A sad Christmas is waiting....

<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13213-letter-santas-sadness-at-loss-of-shrewsbury-toy-run-">Shrewsbury  England is the place where</a> Christmas is going to be far bleaker for a lot of children. Why? Due to budget cuts the police will not, claim they can not, support the toy run with an escort.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It seems to me that world wide, the police services are becoming more and more heartless.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They won't let civilians block intersections,(insurance risks don't yah know) the closed ranks do not want to allow a professional blocking course for civilians because that would take away from their paycheques and yet they will shut down an event because they can't get their double over time to block traffic.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sad, disgusting, shocking, mind numbing, what ever negative label you want to put on it would be appropriate me thinks.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The bureaucracy is mind boggling.  25 years the toy run in Shrewsbury has been going on. Hundreds of children helped each year to have a better Christmas than they would have had without the kindness of strangers...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have had very little respect for the police services as a whole over the last few years. Yes there are some wonderful officers and detachments and yes there are those who wear their uniform and do their job with pride, fairness and decency and then there are the bureaucrats, the ones who run things, and they disgust me as a whole. (we won't get into the way I feel about certain individual members)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In this day of budget cuts and poor economies there has never been a greater need for generosity and kindness,  and you would think that there would be one or two officers at the very least, willing to volunteer an hour or two of their time. <b>VOLUNTEER</b> - to GIVE back to the people who pay their paycheques, but no...either their commanding officers won't let them VOLUNTEER and use tax payer paid for police vehicles to block traffic or the police <b>forget who employs them - who pays them...</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It makes my heart sick - we almost lost our toy run here in Grande Prairie to a similar narrow minded mentality. Because we have a 1% club in town, the police penalized the rest of the community. If they are present (1%ers) we can not be seen to participate - YOU are no longer allowed to block traffic - it's too great an insurance risk.  The city's staff are so stretched with other parades through out the year that doing blockades with barriers is far to costly for them to help yet another parade...so what to do...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A compromise was finally reached where in the police provided an escort for the 20 or so blocks that the parade was allowed to be this year...As small as the parade route was this year, some 20 blocks, it was still better than no parade, by a long shot. Here in Grande Prairie, the toy run committee works all year long holding a variety of fundraisers and awareness events in an attempt to ensure that no matter how many or how few riders show up that the kids in this community and the surrounding region will have a good Christmas and feel special at least one day out of the year. The toy run is the culmination of a whole year's effort and is the final push to ensure that the kid's who need some cheer in life get it.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I see the support other communities like Whitecourt, Edson and Hinton get from their police services and fire departments, with toy runs that wind through town for a half hour and are really treated like a parade, like the special event they really are and it simply boggles my mind that Grande Prairie can only garner enough support from their counterparts here in GP to hold a 20 block parade. And yet, looking back on the alternative...the shutting down of a 33 year old event, well I'll take 20 blocks...yes, we will, and say a huge THANK YOU at the same time because at least there was compromise and dialogue a new beginning.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let's discuss what the alternative would have meant here in Grande Prairie.  If the Toy Run was cancelled here, there would be between $25 and $30,000 less in toys that the Children's ward at the hospital, the Pregnant & Parenting Teens Group, Big Brother's & Big Sisters and the Salvation Army would have to distribute.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let's do the math...the average price of a toy or article of clothing that is given to these organizations to distribute is $25 thanks to the huge discount Zeller's gives the Toy Run Committee - that's 1,200 toys/clothes, 1,200 children....never mind the donated toys that fill a small trailer!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't know the numbers in Shrewsbury England, what the toy run brings in or the costs of toys there, but let's say that the 350 riders the article alludes to supply toys to 500 kids...all for the lack of a few police officers willing to DONATE or VOLUNTEER some of their time 500 children are going to be impacted.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>SHAME ON YOU.</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh and by the way, to the Grande Prairie RCMP, the City of Grande Prairie and the Toys for Tots Committee...thank you for being willing to meet at the round table and find a compromise and I am confident right now that I can say that thanks not just from myself, but from every child and young teen that will have at least one gift under the tree...it may not be ideal, it may not have lasted for very long, but that it happened at all is an absolute blessing to so many, so THANK YOU.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And that's my 2 bits worth, what say you?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In other news:</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the US a bunch of the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13207-vagos-motorcycle-gang-targeted-in-sweep">Vagos Motorcycle Club members </a>were raided and arrested in California</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Quebec the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-qc-news/297-motorcycle-television/13210-surete-du-quebec-moves-in-on-alleged-hells-angels-drug-ring-restricted-weapon-seized-grow-ops-among-8-sites-busted-">Hells Angels were also raided </a>and members were arrested.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On TV, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-lifestyle/1615-moviestv/13214-sons-of-anarchy-season-4-episode-5-review-brick-">Sons of Anarchy episode reviewed</a>...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A rider<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-lifestyle/444-rider-training-and-safety/13206-driver-frustrated-by-those-who-feel-need-to-pass-on-right-hand-side-read-more-httpwwwdelta-optimistcomnewsdriverfrustratedthosefeelneedpassrighthandside5517237storyhtmlixzz1a5poakfc"> shakes his head at drivers who pass on the right</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are many other articles of interest in the news feeds today, please check them out at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>  if you want to know what's happening that could affect your day or impact your life...check them out!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have been fielding some questions about the Charity Calendars and when they will be shipped out...Pre sales run until October 31st. At that time I will do a count of what is needed and I will get that many calendars printed off as I refuse to get stuck with any.  The calendars should be ready for distribution the end of the second or during the third week of November...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I sign off today wishing you a happy Friday, a great long weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until Tuesday...Ride safe and be happy</span><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></i>

