The Great Debate

I recently asked some motorcycle experts from one of my Linked In Groups what their thoughts were on motorcycle noise and the bylaws that are springing up everywhere.

I got a rather diverse set of opinions! I heard from the Loud Pipes Save Lives side and from those who are, shall we say a wee bit more enlightened with regards to sharing our world & communities.

One thing was crystal clear - there is no easy answer to the dilemma the motorcycle community and industry faces.

The Great Debate of the motorcycle community surrounding loud pipes is one the motorcyclist is loosing as city after county are implementing Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaws.

Too often it appears that riders confuse their "rights" as the issue when it comes to having motorcycle noise clamped down on. They become indignant and frustrated because they are thinking only of THEIR rights...but the law, well it has to look at the rights of the majority.

Because of the conduct of a few, the rights of the majority of our community are being affected.

If we do not start grasping the fact that not everyone loves the sound of our motorcycle quite the way we do - and if we as a community do not start cracking down on those who are putting the rest of us in a bad light, then a few things are going to happen - the writing is on the wall.

Firstly we will see UN-equitable noise laws everywhere and like helmet laws, you are going to have to do research on the province and/or state you are heading to, to see whether or not you are legal there - because not everyone will set the same standards or the same fines.

The next step will be the elimination of all modified exhaust systems - in other words the after market exhaust manufacturers are either going to have to develop pipes that meet noise levels or be out of business completely. If you think I exaggerate - look across the pond and see what is happening in the EU.

Big rallies and motorcycle gatherings will be clamped down on even harder than they are now.

Many who read this won't care - sadly, I know that.

Others will say, I run stock exhaust, it doesn't affect me and yet others will become indignant and wreak even more havoc with their "I'll show them" mentality.

Just as it is with the Hells Angels, Bandidos and other 1%er Outlaw clubs, so too will it be with noise.

The majority will have to pay for the actions and relationships of the minority - the police services will charge more for enhanced policing as events will take more and more officers to "manage" them and they will cite the time it takes to write noise violation tickets and defend their communities from the 'bad" guys.

The doors will be opened on a Pandora's box that will see motorcycle check points become the norm.
We WILL be tarred with a brush that only a few have earned - but all of us will pay the price.

I will always be against the motorcycle ONLY noise bylaws - they are discriminatory and hold only one set of road users accountable for all excessive noise AND because they allow the police forces too much discretion. The tests they use rely too heavily on the person/s conducting them to follow protocol and standards to a tee and they cause unwarranted hardship on those charged when faulty procedures or inaccurate tests occur.

I would love to see these noise laws really be about NOISE - if there has to be another law on the books, then let EVERY offender pay the price for what the majority deems as selfishness/inconsideration be they in a car, truck, van, SUV or on a bike.

The other thing I would love to see happen is for this community to start policing itself again, like it used to.
But it appears that long gone are the days where we would take some young pup under our wing and give them a forehead slap for being a heat score. We just don't appear to hold the same values as we once did.

So - what is the future for the aftermarket motorcycle pipe industry?

What are our motorcycles going to sound like in 3 years? 5 years?

How will the manufactures find ways to boost the performance of your machine?

What will the cost be?

Will there ever come a day when we - the people of this community - set an example for all other motorists and be the change we want to see?

For as long back as their have been historians and philosophers the shortsightedness of the human race has been a hot topic - can we, the motorcyclists of the world be the ones who have the foresight to realize we need to become really good at sharing our world or be legislated to death....

I would love your opinions on the questions I have raised here and hope that you will consider the ramifications to every other rider if Loud Pipes are being used at inappropriate times and places.


There is a ton of news in the feeds today over at www.beltdrivebetty.com  - check it all out and see what might affect your day, your life as a rider...

I leave you with a couple of giggles shared with me by friends on Facebook and by email...hope the lighten your day!

Have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Anonymous – are they hero or enemy?

Part of the solution or part of the problem?

Yesterday I shared on my Face Book Fan Page the Anonymous Video on YouTube regarding Bill C-30 and Vic Toews. I had one rather heated discussion over the wisdom of posting it. I had made the comment - another snake exposed – someone who lacks integrity and honesty.

