Hey,
I’m on a Cycle Source deadline wrapping up the news. A brother is turning 72 today, Ray C. Wheeler, the Bikernet Performance Editor. Art is in Thailand again, at some all-night party. We are putting together an original Wheeler Work Station and donating it to the Sturgis Museum. We’re on a tight deadline, since Ray is going to personally deliver it from Los Angeles in two days.
The projects are flying, and as a surprise for Ray’s birthday we are taking him to see one of the rarest bikes on the planet. It just arrived in Los Angeles from parts unknown and is headed Monday to a very private collection. Mums the word.
Let’s hit the news, quick. We need to peel.
Motorcyclepedia will be at Riverfest 2015–
Saturday, June 6th from 11am – 6pm at Donahue park in Cornwall-on-Hudson, join us for an afternoon of music, vendors and magicians at Cornwall RiverFest!
Come see our bikes, including the 1884 Copeland Star!
See the list of entertainment by clicking here www.river-fest.com for more information and directions!
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
MELANIE (age 5) Asked her Granny how old she was.. Granny replied she was so old she didn’t remember anymore.
Melanie said, ‘If you don’t remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.’
FROM AMERICAN SNIPER–
Three years ago, his wife Taya asked him to leave the SEAL teams because he had a huge bounty on his head by Al Qaeda. He did and wrote the book “The American Sniper.” 100% of the proceeds from the book went to two of the SEAL families who had lost their sons in Iraq.
That was the kind of guy Chris was. He formed a company in Dallas to train military, police and I think firemen, how to protect themselves in difficult situations. He also formed a foundation to work with military people suffering from PTSD. Chris was a giver not a taker. He, along with a friend and neighbor, Chad Littlefield, were murdered trying to help a young man that had served six months in Iraq and claimed to have PTSD.
Now I need to tell you about all of the blessings.
Southwest Airlines
flew in any SEAL and their family from any airport to the funeral… free of charge. The employees donated buddy passes and one lady worked for four days without much of a break to see that it happened. Volunteers were at both airports in Dallas to drive them to the hotel.
The Marriott Hotel
reduced their rates to $45 a night and cleared the hotel for only SEALs and family.
The Midlothian, TX Police Department paid the $45 a night for each room. I would guess there were about 200 people staying at the hotel, 100 of them were SEALs.
Two large buses were chartered (an unknown donor paid the bill) to transport people to the different events and they also had a few rental cars (donated).
The police and secret service were on duty 24 hours during the stay at our hotel.
At the Kyle house, the Texas DPS parked a large motor home in front to block the view from reporters. It remained there the entire five days for the SEALs to meet in and so they could use the restroom there instead of the bathroom in the house.
Taya, their two small children and both sets of parents were staying in the home. Only a hand full of SEALs went into the home as they had different duties and meetings were held sometimes on a hourly basis.
It was a huge coordination of many different events and security. Derek was assigned to be a Pall Bearer, to escort Chris’ body when it was transferred from the Midlothian Funeral Home to the Arlington Funeral Home, and to be with Taya. A tough job. Taya seldom came out of her bedroom. The house was full with people from the church and other family members that would come each day to help. I spent one morning in a bedroom with Chris’ mom and the next morning with Chad Littlefield’s parents (the other man murdered with Chris). A tough job.
George W Bush and his wife Laura , met and talked to everyone on the SEAL Team one on one. They went behind closed doors with Taya for quite a while. They had prayer with us all. You can tell when people were sincere and caring
Nolan Ryan sent his cooking team, a huge grill and lots of steaks, chicken and hamburgers. They set up in the front yard and fed people all day long including the 200 SEALs and their families.
The next day a local BBQ restaurant set up a buffet in front of the house and fed all once again. Food was plentiful and all were taken care of.
The family’s church kept those inside the house well fed.
Jerry Jones, the man everyone loves to hate, was a rock star. He made sure that we all were taken care of. His wife and he were just making sure everyone was taken care of….Class…
He donated the use of Cowboy Stadium for the services because so many wanted to attend. The charter buses transported us to the stadium on Monday at 10:30 am. Every car, bus, motorcycle was searched with bomb dogs and police. I am not sure if kooks were making threats trying to make a name for themselves or if so many SEALs in one place was a security risk, I don’t know. We willingly obliged. No purses went into the stadium!
We were taken to The Legends room high up and a large buffet was available. That was for about 300 people. We were growing. A Medal of Honor recipient was there, lots of secret service and police and Sarah Palin and her husband. She looked nice, this was a very formal military service. The service started at 1:00 pm and when we were escorted onto the field I was shocked. We heard that about 10,000 people had come to attend also. They were seated in the stadium seats behind us . It was a beautiful and emotional service. The Bagpipe and drum corps were wonderful and the Texas A&M men’s choir stood through the entire service and sang right at the end. We were all in tears.
