How to think about our energy future
Is humanity’s continuing—and expanding—use of fossil fuels a moral choice or an immoral choice?


At the Center for Industrial Progress, we reject the common standard of minimizing human impact.

Our standard of value is: maximizing human flourishing.

To discover what will maximize human flourishing we must think full context—we must carefully look at the benefits, risks, and side effects of all our alternatives. We reject the common method of thinking out-of-context.

Thus, when we consider fossil fuels, we do not write them off as bad because they cause some man-made CO2 and some man-made warming.

We look carefully at the full context of their potential impacts on human flourishing now and in the future.



Fossil fuels & human flourishing: the benefits
The unmet need for cheap, plentiful, reliable energy:

— There are 7 billion people in the world who need cheap, plentiful, reliable energy to flourish. Some 3 billion have virtually no energy by our standards, which means we need vastly more energy.

— It is extremely difficult to produce cheap, plentiful, reliable energy. In the entire history of humanity, only three industries have achieved this on any scale: the hydrocarbon (fossil fuel) industry, the nuclear industry, and the hydroelectric power industry.

The unique ability of the fossil fuel industry to meet our energy needs:

— The fossil fuel industry produces over 80% of the world’s power because it is the only industry that has figured out how to produce cheap, plentiful, reliable energy for electricity, transportation, and heating on a scale of billions.

— Since the energy industry is the industry that powers every other industry, the fossil fuel industry increases productivity and prosperity in every area of life, from agriculture (diesel-powered farm equipment) to hospitals (24/7 electricity).

— The only industries that can meaningfully supplement fossil fuel energy are the nuclear and hydroelectric industries, which are widely opposed by environmentalists. Even without this opposition fossil fuels would still be irreplaceable for decades to come. Hydro is limited by lack of suitable locations. Nuclear has the long-term potential to expand greatly, but is many decades away from
scaling to the level of billions.

— For these reasons, any restriction on fossil fuel use would do devastating damage. This must be factored into all policy debates over restricting fossil fuels to reduce CO2 or other byproducts.

About the author: Alex Epstein, founder of the Center for Industrial Progress, is a
humanist philosopher who seeks to identify the full context of industrial and environmental controversies.

His New York Times bestseller The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels has been widely praised as the most persuasive argument ever made against climate catastrophism and led The McLaughlin Group to name Epstein the most original thinker of 2014.



Fossil fuels & human flourishing: environmental concerns. The number one environmental concern: climate impacts

— To assess the climate-related impacts of fossil fuel use, we have to carefully assess the consequences to human flourishing of :


1) the warming impact of CO2,

2) the fertilizing effect of CO2,


— The warming impact of CO2 is mild and quite possibly positive–in no way does it justify restricting fossil fuel use whatsoever.

— It is a proven but little-known fact that the greenhouse effect of CO2 is a diminishing,
logarithmic effect; each molecule of CO2 warms less than the last.

— The belief that increases in CO2 will cause runaway warming are based on speculative
climate dynamics represented in models that have utterly failed to predict climate.

— Global average temperatures and CO2 levels are near all-time lows from a geological
perspective; today’s CO2 levels are an estimated 1/20th their all-time high (a highly fertile period).

— Warming is almost universally desired among civilizations, with cold-related deaths
dramatically greater than heat-related deaths. In general, life thrives under warmer conditions.

— The widely ignored fertilizing effect of CO2 is significant and positive, yet ignored; a proper energy and environmental discussion must take it into account.

— Increasing CO2 levels is a proven driver of plant growth, which is why greenhouses contain 3 times as much CO2 as our atmosphere.

— Satellite data show dramatic increases in plant growth in uninhabited locations as CO2 levels have increased over the past several decades.

— Increased CO2 has also contributed significantly to crop yields and helped millions avoid malnutrition or starvation.

— The widely-ignored protecting effect of fossil fuels is spectacularly positive; it has helped us take the inherently dangerous climate and make it far safer than it has ever been.

— While the climate debate treats the global climate system as naturally stable and safe, it is in fact naturally volatile and vicious. Climate safety requires climate protection through
development and technology–both of which are fueled by affordable energy.

— The international disaster database, which tracks climate-related deaths–including deaths from flood, droughts, extreme heat, extreme cold, storms, and wildfires–shows a 98% decrease in the rate of climate-related deaths since significant CO2 emissions began 80 years ago.

— Fossil fuel use doesn’t take a safe climate and make it dangerous, it takes a dangerous
climate and makes it safe.

For a full analysis of the environmental impacts of fossil fuels, including air, water, and resource impacts, see the book The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels.



Help change the conversation

If we truly look at fossil fuel energy by the standard of human flourishing, we discover that it is not an immoral product we need to restrict but a moral product we need to liberate–just as we need to liberate other persecuted sources of energy such as nuclear power and hydroelectric power.



Our society’s lack of a clear,
pro-human, full-context framework for thinking about energy is leading to disastrous, anti-fossil-fuel, antinuclear, anti-hydro policy decisions that are already harming millions and will harm billions.
A fast, easy way to make an impact is to share this document with your friends, family, coworkers, favorite commentators, and elected officials.



Go to IndustrialProgress.com/fossilfuels to get a PDF to share with others.

In a few years if a collector wants to keep the old stuff running he may have problems
Photos and text by Bill May

The cars and motorcycles of today run awesome and last a long time, but they do nothing for me.

People who can work on those old engines are few and far between. We are a vanishing breed.

In a few years if a collector wants to keep the old stuff running, he will have to get out the old manuals and train some young guy with an aptitude for it.

Me, I’m just going to keep flying down the road on my old bikes and my ‘34 Ford.

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November 5, 2021

Highway Bill Passes… a Year Late

After a 13-month delay and enactment of three separate extensions, Congress finally passed a surface transportation reauthorization bill. This bill, sometimes called the highway bill or the infrastructure bill, has been a hotly debated topic in D.C. for several years. Once signed by the President, the bill will reauthorize many highway programs, provide funding for road and bridge construction and replace the previous highway bill passed in 2015, known as the FAST Act.

Just a week ago, Congress gave itself a third extension running into December. Yet election victories by Republican candidates, especially a win by the GOP in the Virginia governor’s race, seems to have spooked Democrats, and motivated passage of a bill that has been awaiting a vote since the summer.

For the last two years, the House of Representatives and Senate have battled over transportation priorities and funding levels. In both 2020 and 2021, the House of Representatives passed versions of their highway bill, only to be rebuffed by the Senate. Under pressure from President Biden, the Senate finally acted, passing in August a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. This action by the Senate, effectively forced the House to accept the Senate version of the bill or continue to pass short term extensions of current law.

However, pressure from the left wing of the Democratic party delayed a vote on the Senate’s infrastructure bill until an unconnected piece of legislation, referred to as the “human infrastructure bill,” was agreed to. That bill, called “Build Back Better,” had an original price tag of $3.5 trillion and effectively held the infrastructure bill hostage. After months of debate, and Tuesday’s election results, House Democrats agreed to vote on a smaller Build Back Better bill later in the month, opening the door to a final vote on the infrastructure bill.

At 11:27pm Friday night, the House agreed to the Senate’s bill and passed a $1.2 trillion 5-year highway bill, known as the INVEST ACT. The final vote in the House was 228 to 206, with 13 Republicans voting in favor and 6 Democrats voting against.

BENEFITS TO BIKERS

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders.

Visit MRF Website at: https://mrf.org/

Honor our Disabled American Veterans

This weekend thousands of members and supporters of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) community will come together to honor America’s ill and injured veterans at the DAV 5K presented by Humana. Although online registration ended for our in-person event, you can still register TOMORROW at The Banks at 7:00 AM.

If you cannot make the in-person event, you still have time to register for the virtual event! Register for the virtual race today and walk, roll, run or ride to support America’s ill and injured veterans November 6-11.

Whether you’re on the West Coast, the East Coast or near us in Cincinnati, you can still support America’s veterans and participate with us.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY

DAV keep the lifesaving programs and services to our nation’s injured veterans free of charge and participate in the DAV 5K, in-person or virtually. Thank you for helping keep the promise to America’s veterans.

Sincerely,
The DAV 5K Team

P.S. Not able to join the DAV 5K, but want to help veterans? Make a special gift to DAV instead. Your donation will help America’s veterans get the benefits they’ve earned.

DAV is a tax-exempt organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible according to IRS regulation.

It’s all Wild and Free

It’s another magnificent day here in Deadwood, South Dakota. The deer are cleaning the fields, the sky is amazing blue and clear and if you step into the sun, you would think it was summer again.

We started to take hikes. It’s all good.

In the meantime, Ride Fast and Free Forever.

— Bandit

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The Brothers and Girls Ride Out for a High-Stakes Poker Game

By Gearhead with help from Bandit

The story starts with Bandit telling me about a big card game in the Badlands of South Dakota. We were drinking one night down the street from the Cantina getting about half lit. He drank Jack on the rocks, and I was drinking Beam. The only thing left was to break open a bottle of Old Grand Dad and we would have a song.

He mentioned making a run to Deadwood for this big poker tournament. It was by invite only and he had one. I asked him about the tournament, while the music on the jukebox in the background was, “I drink alone,” by Lonesome George. He told me you need references and a wad of cash that could choke an elephant –a big fuckin’ bank roll.

Two things my Uncle Geno told me was: family first and never cross a 1%er. I would back Bandit.

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• Indian Motorcycle introduces 2022 Lineup featuring Updated Technology.
• New Ride Command Update, Adaptive Headlight for Scout.
• All-New Accessories for Cruiser, Bagger & Touring.
• Prices, Paint and Specs announced.