While I did not like their method of delivery, they connect the dots of all of the publicly available information. I looked at the information provided and did my best to overlook the delivery method.

They appear to do have done their home work – I Googled much of the information in the video and it appears to valid and much of it publicly available, all save for the letter information.

Their message is very concise, the information extremely valuable when all put together in an outline but I am afraid that the message and the information on a public figure's conduct is getting lost in the shock and awe type of delivery and over shadowed by the threats.

I have conflicted feelings about Anonymous, on one hand I am grateful they are out there connecting the dots, digging up the information, the truth and forcing dialogue and yet…their delivery is one of intimidation and I feel it harms the cause.

But then again – I see the value in the shock and awe delivery as it relates to creating a frenzy of awareness and dialogue.

Let's face it - if Peter Mansbridge delivered this information as a breaking story – sans the threat and the delivery method, I am not sure it would generate the same outrage or dialogue by the traditionally quiet and complacent Canadian public.

Some call Anonymous methods Cyber Bullying, and again, that’s not untrue…it is bullying of a sort and as I said, I feel it harms the cause.

I feel like I am on a see-saw. The only thing I am certain of is that I am concerned by Vic Toews and the conservatives more and more all of the time. I am scared of what will happen if the RCMP and CSIS are allowed to infiltrate our on line lives in the way they want and what that will really look like and mean to us as Canadians. I am concerned about a politician who speaks one way and acts another – and sadly we have all witnessed that type of behaviour.

I do not think that there is any other method of delivery that Anonymous could have taken that would be as effective in elevating this discussion to the fore in the way this method has.  Do I like it or agree with it? No - not really.

Now Rick Mercer delivers a similar message – he does it with humour, candor and no threat of exposure – and yet, as wonderful as his message is – he is not stirring people to action the way Anonymous is…or is he?

And the main stream media has done stories on it, but again, they do not appear to be stirring people to action…or – have they?

GLOBAL

Open Media

CTV

I am glad the politicians are going to revisit this issue…

Which report got your blood boiling enough to write an email, sign a petition or otherwise act? Was there more than one?

How do you feel about Anonymous and their delivery methods and threats? How do you feel about the information they brought to the forefront?

Do their tactics scare you? Disgust you? Do you think that the ends justify the means?

How do you feel about the RCMP and CSIS having access to every thing you have on your computer?

How do you feel about the direction our government is going in?

I have my opinions, conflicted as they may be – I WANT TO HEAR YOURS.

As I expressed to the gent in our discussion yesterday, the value of those who disagree with me is 10 fold to me when compared to those who agree with me.

I like having my core values challenged, and work hard at being open to hearing other opinions.

Here are a couple of quotes I feel fit the topic…
“When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit.”
Ayn Rand

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956), Women As Outlaws

If it matters, it produces controversy.
Jay Greene

In other news:

In the US - Score one for the SAE J2825 Test  - the same testing we are saddled with in Edmonton and many other communities - the same test that is difficult to administer, labour intensive and only for motorcycles...the new law if passed in New Hampshire.

In Edmonton a man is charged in the fatal crash that killed a NAIT instructor.


In Halifax an off duty Mountie is charged with impaired driving.


In BC - The verdict in the trial of RCMP Cpl. Monty Robinson is set for March.

      A random stabbing causes concern in Abbotsford...
      An RCMP officer is under investigation after cocaine and cash go missing.

      And a motorcycle riding GM takes over at a Vancouver Hotel.


I leave you with a couple of funnies to hopefully give you a giggle - cause after all is said and done - I think we need to laugh a little....

Have a great Thursday and for those of  you who subscribe to the news of the riding community in Canada, hope you enjoy your Busted Knuckle Chronicles today...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Liar or....

The trial of Corporal Monty Robinson continued yesterday with the RCMP officer taking the stand.

According to Robinson, in an article from Yahoo Canada News, he never meant to obstruct justice by leaving his license at the scene, walking his kids home 2 blocks from the scene and then downing 2 shots of vodka.

Crown lawyer Kris Pechet has accused Robinson of lying to police regarding the amount of liquor he consumed and challenged the description of Robinson as a depressed alcoholic.

