Liberty is the possibility of doubting, of making a mistake,... of searching and experimenting,... of saying No to any authority - literary, artistic, philosophical, religious, social, and even political. ~Ignazio Silone, The God That Failed, 1950

So tell me again, What does the Motorcycle Riders Foundation do?

That pretty little logo with the pretty little words is what greets you when you pop on over th the MRF (Motorcycle Riders Foundation) website.

Question is, how true is it?

Consider the these words from MAdd Ray of Motorcyclists against Dumb Drivers.

I think I've remained silent long enough on a matter which I consider of vital national importance. I've remained silent because there are some good people at MRF, but I have come to the conclusion that petty politics and petty influences have led the organization decision makers to decline to support our efforts to gain the war chest funding essential to put on the best constitutional case that money can buy to bring down the California helmet law.

Several weeks ago the Executive Director and Board of ABATE of California sent an urgent request that MRF issue a statement of support for our efforts to fund our war chest for the constitutional litigation set for trial next month. MRF has met that request with nothing more positive than silence.


So what's their problem? Is MRF concerned that someone other than them might actually have the solution to knocking out helmet laws? Apparently ABATE folks around the country are looking to MRF for guidance. Well, silence on the part of MRF amounts to opposition, when taken in the context of ABATE of California's request that MRF step forward and join in our request for financial support for this nationally significant litigation. And it is becoming abundantly obvious that MRF is intent on jinxing the litigation. MRF is inhibiting our efforts to obtain the funding for our trial war chest essential to put on the best case that money can buy. This is petty politics. The is the worst kind of petty jealousy. It is destructive of our efforts to overturn the California helmet law, and it is destructive of our objectives nationwide to undercut the push by NTSB to achieve consistent nationwide universal helmet legislation.

Civil disobedience and constitutional court challenge are the best opportunity we will every have to overcome helmet laws nationwide. All that MRF can offer is permanent stalemate with their endless legislative efforts that offer no reasonable prospect for success. There will be no success except by a decision that helmet laws are unconstitutional. The medical profession and insurance lobbyists will never back off.

MRF in the above announcement states: "Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship fund today." What a bunch of ninny assed fucking bullshit. MRF doesn't want you to help fund Quig's constitutional litigation to defeat the California helmet law and set precedent to overturn every helmet law on the books; MRF wants you instead to send your money for a "young activists scholarship." I spit. And I repeat: What a bunch of ninny assed fucking bullshit

For the full text of his comments go here.

It wasn't to long ago that we posted the following:
Bikers Rights Advocates Speak out On the NTSB, MRF, NCOM, ABATE meeting

Who was Duped? MRF? ABATE of FLORIDA? Motorcyclists?

As we all know ABATE's are state MRO's (or supposed to be, some are some aren't) and NCOM and the MRF claim to represent Bikers Rights on the on the national level. So where are they when it comes to a case, that if not won, could end up putting helmets back on the heads of those who live in states that have had it repealed. Hell, Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is trying to steal money allocated for motorcycle awareness programs to do just that! Encourage all states to re-institute Helmet laws.

Again from Ray for some background:

Quig's deposition was taken prior to his death, and all of the CHP policy memoranda which he compiled over the past 17 years is preserved for admission upon the trial. All the evidence that the Attorney General was concerned would reach the Court of Appeals in the original Quig v. CHP case will be introduced, now along with the evidence of the illegal ticketing of the other plaintiffs and other California bikers. Furthermore, in this case the AG can't just lay down if he loses this case, as we expect the Court to issue a decision that the California helmet law as applied by the CHP is indeed unconstitutionally vague, in violation of the due process clause of the United States Constitution, and the CHP's enforcement policies also in violation of the 4th and 14th Amendments. The AG will not have the option this time just to decline to appeal, and if the Superior Court fails to issue a decision firmly planting the final nail in the California helmet law then we can appeal, and in the appellate court, even more than in the trial court, we would expect to have the court strictly apply the constitutional principles which we are urging.

This is precisely the same helmet law that NTSB is trying to shove down everyone's throats nationwide. The California helmet law requires that all riders wear helmets which comply with FMVSS 218. It cannot possibly be lost on the folks at MRF the significance of this litigation. It will undermine the legislative efforts of NTSA nationwide, and will provide the precedent for overturning helmet laws in every lid state.

Ray is an attorney, he knows what he is talking about, note the words illegal ticketing, unconstitutional. Those are the operative words. This is not just about "Bikers Rights"! This is not just about "Motorcycle Helmets"! This is about "ALL AMERICANS" individual rights and FREEDOMS!

And where are those who collect money for memberships to organizations that profess to stand for our rights? Hiding in the FREAKING closet with their mouths still stuck shut from whatever they got on their lips after kissing one of Nixons CREEPS Rosenkers (NTSB) ass!!!!

Everybody hollering play nice, lets don't make waves, we do not want politicians mad at us and what the hell has it gained anyone??? The HIPPA loophole still exists, HB137 in Florida threatening to take your personal property, i.e. your motorcycle and FISA, the Patriot Act, a stupid war and now possibly the loss of a case that is NOT ABOUT HELMETS but about a state consistently acting in an illegal manner that violated the rights of a certain segment of the population.

Wake up people, it is not only the government screwing you, it is those who claim to protect you from the government that are getting some of your ass too!

Read about Quig and the California law here and go here if you wish to help out as an individual.

But hey, in the mean time ride free ok!Add to Technorati Favorites

Bits and Pieces from the U.K. cause we love em. And because we are all in this together

Bikers targeted with unmarked police cars, motorcycles and helicopter By Steve Farrell

Politics & the law

17 March 2008 17:07

Police in Nottingham are targeting motorcyclists with unmarked bikes, cars and a helicopter in a series enforcement operations.

(see there are black helicopters hovering about, there in England)

The force says the aim of Operation Retina is to cut rider casualties on the county’s roads. Officers will stop riders to carry out bike checks and give “advice on wearing high visibility clothing”.

“There will also be a number of unmarked police motorcyclists checking for excessive speed and anti-social riders,” the force added in a statement.

The force said there would be around a dozen enforcement days focusing on routes including the A52, A46 and A543.

It said: “Unmarked police bikes and cars will also patrol these routes to deter excessive speeding and anti-social riding… A Police helicopter may also be deployed to monitor speeding bikers and motorists along key routes.”

(how does one define "anti-social" driving, like if you flip of a cop will that get you stopped?)

The force said that of 79 bikes stopped during Operation Retina’s first three days, 18 were found to be “mechanically unsound”.

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Consider that they even considered this. That is scary. Now consider that similar plans are being considered in the US for all vehicles under the guise of buying gas by the mile as opposed to by the gallon.

No Chips For Bikers

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) abandons proposals to chip motorcycle number plates. The DVLA have announced that they will not be seeking government approval to fit micro chip Electronic Vehicle Identification, (EVI) to motorcycle number plates. The DVLA had embarked on a feasibility study, including field trials, to determine the effectiveness of EVI as a means of combating motorcycle vehicle excise evasion.

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) was consulted on the project and voiced concerns that the cost to introduce such a system would far outweigh the monies recouped in excise duty. MAG also expressed concern that the proposal to single out motorcycles was discriminatory.

In a report released by the DVLA today the conclusion to the study is that the cost of introducing EVI for all motorcycles would cost in the region of £100 million and would only provide a return of approximately £27 million for HM treasury. The report concludes that advances in ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology render the use of EVI unnecessary.

The report comes days after the DVLA issued an apology for wrongly estimating the level of motorcycle VED evasion at 40%, a gross overestimation of the actual rate which is 6%.

MAG Campaigns Manager said, “I am pleased that common sense has prevailed and that the DVLA has listened to and acted on motorcyclists concerns. EVI was a sledgehammer to crack a nut and the proposals to only include motorcyclists is discriminatory. MAG does not in any way condone motorcyclists who choose to ride their bikes without tax and will continue to work with motorcyclists, government, the police and the DVLA to eradicate VED evasion.Add to Technorati Favorites

Motorcycles and undressing women

In our never ending search for "biker news" that you need to know we would be absolutely negligent in our mission were we not to print this. Besides, every thing being about butts boots and booze we thought it might get us a few hits. Oh I feel so cheap.

Motorcycles make womens clothes fall off:

Its a news story every biker would love to read; Motorcycles make women's clothes fall off.

Two events in the month of February could have reporters and riders alike lending some credence to this possibility.

First, Pamela Anderson made celebrity headlines around the world with her Valentines Day show at a famous Parisian Gentlemen's club Cabaret house Le Crazy Horse. A crowd of over 500 fans paid $300 to watch the former Baywatch star give a performance that finished on the back of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Unfortunately no camera's or journalists were allowed in, so the show itself could only be truly appreciated by the attendees.

A few weeks after Ms. Anderson's unique Valentines present, pop star Prince threw an post-Oscar party in his Beverly Hills mansion, which regardless of the Academy Award's results made everyone feel like a winner.

According to gossip magazines and 'reliable sources', the paisley pop star had room after room of exotic dancers dressed in various themes with one featuring a scantily clad woman enthusiastically using a motorcycle as a prop.

Some may remember Prince featured a motorcycle in his 1984 movie 'Purple Rain', which was also used a prop of sorts, but certainly not in the same manner of his post-Oscar party.

Many industry experts would agree, if this trend of women shedding clothing at the sight of a motorcycle becomes popular, currently struggling two-wheeled sales could see a marked improvement.Add to Technorati Favorites

Who needs police dogs when ya got North Carolina Bikers

Reckon Alphonso played in the wrong yard?

Motorcyclists help apprehend robbery suspects

A 20-year-old Fayetteville man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he and a 15-year-old robbed two gas stations Sunday morning.

The suspects shot at some motorcyclists who chased them, police say.

Alphonso Emanuel Stephenson Jr., of the 5600 block of Mesa Court, was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit armed robbery of a person or business. Stephenson also faces four counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.

At 7:32 a.m., Stephenson and the 15-year-old walked into the Kangaroo station at 3120 Bragg Blvd., flashed a .380-calibur handgun and took $90, a 20-ounce Dr. Pepper and four packs of Newport cigarettes, according to police reports and arrest warrants.

Seventeen minutes later, the pair walked into a BP station at 3310 Bragg Blvd. — and took $100, according to Fayetteville police reports and arrest warrants.

Several motorcyclists who are regulars at the gas station chased the suspects and led police to their location, a watch commander said.

The Fayetteville Police Department was preparing to release police dogs when the two surrendered. They were apprehended near Carol Street.

Stephenson’s bail was set at $180,000.Add to Technorati Favorites