The next day was the 200-mile procession from Midlothian, TX to Austin for burial. It was a cold, drizzly, windy day, but the people were out.
We had dozens of police motorcycles riders, freedom riders, five chartered buses and lots of cars . You had to have a pass to be in the procession and still it was huge. Two helicopters circled the procession with snipers sitting out the side door for protection.
It was the longest funeral procession ever in the state of Texas. People were everywhere. The entire route was shut down ahead of us, the people were lined up on the side of the road the entire way.
Firemen were down on one knee, police officers were holding their hats over their hearts, children waving flags, veterans saluting as we went by.
Every bridge had fire trucks with large flags displayed from their tall ladders, people all along the entire 200 miles were standing in the cold weather. It was so heartwarming. Taya rode in the hearse with Chris’ body so Derek rode the route with us. I was so grateful to have that time with him.
The service was at Texas National Cemetery. Very few are buried there and you have to apply to get in . It is like people from the Civil War, Medal of Honor winners, a few from the Alamo and all the historical people of Texas.
It was a nice service and the Freedom Riders surrounded the outside of the entire cemetery to keep the crazy church people from Kansas that protest at military funerals away from us. Each SEAL put his Trident (metal SEAL badge) on the top of Chris’ casket,one at a time. A lot hit it in with one blow. Derek was the only one to take four taps to put his in and it was almost like he was caressing it as he did it. Another tearful moment.
After the service Governor Rick Perry and his wife, Anita, invited us to the governor’s mansion. She stood at the door, greeted each of us individually, and gave each of the SEALs a coin of Texas. She was a sincere, compassionate, and gracious hostess. We were able to tour the ground floor and then went into the garden for beverages and BBQ.
So many of the SEAL team guys said that after they get out they are moving to Texas. They remarked that they had never felt so much love and hospitality. The charter buses then took the guys to the airport to catch their returning flights. Derek just now called and after a 20 hours flight he is back in his spot, in a dangerous land on the other side of the world, protecting America
–from Todd Westlie
OPERATION GRATITUDE COMES TO BIKERNET INTERPLANETARY HEADQUARTERS–
It was pretty cool spending time with everyone at your place on Tuesday. Thank you for your hospitality and especially your support of Operation Gratitude and my motorcycle world endeavors. Means a lot. I re-read the article I sent to you and man, I’m “rusty!” I hope you’ll edit it…and it doesn’t take you all day.
On a different note, I thought you might be interested in this. “Beyond the Reach” is a new Michael Douglas movie currently running on Pay-Per-View. The film is based on Robb White’s “Deathwatch.” The true star of the film (my opinion) is the SUV owned by the character played by Michael Douglas. I watched this film a week ago and I marveled at the SUV which was used throughout most of the film.
Robb White wrote for TV and film along with several books and was a ‘Hemingway kind of a guy’ who spent a lot of his life in the Caribbean. My father was a stockbroker and Mr. White was one of his customers. Check out his Wikipedia when you have time – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robb_White
Mr. White gave me his Author’s copy of his children’s best seller, “The Lion’s Paw” when I was in 4th grade. It is my most prized possession! It has always been a dream to make this heartwarming patriotic story of faith & hope into a feature film.
A couple years ago I collaborated with a gent who teaches a Masters class in screenwriting at a major university in Florida where much of the story in “The Lion’s Paw” takes place. Together we crafted a worthy script. “The Lion’s Paw” is a story no child between the ages of 7-14 should miss – wonderful fast read for adults, too. If you would like a copy I’ll send you one.
–Jeff Kraus
Heading to the first day opening party of the worlds newest H-D dealership. http://richcomotorsports.com/
The owner is a friend from the old days at Denim & Diamonds in Huntington Beach.
Roadside resort stop for coffee.
Typical junction in hwy
Scenic river shot
When you come to a fork in the road. Take it. By Yogi Berra
Could be a California Hwy.
–Art Hall
Bikernet Undercovered Asian Spy at the Front
NEW FROM ROYAL ENFIELD–
Royal Enfield finally launched its online store.
http://store.royalenfield.com/
For 114 years now and counting, Royal Enfield is the world’s oldest motorcycling company in continuous production. With simple, resilient machines, rides in some of the world’s most exciting terrain, purpose-built riding wear and well-crafted leisurewear, Royal Enfield delivers a pure motorcycling experience.
–Ujjwal Dey
~ www.IQmind.org
Bikernet India Bureau Chief and Enlightened One
Don’t miss the world’s most beautiful bikes at the 12th Annual ARTISTRY IN IRON, MASTER BUILDERS CHAMPIONSHIP–
Meet 20 of the hottest builders as they show off their latest build. If you appreciate the artistry of a well-built machine, you gotta check this out. The famous and soon to be famous will have their bikes on display at this “invitation only” show. You’ll get to check out the bikes, chat with the builders and get autographs from your favorites.