Begin Quote: Pechet told court that Robinson was a high-ranking officer with 12 years' experience, had taken 42 courses to upgrade his training and had endured three stressful and serious police incidents in his career.

He was also an undercover operator and had ample knowledge of how blood-alcohol testing worked, Pechet said.

"As people in society go, you're a pretty tough guy mentally, and by that I mean you're an experienced police officer who's seen a lot of death, destruction and crummy, awful things," Pechet said.

"You've been able to carry on through your career and, according to the evidence as I understand it, come away from all the psychiatric evaluations still fit for duty."

Pechet said Robinson had also proven his ability to control his alcohol consumption.

"And this person, this snapshot we now have of you ... this is the person who, you tell us, went without thinking. You just went for a drink?" Pechet said.

"Yes," replied Robinson.

He could not recall any details around the moments his Jeep collided with Hutchinson's motorcycle. End Quote

Robinson also denied making statements at a party regarding how to beat an impaired driving charge.

The person who testified against Robinson about the comments made at the party has commented here on my post from yesterday: 

I would love to know where you stand on this topic - is Robinson a pathetic creature deserved of sympathy or an accomplished liar?

In other news:

Under Law & Politics:

A US soldier is dead after an illegal motorcycle race went bad.

A member of the Alaska chapter of the Hells Angels has his sentencing moved.

In England, a farmer is on trial for killing a biker

In Dartmouth Nova Scotia, a killing is linked to the Hells Angels

In South Africa, a man who was driving his Hummer on the wrong side of the road and killed two members of the Christian Motorcyclist Association has had his trial date set.

Under Business & Industry News: 

Hero Honda has teamed up with Eric Buell

Under Lifestyle:

There is a new book out about Operation Black Biscuit, An Infiltration of the Hells Angels

There is also an article out of Ontario about Dr. Chow, the biker/spinal surgeon who was injured in a crash...he discusses the experience and the rehab centre.

There are many, many more articles in the news feeds today, I encourage you to take a peek and see what might have impact on your day or life...www.beltdrivebetty.com

I leave you with a few funnies shared by my friends wither through Facebook or by email, hope they make you smile...

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

Portrait of a SNAKE or someone deserving pity and mercy?

Corporal Monty Robinson...

If you read the news article from Canada dot Com, you will read testimony from an addictions expert that Monty Robinson was depressed and suffered from severe alcohol dependance.

According to Dr. Paul Sobey who spent 4 hours assessing Robinson, the Mountie had several things occur in his life that caused him to be depressed and experience negative emotions that encouraged him to drink: a non-fatal shooting when he was posted in Chase, B.C., separation from his wife and the death of Robert Dziekanski.

Apparently there was a history of alcohol abuse in his family and Robinson admitted to having a high tolerance to alcohol and an inability to stop after a few.

Robinson also admitted to having somewhere between 3 and 5 beers at the halloween party prior to the crash that killed Orion Hutchinson.

Under cross examination, the expert admitted that Robinson's addiction had nothing to do with his ability to know right from wrong.

A high school friend of Robinson also testified that Robinson told people at a party in December of 2007 just how to go about avoiding drinking and driving charges.

Robinson's attorney attempted to dispute the testimony of Anne Rough by claiming the conversation did not happen when she said it did and that her recollections were wrong, Ms. Rough disagreed.

Crossin, Robinson's attorney, intends to bring out another expert witness, a psychologist who will testify that Robinson suffers from post traumatic stress disorder.

The blatant use of pity as a factor in this case is appalling and I for one hope and pray that the judge in this case sees right through the man and the defence his lawyer has crafted with the aide of his client.

If it was you or I on trial, the book would get thrown in our face no matter how much trauma we have endured in our life.

The truth of the matter in this case is that the RCMP is extremely broken...and that the RCMP as an organization should be on trial here along with Robinson.

I said it 3 and a 1/2 years ago when 5 RCMP officers from the lower mainland were charged and involved in 5 impaired driving incidents in a 30 day span, (Robinson was one of them)...

If the higher up's in the RCMP can not tell when their people are in trouble and get them the help they need, then they are failing not just their members but every member of society that has to put up with the over zealous, lying, manipulative and abusive behaviours of the officers in question.

