I wasn’t expected to roll in until this afternoon. I hit it for Arizona on a 2004 Victory Kingpin and started dodging rain within the first 50 miles, a bad omen. I hooked up with the rest of the group in Yucca Valley and we shot photos of four American Rides in Joshua National Forrest. You’ll see the epic in American Rider, a magazine about American Riders and their bikes.
The rain piled up in Arizona, so we took a turn, “A run for the Sun” and headed west in Lake Havasu. We dodged the storm and natch, when we arrived back in LA the sun was breaking through the clouds. The next morning was beautiful.
I’m touched. Every time I head for Arizona it rains. What gives? We rode four American Rides and switched off from time to time. I was responsible for the 2004 Dallas Chopper from American Iron Horse, Buzz had a 2004 rubbermount 1200 Sportster Custom, Clem rode a 2004 Heritage Softail and Reg strapped on the Victory. Let’s hit the news. I’ll tell you more at the end:
New Bike from Bob T.
15 KIDS
A woman walks into the downtown welfare office, trailed by 15 kids…”WOW,” the social worker exclaims, “are they ALL YOURS???”
“Yep they are all mine,” the flustered momma sighs, having heard that question a thousand times before. She says, “Sit down Leroy.” All the children rush to find seats.
“Well,” says the social worker, “then you must be here to sign up. I’ll need all your children’s names.”
“This one’s my oldest–he is Leroy.”
“OK, and who’s next?”
“Well, this one he is Leroy, also.” The social worker raises an eyebrow but continues. One by one, through the oldest four, all boys, all named Leroy. Then she is introduced to the eldest girl, named Leighroy!
“All right…,” says the caseworker, “I’m seeing a pattern here…Are they ALL named Leroy?” Their Momma replied, “Well, yes–it make it easier. When it is time to get the m out of bed and ready for school, I yell, ‘Leroy!’ An’ when it’s time for dinner, I just yell ‘Leroy!’ an’ they all comes a-runnin.’ An ‘if I need to stop the kid who’s running into the street, I just yell ‘Leroy’ and all of them stop. It’s the smartest idea I ever had, namin’ them all Leroy.”
The social worker thinks this over for a bit, then wrinkles her forehead and says tentatively, “But what if you just want ONE kid to come, and not the whole bunch?”
“Ah, that’s so easy,” said the momma. “Then I calls them by their last names!!!”
–from Ray R.
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NEW New ORLEANS Search Warrent Law
It’s a groundbreaking court decision that legal experts say will affect everyone: Police officers in Louisiana no longer need a search or arrest warrant to conduct a brief search of your home or business.
Leaders in law enforcement say it will provide safety to officers, but others argue it’s a privilege that could be abused.
The decision was made by the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Two dissenting judges called it the “road to Hell.”
The ruiling stems from a lawsuit filed in Denham Springs in 2000.
New Orleans Police Department spokesman Capt. Marlon Defillo said the new power will go into effect immediately and won’t be abused.
“We have to have a legitimate problem to be there in the first place, and if we don’t, we can’t conduct the search,” Defillo said.
But former U.S. Attorney Julian Murray has big problems with the ruling.
“I think it goes way too far,” Murray said, noting that the searches can be performed if an officer fears for his safety — a subjective condition.
–from Rogue
The History Of WD 40
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. It’s name comes from the project that was to find a “water displacement” compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.
The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts. The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (also known as “shrinkage” or “stealing”) it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history.
Read all the uses and mysteries in the Digital Discovery area.
Drag Racing Legend Passes
We have bad news, Jim McClure passed away late Friday afternoon. Jim’s viewing will be Monday, April 5th from 5-8 at Bucktrout Funeral Home Williamsburg, Va. 757-229-3822.
The funeral will be on Tuesday, April 6th at 2:00 at Liberty Baptist Church Lanexa, Va. 804-966-2659
Phyllis said there will be a reception to follow the service at the Church. If you’d like bring a covered dish.
Always,
ML
Miami Cops Convicted
Jurors reached a verdict in the corruption trial of three Miami police officers Thursday afternoon. The defendants and their attorneys showed no reaction when verdict was read. Jurors were escorted out of the building.
The retrial of the former Miami police officers was troubled by the dismissal of three jurors and deliberations forced to start over from scratch. It took the newly assembled jury three days to reach a verdict.
Gonzalez, Quintero and Garcia were accused of planting guns near two robbery suspects shot by police in 1995, then agreeing to cover it up.
Last year a jury deadlocked in the retrial of the three officers.
The scandal over the charges against 13 officers in four shootings rocked the department and scarred its image. Two officers pleaded guilty, four were convicted, and three were acquitted. One other officer faces a separate retrial.
Gonzalez and Garcia face up to 10 years in prison on charges of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice for lying in sworn depositions and conspiracy.
Quintero faces up to five years for conspiracy for planting one of the guns.
–from Rogue
Bikernet Medical School Research
First-year students at Med School were receiving their first anatomy class with a real dead human body. They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet.
The professor started the class by telling them, “In medicine, it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor. The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the human body.”
For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the butt of the corpse, withdrew it and stuck his finger in his mouth. “Go ahead and do the same thing,” he told his students.
The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took turns sticking a finger in the butt of the dead body and sucking on it. When everyone had finished, the Professor looked at them and told them, “The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention.”
–from Dave F.
Brotherhood Galore in “2004” Nation Wide Stand by Our Side Ride
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Ride with Pride Inside
The Fever is on us Bro ………… Ride free The Road Never Ends , Only Dreams Do When They Come True ………… Live to Ride , Ride to Live … Again ………….
__The Lone Triker , Ransom “Wheelz” Heth IIII
P.O.Box 414
Grandville , Michigan 49468
616-662-0742
mailto:bmf_recycle@yahoo.com
http://freeriderspress.us/ransom.chariot-r-trikes.html
Daytona Letter To The Editor–Open-container Arrests
Re “Bike Week stats show arrests up,” article, March 24: I wonder why the open-container law is enforced during Bike Week and Spring Break but not during Speed Weeks.
I attended the truck race on Friday of Speed Weeks with some friends. As we were walking from our parking spot near the Volusia Mall, we passed or were passed by numerous people with open containers. There were plenty of police officers around, but nothing was said or done. While waiting at the crosswalk to cross International Speedway Boulevard, I counted at least 15 people with open containers and three police officers standing right there. Nothing was done.
If there were 121 arrests during Bike Week for the violation, imagine what the police could have done just on that Friday night during Speed Weeks.
MARTIN SUTTON, Daytona Beach
–from Rogue
Who Is Social Butterfly Shelly?
I may have to ask for a favor later, with the “Social Butterfly Shelly”. I am getting ready to upgrade my camera and add a studio flash system also. However, Shelly does not like pictures of herself. I know I can capture something fine, if she’ll let me have my way with her.
–Rigid Frame Richard
Cantina Sunday Religious Moment
At her fathers wake, a woman told her priest that ever since she was a child she and her father had discussed life after death.
They agreed whomever went first would contact the other. They discussed this again just two weeks before his death. He died in her home and a few days after his death the smoke alarm in her garage went off.
She lived there 28 years and it never went off before. She couldn’t turn it off, so she call the security company that installed it. They came out and fixed it.
The next morning the smoke alarm sounded again. and the reason finally dawned on her, she said aloud, “OK dad, I missed the signal yesterday, but I got it now!!! Thanks for letting me know you are safe on the other side. Now turn the darn thing off so I don’t have to call the security company again.”
And it went off. She immediately called her priest to tell him the good news.
His response: “Dear, if every time your father sends you a message, he sets off the smoke alarm, just where do you think he’s calling from?”
–from A. Friedman
Calling In Sick Advice
Employee: “I’m sorry but I can’t come in today. My doctor says I suffer from Anal Glaucoma.”
Boss: “Anal Glaucoma? What’s that?”
Employee: “I just can’t see my ass coming to work!”
–from Bob T.
When Does Nude Become Lewd?
DAYTONA BEACH — Jessica Shearer and her two Michigan high school friends saw nothing wrong with lifting their tops to expose their breasts on Atlantic Avenue.
“You only have one life to live,” the 18-year-old said at 2 a.m. during Spring Break under the bright lights in front of Ocean Walk — the upscale retail and resort development city elders hope will attract families to Daytona Beach.
“It’s all fun; that’s what we do,” Shearer said. “That’s what teenagers do.”
At the nearby Lollipops adult club, 21-year-old “Mary Jane” was getting ready to take the stage and seductively remove her top while several other entertainers were swinging on a pole with wads of cash hanging from their thongs.
“Women are beautiful . . . and it’s (expletive) good money,” said the dancer, who gave only her stage name, while several men stared intently at her female assets.
Nudity has taken center stage during this special-events season. Arrests were up for breast exposure during Bike Week; one woman was charged with exposing her breasts on Main Street Bridge after announcing her intention to police. And more than 800 young Spring Breakers were charged with appearing topless in public before the event ended last week.
The moral tug-of-war begs the question: When does nude become lewd?
While women seen lifting their shirts on the street in Daytona Beach can be fined $253, performers in nearby adult clubs are allowed to take off their tops — and in some cases, remove their bottoms, too, as city and club attorneys remain locked in a legal battle in federal court.
Women may wear thongs on Volusia County-regulated beaches, but if they step onto the city sidewalk, they face exposure charges. On a portion of Canaveral National Seashore in Southeast Volusia, people are allowed to swim or tan in the buff as long as they don’t engage in overt sexual activity.
Dan Warren, a criminal defense attorney who has practiced law here for 52 years, said a Florida Supreme Court justice once told him, “I know pornography when I see it, but I can’t define it.”
By HENRY FREDERICK Legal Affairs Writer, Daytona News Journal
–from Rogue
Attention! Attention! Attention! Attention!
There is currently a House Bill number 65 before the Florida legislature that would increase the penalties for running red lights. It is sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Lindsay Harrington R-Punta Gorda.
Though it may sound good when you first read it upon closer observation it leaves a lot to be desired. While it states financial boosts for Trauma Centers and even money to ABATE of Florida to be used for motorcycle safety awareness to many it sounds to like the Lottery Lie about funding schools.
Supporters of the bill say it would generate $57.6 million, according to an analysis by transportation committee staff.
Currently: If a driver runs a red light and no one is injured the driver can be fined up to $60.00 and assessed three points against his or her license. No court appearance is required.
Under the bill, the fine would be increased to $125.00, four points would be assessed, and a court appearance would be required. THIS PART OF THE BILL IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MUST BE DELEATED or THE COMPLETE BILL NOT BE PASSED!
Every one is aware that the motorcycle community wants to cut down and hopefully eliminate riders being hurt and killed by other drivers. The other parts of the bill addresses that situation.
Currently: If a driver runs a red light and causes “serious bodily injury” in a crash, a court appearance would be mandatory and a judge could assess a fine from $60.00-$500.00 Under the bill, the judge must impose a $500.00 fine and suspend the driver’s license for three months.
Currently: If a driver runs a red light and kills another person, a judge could fine up to $1,000.00 Under the new bill, the $1,000.00 fine would be mandatory and the license would be suspended for six months.
REMEMBER the Red Light Law applies to All Vehicles. How many times have you seen a group of motorcycles riding and the last bikes run a yellow or red light so as not to get separated from those they are riding with.
YEA I Know they should stop but in many cases they do not. Do not make Knee Jerk Laws that will Come Back and Bite You On The Ass.
–from ROGUE
THAT’S IT FOR NOW–Big goddamn week ahead. A couple of brothers dropped in this morning and we rode to Acapulcos for brunch. That took the wind outta my sails. Mimosa’s and tacos until we couldn’t see straight. We blasted around town as if we had a get-out of-jail-free pass.
Okay, I left town and it rained. I returned, it’s fuckin’ beautiful and the women are here. What’s the message? We rode and switched off riding all four bikes. You can catch our impressions in American Rider. Should be interesting. It’s a new era. None of the bikes broke down. Even the chopper ran like a frieght train and got almost 40 mpg, which beat all but the Sportster. I’ll post this puppy, but watch for more updates as the week rolls along.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