“Rider feedback continues to be at the forefront of what drives refinements and enhancements for our model year offerings, and that is once again the case for 2022. With the help of customer feedback, we aim to consistently enhance and improve the lineup with new technology and wider-ranging accessory options like these for 2022.” – Mike Dougherty, President for Indian Motorcycle

CLICK HERE To See the Full 2022 Indian Motorcycle Lineup Info and Photos.

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Hey,

We are going to break ground on our shop project today. We have a couple of issues hanging over our heads that I won’t go into here, but our options are many.

It’s another magnificent day here in Deadwood, South Dakota. The deer are cleaning the fields, the sky is amazing blue and clear and if you step into the sun, you would think it was summer again.

A brother offered me a killer deal on a Paughco Rigid frame. I’m itching for another project. Another brother offered me a big candy deal on a David Mann Original. I’m pondering my options. Hell, Geno offered me a deal on a ’48 Ford. So many of these issues involve the shop completion. Being forced to be patient is tough.

We are working with Nino on a couple of Hall of Fame rings. We had to confirm when we were inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame, way back in 2005. Hell, Michael Lichter was inducted the same year.

Here’s a mid-‘80s shot of Gary Bang and Micah McCloskey. Micah was inducted last year. 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.

POLARIS TAKES A “STEP” IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION–Polaris ponied up a $1 million grant to develop an on-the-job training program specifically for powersports techs. The “Service Technician Education Program” (STEP) connects college curriculum with real word wrench-spinners working the dealership level in a partnership between Central Lakes College (CLC) in Brainerd, MN, and local dealer Power Lodge.

“In addition to providing hands-on learning experiences for students, this project helps decrease the technician labor shortage in the industry by connecting trained students with our dealers to complete a specific list of services while working alongside dealer technicians,” explains Power Lodge director of operations Laura Fleisher. Students will be paid for their work as student technicians when working for the dealership as part of a new career pathway in the industry. “As a result, more experienced technicians are freed up to work on more complicated services. Simultaneously, we will be building the next generation of skilled professional technicians.” Win-Win!

“This program is about building a connection between powersports businesses and students who have chosen powersports as their career,” adds Bridget McLennan, Polaris VP, dealer services. “STEP brings new life to powersports and marine programs offered at colleges like CLC while strengthening this industry as a relevant and meaningful career path that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion,” she notes.

“Not only is the curriculum focused on emerging vehicle technologies, but it’s also infused with rich hands-on learning experiences for the students. CLC has a compelling and exciting program, and the partnership of powersports dealers like Power Lodge helps apply those learnings in an actual work environment, ultimately building a highly-skilled network of future employees in a high-demand field.”

CLC, Polaris and Power Lodge will begin building the foundational capabilities of this comprehensive pilot program immediately, with full implementation at CLC to begin with the 2022-2023 academic school year. Based on critical milestones and success proven under CLC and Power Lodge’s leadership, additional Polaris educational partnerships will have access to the modified curriculum and will be encouraged to replicate the model.

Polaris anticipates the pilot program with CLC and Power Lodge to train 80 student technicians and an additional 89 staff over the course of the grant, many of whom will be hired upon graduation.

It Comes Down to This: AHDRA at Gainesville–AHDRA Nitro World Finals

when: November 5-7, 2021

where: Gainesville Raceway, Florida, USA

The AHDRA World Nitro Nationals are set to rotate the earth of north Florida, as the all-American motorcycle drag racing series takes over Gainesville Raceway on November 5-7.

National champions will be decided and rewarded at this final 2021 stop on AHDRA’s nitro and gas V-Twin road show.

Milford, Ohio, based Top Fuel Harley racer Ryan Peery has a big 108 point lead in TKR & Associates Top Fuel over Cecil County winner Tracy Kile, and yet both of these nitro studs will be pushing the limits of steel and aluminum to finish off the season with their best performances ever.

Defending champ Rich Vreeland will be doing the same, while graciously handing over his nitro crown in what is essentially a peaceful yet violently explosive succession of power.

Frank “Brother” Capone, Dr. Jimmy “Mac” McMillin and more will be pounding the Gainesville pavement, along with Rebel Glover riding Jake Stordeur’s Knucklehead Racing bike.

Bike owner/tuner Red Rhea is stoked about his rider Michael Balch’s year in Hawaya Racing Nitro Funnybike—the first year on nitro for Balch. “Michael won his first race and is on his way to a championship,” said Rhea, who also touted Balch’s prowess at acquiring and servicing sponsors—an essential skill for today’s racers. “If anyone is sitting on the fence waiting to jump into nitro racing, Michael’s year should be an inspiration to them to get out here!”

Rhea will have the bike’s Orangeburg destruction repaired and on track in Gainesville, along with Sam White, Armon Furr, Rocky Jackson and more.

Preston “President” Bartlett is the runaway leader for the Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel championship. His four wins set-up a 158 point lead over second place multi-class racer White.

Still, expect to see Sam racing at Gainesville, along with Jim Martin and many more in the popular carbureted nitro class.

Kevin Campbell leads GMS Racing Pro Open points, but gasoline power-adder studs Mike Motto, Andy Simon, and Columbus winner Paul Vicory are all expected to huff and blow their way to some serious scoreboard assaults.

Shane Pendergrast has a commanding Zippers Performance Pro Modified lead over John Price, while Gary Douglass’ Pingel Modified points lead is only 22 points over Jeff Workman, who has just 10 on Nate Carnahan. Carnahan brings a 59-point lead over Brad Reiss Jr. into the last 10.30 index race of the year.

Ken Strauss leads 63-year-old John Shotts for the Top Eliminator 9.30 index championship, but John is calling the Shotts as Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson 9.90 leader. He’s only 22 points ahead of Robert Willis, who has a scant 5 points on Reiss. This class is going down to the final round!

Reiss holds the Universal Fleet & Tire 10.90 points lead, 40 ahead of Loren Potter, with Crosby Blair within striking distance.

Potter leads Monkey Motorsports Eliminator and is tied for third in 11.50 index. That class’ championship battle is a classic father/son duel between Jordan and Jason Leeper.

The Bagger classes will all be totin’ the luggage, including Law Tigers Pro Bagger and T-Man Performance Bagger Eliminator. Victor Gotay, David Miller, Rylan Mason, Crystal Lynch and more will all be sending it.

Wanna get your own start in racing? Start with AHDRA’s Trophy class and see if you’ve got what it takes!

Friday is reserved for test and tune, followed by live music from the Local Traffic Band. Qualifying starts on Saturday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with eliminations on Sunday from noon to 6:00 pm. Spectator prices are $25 daily, $45 for two days, or $55 for all three days. Save by preordering at raceahdra.com. Camping and vending spots are available.

AHDRA will cap this championship weekend with a full-blown banquet at the Gateway Grand Hotel and Conference Center, 4200 NW 97th Blvd in Gainesville.

Bill Rowe, his family, and the AHDRA community look forward to welcoming racers and fans back to beautiful and fast Gainesville Raceway.

The AHDRA website is at http://raceahdra.com/

SUPPORT GOOD TIMES LATEST–Knucklehead Till I’m Dead Long Sleeve

Support Good Times Knucklehead Till I’m Dead Long Sleeve in black or white. Back print with left chest print on 6.1 oz. 100% preshrunk cotton.

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!--Lou Kimzey: America’s 20th Century Founding Father

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Lou_Kimzey_Americas_20th_Century_Founding_Father_.aspx

So great to hear the truth spoken once again. J.J. Solari is a national treasure without a nation. Justice is Just Us.

My whole life I was told “you can’t do that! Truth is, I could.

Lou Kimzey could. Bandit could too along with a rag tag group of misfits who fit, so perfectly, my lifestyle.

Thanks J.J.

We’ll meet again someday in Texas, at a Mesquite fired BBQ by total chance. You made my day.

–Big Dave Hansen
weaseldave@msn.com
Bethel Springs, TN

Good to hear from you Dave. We hope to make a road trip to Texas in the Spring. Ya never know.–Bandit

We have been receiving new leather in as soon as we can. See what we currently have available and get your leather now.

We have added dozens of boxes of discounted scrap leather available for purchase, including some of our favorite leathers from Hermann Oak, Horween, and Wickett & Craig.

All boxes contain high-quality leather remnants of various sizes cut down from larger pieces.

–The Buckle Guy

December Deadline for Tariff Exclusion Applications— The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced it will consider excluding tariffs on select products currently captured under the China tariffs.

Manufacturers and dealers could get relief from tariffs on items such as small-displacement motorcycle engines, electric motorcycles, helmets, apparel, accessories, insulated electric conductors, parts for internal combustion engines, and starter motors – if they submit a persuasive exclusion request to the USTR explaining the need for tariff relief.

USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai made the announcement in a recent speech stating that tariff exclusion requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The USTR will entertain exclusion requests only on the 549 harmonized tariff schedule codes previously granted exclusions. Powersports companies are urged to review the list closely for HTS codes that may apply to their imports.
Most of the exclusions expired December 31 and the remainder ended earlier this year. The USTR is inviting specific comments on reinstating particular product exclusions as well as public comments on the appropriate length of the reinstated exclusions. The deadline is December 1.

–MIC

Join Black Girls Ride in New Orleans for an epic weekend of sisterhood, empowerment and parties!–We’re excited to announce our 4th Annual Black Girls Ride to Essence Fest!

If you’ve never been to Essence Fest, this is the perfect opportunity! We’ll arrive in New Orleans for all of the festivities. We’ll host rider events to pick up new riders in cities along the way! Riders are invited to join our ride leaders from all over the country, as we all meet in New Orleans for an epic weekend of sisterhood, empowerment and parties!