THE RCMP IS A BROKEN ORGANIZATION - from it's hiring and training practices to it's lack of out reach for it's members and the constant cover ups and sweeping of issues under the carpet - that is my humble opinion for what it is worth.

When are the governments of this country going to see that and start forcing some reforms on this once venerable institution?

I would love your take on what is wrong with the RCMP and how to fix this organization AND what you think is a fitting sentence for Monty Robinson...do you feel pity for the man or is he a SNAKE?

There are other interesting articles in the news feeds today, including:

An over view of the Halifax International Motorcycle Show

An interesting and thought provoking column on the state of motorcycling and it's future.

And Clutch and Chrome has an interesting write up on the proposed US federal laws regarding distracted driving and how that may help motorcyclists.

To see what else might affect your day or life as a rider, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com

Have you voted for your favourite machine in our online show 'n' shine? You can vote once per day per IP Address...your vote might just be the one to help an owner win a fabulous prize!

Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone... I leave you with some funnies, cause I don't know about you, but after a topic like Monty Robinson, I need some laughter to make my soul feel better...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Where do YOU stand?

The battle between good and evil has been going on since the beginning of time.

My wise grandmother on my dad's side of the family used to say, "There is a little bit of good in the worst of us and a little bit of evil in the best of us."

I believe that to be true for the most part.

However, I struggle really hard finding the good in officers like Thomas Bounds and Monty Robinson.

The following story is not directly motorcycle related, however, it is, I believe important to the motorcycle community.  Excessive force, lack of critical thinking and a bureaucracy that protects and appears to condone that type of behaviour is becoming far too common place.

Bill Berry is a hard of hearing mute who also has a breathing tube in his throat. He went to a Red Deer courthouse to pay a traffic ticket. He walked into the courthouse through an open door, not realizing he needed to go through security first. He walked to the counter to pay his ticket and a sheriff named Thomas Bounds walks up to him - Mr. Berry attempted to communicate with the officer that he did not understand what he was saying, the officer put this frail man in a bear hug and drug him back to the door. As a result, Mr. Berry collapsed, his breathing tube had come out.

Thomas Bounds has been fired but no charges will be laid, in spite of a ruling of excessive force, according to the news reports.

Here are some links to those reports:

Alberta Sheriff Thomas Bounds: Taking Insensitivity to an All-New Low | Christopher di Armani.com

Sheriff used 'excessive' force on deaf man, province rules - Calgary - CBC News

Edmonton AM Podcast - Feb 17, 2012

Here is one video showing Mr Barry going to the wicket - you can clearly see the open door that Mr Barry walks in through, and you can clearly see Mr. Barry attempting to sign to the officer that he does not understand and you can clearly see the officer man handle Mr. Berry.

Now, think back to Corporal Monty Robinson and the Robert Dziekanski taser incident.

Anything look familiar here?

Anything feel familiar here?

These are but a very few examples of what happens when officers do not use empathy, critical thinking or any kind of creative problem solving skills.

We saw it with the G20, with the Occupy Movement...and many many other incidences have been reported across the country.

A lot of where this attitude/mentality comes, I believe, is through the hiring process, the training process and the bureaucracy that protects it.

Look at the young people of our world - the entitlement attitude, the short tempers, the rudeness, the need for instant gratification - no not all young people are that way, but that mentality seems to have become more the norm than not.

Now realize that many of these "Peace" officers come from those generations - the direct result of the Young Offenders Act, the stripping of rights from parents to discipline their children, the lack of ability to discipline in our schools.

We are only now beginning to see the disastrous effects of the stripping away of our rights.

How much farther do our rights have to be eroded, how many more displays of non critical thinking, abuse of authority and excessive force do we have to see from our police services before we understand that the hiring practices and education of the police services in this country needs to change?

And don't even get me started on our law makers...

So, my questions for the day are:

Where do YOU stand on the direction that the laws in this country are taking?

And what are your thoughts on the training the people who enforce those laws get?

The new feeds are relatively quiet so far this morning but there are a few tid bits that may be of interest to you over at www.beltdrivebetty.com

I leave you with a little levity to put some balance in the day...all courtesy of my friends, either from their emails or from Facebook.

Have a fantastic Holiday Monday everyone

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider