Gives us an ABATE of Florida Newsletter and we can have all kinds of fun

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Page 8  ABATE of Florida Masterlink (bi-monthly news letter January/February'

I wonder if the black Sport Bike Riders in New Orleans know how many black sport biker riders there are in ABATE of Florida????

I wonder if the three Florida groups that expressed an interest in ABATE of Florida are aware that Doc
Said they were not Bikers last legislative session as he was throwing them under the bus supporting the “wheelie bill” HB167. But then we wonder these things.

Page 9
I'm confused. But then what else is new.  Especially when trying to decipher “ABATEese”.

ABATE was asleep at the wheel in relation to 40a and has been trying to spin it as a favorable outcome ever since. You will note in another inclusion Doc is asked, does this safety money apply to cars also? To which he replies yes. So how can you say that money previously reserved for motorcycle safety and now applies to cagers and let us not forget the wording in the bill that states “other” department uses  and then follow it up with “nothing has changed”?  Just how much of Doc's juice did you drink Mike????  Do you all expect any half way intelligent human being to believe this crap! Call me crazy but it would appear to me that “everything” has changed, except the fact that we are still paying $2.50 fee's on our registrations. The difference is, before it was for us, now it is for everybody.

What is it about that minor little freaking difference you guys do not understand. Look let me make it easy for you, 1+1=2.  Write it down on Flash Cards and Flash yourself daily. Not you “Doc”, that is not a pretty visual!

Now as to sending a letter to the American Motorcycle Association asking them to “stay out of our business.”  News flash Mike and Doc and the rest of ABATE of Florida.  The AMA has boo coo paid up registered members in Florida. I would wager more registered to vote members that ABATE of Florida's less than 6000. This issue affects their pockets also. So how do YOU get off telling them to stay out of it?

In fact, when it comes to any issue involving motorcycle rights, why would you not want as many allies as possible?

Unless of course your trying to act like a %1'er  MC trying to claim turf.  If thats the case, give it up your president/lobbyist wouldn't make a decent hemorrhoid on a one percenter's ass. Of course anybody can pay tribute, do you all pay tribute?


Another News Flash: The AMA is in Florida to stay and now B.O.L.T. (Bikers of Lessor Tolerance) is here to stay also.  Note the wo4rds "lessor Tolerance".  You can no longer perpetuate the lie that YOU speak for all Florida Bikers.

I'm confused. But then what else is new.  Especially when trying to decipher “ABATEese”.

ABATE was asleep at the wheel in relation to 40a and has been trying to spin it as a favorable outcome ever since. You will note in another inclusion Doc is asked, does this safety money apply to cars also? To which he replies yes. So how can you say that money previously reserved for motorcycle safety and now applies to cagers and let us not forget the wording in the bill that states “other” department uses  and then follow it up with “nothing has changed”.  Just how much of Doc's juice did you drink Mike????  Call me crazy but it would appear to me that “everything” has changed, except the fact that we are still paying $2.50 cent fee's on our registrations. The difference is, before it was for us, now it is for everybody.

What is it about that minor little freaking difference is it you guys do not understand. Look let me make it easy for you, 1+1=2.  Write it down on Flash Cards and Flash yourself daily. Not you “Doc”, that is not a pretty visual!

Now as to sending a letter to the American Motorcycle Association asking them to “stay out of our business.”  News flash Mike and Doc and the rest of ABATE of Florida.  The AMA has boo coo paid up registered members in Florida. I would wager more registered to vote members that ABATE of Florida's less than 6000. This issue affects their pockets also. So how do YOU get off telling them to stay out of it.

In fact, when it comes to any issue involving motorcycle rights, why would you not want as many allies as possible.

Unless of course your trying to act like a %1'er  MC trying to claim turf.  If thats the case, give it up your president/lobbyist wouldn't make a decent hemorrhoid on a one percenter's ass. Of course anybody can pay tribute, do you all pay tribute?

Another News Flash: The AMA is in Florida to stay and now B.O.L.T. (Bikers of Lessor Tolerance) is hear also. You can no longer perpetuate the lie that YOU speak for all Florida Bikers.
























Well ya know, when your membership is dropping and you can't sell a membership you may as well give them away. But then one asks oneself (or not) where will the Grand Smurfs, otherwise known as the ABATE of Florida lobbyist get his bucks. Well reported bucks anyway.  I mean really, who knows why they decided not to sue their accounting firm.  Do you know?

Hmmmm, could NCOM (National Coalition of Motorcyclists) be picking up some of the slack. Let us not Forget the Grand  Smurfs affiliation with them and that it may be, note the words “may be” that NCOM has found it more profitable to prostitute itself to clubs than to handle accident cases. Again now, note the words “may be” as in speculation not “fact”!

Now note that little blurb from “Doc”  second sentence from the bottom: “ NCOM is working on it”
Now note the following from an attorney that we know is actually working on it by his own words and not by Doc's. Note how he divorces himself and his firm from NCOM!

From: Matt Danielson [mailto:matt@tommcgrathlaw.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 8:54 AM
To: Bruce Arnold
Subject: RE: There May Be A Snake in the Grass at the Beaver Bar Next Saturday

Bruce,

It was not clear but I can only assume that the email you sent about Richard Lester's AIM/NCOM attorneys was aimed at my firm, Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group. I wanted to clarify a few matters, not necessarily to change your mind about ambulance chasers but instead to clarify my firm's affiliations and motivations.

First we are not affiliated with Richard Lester or NCOM. We were a while back but NCOM is aimed at club issues more than motorcycling issues, which is what my firm does. Clearly there is a need for lawyers who fight for club issues but we are committed to motorcyclists whether they are in a club or not. While we do accept AIM referrals, 98% of our case load comes directly from the motorcyclists and are unrelated to AIM. Some of the materials you see written about Tom with regard to Myrtle Beach are not written by him but long standing colleagues who are affiliated with AIM/NCOM. As Tom does take AIM referrals, those who call him AIM attorney Tom McGrath are not necessarily incorrect. However, what we are doing in Myrtle Beach has nothing to do with AIM/NCOM or Richard Lester.

While it may sound like a load of manure, the pro bono work on behalf of motorcyclists that we do is out of a passion for motorcycling. If it was not for my ability to do that as well as the injury work I would have never left my job as a prosecutor and come on with Tom. Now, do I hope that those who we help are going to hire us if needed? Of course I do. I am a business person interested in seeing my business succeed. However, some motorcyclists do not decide to use us when needed and that does not deter the pro-bono work that we do. And given that it is pro-bono, and often times at company and personal expense, I do not feel it inappropriate to advertise my firm at events such as the upcoming ride. If I was a tire salesman giving out free tires to a local group of motorcyclists I do not think anyone would find it distasteful for me to advertise my business at the same time. That would not diminish to good work that was being done. I can also clearly say that the good work that I speak of is not limited to the motorcycle rights work. You used the term ambulance chaser. If by that term you meant a personal injury lawyer than I proudly count myself as one. I can point to a long string of clients who have been helped by my firm. That assertion is backed by the many cards and thank you letters received from former clients. I truly love what I do and make no apologies for it.

As for Myrtle Beach, when we saw what was going on we decided to stand up to the City. We have not asked anyone for money and quite frankly never will. However, we are looking for support from the riding community so that it is clear that this is about more than our clients.

As a further example of what my firm does I have included a list below of some of our accomplishments in Virginia. It is not an all encompassing list and does not include the matters on which we are working this year(until the Governor signs the legislation I don't want to jinx it).

* HOV lanes opened to motorcycles.
* Highway signs to warn motorcyclists of dangerous roadway conditions.
* Consideration of motorcycles in the development of new technologies for traffic control.
* Inclusion of motorcycle awareness in driver education programs.
* Expansion of the state’s motorcycle rider training program beyond state institutions to include licensed privately owned schools.
* Funding to the state’s motorcycle rider training program which cannot be used for other purposes.
* Repeal of Virginia’s handlebar height restriction.
* Enacting measures to allow two motorcycles to use a single metered parking space.
* The creation of handicapped motorcycle license plates.
* Amending State Code to allow for headset use by motorcyclists for the purpose of communication.
* Promulgation of Virginia’s anti-discrimination statute which forbids the exclusion of motorcycles on public roadways, or in public garages or transportation facilities.
* successfully defended hundreds of clients from one end of Virginia to the other free of charge against tickets for helmet and exhaust violations.

I hope this clarifies what my firm does. I do not expect you to be our number one fan now but I did want you to have an accurate picture of who we are. If you have the inclination to talk about this more I would invite you to give me a call. My numbers are below and my personal cell number is 757-871-9773. Even if you do not call I hope you will come by and introduce yourself at the ride. Even if we have different feelings about my firm, I am sure that we can work together on causes about which we do agree.

In closing, I will say that I respect all of the work you have done for motorcyclists and thank you for it. I hope to see you next week end.

Matt Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists
1-800-437-9434
But then maybe NCOM is working undercover on a covert action to conquer South Carolina. Though I am hard pressed to know why anyone would want it.

But then it could be that ya got all these  people, attorneys, American Motorcycle Association, B.O.L.T,  our site (sorry had to throw that in) putting stuff out in the open as we learn and fight about it so that we can accomplish the common good for all bikers, while ABATE of Florida continues to operate in secret like the corporate/government Alliance it sleeps with.   But see, that works for ABATE and especially president and lobbyist Doc Riechenbach.  He can claim shit and deny shit and no one ever knows what the real truth is.  He would ostracize other rights organizations from Florida to feed his own delusional ego at the expense of Bikers Rights.

And his minions?  Well maybe, just maybe one or two will detox from the Doc Juice spend a little time researching ABATE of Florida and determine the truth on their own as opposed to being breast fed info from the tits of the Grand Smurf.

And oh yeah, a p.s. Would the local ABATE Chapter please put out your newsletter, as per the by-laws, containing the ads you have collected money for yet not delivered on. People have been asking and some think I'm still affiliated and there was a time when the local chapter kept it's word instead of hiding out.  Or does the fact that Doc's do boy's presence exempt you from the rules others have to follow!

Have a nice day!Add to Technorati Favorites

A morning at the capital, botched info, STIFFER PENALTIES, DNA bill, kiss 4th and fifth amendments goodbye

Ostensibly I Toted my skinny ass up to the capital in Tallahassee because as late as yesterday I was told by phone person form the Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee that HB1161 having to do with stiffer penalties for people who run over motorcyclists was gong to be heard to day.

But when I get my little butt in there the lady in charge says, oh no, were hearing hb1151 (an interesting bill in it's own right that we will address below). When I told I specifically mentioned the title of the bill and what it was about, the response was, oh you got one of them OPS people. Well o.k. I feel so much better now.

So before I go further, here's the update on HB1161. It will prob not be heard for at least two weeks. It's companion bill SB968 in the criminal justice committee is also not schedule in the next two weeks. Which means time is running short and if people don't call the committee chairs and say somet5hing like, get the bills on the agenda "PLEASE" we may see them drift into never, never, land.