A sad Christmas is waiting....

Belt Drive 0 7:22 AM

Shrewsbury  England is the place where Christmas is going to be far bleaker for a lot of children. Why? Due to budget cuts the police will not, claim they can not, support the toy run with an escort. It seems to me that world wide, the police service… Read more »

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A Motorcycle Toilet....

<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-lifestyle/446-motorcycle-reviews-/13191-crappy-custom-bike-the-motorcycle-toilet">Clutch & Chrome Magazine </a>in the US has a report today about a motorcycle that runs on human waste.</span></b></i><br /> <div style="text-align: right;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnXCItV01ovzN4n68rlhWbIUVBPCoQXuiEFTPOvWszdpCwTuxMzVv1hfgD9Tz0weChlXMqae7mx6tKsYquvGTlYTFOeWQldgEY9rZraceC0YTzRMRWQjqOOLM7k0CRx22b9Zi/s1600/toilet-bike-neo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnXCItV01ovzN4n68rlhWbIUVBPCoQXuiEFTPOvWszdpCwTuxMzVv1hfgD9Tz0weChlXMqae7mx6tKsYquvGTlYTFOeWQldgEY9rZraceC0YTzRMRWQjqOOLM7k0CRx22b9Zi/s320/toilet-bike-neo1.jpg" width="320" /></a>According to TOTO, Japan's number one toilet manufacturer, this toilet powered trike talks to you...</span></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It plays music (I wonder if the song Beans, Beans the magical fruit, the more you eat the more you toot is the theme song?) And it also features residual light imagery to write messages in the air as it zooms by (Messages can only be seen at night)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This trike is leaving today on a 600 mile journey month-long journey from Kyushu to Tokyo, making stops along the way to show off their new innovation and to educate people on the various green initiatives that TOTO is undertaking. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The starting point is the TOTO Headquarters in Kitakyushu. It will then head to Nakatsu in Oita prefecture to pay homage to an ass-shaped boulder (do you think they might be having some fun with this?). </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wCL0-BKTHyqJGYjRPtUa9-PCtzbF35Ilcoh-EN5t9Vb306Ow62lpY3ombIlz0X7KOpPROwtFNgCc-x5kqEGtW-NQIYqAH8wV8dnDbyEiJpbZzYCMXzv1EC2anGu7JOBOUU_n/s1600/img_741952_56495074_0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wCL0-BKTHyqJGYjRPtUa9-PCtzbF35Ilcoh-EN5t9Vb306Ow62lpY3ombIlz0X7KOpPROwtFNgCc-x5kqEGtW-NQIYqAH8wV8dnDbyEiJpbZzYCMXzv1EC2anGu7JOBOUU_n/s320/img_741952_56495074_0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div> <div> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">From there the motorcycle will hitch a ride on a ferry to Hiroshima, then to Okayama and then to Kobe. After riding around Nara and Kyoto they will hit up Aichi, Shizuoka and then Tokyo.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></b></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C4IJix0tUi8" width="560"></iframe></a></span></span><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know many motorcycle manufactures, dealers and repair shops have said business is in the toilet but this sure takes that statement to a whole different level of understanding!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now on to other news....</span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Florida<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13192-nudist-biker-club-owner-plans-to-open-nudist-resort"> there are plans to open a nudist resort </a>for a nudist motorcycle club, the Bare Buns Bikers...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Ontario, the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-on-travel/375-contacts/13186-northumberland-charity-toy-ride-hits-ninth-year">Northumberland toy run is set to go</a></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Nova Scotia they<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-ns-news/384-contacts/13188-bikers-host-charity-ride"> are getting ready for a Halloween themed charity ride</a></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In BC, the RCMP are <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-rider-down/1650-bc-rider-down/13189-rcmp-still-looking-for-witnesses-after-fatal-collision">looking for witnesses to a fatal crash in Ft St John</a></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a TON of stuff in the news feeds today that just might affect your life, hope you will check them out at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today is paper day...many of you will have gotten you provincial newsletter and national newspaper today - hope you enjoy it and decide to get on the sharing bandwagon!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a tootin' good day folks and if you are riding today, please ride carefully and try to keep images of a talking toilet trike out of your head...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span>

