The other night I’m out and about and roll into the local watering hole, and Nellie “The Poser” who also happens to be the manager informs me she just realized I write a column for this rag. Now I’ve been delivering magazines there for almost a year and I’m also a regular there. When I drop magazines off I’m always sure to give everyone a hard time about reading Hawk before Rock and obviously that ain’t gonna happen but it’s all in good fun. Now as many times as I’ve ranted about BAC laws you would think this would get a bar managers attention, but I think this one missed it all. Yes she already knows she was voted example of the month (by me). The whole point of this ramble is if people are not informed, how can they react? With all the different rags like this, the internet and all the other modern pleasures we enjoy, old Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone still has a place in the modern era……….Like UR says if all else fails pick up the phone and inform your friends WTF is going on in the world. Without Bikers having the information to act or react the overbearing government will continue to trample our rights.

A few weeks ago, few knew the name Lt. Col. Alan West, now he’s getting his 15 minutes of fame…..UNDESERVEDLY. In an interrogation of an enemy combatant in Iraq, according to the UCMJ he used psychological intimidation on this weasel and saved himself and his entire platoon from attack. How did this happen? He discharged his sidearm in the clearing barrel…….just happens the suspects head was a little close to the barrel and there may have been a threat issued to the said enemy combatant. Now Lt. Col. West is facing an Article 32 hearing, may loose his 20 years of tenure, his benefits and face 8 years in the brig. No matter what your feelings are on the war, the man served his country well and this is the thanks some pencil neck Washington bureaucrat gives him. Well there are many ways to respond to this, letters to your Reps and Senators, the Secretary of Defense and an online petition http://www.patriotpetitions.US/colwest or drop an email to Jesse Ventura at ventura@msnbc.com and he’ll get them to Rumsfield and company. No matter what, do something, don’t let the Washington insiders ruin another mans life for doing his job and NOT playing politics.

How about this…..6 and only 6 out of 100 senators had the balls to show up to vote on the conference report for the 87 billion dollars of funding to rebuild Iraq. The vote was 5 yes and 1 no. Byrd of WV was the only no and Chafee, Dorgan, Inouye, Reid and Stevens were the yes votes. Notice Santorum and Specter didn’t think this was important enough to show up. The Republicans thought constituents might think the price is too high and the Democrats didn’t want to appear unpatriotic. Nothing new here trying to politicize a war. 87 billion dollars is a lot of money and the citizens of this country had a RIGHT to be represented in this controversial vote. Politics doesn’t matter here one bit, the wishes of the 94 no shows constituents needed to be heard.

Well an alternative to Specter is coming this spring, and his name is Pat Toomy and his chances of winning are good. Pat’s from right here in Western PA and could shake things up in the Senate. Do some research and if you concur, make sure your registered as a Republican for the primary. The form to register or change voter registration info is on the site. If nothing else a win for Toomy will shake up the political scene and let these career politicians know we’re watching their every vote.

TEA 21 update, seems the voices of Bikers have been heard and received attention. This is far from victory or being over but we are making our presence known. Rumor has it the provision in one of the bills to allow the automatic re-indexing of the gas tax has been shelved. This provision would have been a blank check for any time the Feds needed more money. The few bones they’re trying to throw at us, they will strengthen the prohibition against use of taxpayer dollars by the NHTSA from lobbying the states, which will keep your state and local legislatures free to pass legislation without taxpayer-funded lobbying by a federal regulatory agency. They will establish a "Motorcyclist Advisory Council" comprised of motorcyclists who are traffic design engineers, state transport officials and safety advocates. Above all, they will enhance motorcycle safety by putting money into state rider education and motorist awareness programs to prevent accidents, thwart injuries and save lives. The trade offs for these few things is not even worth acknowledging, the Feds don’t even have a right to do this and they need told about this.


S423 is moving in the Senate as well, this is the bill that will close the HIPAA loophole. If this becomes law you medical insurance provider WILL NOT be able to deny your accident claim based on the fact you ride a motorcycle and were injured. This affects any other legal activity that is categorized as dangerous also. There is also a companion bill in the House, HR1749 that deals with this also. This should be high on your list of priorities and if this one doesn’t get your attention then nothing will.