bill expires 9-30-09. US Senator Barbra Boxer, Chairwoman of Senate Committee on Envrironment and Public Works, has already passed the 18-month extension President Obama asked for. The MRF feels that a year and half is unacceptable. At this point some extension is necessary, but a year and half is just too long. Ask your elected officials to focus on the bill and pass it. We haven?t seen the entire bill yet, but House Chairman Oberstar has some very promising motorcycle-specific language on the table.
The other issue that the MRF feels you should bring up is health care reform. It?s not clear if the votes are there to pass a bill, but Democrat leadership is working hard to close the gap. We don?t have to demand that they not overhaul the system, we just have to look out for motorcyclists. At this point there are no anti-motorcycle provisions or suggestions. The MRF?s main concern is that it?s not unreasonable to think that at some point, someone in the government will suggest not covering motorcycle injuries in a government-run health plan, and that makes the idea of a government-run public plan unacceptable.
Please do not hesitate to contact the MRF DC office should you need any additional information.
DONNA TEACHES LOUISIANAESE AT THE BIKERNET UNIVERSITY– “Onced” and “Twiced” are words.
It is not a shopping cart, it’s a buggy.
“Rat cheer” means right here!
People actually grow and eat okra.
“Fixinto” is one word.
There is no such thing as lunch. There is only dinner and then there is supper…
–from Donna O.
FAT PAUL IS GONE, Paul Michael Avila “Fat Paul” 1958 – 2009– Fat Paul- many people in So Cal, heck all over the western states knew that name. A big boy with Popeye forearms and a giant smile glued to his face nonstop. He used to tell me, “No one is going to crash my party”.
The guy was legend. A true Fred Sanford of the modern era. Heck he filled my back yard and shop with parts after being ordered by the city to get rid of the 50,000 + pounds of old Harley parts- no joke. As we witnessed after many testimonies at his funeral, every part to Paul was “cherry.” If it was broken, he could fix it, or use it as something else.
You see, I met Paul when I was 18 years old and on my second Harley- a 1970 Shovel. I couldn’t get it going… my buddy bumped into this guy at the Long Beach Harley swap, and gave me a number. I go down to an area of Artesia that has tons of Portuguese families that have lived there for 30-50 years. It was a “toll road”… meaning if you don’t belong there and they don’t know you, you had to pay the toll. Well, it wasn’t long until I was a local there and they had to make room for my truck on their street. 9 times out of ten, I would yell out “Paul” through the screen door from the porch…. the reply back… “yup”… meaning come in. There sits Paul on the couch rolling a pinner. “Whatcha doin?”, I say…… “working” replies Paul. Yeh, right!
I don’t think Paul really worked for his own benefit since he was young. You see, it seemed like Paul was always too busy helping other people. His work was always on someone else’s project, car or bike to get them on the road and help them out. Either for free, or 1960’s price. If you had a friend who knew Paul and brought him a basket case… he’d build it- cherry it out and dial it in for $1000. Common! ….. But that isn’t why you would have wanted to know him; it was because Paul had a way of treating people- he never judged anyone- not a single person. Addict, basket case, gold chainer, ceo, freak – whatever. Trouble or problems come around- Paul laughed it all off like it was nothing. His brother needed a kidney- Paul gave him his and says simply – “I have two”. This is how he lived his life. He was a good friend to all. I have never seen so many tattooed, hard weathered men stand up and cry – I think everyone thought the same about our friend. We can all learn from his legacy.
Bro- we will miss you and look forward to seeing you again…
You can see Paul on Steel Dreams TV Episode 13 riding his famous 1940 UL Harley Flathead- he had over 100,000 miles on this bike.
–Rick Krost
U.S. Choppers
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-546-4699
http://www.uschopper.com/
HELP WITH ENGLISH BIKES– English 101 is a full tune & service DVD that covers pre unit and unit Triumphs and unit BSAs. In this interactive shop manual, watch step-by-step as Wes White of Four Aces Cycle demonstrates everything you need to keep your British bike reliable, on the road and running great. This 4-hour DVD is broken down into easy-to-follow chapters and is designed to teach you how to maintain your British motorcycle.”
We are very proud of this new film, all filmed in high definition. English 101 is Region 0 and will play world-wide. At over 4 hours of run time it is packed full of everything you need to keep your bike on the road and running great!
http://lowbrowcustoms.com/
Legendary Buffalo Chip Raises $61,000 for Charity at 2009 Legends Ride– Deadwood, SD (August 7, 2009) More than 350 bikes and 500 riders from around the world converged on Deadwood, SD on Monday, August 3 to take part in the Second Annual Legends Ride hosted by the Legendary Buffalo Chip. A record-breaking $61,600 was raised to benefit a number of Black Hills Charities including the Black Hills Children’s Home and the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum. Just under $40,000 was raised at last year’s inaugural Legends Ride.
