Hey,
I’ve been telling friends in a joking manner that 2022 will be a much better year than 2021, “I promise.” That’s my optimism pouring forth. I believe it. I believe there is room for truth. I believe the media will open up and find balance. I believe we will correct our course for freedom and America, or die trying…
I’m just a grubby biker. I’m not a scientist, but I can read, and I do read a lot. As a biker, and for the future of motorcycling, I demand the truth. I’ve read the doom and the anti-doom. I want the truth to shine. I don’t get it. How could any control freak dare to use the hearts and minds of children to push their agenda? How could any media outlet do the same and not demand to share the absolute truth.
Here’s what blows my mind, and I know brothers all over the world think the same thing. So, the Greens want to force kids to hate their folks for driving an SUV. The SUV that takes them to the school built with fossil fuel technology, to stare at a computer made from fossil fuel technology, where almost everything in the school is made from fossil fuel technology. Hello?
Hell, their windmill and solar panels are made using fossil fuel technology. WTF. Give me the truth. Let’s hit the news
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
Tracey’s Top Riding NEW YEARS Resolutions–
(Note: You won’t find “cleaning” or “maintenance” on my list ‘cuz I like to spend the limited time I have riding instead, but those are good things too!)
The point is to look forward rather than back… ‘cuz that’s where the good stuff is: ahead of us!
All our Best,
Tracey & Tim
Leader Motorcycle Accessories
GROWING GAS PRICES–Talking Points on skyrocketing oil and gasoline prices
Skyrocketing oil and gasoline prices are a failure of anti-oil politicians, who artificially restricted the supply of oil
Skyrocketing oil and gasoline policies are not a failure of the oil industry. They are the total failure of *anti-oil politicians*, who have artificially restricted the *supply* of oil with massive restrictions and threats to oil production and transport.
Elizabeth Warren says gasoline prices are rising “because giant oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil enjoy doubling their profits.” Joe Biden says “companies have not ramped up the supply of oil quickly enough.”
These anti-oil politicians should blame themselves instead.
Contrary to rhetoric by Elizabeth Warren and others, oil and gasoline prices are not rising “because giant oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil enjoy doubling their profits.” If oil companies could control prices they would have done so during often-unprofitable 2015-2020.2
The most direct cause of rising prices is supply and demand. As our Energy Secretary says, “As we come out of an unprecedented global economic shutdown, oil supply has not kept up with demand.” But why not? Because anti-oil policies have prevented supply from meeting demand.
There is no physical reason the oil industry can’t meet rising demand. The world has hundreds of years’ worth of oil deposits. There is no technical reason the oil industry can’t meet rising demand. It is more capable than ever thanks to amazing technologies like fracking.
If there is no physical or technical reason the oil industry can’t meet rising demand, what is inhibiting it?
Decades of rising restrictions on oil production and transport from anti-oil politicians–including Biden’s massive threats to punish oil production going forward.
Perhaps the greatest limiter of the supply of oil has been anti-oil politicians’ constant threats to severely restrict or even ban oil production going forward. E.g., when Joe Biden promises “I will end fossil fuel” and then becomes President, oil investors run for the hills.
Is it any wonder that, threatened with punishment, investment in oil and gas has declined dramatically? Between 2011 and 2021, oil and gas exploration investments declined by 50%. Less investment = less supply = higher prices.
Anti-oil politicians’ restrictions on infrastructure, especially pipelines, have reduced the supply of oil by making it difficult or impossible to transport US oil to international markets. If not for these restrictions we’d be producing more oil, with lower prices for everyone.
The dynamic US oil industry could be rapidly increasing production to take advantage of higher prices. But thanks to anti-oil politicians’ threats to oil investors and infrastructure opposition, the US is ramping up production more slowly than OPEC!
If not for Joe Biden and other anti-oil politicians around the world radically restricting the production/transport of oil, as well as threatening oil companies and investors, the global oil industry would have rapidly adjusted to rising demand—and prices would be far lower.
The cause-and-effect of unnecessarily high oil prices is simple:
1. Anti-oil politicians around the world artificially restricted the *supply* of oil with massive restrictions/threats.
2. These restrictions prevented supply from keeping up with demand, and prices went way up.
“Build Back Better,” aka “Make Everything Worse,” promises to further restrict US oil production and increase prices via:
1. new bans on offshore drilling,
2. a costly methane tax that only applies to US production, and
3. many other oil taxes and penalties.
It must be stopped.
