Brotherhood? What is that?

I am about to embark on a diatribe that may piss a few people off...
Today, out of Montreal, comes word that Dayle Fredette, a member of the Hells Angels in Quebec has turned informant.

Now - I am all for the "good" guys putting the bad guys away but I believe that if you do the crime, do your time.  This so called "biker" rolling on his brothers makes me shake my head for it appears to be all in the name of money by the way the article reads...can his testimony be trusted? I mean...

What happened to honour among thieves? Seriously - I have always had trouble trusting the police cause they say one thing and then do another, but I always felt I knew where I stood with the 1%ers because they said what they meant and you could take it to the bank...every time I hear about one of them rolling I wonder...
This brotherhood we keep hearing about - is this the way brothers conduct themselves?  Or is this an example of the new world order that even amongst those who are supposed to be brothers, whose patch is supposed to mean something - looking out for number one is more important? Hmmm....

In London Ontario one reporter is offended that 2 members of the Hells Angels had their motorcycles in a custom motorcycle competition at the London Motorcycle Show... He doesn't understand how people can be outraged by a sex show being held at the Womax, but it's OK for members of a "criminal organization" to display their bikes at a bike show....

There is an interesting invention for those of you who fly your own small plane or charter one - want to take your motorcycle with you easily? There's a way to do that now - the MotoPOD

In Sicamous BC, they announced that there will be a big Cabaret in May as a teaser to Sturgis North and a full day of Sturgis North activities during the rally....

There are lots of other bits in the news that may be of importance to your day or life....check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we do our best to bring you the motorcycle community news from around the corner and around the world.

We have been experiencing some intermittent speed issues on the new web host but we have pinned down the cause and are working to rectify that  and hope to have it resolved by Monday - it's a tad complicated when things work together well in one browser but don't in another...

That said, there is still a Show 'n' Shine going on that has entries that need votes so I hope you'll put up with slow speeds long enough to cast your vote today...

I leave you with some funnies shared wuth me by friends on Facebook and by email...

Have a fabulous Friday and a great weekend.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Lawyers back Government, 2 more H-D Dealers close and a whole lot more!

Out of Australia comes news of a big shift with lawyers in that country. Known to vehemently oppose the government's anti association legislation, they are now giving the proposed, newly re written anti - gang laws their qualified support.

Begin Quote: 
"It is unfortunate that a minority group in the community at the moment are causing such significant changes to the law, but if at the moment the law is unable to cope with their activities we need to find a balance to control them." Mr Rau yesterday introduced a suite of legislation in Parliament to tackle gangs, some parts of which were defeated, delayed or dramatically modified by the Upper House last year.

He has also changed anti-association legislation overturned in the High Court, so that now the power to declare a gang illegal would rest with a Supreme Court judge rather than the Attorney-General.

Mr Rau said the new measures were a "surgical strike" and further violence was likely if there were no changes. End Quote

What will this law mean to regular rider? Will the regular rider end up getting tarred with this law too and will they be able to defend themselves?  I guess only time will tell.

In other News:

One in Florida and one in Toronto, two more Harley-Davidson dealers close their doors...will this open the doors for more Victory and Indian dealers? 

In the trial of RCMP Officer Monty Robinson the judge hearing the case, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Janice Dillion has adjourned it to decide if the evidence from Constable Swallow is admissible.

Plans for Sturgis North in Vernon BC are rocking ahead...the Galz from MotocyGalz have a great report on the event and what is planned.

Riders In Nova Scotia are getting ready to get their PMS Fix as the Halifax International Bike Show gears up for this weekend.

In Motorcycle News, Ducati has issued a recall for certain 2011 and 2012 Monsters and Hypermotards for cracked fuel lines.

In Custom Bike News there is an article from Motor Biker about a new Harley Trike that leans, looks like a roadster car from the front, leans like a Spyder...funky looking ride...

In the Attitude Zone - Letters to the Editor - is an article about the Stats generated by police services and how those stats change if you threaten to cut budgets.

There's lots more news, some that might affect your day or world and some that will put a smile on your face...visit www.beltdrivebetty.com to read all about it.