All riders are invited to join us from all over the world on this ride!
Host Hotel Info will Follow Paid Registration.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here’s a few frequently asked questions about Black Girls Ride to Essence Fest:

– Who’s invited? All Female Motorcycle Riders of all levels are invited to join us for this unique riding vacation! This experience is great for new to intermediate riders. We’ll help you get prepared for the cross country journey!

– Can I bring my husband/significant other? You sure can! While our itinerary caters to women who ride, men are welcome to follow along. Simply purchase their registration and they are all set to join us!

– What if my guest only wants to do some of what’s on the itinerary? Do they still have to pay full price? Absolutely! Our pricing is based on providing female motorcycle riders with the full experience. To ensure this, we’ll only offer one package this year.

– What if I want to trailer my bike? We strongly encourage you to ride, and enjoy the full experience of a cross country motorcycle ride. We don’t have parking accommodations for trailers.

– I don’t think I can get enough time off to ride. Can I fly in and rent a bike? Sure, but those accommodations are yours to make. Our goal is to provide an excellent experience once you arrive on ground.

– What if my girls want to drive instead? Can we park at the BGR lot? We hope you can understand that our lot is reserved for BGR Motorcycle Riders, and your registration includes bike parking only. Registration DOES NOT include car parking, but car parking will be available for $30 per day with your registration band.

PLEASE NOTE: ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON THE ESSENCE FESTIVAL CALENDAR. THIS PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL, HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS OR ESSENCE FESTIVAL CONCERT TICKETS.
– What is the refund policy? There are No Refunds at anytime.

– I have other questions. How can I reach you? I’m always available at (310) 733-0508 or drop an email to blackgirlsridemag@gmail.com.

BGR Ride Leaders:

Louisiana Contact: Juicy J (504) 251-1397

Louisiana Contact: Tru (504) 906-0465

Ohio Contact: Squeaky (614) 989-3956

North Carolina Contact: Foxy (919)423-3268

Virginia Contact: Pepsi (804) 938-5299

Texas Contact: Lady Feisty (832) 886-3455

Georgia Contact: FeeNom (404) 441-4527

New York/New Jersey: Sandra (917) 319-1466

Alabama Contact: Blacq (256) 541-6019

Vendor / Sponsorship Contact: Porsche Taylor 310) 733-0508

Black Girls Ride Magazine is not affiliated with Essence Festival or Essence Magazine. Riders are responsible for their own travel, accomodations and insurance. These packages WILL NOT include Essence Festival concert tickets.

NEW FROM THE CLIMATE HEADQUARTERS–Considering all the dire forecasts on climate change, maybe some facts could lower the temperature.

Steven Koonin, a physicist at the Department of Energy in the Obama administration authored a book titled:

“Unsettled, What Climate Science Tells Us, What it Doesn’t, and Why it Matters”

Somehow the book did not get much coverage even though the media continually reports on climate change.

· “The warmest temperatures in the U.S. have not risen in the past fifty years,” Koonin writes, according to the U.S. government’s Climate Science Special Report.

· “Humans have had no detectable impact on hurricanes over the past century,” according to the 2014 National Climate Assessment.

· “Since the middle of the twentieth century, the number of significant tornadoes hasn’t changed much at all, but the strongest storms have become less frequent,” according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data (NOAA).

· “The rate of global sea-level rise 70 years ago was as large as what we observe today,” according to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

· Instead of droughts, “the past fifty years have been slightly wetter than average” in the United States, according to NOAA figures.

· Rather than famine, “in the fifty years from 1961 to 2011, global yields of wheat, rice, and maize … each more than doubled,” according to the IPCC.

· “The net economic impact of human-induced climate change will be minimal through at least the end of this century.”

It would be helpful if the media covered all sides of the climate issue.

If you would like to comment on this or any other American Thinker article or post, we invite you to visit the American Thinker Forum at MeWe. There, you can converse with other American Thinker readers and comment freely (subject to MeWe’s terms of use). The Forum will be fully populated and ready for comments by midday (Eastern time) each day.

J.J. INVESTIGATES SPLITTING LANES–I was just talking to someone about traffic. and he said a motorcycle doesn’t know what traffic is. When you ride a motorcycle you are riding a big middle finger. I said I’m stealing that.

–J.J. Solari

ON ANY SUNDAY Movie Re-release Premier!

Martin Moto will be partnering with The Boyertown State Theater on Saturday Nov. 6th from 3:30pm-6:00pm for an anniversary showing of On Any Sunday! It’s been 50 years since this movie has been released and we’d love to celebrate this iconic film with you! Snacks and drinks will be provided by Martin Moto the day of the event. We will also be hanging out with Grind Restaurant and Iezzi’s On 3rd after the show! They will be offering special coupons for our after-movie premier if you’d like to stop by.

Tickets will be FREE! First come first serve basis.
Reserve your tickets now!
or Call us at: 610-369-3120

Martin Moto
1037 UNGER LANE
BOYERTOWN
PA 19512 (610) 369-3120

RENEWABLE NEWS–
Making a solar electric panel produces more CO2 than the panel will ever save.

And it’s also a sword of truth that solar electric panels are made in China. Made in factories using huge amounts of high heat in production. And these are powered by coal-fired electric generating plants.

Solar electric panels are basically created by fossil fuels. And as mentioned, their preparation produces more CO2 than they will ever save.

–Issues and Insights

[page break]

BIKERNET MEDICAL ALERT–Gee, the highly educated journalist religion cultists are wondering if maybe there is no way to actually get rid of C-19 since animals can be carriers. Which is what you learn in the first grade if you pay attention in the first grade.

So we’re slowing the spread among humans…..meanwhile the deer population is holding onto a reservoir of the flu if it turns out it disappears among humans. Which it will never do by the way. It’s a rhinovirus. They cause colds and flu. They are indestructible. Just like bureaucrat and apparently society’s noggins.

–J.J. Solari
Medical Research Specialists
Bikernet Medical Center

AMA NEWS–AMA Members Save on SX Tickets
The 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season kicks off on January 8 in Anaheim, Calif. View the event schedule, 2021 photos and results at amasupercross.com. Tickets for all 17 rounds are on sale now, and AMA members can save $5 on up to 8 tickets. Use the AMA discount code when you buy tickets. (Restrictions, exclusions and additional fees may apply.) Get the member discount code.

AMA-chartered clubs – Join an AMA Club
AMA Clubs have long been a way for motorcyclists to connect and enjoy camaraderie. The AMA offers different types of club charters, including service, social and historic clubs. Many of our service clubs hold events to raise money for charitable causes. With more than 1,200 AMA-chartered clubs around the country, you can connect with like-minded riders in your area.

Find an AMA Club
Learn about becoming an AMA-Chartered Club
Order a Club Member Patches and Pins

VINTAGE RIDES ARE BACK–THE WORLD IS OPENING BACK UP at long last!

At the time of writing, 4 groups are on the road in Morocco, Peru, Sardinia and Nepal. In total, around 100 riders have hit the roads with us this October! Our destinations are slowly but surely announcing that they are reopening their borders and we are thrilled to be sending you our new motorcycle tour calendar, including South Africa, Mongolia, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

We can’t wait to see you again!

–Vintage Rides
53 Rue Président Krüger, 69008 Lyon
teamvr@vintagerides.com
+442070316050

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2019 Harley-Davidson® FLTRXSE – CVO™ Road Glide FOR $39,995.00

see it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=11284095

2019 Mako Shark Fade Harley-Davidson SCREAMIN EAGLE CVO ROAD GLIDE SPECIAL FLTRXSE

ONLY 20758.00 Miles !!!!!

This bike is a Mako Shark Road Glide they only made only 995 and 116 for California

Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike

* 117c.i. Screaming Eagle motor Professionally Dyno Tuned by MCM.
* 6-Speed trans.
* Bassani 2 into 1 exhaust
* Dynojet Power Commander 5 Tuner
* Backrest and Luggage rack
* Boom Audio with speaker lids

Just 20758.00

Plus license, and a $85.00 documentation fee and your local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEE’S like dealers, We have no reconditioning or prep fee’s.

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**

MIL BLAIR STILL BUILDS GROUND UP RIDERS—Mil Blair is one of the originals in our industry. Him and Joe Teresi started D&D Distributors and ultimately Jammer Cycle. They were responsible for our chopper industry to grow without government interference. They proved to the DOT that choppers were as safe as stock bikes. Amazing.

Mil continues to build bikes and develop products like his Pegasus fuel injection system.

The new owner is Dr. LeRoy Perry, D.C. and Mil’s co-builder is John Teresi.

–Bandit

MIJ INDUSTRY #PROfile–The latest with Jeff Holt.

He’s been doing it nearly 20 years… and if you know Jeff, you know he’s done it by being himself the whole way. The motorcycle industry is cool enough that you can be as cool as Jeff and make it big.

His big personality has been great for the V-Twin market too. The dude bleeds for it and for that, he’s definitely A-OK in our book. Keep on keeping on, Holt.

–Dealernews

We are working with Jeff on my grandson’s pipe install. Hang On! –Bandit

THE CLIMATE QUIZ—Direct from the co2Coalition.

https://co2coalition.org/quiz/more-hurricanes-are-making-landfall-in-the-united-states/

NEWS FROM MCQUISTON’S CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES—Charly Parks bought a chopper recently and took it to Ryan’s shop for a do-over. Here are some teaser shots.

That’s Charly’s engine on the bench behind the frame.

–Bandit

QUOTES For Thursday News–Life ends when you stop dreaming. Hope ends when you stop believing. Love ends when you stop caring. So, dream, believe and care – it makes life beautiful.