A Motorcycle Toilet....

Belt Drive 1 7:35 AM

Clutch & Chrome Magazine in the US has a report today about a motorcycle that runs on human waste. According to TOTO, Japan's number one toilet manufacturer, this toilet powered trike talks to you... It plays music (I wonder if the song Beans, Beans … Read more »

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Score a big one for Prairie Harley-Davidson & Regina

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>After a year of fund raising, Prairie Harley-Davidson should be taking a bow...the dealership played a big part in the donation of a new bus to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-sk-news/295-motorcycle-television/13168-freedom-drives-in-at-wascana">According to the article in the Leader Post</a>, the Centre had been without a bus since last December when their old one was decommissioned of safety purposes.</i></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Prairie H-D got involved with this project because one of the owners had been a resident at the centre for two years. In all Prairie H-D donated close to $40K towards the purchase of the bus by holding various fundraisers like a motorcycle raffle and tee shirt sales. The bus cost $80K and will help 120 residents to gain some freedom!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Way to go people!</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow - I can't believe how nice it is to report on something in the mainstream news feeds that is so great instead of the usual political gloom and doom of being a rider in this country. When I read this story in the feeds this morning my heart just soared!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is so seldom that the really great things that our community does and participates in outside of Toy Runs is ever reported in the main stream news feeds!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would love to have more riders sharing the feel good stories of their communities, I feel it is high time that we get the recognition for the good we do instead of only hearing about the negative things like loud pipes.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, the question of the day is - what great things have riders in your community done to help out?</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Enquiring minds want to know.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In BC, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-bc-news/293-news-british-columbia/13167-rcmp-impound-motorcycles-for-street-racing">three riders were charged for racing on Vancouver Island</a>, the trio were given a ride to the ferry after their bikes were impounded...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In New Brunswick, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-nb-travel/381-contacts/13166-toys-hosts-fall-foliage-run">Toys for Big Boys is hosting a Fall Foliage Run</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also in New Brunswick, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-nb-news/298-motorcycle-television/13169-my-brother-wasnt-out-to-feel-big">a family member of Trevor Nason </a>speaks out on the loud pipes debate</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Sports - Szoke is looking for a manufacturer to ride for in the Canadian SuperBike Championships as <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-sports-canadian/342-canadian-drag-racing/13171--szoke-looking-for-new-ride">Kawasaki announces a cut back in its participation</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are other stories in the news feeds this morning that may be of importance to your day and life, please check them out at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com </a>where we sift through the news so you don't have to.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are a lucky dawn who is riding today, PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and have a fabulous hump day!</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></i></b><br /> <b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></i></b>

Score a big one for Prairie Harley-Davidson & Regina

Belt Drive 0 6:52 AM

After a year of fund raising, Prairie Harley-Davidson should be taking a bow...the dealership played a big part in the donation of a new bus to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. According to the article in the Leader Post, the Centre had been withou… Read more »

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Video taping police officers, the road to regaining our freedoms...