Info for who to call:
HB1167 Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee chair Phone: (850) 488-3616
SB968 Criminal Justice, Chair Senator Paula Dockery (850) 487-5040

KEEP IN MIND IF YOU DO NOT INVOLVE YOURSELF YOU CAN NOT BITCH WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE ON A MOTORCYCLE GETS KILLED!!!!
DNA TESTING INNOCENT OR GUILTY???? 
DNA Database: Designates act "DNA Database Act"; provides phase-in schedule whereby persons arrested for specified felony offenses will be required to provide DNA samples to FDLE until all felony arrestees will provide such samples; provides for statewide system for classifying, matching, & storing analyses of DNA & other data; provides for access; authorizes use of reasonable force to collect samples; provides for collection of samples for specified offenders from out of state; provides that certain failures to strictly comply with statute or protocol may not provide grounds for challenging DNA sample; provides that detention, arrest, or conviction of person based upon database match or database information will not be invalidated if it is later determined that sample was obtained or placed in database by mistake; prohibits certain offenses; providing that convicted person shall pay actual costs of collecting approved biological specimens unless declared indigent.
Effective Date: July 1, 2009
Last Event: Favorable by Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:30 AM
Fortunately  there were some good good constitutional scholars that advocated against this bill.  Unfortunately they were ignored (so what else is new) and the bill was passed through committee.

The operative bone of contention here is that in America you are supposed to be "innocent until proven guilty".  The fourth amendment gives you certain rights to privacy that can not be abrogated  with out a warrant and/or due process. Amendment 5 states:

nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Now excuse me, but I consider my DNA to be my private property which you can not have without due  process and just compensation. And I value my DNA high.  And if you convict me for a crime based solely on evidence provided by my illegally taken DNA then you h ave just taken away my 5th amendment right not to incriminate myself. It is the laws job to prove me guilty without my help. I do not h ave to testify against myself. A judge will instruct the jury that refusal to testify on my part is my right and is not to be a consideration in jury deliberations.  Using my illegally obtained DNA is tantamount to making me testify against myself and violates my constitutional rights.  

THIS BILL SUCKS!!!!!
 
Use of Hoax Firearms: Defines term "hoax firearm" for specified purposes; revises provisions relating to robbery, carjacking, & home-invasion robbery to provide increased penalties when hoax firearm is carried in course of committing offense; conforms provision.
Effective Date: October 1, 2009
Last Event: Favorable by Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:30 AM

O.K. SO WHAT IS A "HOAX FIREARM" ???  It is a toy gun that is made to look very much like a real gun.  They past some around that looked very real indeed. Seems criminals been using them because they can't get the heavy duty sentences that come with using real guns.  Ah, no more Bucko, that toy, whoops my apologies, "Hoax" guns can now send your ass to jail.

Now I ain't seen just exactly where the line between an obvious toy gun and a not so obvious toy gun begins and ends.  It's not an issue for me. Robbing somebody with a gun that does not shoot "real" bullets seems a bit stupid to me. Seems the Robbee could pull out a real gun and shoot the robber with real bullets. Game over.

and finally for our Purposes any way:

GENERAL BILL   by Nehr (CO-SPONSORS) Hooper
Confidential Informants: Creates "Rachel's Law"; prohibits law enforcement agency from selecting certain specified persons to act as confidential informants; provides exceptions; requires that any agreement between law enforcement agency & confidential informant be reduced to writing & signed by certain designated parties; requires law enforcement agency to notify confidential informant of his or her right to legal counsel before executing an assistance agreement; requires recordkeeping; provides requirements for proper use of confidential informants.
Effective Date: July 1, 2009
Last Event: Favorable with CS by Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:30 AM
Rachel's mom was there to speak and  did so admirably.  Three other significant aspects of this bill:

1.  Persons in Drug Treatment should not be used as informants (you would have thought that would have been a duh, but then you would think the the Tallahassee Police Chief supported veterans too.
But Veterans fought against gestapo tactics didn't they? Sorry couldn't help myself)

2.  Non violents persons should not be used in cases involving violent persons.

3.  The potential informant must be evaluated as to their maturity, emotional capacity and judgment prior  to being used as an informant.  But then one might of thought that when considering a person such as Dennis Jones as a Police Chief that maturity, emotional stability and judgment might also have been considered.  Well one would have thought anyway.Add to Technorati Favorites