“The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.” – John Burroughs

Humility is an ability to give up your pride and still uphold your dignity.

If you don’t have everything you want, realize that you still have an opportunity to be happier tomorrow than you are today. Change your outlook.

Sometimes a hard day’s work is easier than a lot of things you face in life.

“If you have enough breath to complain about anything, you have more than enough reason to give thanks about something.” – Mattie J.T. Stepanek (1990-2004), Poet & Peace Advocate

–Wayfarer
Monk in training
Bikernet Monastery
Pillar Peak, South Dakota

Across the country, local candidates are pitching themselves as advocates on safety and supporters of the police

Mayoral candidates across the country are closing out their campaigns pledging to restore law and order, a major setback for racial justice protesters who only a year ago thought they had permanently reshaped the debate on policing in American cities.

As voters head to the polls Tuesday, local elections are dominated by discussions about safety and law enforcement amid a surge in violent crime. The tone of the debate, even in many liberal urban communities, highlights how major policing reforms have stalled.

From Buffalo to Seattle, Democratic politicians who once championed significant reductions or reallocations of police department budgets are backtracking. In other cities, including Cleveland, liberal candidates are being hammered over their stances on public safety.

Even in cities without a competitive mayor’s race, the question of how to get tough on crime and bolster public safety has emerged as a defining issue. In Miami Beach, for example, Mayor Dan Gelber (D) is campaigning for a controversial referendum that would ban the sale of alcohol at bars and nightclubs after 2 a.m., which the mayor says is needed to regain control of the city after a tumultuous year of unruly behavior and gun violence. Gelber is also exploring how Miami Beach can hire more police officers.

“My residents are saying ‘we need to crackdown’, or ‘we need to have zero tolerance,’ ” said Gelber, adding that his party has been hampered by public perceptions that it is soft on crime.

The shift in the political strategies among big-city politicians, many of whom are Democrats, comes as a new poll shows public support for traditional policing strategies has increased since last year, when the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis galvanized the Black Lives Matter movement and powered its “defund the police” slogan.

A Pew Research Center poll published Tuesday shows that 47 percent of Americans want to increase funding for police, compared to 15 percent who want to decrease funding. In June 2020, when the racial justice protests were at their peak, 31 percent of Americans wanted to increase funding, while 25 percent supported a decrease. Three-fourths of Black Americans, who form a decisive voting bloc in many mayoral contests, either support increasing or keeping spending on police the same, Pew found.

The shift in public opinion comes after large U.S. cities experienced a 30 percent jump in killings in 2020, the biggest one-year increase since the federal government began compiling national figures in the 1960s.

In many cities, the number of homicides continued to rise this year, though at a slower rate than in 2020. At the same time, many large police departments have seen a decline in the number of active officers, fueling residents’ sense of unease.

From a Washington Post article
–NMA

WATCH OUT FOR CITY COUNCILS–Paul Hollywood’s hopes for his dream motorcycle garage dashed by council

Paul Hollywood had hoped to build a four-bay steel barn motorcycle garage at his luxury farmhouse in Kent after he was the target of thieves earlier in the year

Paul Hollywood has had his dreams dashed when it comes to his latest project idea.

The Great British Bake-Off judge, 55, had high hopes for a motorcycle garage but the council in the area have claimed it would be an eye sore.

The star wanted to erect a four-bay steel barn after he was the target of thieves earlier in the year. Plans showed that Paul wanted to build the 39ft by 26ft structure in a field next to his £1million farmhouse.

However, he was told the intended design at the listed 18th-century property would be “visually harmful” and ruin views.

When asked about the proposals, the local council told The Sun that the plans would be a negative towards the “rural character and appearance of the landscape”.

Paul Hollywood had hoped to build a garage to store his motorbikes ( Image:
Twitter)

They said: “The plans submitted show a substantial utilitarian building with a large footprint outside of the residential curtilage.

“The building would be prominent and by virtue of its size and exposed location, intrusive in views across the wider landscape.”

Last month the judge moaned how the hit series had let to him piling on the weight again.

Speaking to the Sunday People’s Love Sunday magazine, he revealed that he had gained 12lb thanks to this year’s delicious cakes while his fellow judge Prue Leith only put on 1lb.

–By Jamie Roberts Showbiz Reporter
EinPresswire

NEW FROM NASH MOTORCYCLE COMPANY— Opie Way Footwear MFG Co., from North Carolina, designs and manufactures their line of “True American Luxury” footwear by hand with non-automated machines, made-to-order. All material is sourced from only U.S. manufacturers, often within 200 miles of their facility.
They use only the best vegetable tanned leathers and quality U.S. made textiles they can find. The collaboration between our brands seemed only fitting with like mindedness to build our products in the good ol U.S.A.!

Pre-sale starts on these one-of-a-kind, made-to-order, limited run sneakers today! Any orders placed by Nov 19th. will ship and be in customers’ hands before Christmas!

Delivery on for before Christmas CANNOT be guaranteed for any order placed after Nov 19th!

The Sneaker:

Made-to-order, 100% Cotton OD #7 12oz. Vintage Selvage Canvas, originally produced for Vietnam-era duffle bags. Lined with Mt. Vernon lightweight 100% cotton canvas. Leather toe cap and sidewall reinforcement made from 6 oz. Horween Dublin black leather.

“Nash” logo printed backstay cover and arch stretch preventer are made of 100% Cotton OD #7 military webbing from the 60’s. The Gum cup sole is attached with sidewall stitch, allowing for your Nash sneaker to be resoled after extended use. Internal toe cup, heel counter, covered Poron cushioned insole, and entire shoe stitched with A&E #69 Bonded Nylon stitching, ensures comfort and extreme seam durability.

These fine sneakers are topped off with high quality US made Pisgah Range LTD laces that come with a lifetime warranty! These laces are not mass produced on a machine or outsourced to a factory. Every pair is measured, cut, and made to order by hand. This allows us to ensure that our quality CANNOT be matched.

KODLIN STRETCHED GAS TANKS— For M8 Softail Models

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

Kodlin stretched designer gas tank to fit all HD M8 Softail models from 2018-up.

Comes in raw steel, unpainted. It includes a pop-up gas cap and works with the OEM fuel pump.

We recommend the use of a tank sealer prior to installation.

The tank has a capacity of approx. 3.5 gallon (13 liter) and comes with installation instructions and hardware.

Please note: When used on Softail models with a dash, modifications are necessary to relocate / replace the dash. Stock seats do not work with Kodlin fenders. Stock seats do not work with our stretched gas tanks.

Special Session on Pandemic Mandates Set for Mid-November

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday directed lawmakers to return to Tallahassee on Nov. 15 for a special session to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The mid-November session, which will overlap with a week of previously scheduled legislative committee meetings, will focus on efforts to prevent schools, businesses and governmental entities from imposing vaccination mandates and other pandemic restrictions.

“In Florida, we believe that the decision whether or not to get a COVID shot is a choice based on individual circumstances, so we are litigating against the Biden Administration and will be passing legislation in this special session to protect Florida jobs and protect parents’ rights when it comes to masking and quarantines,” DeSantis said in a press release announcing the dates of the special session, which is expected to wrap up by Nov. 19.

Mask mandates in schools and government-imposed vaccination requirements have become political flashpoints in Florida, with DeSantis and other Republican leaders sharply critcizing President Joe Biden’s approach to the pandemic.

–By Jim Turner

–Darrin “Scribe” Brooks
State Vice President
State Legislative Trustee,
ABATE of Florida, Inc.
abatefloridainc.com

DIME BAG LEATHER SEAT OF THE WEEK—Hand tooled Leather set for Panhead

Completed hand tooled leather set by Adam Croft for a Harley-Davidson Panhead that Dan Starkey is building for John, his brother.

–Adam Croft
Dime Bag Leathers

[page break]

CLIMATE ALERT–On the eve of the UN COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, CLINTEL, an organization of over 925 scientists and scholars has called out the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for false claims of a climate crisis in the policymakers summary (SPM).

Friends of Science says this critique and the Allan Inquiry reports show the Tar Sands Campaign environmental groups are misleading the public on climate change and the Alberta oil sands.

CALGARY, AB, Oct. 28, 2021 /CNW/ – In a letter dated Oct. 26, 2021, Dr. Guus Berkhout, president of CLINTEL, calls out Dr. Hoesung Lee, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for misleading policymakers with skewed information in the Summary for Policymakers, versus the scientific realities expressed in the full IPCC AR6 Working Group I report.

Berkhout writes:

We have now carried out an interim review of the AR6 WG1 Summary for Policymakers (SPM) and believe that it misrepresents the latest objective climate science in six key areas:

It is not “unequivocal” that human influence alone has warmed the planet; the observed modest warming of ~1°C since 1850-1900 has occurred through some as yet unresolved combination of anthropogenic and natural influences.

The new “hockey-stick” graph (Fig SPM.1), when analyzed in detail, is a concoction of disparate indicators from various time periods over the last 2,000 years, which together fail to recognize the intervening well-established temperature variability, for example of the Roman and Medieval Warming periods and of the Little Ice Age.
The incidence of so-called “extreme weather” events is erroneously misrepresented in the SPM compared to the more accurate depictions in the draft main report, which latter identify no statistically-significant trends in many categories over time.

Developments in the cryosphere are also misrepresented in the SPM, particularly noting that there is virtually no trend in Arctic sea ice in the last 15 years.

Likewise, developments in the ocean are erroneously misrepresented in the SPM; in particular, the likely modest GMSL rise to 2100 does not point to any “climate crisis”.

The CMIP6 climate models are even more sensitive than the already overly sensitive CMIP5 models of AR5, and ignore peer-reviewed scientific evidence of low climate sensitivity. The models lead to invalid conclusions on ECS and “carbon budgets”; the likely global temperature increase to 2100 does not indicate a “climate crisis”.
…We regrettably conclude that the SPM is erroneously pointing to a “climate crisis” that does not exist. The SPM is inappropriately being used to justify drastic social, economic and human changes through severe mitigation, while prudent adaptation to whatever modest climate change occurs in the decades ahead would be much more appropriate. Given the magnitude of proposed policy implications, the SPM has to be of the highest scientific standards and demonstrate impeccable scientific integrity within the IPCC.

The CLINTEL letter goes on to detail that there is no climate crisis.

Friends of Science Society says this backs up the recent findings of the Alberta Inquiry into the Tar Sands Campaign, as reported in the National Post on Oct. 21, 2021. Some $1.3 billion dollars was poured into the pockets of numerous environmental groups (many tax-subsidized Canadian charities) who were funded by foreign philanthropies to push various ‘green’ policies like carbon taxes, wind and solar, and to phase out the ‘tar sands’ entirely, allegedly to stop climate change. These groups directly and indirectly blocked hundreds of billions of dollars in resource development, says Friends of Science, and they were also misleading the public on climate change, as outlined in this assessment by CLINTEL and by other climate policies experts like Roger Pielke, Jr. These exaggerated climate crisis claims stem from both the reliance on climate models that are far too sensitive to greenhouse gases and the misuse of an implausible climate scenario known as “RCP8.5”. Peer-reviewed research by Pielke, Jr. and Justin Ritchie shows that RCP8.5 is a near-impossible extremely high emissions scenario.

Dr. Berkhout’s very popular presentation “Climate Science: Let the Data Speak” for Friends of Science Society’s 18th Annual Event has caught the imagination of thousands of people.

COP26 participants are proposing to force their countries to reach NetZero by 2050, targets which cannot be met without new technologies, as shown in this report by Robert Lyman. Likewise, NetZero is not what the experts predict; the US EIA forecasts a boom in oil, gas, and coal demand worldwide.

Friends of Science has issued two reports that address the Tar Sands Campaign – “Fear and Loathing” and “Protest vs Green Trade War”.

About

Friends of Science Society is an independent group of earth, atmospheric and solar scientists, engineers, and citizens that is celebrating its 19th year of offering climate science insights. After a thorough review of a broad spectrum of literature on climate change, Friends of Science Society has concluded that the sun is the main driver of climate change, not carbon dioxide (CO2).

SOURCE Friends of Science Society

–from Climate Depot

BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB–Let’s Have a “No-Negativity November”

Berkeley Springs, WV (November 2021)—America runs on negativity. From news headlines to social media posts to your family’s daily complaint-fest, we’re constantly pointing out what’s wrong instead of what’s right. This negativity bias made sense when our ancestors had to be on guard for deadly threats the next cave over—but all it does now is perpetuate an epidemic of division and conflict that poisons every level of government and citizen life.

Elaine Parke says we’ve surely evolved past the constant kvetching—which is why she wants Americans to spend November becoming more positive.

“On a personal level, cultivating a positive attitude is great for your mental and physical health and for your relationships,” says Parke, author of The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America…one citizen at a time (Outskirts Press, 2021, ISBN: 978-1-9772-4276-1, $21.95, www.12habits4allofus.org). “But I’ve always been more interested in the ripple effect it can have in the world around us.”

As her book title suggests, Parke is deeply invested in bringing together our fractured nation. She says in the tense aftermath of the past few years, we’re all hungry for kind words, laughter, and moments of connection. When we get intentional about sharing them, others are more likely to respond in kind.

November, with its cultural emphasis on thankfulness, is a natural time to practice positivity—but Parke urges you not to stop there. The Habits of Unity is structured around her scalable outcome-proven, color-coded, 12-month model for instilling “good citizenship” habits in readers (and improving their mental health in the process). Note November’s theme:

January: Help Others
February: You Count
March: Resolve Conflicts
April: Take Care of Our Environment
May: Be Grateful
June: Reach Higher
July: Become Involved
August: Know Who You Are
September: Do Your Best
October: Be Patient and Listen
November: Show a Positive Attitude (Color of the Month: Sunny Yellow)
December: Celebrate Community, Family, and Friends

“The idea is to get everyone focused on the same branded behavior each month,” says Parke. “The plan is easy to put into practice. It feels good, so people want to keep doing it.”

As you focus on cultivating a positive attitude in November, keep in mind the following tips excerpted from the book’s 365 days of “one-magic-minute-a-day” motivationals:

Focus on blessings, which are the antithesis of worries. As we approach Thanksgiving, celebrate things, events, and people you are grateful for. Bask in these moments of beauty. Talk and even write about them. There’s a reason everyone suggests keeping a gratitude journal—it’s an amazingly powerful tool.

If necessary, fake it ’til you make it. A “true” positive attitude develops more quickly when we put on an optimistic act. For example, smiling when you may not necessarily feel like it stimulates the nervous system to produce a hormone that gives us a pleasant feeling and even has an anesthetic effect. Plus, it puts others at ease.

If you can’t say something nice, say nothing. Positivity is about what you “don’t” as well as what you “do.” (A good practice to keep in mind at Thanksgiving dinner, especially if hot-button issues come up in conversation!)

Work on accepting others’ weaknesses and annoying habits. Remembering that we are all human can bring peace and foster a positive attitude (another Thanksgiving “must”!).

Use the “spoonful of sugar” approach when encouraging others to change. Anger and criticism rarely spark inspired positive change. (Plus, they worsen your own mood.)

Remember that we do “get through” most setbacks. Adversity usually isn’t “the end,” and it often leads to opportunity (like getting a better job after being laid off). Reminding ourselves that good things can grow out of “bad” circumstances can help us stay more positive during personal challenges.

“None of these positivity practices are earth-shattering revelations,” notes Elaine. “We know this stuff already. We just need to do it. And yes, it takes work to counteract the negativity bias that comes with being human, but it makes life better for everyone.”

CHOPPER OF THE WEEK—from Sole Art Design. Check the build on facebook.

–submitted by Mike Stevenson

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY— Every box of raisins is a tragic tale of grapes that could have been wine.

They say we can have gatherings with up to eight people without issues. I don’t even know eight people without issues.

Theme parks can snap a crystal-clear picture of you on a roller coaster going 70 mph, but bank cameras can’t get a clear shot of a robber standing still.

Someone posted that they had just made synonym buns. I replied “you mean just like the ones that grammar used to make?” I am now blocked.

Dear paranoid people who check behind their shower curtains for murderers .. if you do find one, what’s your plan?

The more I get to know people, the more I realize why Noah let only animals on the boat.

Facial recognition software can pick a person out of a crowd but the vending machine at work can’t recognize a dollar bill with a bent corner.

When all this pandemic stuff is over, I still plan to wear a mask. It hides the perpetual look of annoyance I have for most people.

Covid-19 Fact: 87% of gym members don’t even know their gym is closed.

I never make the same mistake twice. I do it like, five or six times, you know, to make sure.

My train of thought derailed. There were no survivors.

If you see someone buying candy, popcorn and a soda at the movies, they are a drug dealer. There’s no other explanation for that type of income.

After a year of this pandemic, I’m either going out for ice cream or to commit a felony. I’ll decide in the car.

I know it’s time to clean out my purse when my car assumes it’s an extra passenger who isn’t wearing a seat belt.

Dr. Oz says rubbing coffee grounds on your naked body will get rid of cellulite. Apparently, you can’t do this in Starbucks. And now the cops are here…

Do not vaccinate health care workers first. If it fails, we’re all in trouble. Vaccinate the politicians first. If we lose a few of them, it won’t matter.

In the 1980s I fell off my bike and skinned my knee. I’m telling you this now because we didn’t have social media then.

Some people seem to have aged like fine wine. I aged like milk … I got sour and chunky.

Dear Sneeze: If you’re going to happen, happen. Don’t just put a stupid look on my face and then leave.

Vegetarians live up to nine years longer than meat-eaters. Nine horrible, worthless, bacon-less years.

I still have a full deck… I just shuffle slower.

We all know Albert Einstein was a genius. But his brother Frank was a monster.

–EL WAGGS

BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT–
This Wednesday, November 3rd, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the NRA backed case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. This is the first Second Amendment-related case that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear in over a decade, and it is centered around whether or not a “special need” is required for law-abiding citizens to be able to exercise their right to “bear arms.”

You will be able to hear oral arguments live on Wednesday by going to this link: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx.

Your NRA has worked for years with our New York State Association to advance this case throughout the judicial process and we are excited to present our case on behalf of all Second Amendment Supporters.

Yours in Freedom,

–Ken Lan
NRA-ILA Grassroots
http://www.nrailafrontlines.com/

The Oak Ridge Boys Perform “Love, Light, and Healing” and “Old Ways” –Tickets Available Now for The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas In Tennessee at Gaylord Opryland Resort

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – GRAMMY Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys, appeared on TBN’s Huckabee over the weekend to perform two songs from their latest album, Front Porch Singin’. The group performed their single “Love, Light, and Healing,” which emphasizes hope, joy in the simplicities of life, and the importance of being there for one another. They also performed “Old Ways” for the Huckabee digital platform.

To watch The Oak Ridge Boys perform “Love, Light, and Healing” on Huckabee, visit HERE.

To watch The Oak Ridge Boys perform “Old Ways” on Huckabee, visit HERE.