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>The Canada Free Press has a very interesting article regarding the use of <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13159-the-right-to-keep-and-bear-cameras">video cameras and cell phone cameras in  filming the conduct of police officers and public officials in the US</a>, and while the story is American based, there have been many reports of similar situations in Canada.</b></i><br /></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Robert Dziekański taser incident would be one of them. I am quite sure that the video that contradicted the testimony of those police officers involved is one the RCMP wished had never seen the light of day.</span><br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then there is the kicking in the face incident in Kelowna, another video I am sure that police would rather not have surfaced. (Trust me, there are many, many more such videos available from right here in Canada)</span></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In a country where the police are becoming all powerful, using profiling and their powers/authority in inappropriate and abusive ways, I feel this article is very timely and appropriate for the Canadian reader to consider.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The writer, Tim Dunkin has done a lot of research. His article exposes the attitude of the police and other elected officials and cites numerous cases of police brutality, where in the police have done everything in their power including beating and arresting people over video taping incidents. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Quote: " Do the police have such a bugaboo about “civilians” recording them because they know that they may often have something to hide? After all, the police tell people whose vehicles and homes they want to search without a warrant that “if you don’t have anything to hide, then you don’t have anything to worry about.” Why go to such lengths to keep people from recording you in public, unless you think you might be doing something you don’t want people to find out about? End Quote.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the US, many jurisdictions are attempting to use wire tapping laws as their defence however, they are finding out the hard way that manipulating the law in their own favour does not always work.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He expresses that many recent court rulings involving people who video taped officers and public officials are being held up in favour of the person doing the video tapping.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Quote: "As such, there does seem to be a good deal of broad-based precedent being built for affirming the constitutionality of videotaping or otherwise recording police as they perform their official duties. This has led at least one state (Connecticut) to <a href="http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=11815">consider a bill</a> before its state legislature that would make it illegal for police officers to hinder or harass citizens who videotape them, provided the citizen isn’t directly obstructing the officer’s performance of his or her duties." End Quote</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He ends his column saying:</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Quote: "While lovers of liberty have a lot of work to do across the board as far as fighting to regain lost freedom and to keep what little we still have, codifying the right of citizens to “keep tabs” on public officials, including (or perhaps especially) police officers, is a lynchpin in gaining and keeping liberty. With greater authority and the ability to exercise the raw power of state-sanctioned violence necessarily come the need for greater oversight and control by the group who really form the basis of all legitimacy for government—the people themselves. If government agencies and their officers cannot bring themselves to accept citizen oversight and accountability, then those agencies and officers lose their claims to delegated legitimacy, and should rightly be removed. It’s time for lovers of liberty to make this point explicitly clear. End Quote.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I encourage you to read his full article, read the linked stories...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To me, the lesson here is if you have a video camera or cell phone camera, use it.  Since we, the people pay their wages, the RCMP and other police forces along with politicians would do well to remember that as their employers it is not unreasonable for us to video tape them doing their jobs. We the people are constantly surveilled to catch our bad and or inappropriate behaviours...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Filming police officers doing their jobs is one way to keep our rights and freedoms alive...what say you?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I look forward to the dialogue this topic will generate and hope you will join in the discussion on Facebook, in our forums on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> or right here in this blog post.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In other news:</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Chatham ON, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-on-news/296-motorcycle-television/13156-biker-church-revs-up">Full Throttle Ministries became a reality for pastor</a> Brent Elgie and his wife.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the US Harley-Davidson <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13160-harley-davidson-ceo-aims-to-wow-riders-to-keep-turnaround-in-gear">CEO Keith Wandell expresses that his company</a> is going after the new rider in an aggressive way but will not forget the leather clad core...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_365266317">Also in the US, </a><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-law-and-politics/360-contacts/13150-insurance-refund-for-motorcycle-riders">Massachusetts bikers are going to be getting refunds</a> as part of a settlement with 15 insurance companies. Close to $40 Million dollars will be going back into their hands.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13158-motorist-caught-using-laptop-drinking-and-writing-quiz-answers-at-same-time">Great Britain a driver was caught</a> using a laptop, drinking and writing all at the same time...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13155-bikies-may-have-offered-bounty-after-shooting">In Australia, bikies are suspected of have put a bounty</a> on the head of a person who shot and 11 year old child of a bikie in his own home.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a ton of news in the feeds today and I hope you will take a few moments to swing by <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> to see what is happening that could affect your day or life.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wish you a fabulous Tuesday and hope that if you are riding today you will ride with extreme care and caution, remember, you are far more important than you might believe.</span><br /> <br /> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i><br /> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></b></i></div>

Video taping police officers, the road to regaining our freedoms...