Rick Bray from RKB Kustom Speed in Hanford, CA was selected by his peers as the 2014 Artistry in Iron champion and will be back in 2015 to defend his title.
A check for $10,000 will be presented to the winning builder, as voted by his peers – the other participating builders. The winner will also receive a custom made winner’s bracelet designed and presented by Steve Soffa. In addition, a trophy will be presented to the People’s Choice Winner.
Check the Las Vegas Bikefest site for all the players.
Hint: As always, we usually leave the sale running a couple of extra days so if you visit the site on Monday or Tuesday you can probably still take advantage of the special sale price.
“Super awesome flicks! Everyone should own the two wheel terrors movies!!!” ~Curtis C. verified
We also have a new five-movie Choppertown download bundle! Both Choppertown movies, Brittown, Harbortown, and the One World Tour for a special price.buyer
–Zack and Scott
BIKERNET GUN NUT ALERT–California: Legislative Update on Bills in the Appropriation Committee Suspense File
Action is Needed!
The below action took place in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
Anti-gun Assembly Bill 96 was passed out of committee by vote of 12 to 4. This bill will receive a final vote on the Assembly floor next week. Please contact your state Assembly Member urging him or her to OPPOSE AB 96. Contact information can be found here.
AB 96 would prohibit a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell, or importing with intent to sell ivory or rhinoceros horn, except as specified, and would make this prohibition enforceable by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Pro-gun Assembly Bill 150 was held in committee. This bill is defeated for the year. AB 150 would have made the theft of a firearm, grand theft in all cases and punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years.
The below action took place in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Pro-gun Senate Bill 566 was held in committee. This bill is defeated for the year. SB 566 would have added honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or the active reserve components of the United States to the list of individuals who are exempt from obtaining the Firearms Safety Certificate (FSC), which California law requires to purchase a handgun.
Anti-gun Senate Bill 707 unanimously passed out of committee. This bill will receive a final vote on the Senate floor next week. Please contact your state Senator urging him or her to OPPOSE SB 707. Contact information can be found here.
SB 707 would prohibit CCW holders from possessing firearms on any properties that make up the grounds of a K-12 school or university, including many parking lots, common areas that may not be readily identifiable as school grounds, and student apartment buildings.
Anti-gun Senate Bill 347 was passed out of committee by vote of 5 to 1. This bill will receive a final vote on the Senate floor next week. Please contact your state Senator urging him or her to OPPOSE SB 347. Contact information can be found here.
SB 347 would add to the list of misdemeanors convictions that would result in a 10-year prohibition on the possession of firearms.
Don’t forget to forward this important alert to your family, friends, fellow gun owners and sportsmen urging them to also contact their State Assembly Member and Senator!
Michael said: ‘Excuse me, I need to pee.’
The teacher responded: ‘That would be quite impolite. What about you Sherman, how would you say it?’
Sherman said: ‘I am sorry, but I really need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.’
‘That’s better, but it’s still not very nice to say the word bathroom at the dinner table. And you, little Johnny, can you use your brain for once and show us your good manners?’
Johnny said: ‘I would say “Darling, may I please be excused for a moment? I have to shake hands with a very dear friend of mine, whom I hope to introduce you to after dinner.’ The teacher fainted.
–from Rogue and Jerry
Then you will see it feature right here on Bikernet.
–Bandit
Big party. First class all the way. Food. Drink. Band. Fashion show. Dancers. Hundreds of people.
A TV drama star doing bike wash routine.
Inside showroom. Nice. He has 20 new bikes in stock. Clothing. Parts. Service
Plenty to drink.
Plenty to eat.
–Art Hall
Bikernet Superior International Editor Supreme
Ray C. Wheeler is headed to Houston for another report in the very near future.
–Bandit
PAUL RAND ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE NSA–
Paul vows to return to Capitol Hill on Sunday to block bill, end NSA spying– Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul said Saturday that he intends to block last-ditch efforts Sunday to renew National Security Agency and other anti-terrorist and surveillance programs.
“I will force the expiration of the NSA illegal spy program,” Paul, also a 2016 presidential candidate, said. “I am ready and willing to start the debate on how we fight terrorism without giving up our liberty.”
The Libertarian-minded Paul led a filibuster-like effort over the Memorial Day weekend that helped block legislation to extend federal surveillance efforts but suggested upon leaving the Senate chambers that he might reconsider.
“It depends,” he said. “Sometimes things change as deadlines approach.”