To watch The Oak Ridge Boys interview on Huckabee, visit HERE.

Listen to Front Porch Singin’ HERE.

“Over all of these years Governor Huckabee has honored us with his friendship,” shares Joe Bonsall. “We never miss an opportunity to do his show … and utilize his bass playing … !!!”

The Oak Ridge Boys recently announced their return to Gaylord Opryland Resort to celebrate the holiday season at home for a 31-show residency as part of the resort’s 38th annual ‘A Country Christmas’ event.

The Oaks’ ‘Christmas in Tennessee’ Dinner Show, November 24 – December 25, 2021, will feature a delicious holiday meal prepared by the resort’s culinary team prior to The Oak Ridge Boys and their band performing Christmas classics, new favorites, and many of the timeless hits that have shaped their legendary career. Click here for tickets and holiday room accommodations. The group made the official announcement during their 10th-anniversary appearance as Grand Ole Opry members.

Tune in for free on TBN or live stream on TBN.tv. TBN is also available on iOS, Android, AppleTV, Amazon fireTV, Roku or download the TBN app on Google Play or the iOS App Store. For more information, visit tbn.org

For more information on The Oak Ridge Boys, visit their website or follow them on social media.

HARLEY STOCK NEWS–Shares of Harley-Davidson, US whiskey makers soar as EU tariffs finally end

Shares of Harley-Davidson and the maker of Jack Daniel’s whiskey roared on Monday after a punishing, three-year-old European tariff on steel and aluminum that dates back to the Trump administration was finally ended.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker — along with US whiskey makers including Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman Corp. — oddly got pulled into a trade dispute between Donald Trump and the European Union over steel and aluminum in a longstanding conflict over subsidies to the aircraft industry.

The tariffs, most recently at 25 percent, were slated to increase to 50 percent on Dec. 1 when the US and EU agreed to end the dispute at the G-20 summit in Rome over the weekend.

Harley-Davidson shares on Monday climbed 9.1 percent, closing out the trading day at $39.80. Brown-Forman rose 4.5 percent, to $70.94.

The tariffs were a constant drag on Harley-Davidson’s financial reports. Likewise, they decimated small whiskey producers in the US while denting the biggest brands, including Jack Daniels, Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam, all but drying up their export business to Europe.

“Today’s news is a big win for Harley-Davidson and our customers, employees and dealers in Europe,” said Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Jochen Zeitz.

“With the removal of these EU tariffs, we are energized and ready to ramp up our American Whiskey promotions in the EU to re-introduce America’s native spirits to EU consumers and resume a great American export success story,” Distilled Spirits Council Chief Executive Chris Swonger said in a statement.

American whiskey is the US spirits industry’s largest export and over the past several years sales to Europe plunged 37 percent to $440 million, according to the trade group.

In a filing on Monday, Harley-Davidson said it expected the annual impact for 2021 tariffs to be $61 million, down from the $64 million it expected if the rate would have doubled in December.

By Lisa Fickenscher

–New York Post

ELON MUSK SPLITS–As Covid descended on California in March and April last year economies began to shut down and the debate raged over what businesses were deemed “essential.” There was a rather public dialogue between Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, and Alameda County authorities regarding the forced shutdown of the Tesla plant in Fremont.

This dialogue was punctuated by a pithy tweet from Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez who describes herself as a Progressive (Socialist) Latina Democrat, “F*ck Elon Musk!”

At that time, we had no idea how much that tweet… and that attitude… would cost us. Elon Musk rather calmly threatened to leave the state.

The Governor was arrogantly dismissive, saying “Elon Musk isn’t leaving California anytime soon!”

Six months later, Elon Musk has left California.

He has sold (or is in process of selling) all his personal real estate in the state. He is now a resident of the state of Texas. He has moved his philanthropic foundation to Texas. One of his companies, Space X, is based in Texas and Tesla is building a new plant outside of Austin, TX.

Consider the unfathomable irony of in-your-face progressive/Socialist democrats forcing Elon Musk to give up on California? Musk came to this state as an immigrant and proceeded to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through Solar City and Tesla than all the “progressive,” “ultra-leftist,” politicians in the state combined.

Anyone can make a proclamation or talk about climate change. Musk didn’t talk about it. He simply brought products to market that benefited the consumer, the environment, and his shareholders. He should have been the “poster boy” for the green agenda, but instead they turned on him and tore him apart because he refused to buckle to absolutely arbitrary regulations based on flimsy, most often ridiculous, medical data.

There is no way to know for sure what Mr. Musk will pay in California state tax this year, but it would surprise no one if he paid the most of any individual resident. Next year, he will be a much happier resident of another state and pay a small fraction of the taxes squeezed out of him and his employees while in our state.

The damage goes much deeper than the tax revenue of one person. Musk didn’t just leave the state. He “turned” on the state, as well he should have. It is now his mission to get other innovators to leave as well, as well he should According to the Governor of Texas, he is on the phone with Musk at least once a week, strategizing about how to get other CA companies to relocate to Texas.

In the last few weeks, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Oracle have both announced they are moving their HQs to Texas, with 13 other potential moves in the pipeline. This will suck a lot of the financial and social life out of CA. That is not to say this was all caused by one arrogant and explosive, sneering, leftist, tweet.

Plenty of other factors are in play:

Companies are realizing they don’t need a highly centralized HQ, their employees can be productive from wherever they choose to live.

The outrageous high cost of living in the bay area…
Governments inability to deal with highly visible issues like homelessness; 2,000,000 in CA and growing by the hour.

Executives, their elderly parents, and their small children have grown tired to stepping over syringes and feces in the streets of San Francisco.

But the fact remains, CA state income tax is the highest, CA’s ranking for “business friendliness” is lowest, and we have elected hardcore USA-hating leftist representatives who happily — often to the cheers of their leftist supporter — lob crass, schoolyard, vulgar f-bombs at the people who are paying the freight. Half, 53.6%, of the tax in this state is paid by less than the top 1% (the top 0.91%), and many in that category are realizing they can easily make their living from anywhere.

Try to add up the lost tax revenues of having the second wealthiest man in the world and the executive teams of great companies, international giants like HP and Oracle, depart the state. We’re talking tens of billions of dollars in lost revenue every six months. Not to mention the philanthropy, which is gone too.

Any Progressive/Socialist, or Communist/Marxist, agenda only has value if someone can pay for it. The next time the state raises your taxes to make up for the millions — millions of — taxpayers who have been run out of CA, try not to use the 6th Grader language employed by Ms. Gonzalez.

By Kelly Brothers (CFP, MBA, 30-Year-TV-News-Anchor

OH, WHAT THE HELL—We started to take hikes. I want to investigate the entire region. We just finished a book about the Gem Theater in Deadwood and Al Swearingen the notorious owner. He bullied his way around until someone smacked him on the back of his head in a train yard and assassinated his twin brother in Iowa, just to make sure.

Then the weather changed, but it’s been amazing.

I invited the kids for Thanksgiving, but I think they got cold feet.

New Ride Command Update Expands Bluetooth Connectivity & Adds Speed Limit Overlay  
 
New 2022 Accessories Include Premium Luggage Collection, Adaptive Headlight for Scout Models & More

 
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – November 2, 2021 – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today announced its 2022 model year lineup, featuring updated technology and new accessories across its cruiser, bagger and touring models. In addition, the complete 2022 Indian Motorcycle lineup returns with fresh colors across each model lineup.  
 

 
2022 Updated Technology
 
Ride Command

 

 
Challenger Traction Control

 
Thunderstroke and PowerPlus Models
 
Models

 

Accessories
To accommodate additional storage needs on longer rides, Indian Motorcycle has released its Spirit Lake Luggage Collection, which includes a Rack Bag, Day Bag and Touring Bag. Each piece features a shoulder strap for convenient carrying off the bike and attaches securely to luggage racks, sissy bars, or the rear of the passenger backrest. Each piece is sold separately but designed as a cohesive collection.
 
In addition, bagger and touring riders can add personalized style and add visibility to other motorists with all-new rear LED saddlebag lights. Designed to seamlessly integrate with the standard lighting, these Pathfinder Auxiliary LED Saddlebag Lights do not require any drilling, but rather feature a convenient peel-and-stick adhesive for easy and quick install.  
 

Pricing & Paint
    • Indian Springfield: Starting at $21,999, available in Maroon Metallic over Crimson Metallic, and Black Metallic over Dirt Track Tan
    • Indian Springfield Dark Horse: Starting at $22,499, available in Black Smoke, and the all-new Quartz Gray
    • Chieftain:  Starting at $21,999, available in Black Metallic  
    • Chieftain Dark Horse: Starting at $27,999, available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, and an all-new Quartz Gray
    • Chieftain Limited: Starting at $28,749, available in two new colorways, including Silver Quartz Metallic, Deepwater Metallic  
    • Indian Challenger: Starting at $23,999, available in Black Metallic, Titanium Smoke
    • Indian Challenger Dark Horse: Starting at $28,499, available in Black Smoke, Bronze Smoke, and an all-new Indy Red over Black Metallic
    • Indian Challenger Limited: Starting at $27,999, available in Black Metallic, and two new colorways, including Maroon Metallic, Spirit Blue over Black Metallic
    • Roadmaster: Starting at $29,999, available in Black Metallic, and Maroon Metallic over Crimson Metallic  
    • Roadmaster Dark Horse: Starting at $30,499, available in Black Smoke, and two new colorways, including Polished Bronze, and Silver Quartz Smoke
    • Roadmaster Limited: Starting at $30,749, available in Black Azure Crystal, Crimson Metallic  
 

 
Models

 

 
Accessories

 
In addition, Indian Motorcycle has introduced a new 5.75-inch Pathfinder Adaptive LED Headlight available for all Scout models. Like it’s seven-inch big brother, the Scout’s Pathfinder Adaptive Headlight delivers unmatched illumination by sensing the bike’s lean angle and activating individual LED beams to provide unprecedented visibility.  
 