Thanks to all those who are filling our our 2012 Rider Survey, We will be running that survey all season long so that we can tailor our news to our readers better, attract advertisers and impact customer service from the hospitality industry - your taking that 3-5 minutes means a lot to me!

Have you voted for your favourite bike in our online Show 'n' Shine - you can vote every day and who knows, yours might be the vote that helps that machine earn the owner some cool swag like the Campout for 12 in Haida Gwaai BC or the new Drift Camera...
You just never know!

I leave you with a few funnies - shared with me through emails and by friends on Facebook - a good giggle helps start the day off right!

I hope you are enjoying your Busted Knuckle Chronicles Newspaper! Every Thursday we deliver our Canadian Community news to your inbox...subscribe today!

Have a Happy Thursday!

Bet Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

RCMP Officer Monty Robinson on Trial

The trial of RCMP officer Monty Robinson continued yesterday. He is charged with obstruction of justice. This is the man who crashed into motorcyclist Orion Hutchinson and left the scene of the crash without offering aide to the rider.

Will the justice system be able to finally convict this man of something? Anything? It remains to be seen.

Begin Quote: 
Cpl. Robinson's lawyer, David Crossin, argued Tuesday testimony by the officer that arrested Cpl. Robinson at the scene of the motorcycle accident should not be considered by the judge hearing the case because Cpl. Robinson hadn't been notified of his right to legal counsel before telling her about the vodka.
End Quote

The arresting officer, Constable Sarah Swallow testified yesterday that when she arrived at the scene of the crash, Robinson was not present, that he had left his drivers license with a man who was walking his dog and told the man he was taking his kids home. She expressed that Robinson had told her he had a drink to calm his nerves and had been at a party earlier.

The crown says Robinson's training is what allowed him to circumnavigate the impaired driving charges that were initially laid by Constable Swallow.

Begin Quote: 
Crown prosecutor Kris Pechet told the trial in his opening statement earlier that Cpl. Robinson tried to use his police training to escape a drunk driving conviction when he claimed to have had the alcohol after the crash.

Mr. Pechet said Crown witnesses will say Cpl. Robinson took an RCMP data training course in 2005 where he was taught that people who have an accident while driving after drinking can defeat an impaired charge if they have something to drink after the accident.

By leaving their driver's licence at the accident scene, they can escape a charge of leaving the scene of a crash.
End Quote

As Lord Acton so eloquently stated: Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I would love your comments on this topic - my heart is sickened by what I have read today. 

In other news:

Employees at Doc's Harley-Davidson presented a unique Valentine to the world....

In Victoria BC, the police are looking for new motorcycles for their fleet.

In Arizona, the Bike Week Schedule has been released.

In New South Wales they are gearing up to go after "Bikies" in a bigger way.

They are making changes to the law that was struck down last year as unconstitutional in an effort to crack down on "organized crime" by the "Bikies".

And in Manila they are implementing a new driving lane structure in an effort to reduce the 700 crashes they see every year. The city roadway in question handles some 12,000 motorcycles per day.  The fourth lane is designated for motorcycles and if you get caught not using that lane to ride in you will be fined, don't wear proper gear, don't wear a helmet? You will be fined.

In the inaugural day of testing out the new scheme, over 1,400 riders were forced to attend a 15 minute, on the spot seminar for being caught where they weren't supposed to be. The new law goes into effect on the 20th of February.

There are many other articles in the news that may have some bearing on your life, check them all out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends through email and on Facebook...

Have a fabulous hump day...

Belt Drive betty

Editor & Rider

BAN - Bikers Against Noise Bylaw

There is a movement happening in Ontario called BAN - Bikers Against Noise Bylaw.  They have a petition that you should consider signing.

They can accept signatures from anywhere on this petition!  So WHY should you get involved? Noise Bylaws are springing up everywhere, they are inconsistent, and often, too often the technologies used require the police to follow certain formulas and techniques that can be misrepresented as facts.   What do I mean by that? Well if the officer does not do the test accurately you can be inconvenienced and charged wrongfully.

These bylaws become an impediment to tourism - a mainstay of our economy, they are also discriminatory and many a municipality will say no other technology is available to measure cars and trucks noise but they wold be wrong and misinformed.  The Noise Snare catches everyone - so if the issue is really NOISE, then the Noise Snare should be being used.