–Alex Epstein
Center for Industrial Progress
Yep, we still get tingles remembering those epic motorcycles too, which is why we’re taking a look back at some of the best bikes that changed the world of motorcycles and motivated so many to join the lifestyle. Collected by Cycle Trader, here are nine famous bikes that inspired us to ride.
1.Brough Superior SS100
Considered the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles—and the very first superbike—Brough Superior SS100 emerged in the British market between 1924 and 1940. With a custom design and build by racer/manufacturer George Brough, these bikes boasted speeds of 100 miles per hour, which was an exception for the time.
2.Indian Chief
Indian Chief boasted power and speed when it was first unleashed in the American market. As a top-selling bike for the company, Chief was a crowd-pleaser and emblem for years, known for easy handling, smooth riding, and high speeds. It’s earned collector status since original production stopped in 1953. Since then the Chief has undergone a modern revival and it’s immediately recognizable when roaring down the street.
3.Vincent Black Shadow
By the middle of the 20th century, Vincent Black Shadow was claiming its bike was the fastest motorcycle the world had ever seen in the commercial market, reaching a top speed of 125 miles per hour. Only 1,774 of these British bikes were made from 1947 to 1955, and in recent years one was auctioned off for nearly $1 million.
4.Harley-Davidson Sportster
Ever since its introduction in 1957, the Sportster has been an icon for Harley. More than half a century later it’s still in production as a symbol for the company and status for the brand’s riders. While over the years the engine has changed, the fanbase for this stylish and powerful American bike has remained.
5.Triumph Bonneville
When British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph introduced Bonneville in 1959, it was an instant classic and the company defined its legacy. “Bonnie” gets its name from Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats where the bike broke motorcycle speed records at nearly 115 miles per hour. Its popularity continued in the preceding decades with a modish design helping to earn its legendary status.
6.Norton Manx
For years this British racing bike dominated the Grand Prix and Isle of Man TT until its last model produced during the 1960s. Part of the Manx legacy is due to its design: a featherbed frame for improved handling, speed, and performance. Reliability, affordability, and the bike’s ability to help racers add to their trophy collection gained its popular reputation throughout the world.
7.Honda CB750
Known as the original Universal Japanese Motorcycle, Honda’s CB750 evolved with a sport bike layout and a reputation as a superbike with its introduction in the 1960s. Bringing with it entire generations of new riders for its power, speed, and efficiency, this bike brought the company to the world stage and made Honda a household name.
8.BMW R80 G/S
The multisport bike was designed to fit off road and on the street, and with its roll out in the 1980s, BMW had created the first ever adventure bike. Its durability and ability to manage terrain has inspired the market’s dual-sport bikes and riders to explore uncharted territory with motorcycles.
9.Ducati 999
Italian manufacturer Ducati has produced a number of world-class bikes known for their high speeds and maneuverability in motorcycle racing. The 999 was introduced in the early 2000s with complaints about its design, but the bike quickly hushed critics with its performance in World Superbike. With its 999S and 999R versions, the bike is able to reach a top speed of 170 miles per hour.
Conclusion: From superbikes to collector motorcycles, the performance and design of these iconic rides have left an epic biking legacy of inspiring thousands of riders to conquer the open road. They are classics that have become major brands and have given us all a sense of pride. Looking for your own famous bike? Check out all the new and used motorcycles on CycleTrader.com!
–Ryan Miller
CycleTrader
NEWS FROM THE BALL BRIGADE—We have new stuff coming from new full sleeved leather shirts, new tattoos from Frank Ball Jr., new brown leather dayrolls and more.
Frankie is penning new T-Shirt art for Bartels’ Harley-Davidson.
He did this in Frisco at a Tattoo gathering. I’ve told him that slogan several times. It was told to me by a Richmond Hells Angel in ’75.
–Bandit
TESLA NEWS--Finland Man Blows Up His Tesla After Claiming to Face $22,000 Replacement Battery Bill
A man in Finland has blown up his Tesla vehicle with 66 pounds of dynamite in defiance over the cost of a new battery after he claimed to face a $22,000 repair bill.
Tuomas Katainen, who lives in Jaala village in south Finland’s Kymenlaakso, exploded his 2012 Tesla Model S at a former quarry in a video uploaded to YouTube.
The Tesla S model 2012 cost around $57,400 to $77,400 when it was released.
Tesla’s warranty covers battery replacements if the capacity drops below 70 percent within 150,000 miles or eight years of purchase, leaving some owners of the older models facing large repair bills.
The video, which is over eight minutes long, shows Katainen and a group of people loading the car with the dynamite before notably placing a dummy with Elon Musk’s face on it inside the car.
The vehicle then explodes into pieces amid a rather serene and picturesque scene of snowy mountains.
“When I bought that Tesla, the first 1,500 km were nice. It was an excellent car. Then error codes hit. So, I ordered the tow truck to take my car in for a service. So, the car was at a Tesla dealer’s workshop for about a month. Finally, I got a call that they cannot do anything for my car and that the only option is to change the whole battery cell,” Katainen said in the YouTube video.
He didn’t reveal the total miles the car has been driven or show proof of the would-be repair bill in the video.
The Epoch Times reached out to him for comment.
“The cost would be at least 20,000 € ($22,000), and permission to operation has to ask Tesla. So, I told them that I’m coming to pick up the Tesla. Now I’m going to explode the whole car because apparently there is no guarantee or anything,” he added.
Tesla didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk—who has said he will pay more than $11 billion in taxes this year—is the world’s richest person with an estimated net worth of $244.2 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire’s list.
Battery issues are not the only problems, Tesla vehicle users have encountered, as safety issues have also been raised over a number of the vehicle’s features, including its autonomous driving features.
In August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a formal probe into Tesla’s Autopilot and full self-driving (FSD) systems following nearly a dozen crashes with parked emergency vehicles that left one person dead and injured 17 others.
According to an NHTSA document issued on Aug. 13 (pdf), the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation was probing 765,000 Tesla vehicles—Models Y, X, S, and 3, from model years 2014 to 2021. On Aug. 31, that investigation was expanded to cover a 12th incident (pdf).
In October, Tesla withdrew its latest version of its FSD beta software just one day after it was released after noting “some issues,” and said it would roll the software back to version 10.2 for now.
While Musk didn’t specifically mention what the issues were, he noted that Tesla’s internal quality assurance had found problems with some left turns at traffic lights.
“Regression in some left turns at traffic lights found by internal QA in 10.3. Fix in work, probably releasing tomorrow,” Musk said at the time.
Earlier this month, the NHTSA said it was in discussions with Tesla to replace cameras in some U.S.-made vehicles after it was made aware of an issue related to faulty Autopilot cameras.
The Tesla CEO said this month that no other CEO on the planet cares as much about safety as he does and insisted that he had not misled Tesla’s customers about the company’s self-driving technology, including Autopilot and FSD, and any potential risks to their safety.
Musk has sold nearly $14 billion worth of Tesla stock since November and the electric vehicle maker is worth about $1 trillion.
–By Katabella Roberts
EPOCH TIMES
KLOCK WERKS TO BE TITLE SPONSOR OF TRAVIS WYMAN RACING BMW AT MOTOAMERICA SEASON FINALE–Wyman also to compete in MotoAmerica King of the Baggers exhibition for Trask Performance.
Travis Wyman Racing BMW is pleased to announce Klock Werks will be the team’s title sponsor for the season-ending MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey, which takes place Oct. 23-25 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif.
The South Dakota-based company makes a wide range of parts and accessories for motorcycling and off-road enthusiasts and will have its branding displayed prominently on the team’s 2020 BMW S 1000 RR.
“I met Brian Klock years ago while I was working for Kuryakyn,” Wyman said. “When I approached Brian about joining my team’s family of sponsors, he was enthusiastic about getting on board. I’m really happy about the opportunity to help get the word out about Klock Werks’ quality products to MotoAmerica fans across the nation.”
“Since I met Travis in 2012, I’ve been very impressed with his professionalism and passion for the sport,” Brian Klock said. “With a little bit more support, I believe Travis can become one of the most successful riders in MotoAmerica.
Wyman also is set to race for Trask Performance in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers exhibition race, in addition to competing one Stock 1000 Class race and three Superbike races.
Phoenix, Arizona-based Trask Performance is one of 14 companies invited by MotoAmerica to participate in the exhibition. The bike Wyman will compete on is a 2017 Harley-Davidson Road Glide that was built specifically for the King of the Baggers.
How to Watch
All three Superbike races slated for the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey are to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 2, Eurosport and the MotoAmerica Live+ streaming service. The Stock 1000 race is to be broadcast on MotoAmerica Live+ and on Facebook Live, and the King of the Baggers race will be broadcast on MotoAmerica Live+ only.
Coverage of Sunday’s first Superbike race starts at 2 p.m. Eastern/11 a.m. Pacific. The third and final Superbike race of the weekend takes place at 6 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Pacific.
To learn more about MotoAmerica Live+, visit https://www.motoamericaliveplus.com.
QUICK, BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–Three Promises
President Biden visits a remote Native American reservation. With news crews following him around as they tour the place, the President asks the chief if there is anything they need.
“Well,” says the chief, “We have three very important needs. First, we have a medical clinic, but no doctor to man it.” Biden whips out his cellphone, dials a number, talks to somebody for two minutes, and then hangs up. “I’ve pulled some strings. Your doctor will arrive in a few days.” “Now what was the second problem?”
“We have no way to get clean water. The local mining operation has poisoned the water our people have been drinking for thousands of years. We’ve been flying bottled water in, and it’s terribly expensive.”
Once again, Biden dials a number, yells into the phone for a few minutes, and then hangs up. “The mine has been shut down, and the owner is being billed for setting up a purification plant for your people. Now what was that third problem?”
The chief looks at him and says, “We have no cellphone reception up here!”
–Sam Burns
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY CLASS—
This writing took some effort for me to find the right words. I hope it resonates in the right way with you
Come Together
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” – Dalai Lama XIV
Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.
–Sitting Bull
I remember when the Beatles release this song, Come Together. There were many interpretations of the meaning it, but today the most important is that we come together as a world in the right way.
It seems that so many of us of come together in feeding on the prophets of doom and gloom. The collective consciousness seems to be fixated on covid and negativity. No matter where we turn, we are reminded of covid. You cannot walk into store, restaurant, building without some reminder, and 50% of every news cast is covid related.
If it is not covid then it’s the economy, and not the economy it’s the weather. How many segments have there been on how to prevent covid through good health?
We sure don’t hear a whole lot of positive stuff. Do you remember of all the great deed stories that people did around Christmas. Well, I sure did not hear many of these this year?
Along with that we have Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms that keep feeding the negativity.
There is a collective Consciousness that is fixated on the prophets of doom and gloom. I believe it is time for Positive Revolution. Let’s collectively make a conscious shift to stop listening or participating in negative conversations. How about we start listening to the news a little less to start. Maybe Pause and make a list of 5 or more things your grateful for every day. Possibly block someone who is constantly posting negative stuff.
I know that this doesn’t sound like much, but I believe if enough of us make a conscious shift we can make a change. The Universe will respond to our collective thoughts positive or negative. Let’s fill the world with Good Thoughts. We can be part of the solution.
A Thought
As I begin this day, I unite with others to make a Positive change. I begin with recognizing 5 things that I am Grateful for. I will only watch or listen to the news once today, if not at all. I will hold thoughts that I am in perfect Health. I will not judge or gossip. I refuse to participate in any negative conversations. I block posters who keep sending me negative stuff.
Today I will come together with others who see through all of this to know Good is unfolding. The World is Amazing and so is our futre.
Namaste’
–Yale
PHOTO OF THE WEEK–The new year is upon us, God help…
Have a great week
–Barry G
BANDIT’S KNUCKLESLED KICKS OFF—Adam Croft contacted me about the new shop project bike. He offered to design the sprung seat and sketch up a concept drawing for the bike. The best I could, at this juncture I described my notions:
I want the bike to have a badass attitude, but not with skulls or snakes, just the stance. So, we can mess with the highbars, the pipes, the tank and the rear fender. Oh, of course the seat or perhaps a P-pad. Also, the headlight could be part of the theme.
Maybe, badass is not the term, but tough as nails. I want it to give the impression of a bike no one will touch without permission. We need to work on the paint scheme. No heavy molding, but I just had a thought. So, say we go with 5-Ball Orange theme. So the frame and tank will be orange, but the rear fender will be black, along with some engine parts. Maybe a 5-Ball will be painted on the tank followed by a flame.
–Bandit
QUICK, POINTS FOR 2022—
“The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.” – Al McGuire
“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.” – Albert Einstein
“War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography.” – Ambrose Bierce
“It would be nice to spend billions on schools and roads, but right now that money is desperately needed for political ads.” – Andy Borowitz
“At every party there are two kinds of people – those who want to go home and those who don’t. The trouble is, they are usually married to each other.” – Ann Landers
“My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I’m right.” – Ashleigh Brilliant
“Have you noticed that all the people in favor of birth control are already born?” – Benny Hill
“The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us.” – Bill Watterson
“As a child my family’s menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.” – Buddy Hackett
“My favorite machine at the gym is the vending machine.” – Caroline Rhea
“All right everyone, line up alphabetically according to your height.” – Casey Stengel
“Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.” – Dave Barry
“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” – Edward Abbey
“How many people here have telekinetic powers? Raise my hand.” – Emo Philips
“If you live to be one hundred, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.” – George Burns
“Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away.” – Benjamin Franklin
[page break]
NEW FULL THROTTLE MAG AVAILABLE–NEW MAGAZINE IS NOW ONLINE
JANUARY 2022
FULL THROTTLE MAGAZINE
SUBSCRIBE TO BIKERNET EMAIL BLASTS—Do us a big favor and sign up for our email blasts once a week. It’s free, it’s not just promotional material. It’s all about freedom and motorcycle news. Again, it’s free, always free. We won’t ask you to do anything, like sign-up for something or pay for more.
–Bandit
Grand Wizard
Bikernet.com™
PAINT JOB OF THE WEEK—From an Italian artist, who goes by the name Solo.
–Mike Stevenson
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY KINDNESS DEPARTMENT— God’s Wife…Priceless
IT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF
I especially liked number 5!
The purpose of the Contest was to find the most caring child.
The winner was:
When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, ‘Nothing, I just Helped him cry.’
*********************************************
2. Teacher Debbie Moon’s first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted.
‘What does it mean to be adopted?’, asked another child.
‘It means’, said the girl, ‘that you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy!’
************************ *********************
3. On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first- base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was ‘We’re behind 14 to nothing,’ he answered with a smile.
‘Really,’ I said ‘I have to say you don’t look very discouraged.’
‘Discouraged?’, the boy asked with a Puzzled look on his face…
‘Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t Been up to bat yet.’
*********************** **********************
4. Whenever I’m disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.
Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he’d set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.
On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. ‘Guess what, Mom,’ he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me….’I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer.’
*******************************************
A lady approached the young boy and said, ‘My, but you’re in such deep thought staring in that window!’
‘I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,’ was the boy’s reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy’s feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes.
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, ‘No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.’
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her:
‘Are you God’s wife?’
*******************************************
Hope this put a smile on your face it sure, did mine!
–Joe Smith
TRAILRIDE NEWS–While you may not be able to pull off a ride to the South Pole, you can participate in one of the best trail rides in North America.
Entries just opened for the 2022 Nevada 200 Trailride hosted by Dakar veteran and Dealernews columnist Scot Harden. But don’t wait until the new year to register! A strict cut-off means entries have historically been hard to get, and the fact that the Nevada 200 was rated “The Best Trailride In America” by several publications will make it that much harder to get a spot.
Harden says the 2022 event will feature 200 miles of some of the best single and two track riding in the country, “with a couple of new twists.” Based out of the remote railroad town of Caliente in Eastern Nevada, the event is attended annually by some of the biggest names in the sport, so don’t be surprised to line up next to someone like roadracing legend Kevin Schwantz or US Outdoor, Supercross and World Motocross champ Grant Langston.
“This is a bucket list ride for many so don’t hesitate to enter as entries are limited,” Harden notes. “As much fun as we have, it would not be possible without our generous sponsors.” The Nevada 200 is supported by Motion Pro, KLIM, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Seat Concepts, Beta Motorcycle, 100%, Rigid Industries, Kristi Harden Real Estate, A’Me and sanctioned by the AMA.
For more information including videos, photos, articles on past Nevada 200 Trailride events visit www.harden-offroad.com
–Dealernews
“Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas.” – Charles Kettering
“Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.” – Jonathan Huie
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” – Thomas Jefferson
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Eliot
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” – Paulo Coehlo
“Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard
“Everything in life is centered on the next move.”
“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” – Vern McLellan
“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” – William E. Vaughn
“You can’t ride if you fear the road.” – Ujjwal Dey
–Wayfarer
Senior Philosopher
Bikernet University Hillside Thought Center
Pillar Peak, South Dakota
FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. JUDITH CURRY– Christopher Balkaran
Yeah. I think that warrants a separate discussion on what journal articles are getting approved and funded and, and how that shapes public opinion. I wanted to talk to you because people said, “Christopher, you agreed too much with Judith Curry on your podcast!” So, you need to challenge her.
One thing that some mentioned was that in your articles, you talk a lot about food security, water and energy. And it kind of is divorced from the emissions discussion. And so I wanted to know from you, because here in Canada, we’re experiencing really severe weather patterns in the west coast and British Columbia right now. And as I was reading those, I was thinking exactly about what you said, which is why don’t we focus on our wastewater management. It seems that when we talk about climate change, that’s muddled into the emissions discussion. And reducing emissions seems to be the number one priority. Why do you think it’s important that we separate the two and respond to each kind of differently?
Judith Curry
The whole issue of climate change adaptation has taken second or third seat behind emissions. Even if we do manage to fix the emissions problem, you’re still going to get crazy floods and storms in British Columbia. I mean, they’re not going to go away. You can say, well global warming makes it 3% worse – maybe it does, but it’s not like these storms still aren’t going to occur. So, the whole issue of reducing vulnerability and adapting to weather extremes and sea level rise should transcend the global warming debate.
We need to reduce our vulnerability to these weather and climate extremes. Many places have too much water or too little water, even in the same region during different seasons. So, the challenge is to better manage the reservoirs and sewage systems. You need to figure out how to manage your water so you can buffer against the extreme wet and the extreme dry. And building in floodplains and right on the coast just causes problems. These issues are soluble and the big driver here is not that they might be impacted at a few percent level by man-made global warming. Even if we fix man-made global warming, these problems won’t go away.
That’s why I emphasize solutions that support human wellbeing, minimize losses and so forth and so on. And food is another issue. We produce enough food globally, the challenge is getting it distributed in the right places. Helping places produce their own food in developing world, making better decisions about their agriculture, would substantially support human well-being.
My company just got funded for a new project to develop an agricultural forecast system for one of the states in Pakistan. We’re working with an NGO and agronomists who are on the ground in Pakistan. We provide the forecast information so they can make better choices about which seeds they plant for a given season.
They can time their planting based on monsoon onsets. And they can maximize irrigation based on understanding when the monsoon break periods will come along. They can use information about severe convective storms and wind gusts to make sure they pick their crops before they all get flattened by the wind and on and on.
So, there’s a lot of little things like that that do not cost a heck of a lot of money where you can use information to optimize your yield to the extent that countries can grow their own food. This really makes the global food supply much more secure. A lot of little things like that that you can do, and that’s not to mention all the new hybrids and GMOs and whatever that improve the hardiness and the nutrition of the crops.
And then if you go to energy security, I mean, what is the point of all this? If we destroy the energy security of the planet, by having electricity that’s intermittent, unreliable and too expensive, that’s not helpful to anyone. We’re headed towards a real reckoning here, you can’t run industrial economies on wind and solar. People are starting to realize this.
Within the last few months, a lot of people and some governments are suddenly saying nuclear is the answer. Well, yeah, it sort of is, but why are you just realizing this now? The realities of wind power are being realized. In the North Sea, they have all these offshore wind turbines. In 2020 these produced 25% of England’s power, which is fabulous. But in the first 10 months of 2021, they produced 7% of the power. So, England and the rest of Europe is scrambling, having to pay too much money for natural gas and then with all the political problems with the natural gas supply from Russia. So, being able to produce your energy from within your country has a lot of appeal.
The one advantage of solar and wind as it gave some local autonomy to the countries, but wind and solar are not enough to run an industrial economy. And nuclear power gives you the best of both worlds. And also, if the countries were to frack for natural gas, that’s another energy source that could be more local. The most important issue is energy security, so that its abundant and reliable, and you’re not held hostage to other countries or crazy price spikes.
I have no problem with going to cleaner energy sources. Everybody would prefer clean over dirty energy. But energy security has to be first and foremost, we have to have reliable, affordable energy. Otherwise, none of this makes sense.
NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT–“Iron and Ice”
David Uhl Holiday Series 2021
We will begin taking orders now and will close the edition on January 1, 2022. Each canvas print will come hand-signed and numbered with Certificate of Authenticity.
Edition specifics:
** Image size 26.5 x 20, holiday price $895 framed
** Image size 32 x 24, holiday price $1,295 framed
** Image size 40 x 30, holiday price $1,895 framed
NOTE: Shipping is additional
Those collecting the series will be given first right of refusal on matching edition numbers. New collectors to the series will be slotted in as order confirmations are received.
VERY limited quantities of the previous holiday pieces are available.
Please email me or call me at 303-913-4840 with any questions, or to place your order. Thanks for your time!
–Greg
International Sales Director
David Uhl Fine Art
Uhl Studios
303-913-4840
COMMENT FROM MASTER J.J. SOLARI–This Renegade guy?….who just explained what choppers and bobbers are? You need to hire that fucker. He knows how to explain things. This is not sarcasm. Who the fuck knew I was capable of learning. I guess it all depends on the teacher.
–J.J. Solari
CANCEL CULTURE COMES FOR INDIAN MOTORCYCLE—
What the hell do I do ?
1. Not call motorcycle companies or models of India ever as Indian motorcycles ?
2. Never introduce myself as an Indian?
From Bikernet Blog:
https://blog.bikernet.com/cancel-culture-comes-for-indian-motorcycle/
Maybe we should get some piece of the profits from branding use of word “Indian”? What makes the Native Americans think they have the Monopoly on the word and term “Indian” ???
Actually, it is TYPICAL of All Americans including Native Americans to imagine the “World” means “USA” – World Championship Title therefore means competitors only from 50 States of USA. Maybe the citizens won’t be able to / won’t care to find India on a world map.
Worst still – there are Authorized Dealerships of Indian Motorcycle in India – selling it to a population of 100% Indians. Registered Trademark !!!
3. On a serious note – these a-holes are diverting required attention from critical rights, freedoms and basic needs of the Native Americans which are denied and robbed by the American Government – by providing this typical pompous hashtags for a company that creates jobs and pays taxes
They don’t – and won’t ever – have the balls to stand up to the Feds or even their State – so they bully a well-known iconic company instead.
–U Dey
India
15 Miss BUFFALO CHIP Photos You Can Kiss at Midnight–
The New Year is nearly upon us, and if you’re unsure of where you’ll be getting your midnight kiss, you may be panicking. To those of you frantically swiping through your preferred dating app, we say, “fear not!” These delectable Miss Buffalo Chip contestants will ensure you have something sweet to plant your lips on when the ball drops.
WHAT ARE FOSSIL FUELS–The hydrocarbon industry has developed a highly resource efficient process to find, extract, and harness a naturally concentrated, plentiful, and stored source of energy. It’s the only industry that has come up with a process that is cheap, plentiful, and reliable. To understand why that is, it’s important to understand what fossil fuels are and how to explain it to someone who doesn’t work in the fossil fuel energy.
Fossil fuels 101
Fossil fuels are created by the decomposition of living organisms over millions of years. Let’s take the example of coal. The organic matter decomposes and combined with time, heat, and pressure, becomes more and more dense, getting buried under several layers of earth and eventually forming coal.
Fossil fuels are also referred to as hydrocarbons because they are very rich in molecules made of hydrogen and carbon atom combinations. When these atoms bond together, they have some remarkable properties.
One is that they are able store a lot of energy in a very small amount of space that is released when burned. This is what allows hydrocarbons to power engines, such as an internal combustion engine or a steam engine.
When you burn fossil fuels, you introduce oxygen into the system, leading the carbon atoms to bond with oxygen and become carbon dioxide, while the hydrogen atoms bond with oxygen to become dihydrogen oxide—that is, water. The energy formerly holding them together is released in the form of heat, which creates pressure that can move the engine. That’s basically how all the different engines in modern life work. It’s a very efficient way of generating energy.
Just how plentiful are fossil fuels?
It’s important to note that there is an enormous amount of hydrocarbon in the earth. But even though there is a huge amount of this material, if we don’t know how to get it or don’t know how to use it, it’s useless. For most of history, we haven’t been able to do either. However, today, thanks to the ingenuity of the fossil fuel industry, we’re able to find and extract those hydrocarbons and use them more efficiently.
Exactly how much is there? What we often discuss is what are called reserves, which is the amount we have in inventory. The thing to realize is that the reserves are usually a very small fraction of the overall in-place amount or deposits that actually exist in the earth.
This graph shows how our consumption of oil over time goes up, but our reserves also go up. (The same is true of natural gas.)
That seems impossible unless you realize that the overall deposits are massive; many, many, more times than we have used in the whole history of civilization.
So, the key question is not how much deposit is there; it’s whether we have the ingenuity to turn those deposits into usable energy.
The hydrocarbon industry has answered this question by continuing to improve how we access and use these resources, which has translated into an abundant energy source for billions.
Vitamin O
The hydrocarbon industry produces energy for every kind of use, including heating and electricity. Other energy sources can also supply heating and electricity. But oil is unique: it is the only cheap, plentiful, and reliable form of portable energy.
Why is portability important? It has allowed us to create new applications for energy, such as cars, planes, and harvesters, which would not exist if their energy sources were not portable.
For example, a modern harvester that reaps enough wheat for 500,000 loaves of bread a day needs to carry its energy with it. Nothing can match liquid hydrocarbons, in this case in the form of diesel fuel. That’s why over 90% of the world’s transportation comes from liquid hydrocarbons, because in terms of portability, it is the best. So, when people talk about restricting oil-based fuels, the conversation should include all of the potential consequences.
The hydrocarbon industry is the only industry that can produce cheap, plentiful, and reliable energy that we need to power our machines, amplify our productivity, and provide significant amounts of power on the go. It is the only industry to do so for billions of people throughout the world.
–Alex Epstein
LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2015 Harley-Davidson FXDB – Dyna Street Bob
FOR $13,995.00
SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=11383759
ABOUT THIS BIKE…..
STOCK # 13066
2015 Black Harley-Davidson DYNA STREET BOB FXDB
ONLY 39896.00 Miles !!!!!
Some of the features/Add-ons on this bike
* 103 c.i. Motor
* 6-Speed trans.
* Chrome dual shorty exhaust
* Black forward controls
* Low-profile H-D seat
* Mini apes
Just $13,995.00
Plus, license, and a $85.00 documentation fee and your local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like dealers. We have no reconditioning or prep fees.
This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92 point safety and mechanical/structural inspection.
You can fill out an online application with EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available to purchase!!! and you can ride today!
Lifestyle Cycles located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806 NOT LOCAL WE HAVE ******SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!******
Call today (714) 490-0155. **Open 7 days a week**
STAFF MEMBER EDITORIAL COMMENT–Ah, the venerable Solari breaks through with truth, mirth, and wisdom once again. Good stuff as always.
I wish a very Happy New Year to You and all your Crew. Thanks for making this a good year and helping us through the fog.
–SB
NEWS FROM THE PRISM–We collaborated on this build with DicE Magazine for The Congregation Show, sponsored by Harley-Davidson.
We took a 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S, stripped it down, and built it back up using the iconic FXR Police Cruiser as our inspiration.
See all the shots on their web site.
With fully functional lights, sirens and loud speaker, this thing is the real deal.
Northern Lights Photographer of the Year Winners Feature Auroras Above Volcanoes, Frozen Forests, and Fiords—
In search of northern lights, photographer Marc Adamus delves into the Alaskan boreal forest, marching to the sound of ice crystals crunching beneath his snowshoes. Setting up his camera in the dying light of sunset, he has only to wait for adequate darkness to fall; aurora borealis, though omnipresent day or night, diminishes in sunlight, but is most spectacular in the pitch dark—as his stunning photo attests to.
As twilight faded, Marc snapped this sublime winter wonderland, which he titled “Forest of the Lights” and submitted to Capture the Atlas’s 2021 Northern Lights Photographer of the Year
Wandering around these forests coated in rime ice is one of the most magical experiences, but also one of the most difficult to capture,” Marc told Capture the Atlas, a website for outdoor photography buffs. “Temperatures are often in the minus 30s and negotiating the easily broken, crusty snow on snowshoes with nothing but a headlamp makes for great challenges in hiking and composing.”
The aurora borealis phenomenon is caused by the cosmic collision of solar plasma, constantly being bombarded at us from the sun, and the Earth’s protective magnetic field deflecting those particles. The subsequent release of photons (light), seen most visibly near the Earth’s polar regions, illuminates gasses in the atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen, giving off a sometimes greenish, reddish, or bluish glow.
–By Michael Wing
Epoch Times
“The 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead.”
–Wheels Through Time Museum
THERE IT IS—So we’ve had some snow and cold fronts. I call them fresh fronts. Jason, my contractor took his kid to North Dakota for a wrestling match. The guys from North Dakota look at us lightweights in South Dakota as if we live in the Bahamas.
The Redhead found this egg solution that’s terrific and easy. Take a glass and cut a hole in the middle of a piece of bread. Put some butter in a frying pan and brown the bread, toss in the egg and cook it to your liking, turn it over and brown the other side and bada bing, delicious.
Charlie, my grandson’s barber and riding partner sent me this gas cap for an upcoming project. Too cool. I helped him get his dyna back to LA in one piece. When it arrive, the battery was dead, so Frankie helped him load it in his battered and busted Ford Ranger that just keeps going after over 250,000 miles.
We’ve started to grow some house plants, including some lemon grass for Thai Food dishes.
We did it up big in the Xmas tree department.
We just feature this customized Indian. Check it out on the home page.
We are hoping for shop walls to go up next week. I’m working on a propane hook-up so the redhead can have a fossil fuel stove. We are still discussing underfloor shop heating and back-up generators.
And the Hamster bros around the Badlands are calling for drinks tonight. Hell, it’s 7 degrees outside. No problem. Let’s party.
Stay strong and vigilant in 2022. The positive line-up of guys against Climate Doom, including politicians and scientists is growing by the minute. We will continue to ride free forever…
–Bandit