“We are thrilled with the charity riders showed this year. The Legends Ride has once again proved itself a worthy event that brings world-class entertainment to riders and needed dollars to charities,” said Rod Woodruff, president of the Legendary Buffalo Chip. “We will be back bigger and better in 2010.”
The Black Hills Children’s Home, recipient of a portion of the monies raised offers a safe haven for children ages 4-13, many of whom are victims of severe abuse or neglect.
“Money raised during this year’s Legends Ride will help the Children’s Home continue long into the future… to provide love, safety, and a second chance at many of the things most of us take for granted: Warm meals, bike rides, story time, creative arts and interaction with caring adults,” said Darla Crown, development officer for Children’s Home Society. “We are incredibly grateful to be co-recipients of such a significant donation – it’s truly a testament to the tremendous goodwill and generosity found in the hearts of the motorcycle industry and its enthusiasts.”
Signaling the official start to the 2009 Sturgis Rally, riders each contributed $150 to participate in the star-studded and scenic 50-mile expedition from the Historic Black Hills town to the grounds of the Legendary Buffalo Chip. Participants were treated to meet-and-greets with the world’s top industry aficionados and bike builders before departing and enjoyed a private reception, auction and concerts by Lita Ford and Toby Keith once they arrived at the Chip.
Celebrities that participated in the ride included Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, Lorenzo Lamas and the cast of Easy Riders II. Industry enthusiast and supporter, John Paul DeJoria, of Paul Mitchell hair products and Patron Spirits Company made a surprise $10,000 matching donation to the Legends Ride Charities. He also donated the restored 1938 Indian with sidecar that he and wife, Eloise, traveled on during the Legends Ride to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame.
Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain, and a host of world-class bike builders including Corey Ness, Paul Yaffe, Sugarbear and cigar aficionados were also part of the 2009 ride. Sponsors for this year’s ride include: Biker Incite, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Dirico Motorcycles, The City of Deadwood, the Deadwood Tobacco Company, Ethanol Fuel Producers, First Western Bank, Interstate Batteries, the Lucky Nugget Gaming Hall, Metzeler, Neugebauer’s Fine Jewelery, Progressive Insurance, Sucker Punch Sally’s, South Dakota Pork Producers Council, Taser, the Silverado-Franklin Hotel and Gaming Complex, and Victory Motorcycles.
–Ken Conte
SPY PHOTO OF GIRL OF BIKERNET SELLING CALENDARS IN STURGIS–The hardest working gals in Sturgis captured by The Sherif?
KNUCKLEHEAD FROM WEST COAST CHOPPERS–“Here’s one! Gilby Clark’s 1940 Knuckle,” Jesse James.
We promised you a teaser in the Sunday Post, then the full photo line-up, with riding shots, will grace the Thursday news.
Going Green: Reconsider What You Throw Away– An old bulky computer monitor, dead batteries, unused paint? we have all had something environmentally unfriendly to toss. Unfortunately, landfills aren’t usually equipped to handle this type of toxic trash. Thoughtless dumping can lead to mercury, lead and other substances leaching into the ground – and into groundwater.
Next time you have something to toss that may be toxic, whether it’s unused prescription medications or printer cartridges, call your city or town department of waste management or check online – most municipal governments have Web sites. These sources can provide you with local contact information of detailing how and where to safely dispose of just about anything.
for more info see DrWeil.com
Steven Tyler made a total ass of himself in Sturgis– Tuesday evening he attended Michael Lichter?s Rebel Rousers VIP Event and had trouble navigating around the room and to me appeared to be under the influence of something. As he was trying to make it across the room the two thugs he had with him were yelling for the crowd to get out of the way.
That may be the way they handle things in the music crowd, but it is not how it is done in the motorcycle world. I was forced to ask one of the bikers, who was offended, to hold his mud and not do anything inside the building out of respect to Michael.
If the thugs continue this type of behavior, it is only a matter of time before someone takes care of it.
As far as the incident of him falling off the stage at the Buffalo Chip, those that had a opportunity to see him before he went on stage also commented on his condition and were not surprised that he fell.
I suspect there are other incidents I am not aware of as well.
–Rogue
NOTES FROM THE BIKER PATERNAL WARD– My girlfriend was in labor with our first child. She was shouting out “get this out of me? Give me the drugs.”
She looked at me and said, “You did this to me you bastard!”
I casually replied, “If you would care to remember, I wanted to stick it up your butt but you said, “it’ll be too painful.”
–from Buckshot
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