Barring a last-minute deal in Congress, three post-Sept. 11 surveillance laws used against spies and terrorists will expire when Sunday turns into Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called back the upper chamber for a rare Sunday session to decide on whether to accept a House-passed bill that extends the programs. Congress would then send the measure to President Obama to sign before midnight.
The House’s USA Freedom Act passed overwhelmingly in the Republican-controlled chamber but fell three votes short of the 60 needed to proceed in the Senate. And efforts in the upper chamber to extend the current law also have failed.
Much of the debate has focuses on the National Security Agency’s collection of Americans’ telephone calling records, authorized under one of the expiring provisions, Section 215 of the Patriot Act.
Yet the fight over those records has jeopardized other surveillance programs that have broad, bipartisan support and could fall victim to congressional gridlock.
The FBI uses Section 215 to collect other business records tied to specific terrorism investigations.
A separate section in the post-9/11 Patriot Act allows the FBI to eavesdrop, via wiretaps, on suspected terrorists or spies who discard phones to dodge surveillance. A third provision, targeting “lone wolf” attackers, has never been used and thus may not be missed if it lapses.
If the Freedom Act becomes law, the business-records provision and the roving-wiretap authority would return immediately. The NSA would resume collecting American telephone records for a six-month period while shifting to a system of searching phone company records case by case.
If no agreement is reached, all the provisions will expire.
A third possibility is a temporary extension of current law while lawmakers work out a deal, but House members have expressed opposition.
“I have fought for several years now to end the illegal spying of the NSA on ordinary Americans,” Paul also said in a statement released Saturday. “Let me be clear: I acknowledge the need for a robust intelligence agency and for a vigilant national security. I believe we must fight terrorism. … But we do not need to give up who we are to defeat them.”
Failure to pass the legislation would mean new barriers for the government in domestic, national-security investigations, at a time when intelligence officials say the threat at home is growing.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I would like to see the NSA shut down and replaced with an educational program to empower traveling Americans. I also don’t want folks to lose jobs, so the NSA would be transformed into the ALD, the American Landscaping Department. Their mission would be to clean and landscape all freeway onramps and off-ramps, and maintain them. It’s all positive. They would learn, beautify, nurture, and improve the environment. What could be better.–Bandit
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEKEND– 2008 Harley Davidson Softail Crossbones FLSTSB
Our Price
$13,500
Was
$14,995
Exterior: Black
VIN: 1HD1JM5468Y084664
Mileage: 23,028 miles
Lifestyle Cycles
1510 N. State College Blvd.
Anaheim, California 92806
(714) 490-0155
– See more at: http://www.lifestylecycles.com/2008-Harley-Davidson-Softail-Crossbones-FLSTSB-Anaheim-California-92806/5188161
~Will Rogers~
Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.
~Nikita Khrushchev~
Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your opponents will do it for you.
~Author unknown~
–from Sam Burns
The 24th annual worldwide Ride to Work Day is expected to be one of the largest-ever, according to Ride to Work, the non-profit organization that coordinates this annual event.
On Ride to Work Day a much higher number of America’s 8,000,000 cycles and scooters are ridden to work. Some estimates put the numbers of added riders at over 1,000,000. Across equal distances, commuting riders can reach their destinations more quickly—in up to 20% less time than those using automobiles in some situations—and motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per person per mile, and they take up less space on roads and in parking areas.
“Many people do not always appreciate the societally positive value of transportational riding, and some don’t know there are also a few hidden deleterious ramifications from having almost everyone default to private autos. Cars are wonderful machines, and we love them, but the reasons to ride, when one can, go beyond stuff like energy or carbon footprints” states Andy Goldfine, an event organizer.
This Day is about more than traffic congestion, motorcycles and economics. Winston Churchill famously said: “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” Other thought-leaders have presented or expressed the same idea in different ways. It applies to things beyond our homes and buildings. It’s about all technologies, including our mobility tools..
That’s why riding and the annual Ride To Work Day event is important. This Day is not narrowly about encouraging the wider adoption of transportational riding…it’s about increasing the understanding of—and tolerance for—those who choose this form of mobility, and about providing support and encouragement to those who like to ride in transportation-centric ways.
The Ride to Work website includes forum areas, merchandise, information, and free promotional support materials.
Contact Ride to Work Day, a 501 c4 nonprofit organization, at:
POB 1072, Proctor, Minnesota, 55810 USA http://www.ridetowork.org 218 722 9806 info@ridetowork.org
LIFE MOVES SO FAST—Younger folks are growing up in this harried atmosphere and some embrace change while others fight it. Some of the ones who fight it, lose out, or fight so hard they don’t accomplish anything, deadbeats on drugs.
We are trying to work with a girl and her daughter right now. She burnt through a decade without accomplishment. We are trying to help her turn her life around.
Another project, but a very important one.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