Injustice - tarring all riders with the same brush - it's WRONG folks...

Here are a few quotes I came across about injustice and how it harms and how to resolve it....

“You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.” ― Marian Wright Edelman

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“It's my duty as a human being to be pissed off”
― Eric Bogosian, subUrbia

If you choose not to get involved because you think it does not affect you, YOU WOULD BE WRONG - tarring every rider with the brush of inconsideration is as wrong as tarring every rider with the brush of criminal...

In other news:

According to an article in the Toronto Sun, BIKERS are involved in fraud and financial crimes 

There are some great articles on custom bikes, including one on a Jet Powered Suzuki, 

Under Brands there are some great reviews on the new Ducati's and the 2013 Victory Judge...

Pop on over to www.beltdrivebetty.com to see what's happening today that might affect your day or your world!

Have you voted for your favourite bike in our show 'n' shine? Its fast and easy - help a friend win some incredible prizes!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S Day everyone...

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and in emails...

Have a FABULOUS Tuesday!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Ducati to be sold? Hells Angel concerns the parole board....another wild ride in the news!

The word is out today that Ducati is on the block and interested companies are beginning to line up. 1.6 BILLION dollars is what it is going to take to buy this Iconic brand...the private equity investor says the company is perfect and ready for sale to an industrial partner that can take it to the next level....

In Montreal, the parole board has some deep concerns over an informant that refuses to get help for mental issues.  Stéphane Faucher, according to the article in the Montreal Gazette, turned informant during a takedown of the Angels in 2011. However, when it came to trial time, Faucher was incoherent, babbling incomplete sentences and then he told Beliveau (the judge) that he was the victim of a "frame-up," and accused two police investigators of tricking him to turn against the Hells Angels.

He was subsequently incarcerated for 14 years plus he was convicted of contempt of court.  Normally he would be eligible for release, however in light of his violent behaviour behind bars, the fact that he refuses to be examined for mental health issues and has made comments about how he intends to ARM himself for his own protection he is being held with the parole board to review their decision in a year.

Hmmm, sounds like someone with buyers remorse and/or a guilty conscience.
What are your thoughts on this man's actions and behaviour?

In other news...

In Saskatchewan, it looks like sport bike riders are about to get nailed with higher insurance premiums.

The trial of Monty Robinson gets underway today in BC - my personal views on this RCMP officers trial? I hope justice really prevails ....motorcycle rider Orion Hutchinson did not deserve to die because of the actions of this officer...

In the US they are discussing the devious deeds of a man who posed as a veteran to bilk bikers out of thousands and thousands of dollars...

In New Mexico riders of motorcycles and bicycles have joined forces to get a law passed that would see stiffer fines for causing death of a rider through a crash...will they get it through this round of the New Mexico legislature? We'll have to wait and see.

There is a ton of other news that might be of interest to you or affect your day or life in someway, come check out what's happening in motorcycling around the corner and around the world...www.beltdrivebetty.com  While you are there check out the Show n Shine and vote for your favourite and don't forget to check out our FABULOUS Sponsors!

On a personal note...
Whitney Houston, may you rest in peace, finally.
I know that there are many who feel that celebrities get to much attention and feel the whole world mourns their losses more that those of our men and women of the armed forces. BUT...
They are humans who have brought certain joy to our world and their passing is cause for sadness.
Fame, fortune and celebrity are not always tied to happiness - sadly, too many of the rich and famous are befriended by people who do not have their best interests at heart and the mental and physical abuse that brought this fabulous singer, actress and model to this place is a testament to that. Bobby Brown was wildly jealous of his wife's career and fame and became abusive. Although she never blamed him for her addiction problems, if you are an abused person or a survivor of abuse, you know all too well how easy it is to fall into the spiral. Is Bobby Brown responsible for her demise and eventual death, I can't say for sure, but I am pretty sure he contributed to it. We have lost some incredible talents to drugs, booze, loneliness and isolation - it is so sad that often those with great talents have been used up by the world of users...leaving the rest of us feeling cheated. RIP Ms Houston.

I leave you with a few funnies from my friends on Facebook and from emails...I love my bent friends! Thank you for always giving me something to giggle about! Today is a good day to laugh.

Have a fantastic Monday everyone...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider