Are you in the MATRIX? MATRIX is short for Multi State Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange, it allows states to share criminal, prison and vehicle information with other states and allows all this to cross reference privately held databases. PA is one of only 5 states to remain in a program that wastes 12 million taxpayer dollars annually. With only 5 states left I have to ask, is this a good purpose of 12 million of OUR dollars? MATRIX is an expensive and invasive program undertaken without ANY state legislature approval, that’s right it was approved by the Administration through the PA State Police. Until I notified my Senator of its existence he was totally unaware of it. This “pilot program” needs put to death…….quickly.

SD Congressman Bill Janklow is already working on his appeal. Now what would make him think 100 days in jail for killing a biker is an unjust sentence is beyond me. As of late this fiasco is getting better, because Janklow was “on duty” at the time of the accident. The taxpayers of this country may be forced to pony up any civil damages imposed. Since he was a Federal Congressman that means all taxpaying citizens of all states may end up pitching in to pay his tab. Janklows an idiot, he only gets 100 days in jail for killing Randy Scott and John or Jane Q Taxpayer foot the bills for his stupidity. Nice, or are the bikers of this country so apathetic by failing to get involved and pass stiffer Right of Way legislation? If that is the case then we deserve what we get. Think about that one.

More on our beloved Feds, the FBI is pushing a proposal that would require all broadband internet providers to update their system so the Feds can tap into it easier. Now if all these ISP’s are forced to redesign their network, who’s paying for that? Yep…..we the consumer all get the proverbial boot in the ass again. Now in another unelected Federal mess the FCC is going to make you and yours safe and determine what’s decent. With HR 3717 in it’s current form, the maximum fine that can be imposed is 1 million dollars. Whether it be Howard Stern or Janet Jackson, we can all determine what’s decent and turn it off if we don’t like it. If it’s to “save the children”, we should all know what our rug rats are up to or they deserve to get away with what they can. The Feds and all their 3 letter unelected agencies only care about 1 thing………keeping the citizens of this country as controlled as possible. Being the good little sheep most are, we are being herded into an inescapable maze.

Noise regulations are another issue sooner or later we’ll need to look hard at. Now many of us love the thunder drag pipes create and they sure don’t hurt in scaring Bambi away either. Those who continue to abuse them in close quarters to residential neighborhoods are going to get us either stricter enforcement or new legislation of noise laws. 2 things that help you get to be an old biker are respect and discretion, as long as we use this in relation to drag pipes or riding for that matter hopefully we won’t have to deal with this for a while.

EPA……the short story on the Final Ruling. Highway and Off Road motorcycles were separated in the final ruling. There is also an exemption for a “once in a lifetime” kit bike with no provision to replace it if its wrecked or stolen. The super custom bikes don’t have to meet the standards BUT can only be rode to and from shows. The small custom builders who make less then 3000 bikes a year have an exemption from Tier 2 and a 2 year delay from meeting Tier 1 standards. The EPA is taking a hard look at the aftermarket engine makers and may come under regulations that will take away the unique features of their custom engines. Of course the EPA wants CARB (California Air Resources Board) to add their 2 cents to all this too. Bottom line is bikers of this country failed to get it done, we can control any aspect of government we want when we decide we’ve had enough. Question…….when they finally legislate motorcycles out of existence how many will still ride and how many will whine?