Pricing & Paint
    • Scout Sixty: Starting at $9,999, available in Black Metallic, and an all-new Storm Blue
    • Scout Bobber Sixty: Starting at $8,999, available in Black Metallic, Black Smoke, and two new colorways, including Quartz Gray, and Ruby Smoke
    • Scout: Starting at $11,999, available in Black Metallic, White Smoke, and two new colors, including Maroon Metallic, Silver Quartz Metallic over Black Metallic
    • Scout Bobber: Starting at $10,999, available in Black Metallic, Alumina Jade Smoke, Maroon Metallic Smoke, and three new colors, including Stealth Gray, Silver Quartz Smoke, and Titanium Metallic  
    • Scout Bobber Twenty: Starting at $11,999, available in Black Metallic, Stealth Gray, and two new colors, including Silver Quartz Smoke, and Spirit Blue Metallic
 

 

The story starts with Bandit telling me about a big card game in the Badlands of South Dakota. We were drinking one night down the street from the Cantina getting about half lit. He drank Jack on the rocks, and I was drinking Beam. The only thing left was to break open a bottle of Old Grand Dad and we would have a song.

He mentioned making a run to Deadwood for this big poker tournament. It was by invite only and he had one. I asked him about the tournament, while the music on the jukebox in the background was, “I drink alone,” by Lonesome George. He told me you need references and a wad of cash that could choke an elephant. He used that reference because an elephant is much bigger than a horse–a big fuckin’ bank roll. Two things my Uncle Geno told me was: family first and never cross a 1%er. I would back Bandit.

Later my cousin, Blackie found out that I knew about this poker game and comes looking for me. Blackie comes from Terry’s last name, Black, and his black FLH stripped dresser, plus he wears only black. He heard that I knew Bandit and came to me begging with an offer that was hard to refuse.

Blackie left his home down in Mississippi about 1970 and left behind a little Southern Belle to raise their daughter. He went out and gambled all over the Gulf and up the Mississippi all the way to St. Louis. His claim to fame was cleaning out all the gamblers in high stakes games under the Hill in Natchez, Mississippi. It was all he could do to get to his hot rod Shovel and blast out of town. He became a well-known card shark in the area. I would give Blackie a reference only because he was family and the game had such a huge stake.I worked with Bandit to get everything together that we needed. I knew a card dealer. He managed the Jet Strip Club and was also the card dealer when some old boy slipped-up showing Five Aces in a game of winner take all. Jimmy agreed to deal cards just to be a part of something historical and we would just have to buy a couple of cases of bourbon. One case of Jack Daniels and the other Jim Beam, so he could write it all off on taxes as a business trip.

This was one hell of an entourage and Jimmy brought a couple of hot ladies and drove up in his completely restored 1964 Lincoln Continental with all the upgrades and suicide doors. This car glimmered midnight blue with pearl and had black gloss powder-coated centerline rims all the way around, plus air bags for the suspension.

Our crew was all on dark bikes with a lot of chrome accents. Bandit’s was long and fast, and mine was a 1970 FLH stripped dresser as was my cousin Blackie’s. Lonesome’s rode a 1968 Pan/Shovel 96-inch stroker with a 10-over front end, T.J.’s was an 80/80 Super Glide custom with a 21-inch Speed master on a narrowed wide glide. Franky’s was all drag bars and upswept pipes. Spyder liked those hot rod choppers that Dave Mann painted and pearl black. We looked like a bunch of black stallions pulling a payroll car when we left San Pedro.

I left the house with packed saddlebags like the rest of us. I had on my 5/8s Jak Shirt by 5-Ball Racing, over my Frisco Choppers hoodie, with my custom chaps over Levis. Those jokers had 5 big solid silver conchos on each leg with Mexican braid leather tassels on them. I had my chromed primary chain belt with a big polished stainless steel belt buckle.

The knife I carried was the Arkansas toothpick Bandit always it wanted for his collection. She was a beauty. She had a white ivory handle with raw diamonds inlayed into it. The pommel was solid gold as was the hilt guard all made by T.J.’s neighbor. On the blade center was etched, “Ride to Live.”

The sheath was covered with a diamondback rattlesnake hide and on the bottom was a button of elk antler with a Mexican braided leather tassel that you could tie off on your leg made by a friend of Lonesome’s. The rattler was taken right out of Lonesome’s yard in Colorado. The elk he shot in the high mountains of Colorado with his long barreled 50 cal. Hawkins rifle.

I packed my dad’s old 44 Red Hawk with a 7.5-inch barrel in my custom shoulder holster. The rest of the guys were all dressed to the 9s. Bandit had on old Harley long johns under his Cabela thermal under lined plaid flannel and a brown 5/8s Jak shirt by 5-Ball Racing, and deer skin pants. I had my eye on that high polished Bowie knife of his. The story he told me was that he pulled it off an assailant at the Kern River Run. The handle was said to be a thigh bone from the 7th Calvary with a polished silver cap button on the end and a silver finger guard and that joker was made from Damascus steel, and nobody knew how many layers the old Chinese knife maker used. She was beauty and could keep an edge.

Jimmy looked like one of those old blues guys out of New Orleans. The ladies all love a sharp dressed man and especially when he is hauling your whiskey stash. We didn’t look like a bunch of grubby bikers but looked like a bunch of high roller seasoned bikers. All of us rode high polished machines and wore well-oiled leathers. Lonesome’s attire was cool. He wore a long leather trench coat, and you could snap the coat tails like chaps. He was always into that cool factor but functional.We all packed a myriad of pistols. Jimmy packed a Mossberg 12- gauge pump in his Continental with the slug spacer removed, so he could slip 9 cartridges inside. Jimmy preferred slugs over buckshot. His slugs were German wad cutters, and nobody got up from one of those much less several of them. We all knew what we were getting into before we left except the ladies or so we thought.

The ladies were a sight to behold. Renee had a build that could stop a tank, blonde and well bosomed. Those beauties stood out like the Dagmar tits off a 1957 Pontiac, with an ass to match. Skin soft as a baby’s behind and good-natured personality to boot.
Alison was built the same, but held Bandit’s weakness, a red head. She was one of the ladies who lost her job at the Five Aces after a disastrous poker game. She likes bikers because we don’t judge her for being a dance hall girl. She has an ass that makes you follow her to the back room. Also, good natured, she has a glistening warm smile and can handle any conversation.

Those ladies got into the car, and you could smell the White Diamond perfume and that stuff blows a guy’s mind. Elizabeth Taylor’s chemist sure knew how make a man not forget a lady. Jimmy brought a third unexpected lady. She broke up with her boyfriend and needed a weekend away.

Holiday’s boyfriend just could not deal with her being a dancer. I was trying to place her. I knew her back when I was a real young man, before I was riding with a club. Holiday’s long sultry legs drew my young gaze all the way to the promised land. Something about a long-legged thick wavy brunette always struck a nerve with me. Once again built like a tank when it comes to assets. I guess Jimmy needed two girls to hold the cash and the third one was to keep our attention on the game. Right!!

We all left out of Pedro one afternoon, made a couple of day stops for grub and couple overnight stops. We made Deadwood on the third afternoon. We pulled into the historic town, and nobody even thought about it. The people of Deadwood know bikers and the rumble of straight pipes.

Bandit just had one condition. He does not sit with his back to the door. “My back is always to the wall of the establishment,” he said. I think it had something to do with Wild Bill Hickock getting shot in the back in the Number 10 Saloon.

“Place all your weapons on the bar,” the big bartender barked.

We sorta conformed, and pulled only the obvious iron and slid it onto the historic bar lid but kept an eye on our shit. The whole bar was lined with either big guns or big knives. Everybody could see everybody’s wares. The only things missing were the brass knuckles, switchblades, and Derringers and pistols. The belt buckle that Blackie wore on his belt was a pair of brass knuckles and the primary chain belt that I wore worked just fine in a brawl. I knew how to use it and wasn’t afraid to whip that bad boy out. We weren’t exactly defenseless.

“That’s it,” The bartender said. “Take this shit off the bar. I just wanted to see it.”

We obliged, ordered drinks and told Jimmy get the ladies their rooms. We would settle-up on the whiskey bill later. We took the Jack and the Jim and put it behind the bar. The Number 10 saloon was so nostalgic and historical it gave me the shivers. The cases were sealed and not to be opened until the start of the tournament.

Bandit ran a special tab, but all other commers had to pay premium price to Melody our bar maid. We drank shots and on ice and that’s it. We agreed, you don’t ruin good bourbon. We finished business with the establishment and went to our hotel.

I think the place was an old Chinese whorehouse. Blackie and I took first watch over the bikes and crew. He with his 38 Diamond back and I had my side-by-side stagecoach shotgun I had bought from Bandido Fred.

I knew Blackie needed sleep for the tournament, so I sent him to bed at 2 a.m. I popped a dexy, drank some coffee and felt ready. I held responsibility for some of this situation. I didn’t want to treat family like some prospect doing chores. The rules were no visitors for the ladies, nobody rides after drinking and nobody packs in town. We still packed wherever we went. The money stayed in the Saloon vault and was sealed with the owner’s name attached and again we had our security close by.

The tournament started at high noon the next day. I was at Bandit’s back with that side-by-side stagecoach shotgun tucked under my coat when Bandit sat down at the high stakes table and Lonesome George was on the jukebox singing ” I drink alone.”