Belt Drive 0 8:12 AM

The Canada Free Press has a very interesting article regarding the use of video cameras and cell phone cameras in  filming the conduct of police officers and public officials in the US, and while the story is American based, there have been many repo… Read more »

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Bikers for Christ ordered to leave a fair

<span style="color: #e69138;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the Pumpkin Fair in Manteca California this past weekend the Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry had 2 of it's members asked to leave the fair. Why? The Manteca Police said it was because of the shooting in Sparks Nevada.  One of the elders of the ministry wrote a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13110-police-order-bikers-for-christ-to-leave-fair">letter to the editor </a>where in he asked the same question I have been asking here in Canada, "Isn't profiling illegal?</span></i></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I find it discouraging how few riders actually get involved in protecting our rights. Here in Canada it appears that we are a community of defeatists. Why is that? Why are we not more vocal and indignant when a<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/292-motorcycle-television/12540-legion-gang"> Military Motorcycle Club</a> has it's event shut down because the hosts wear a three piece patch?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Why are we not more upset when a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/296-motorcycle-television/11318-license-ruling-hurts-legion-fundraiser-">Legion is forced to ask riders wearing club patches to leave </a>a motorcycle show 'n' shine?</span><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Why are we not more supportive of the people who fight for our rights?</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Are we really that complacent? Are our regular lives really so busy that we can't take a moment to write a letter of support or frustration?</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I listen to riders who whine, snivel and complain, but ask them to do anything meaningful that will actually prevent these types of things from happening in our community and the answer you get is "I am too busy" or "I will" and they never do.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If we don't care enough about the things that happen unjustly to our community then it won't be very long before we in this country are not going to be allowed to ride in urban centres. Some 200 cities in China have banned motorcycles, there are cities in California that have banned motorcycles, so don't tell me it won't happen here. It can and it will.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Florida, the government there is claiming that the<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/286-news-international-/13095-politician-and-abate-argue-motorcycle-safety-programs"> $250K dollars that is given to ABATE</a> is being spent inappropriately.  Bryan Nelson, one of the Florida state representatives, in spite of a recent audit of ABATE and it's affairs that said the organization is complying with it's contract with the state. The state representative feels the money should not be spent on bumper stickers, key chains, fridge magnets, radio ads or bus billboards and other information but instead on seminars.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It appears to me that every where you look, motorcyclists are being squeezed and yet, there is very little indignation. And now, because of the profiling that is happening out there we have outlaw clubs that are beginning to sport one piece patches...that is not only unwise, but dangerous to our community. Why? Well, now there will be no way to tell who is who beyond the diamond patch of the 1% clubs or perhaps the support patches that some sport.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is a sad state of affairs if you ask me. We are far too complacent in this country and I fear that every soldier who laid their lives on the line to protect our rights has done so in vain. We don't appear to care - we appear to think "It can't happen here" but it is, in a very subtle way and it will only escalate.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That is unless we get our proverbial poop in a group.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Like every day, I welcome your thoughts and feed back...join us on Facebook, our forums on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> or right here in my blog.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In other news:</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Germany this past week...the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/286-news-international-/13082-hells-angels-motorcycle-club-banned-in-german-city">Hells Angels have been banned from  Frankfurt</a>.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the US - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/13105-jackyl-frontman-in-motorcycle-accident">Jackyl frontman Jesse James Dupree</a> is recovering after a motorcycle crash. The Jackyl frontman and co-star of Full Throttle Saloon on Tru-TV is expected to make a full recovery. </span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are many other articles of interest over at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>, where we sift through the news so you don't have to...hope to see you over there.</span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please ride carefully and enjoy your Monday!</span></i></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></b></i></div>

Bikers for Christ ordered to leave a fair

Belt Drive 0 8:11 AM

At the Pumpkin Fair in Manteca California this past weekend the Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry had 2 of it's members asked to leave the fair. Why? The Manteca Police said it was because of the shooting in Sparks Nevada.  One of the elders of t… Read more »

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