Bandit leaned over to me and said, ” I think you and I have been in a conversation about this very thing before.”

“We were about three sheets in the wind,” I said. “I was thinking it was just a dream.”

Bandit started with four players per table and the other tables had to meet the amount pledged to the pot. The other tables had to play up to what we had to bring, 10 grand. The larger part of the tournament was over within a couple of hours. We were down to a couple of tables. The ladies were serving our crew and taking money and tips from the other tables. They made real good window dressing and good money that night in their sexy dance outfits.

“Why do you go by Holiday?” I asked. That seems like a conflict of interest for a dancer, don’t it?”

“Yep, but I inherited the traits of my great, great uncle.” She glared at me.

In a flash, she had a two-shot derringer in my side.

” Are you going to use that pea shooter?” I asked. “What the hell did I do?”

“Two shots at the same time would leave a real mess,” she said. “Don’t you think I ought to though?”

“Oh Shit!” I spoke. “You are the great, great niece of the Doc. Holiday? The Doc. Holiday? “

“Duh!” she said. “I always thought that you weren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, but you were handsome back in our youth. But that didn’t make up for the way you treated me in Reno.”

I told her that I was sorry about all that. “You have to remember my head was all screwed up in those days.”

“That ain’t any excuse for your behavior,” Holiday said.

I told her that I was a young man with an old biker mentality back then and my Uncle Geno built engines for the Angels and women were considered property and to be treated as such. Sometimes their motorcycles were treated better.

“That’s bullshit!” She snapped.

I could feel the stubby barrels against my gut. I told her that I agreed. I scrambled for a way out of this situation. “I always thought you would be a model,” I stumbled, “but you do made a fine-looking dancer.” It dawned on me; she was a psycho. This was no time to dance with a devil in a blue dress.

Holiday stared at me, but I could see warmth return to her features. She withdrew the derringer and holstered that 38 Ruger back in her satin thigh holster.

I took a deep breath and she calmed some. “Do you still have your daddy’s Big Red?”

When I heard one of the crew carried a stainless steel 44 magnum, Red Hawk that belonged to his father, I knew it was you. I pulled my 5-Ball leather vest open to reveal two deep gun pockets. One held that 44 Red Hawk.

“Don’t let the bartender see you,” I said.

She moved close and I could smell her soft perfume and reached into my leather. She snatched that 44 cocked it and before I could stop her shot out the light across the street from where we sat in the back of the Number 10.

The crew snapped and reached for weapons, and all I heard was the cocking of guns.

“Hold it,” I hollered. “I made a mistake and accidentally fired Big Red.”

“Dammit,” Bandit yelled, “Don’t let that happen again or you are out of here. “

“I hear you Bandit,” I said and glared at Holiday.

Holiday looked at me with that angelic face and said “Sorry.” “We’ve come a long way from that night of making love in the surf on Manhattan Beach.”

I was amazed. “You still remember that night?” I said, or she was working me.

” I will never forget it.” She spoke.

“I never meant to break your heart,” I said wondering.

Then I heard Bandit calling the crew to get over to the table.
They eliminated the old New Orleans gambler, and everybody took a break for some breakfast. Everybody playing freshened up and was back before 10am. Bandit, Blackie and the House Owner were still in check with cases and cases of chips.

They played a dozen more hands, and it seem to be a Mexican standoff. Jimmy suggested a winner take all or they could play all day. The question was put to the table. The table agreed. The players matched box per box of chips.

When Blackie sat down, he wore a gamblers short stovepipe hat with a gold band and jewels. ” I got my lucky hat, and I am ready to go.”

We all looked at the flashy hat. Of course, it had a story. He won it off an old Voodoo priest in the French Quarter years ago. I suspected there was more to the story including the scar on the left side of his face. Meanwhile they were all anting up. Bandit yelled at me again, and I left the conversation with Holiday. Bandit picked up on the vibe, “Is this bastard cool?” He asked in no particular direction, and then stared directly at Blackie.

Blackie jumped up and started to draw down on the table, reaching inside his flashy black coat.

“Blackie!!!” I yelled. “I will have a pair of holes of 00 buck shot blown into you before you can skin the hog leg.”

“Can I have a minute?” I asked Bandit. I need to deal with some family business.

“Make it snappy before he gets shot, we’re burning daylight,” Bandit said.

Blackie and I went to the back of the room, and I threw back my 5/8s jack shirt and showed him my 44 Red Hawk and Blackie said, “You still got your daddy’s Red Hawk?”

“You really pissed off the family with that stunt you pulled,” I said.

“I didn’t have any choice and I had my reasons.” Blackie said, but didn’t look serious. He wanted to get back to the game.

“Leaving that little Southern Belle with a daughter to raise is unforgivable,” I said.

He said, “I got a daughter?”

“Yep,” I said and was beginning to wonder why I invited him. He was always a piece of shit. “I should settle this now, but since you are blood kin… Just don’t fuck up here.

“When all this is over, there is going to be a reckoning to be had,” I said, my hand still on Big Red. I felt a firm, but soft hand grab my arm and I looked over and there was Heavenly.

“Don’t do something you are going to regret Doll,” she said.

Bandit yelled again, “Let’s play goddammit!”

“What is he short by?” I asked the table.

“He’s short three grand,” Jimmy, the dealer said.

“Yep,” Bandit said. “You really want to do this?”

“Yep,” I piped up before Blackie. “He is blood family and I just want to give him a chance for this 100-grand pot. We are all brothers baptized in blood, sweat and 60-weight motor oil and this is the life of a 1%er.”

“Chance of a lifetime,” Bandit said and looked at me with a grin. “How long did you practice that before you said it?”

“Are we ready?” Jimmy asked impatient like, and all the three players agreed. Bandit had enough money in the till along with the whiskey sales. The house owner was cool and as shady as the Gem owner was in the 1800s. Blackie had on his lucky hat and then the Redhead came blazing through the door and sat down next to Bandit. Bandit said,” I got my lucky charm and let’s play.”

The chip cases were emptied onto the stained felt… The crew were all gathered around the mountain of chips, and we all had something to say about it.

T.J. said, “Holy shit!”

I told him, “You got that right.”

Lonesome said, “I wouldn’t know what to do with that kind of loot.”

Spyder said, “I would get me a boat in the Bahamas and just fish with a bunch of pretty girls.”

Frankie said, “I would open up a speed shop and tattoo parlor.”

Bandit said, “What would you do Gearhead?

“I would build that custom hot rod Knuckle with that wishbone bobber frame, candy apple red with morono paint and gold and chrome accessories with a 96-inch stroker motor and a NO2 system for kicks.”

Bandit said, “Yep that sounds like you.”

Jimmie asked the question again, “Are you gentlemen now ready?”

The table agreed to play. Jimmy then said, ” Gentlemen raise your glasses.”

Everybody had a double shot of whiskey in their hands passed to then by the bar maids.

“May the best man win,” Jimmy said and toasted.

We all tossed back the shots and slammed the glasses down on the table. “The table rules are what is in the pot it is. No raises and the game is 7-card draw.”

Bandit said, “Forget it. I feel lucky with the Redhead by my side today, so let’s play 5-card stud and be done with it.”

“What the fuck,” Blackie muttered. He’d been looking for and opportunity to pull something for two days, but Bandit kept an hard eye on him through each hand.

Jimmy said, “What you got Blackie?”

Blackie lifts his left hand and splays the cards, an Ace of clubs, Ace of hearts, eight of hearts, eight of clubs and eight of spades. He drops his right hand under the table and hopes on of the hotties will distract the players.

Bandit winks at the Redhead as she returns with drinks. She knows the drill and drops a drink in Blackie’s lap, pulls his cuff into the open and yanks out another Ace.

Bandit glares at Blackie. “Guess you’re going to play the cards you were dealt, or die trying.”

“A full house, not bad,” Jimmy said. “Bandit, what do you have over there?”

Bandit sat there like he was frozen in time. He slowly picked up his hand and looked at each card carefully. Jimmy makes the call down to Bandit again, and the Redhead nudges the big man and said something in his ear. In the meanwhile, you can hear an old barn owl hooting out on the front porch.

Bandit lays out his hand. He drew a royal flush all diamonds and an Ace high. Those of you that don’t know that hand it is a 10, Jack, Queen, King and an Ace all in diamonds. Bandit’s crew starts yelling and screaming. We all drank and partied the rest of the evening and the background music of the jukebox was I gotta get paid by ZZ Top.

Bandit gave Jimmy a good tip for dealing cards. Jimmy tipped the ladies and they let everybody sitting in the bar drink free the rest of the evening and closed the doors for the players, the crew and security

I asked Bandit” would you grant me a favor?”

He said, “It depends.”

Bandit said” Why, he tried to cheak?”

“Blackie and I have family business to finish, and it might take that bike to make him answer to the family.”

Bandit said,” It looked like you were going to put a slug in him back there. You take the bike to the kid in Florida.”

I told Bandit “That idea still might not be off the table yet. And thanks.”

Bandit said, “Do what you have to do. I’m splitting the pot with the crew.”

We both laughed. “I will only do this for brothers and sisters.”

“He also said” We have built bikes, been to Bonneville, been to Sturgis and on an occasion or two been through Hell and back and I will grant you this.”

Blackie came over to the table to put his hat on the table, keys and pink slip. Bandit took the gold hat band with jewels and gave him back his top hat and then he slid his keys and pink back over to me. “For his kid,” Bandit said.

“And fuck you, if you don’t like it.” Bandit said to Blackie.

“I don’t understand!” Blackie said.

“You will,” Bandit said and started to push his chair away from the table.