Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Did yah miss me?

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's been a great week on many levels, but I have missed writing my editorials this week.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was in Toronto for the National Motorcycle & Tattoo show which was a blast, and after the show, headed out to Havelock to spend some time with our reporter and sales rep, Cookie.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The internet and phone signals out there are sketchy at best - add to that the challenge of flying and driving, well - I have had to be off the radar for a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When cops go too far...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Out of Camden NJ comes a story about some bikers wearing the Pagans and Tribe Colors who were stopped by the cops in that state. What ensued has landed the cops right smack dab in the middle of a lawsuit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>BEGIN QUOTE: </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When State Police stopped six motorcyclists on a Southampton highway in July 2009, the bikers received summonses — and an unwanted order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They were told to remove their “colors,” the jackets that showed membership in the Pagans and Tribe motorcycle clubs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Now you are all going to take your jackets off,” Trooper Nicholas Carlini told the motorcyclists, according to a video recording of the incident. “Because on these highways these are the only colors you wear,” said the trooper, indicating his blue and gold uniform.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That order has led to a federal lawsuit, filed by three of the motorcyclists, that alleges actions by Carlini and other troopers violated their constitutional rights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The case moved forward last week, when U.S. District Judge Jerome Simandle in Camden said the motorcyclists could pursue several of their claims, including malicious prosecution, in court.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2c2c2c; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> <b>END QUOTE</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Later in the article, part of the lawsuit is explained - <b>BEGIN QUOTE</b> - The motorcyclists’ lawsuit in <a href="http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120404/NEWS01/304040023/Bikers-lawsuit-over-colors-advances#">part</a> asks Simandle to declare that police violate the Constitution when they stop bikers solely because they’re wearing colors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Everybody has First Amendment rights,” said Spencer, who acknowledged some motorcycle clubs have unsavory reputations. “The First Amendment is not there to protect the people we like. It’s there to protect the people we don’t like.” <b>END QUOTE</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have any of you riders in my circle here in Canada experienced this kind of high handedness from the police? I would love to hear about your experiences...share them with us on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Belt-Drive-Betty-The-Busted-Knuckle-Chronicles/201980414908" target="_blank"> Facebook </a>or here in my blog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Other News:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What exotic destination would you like to ride a motorcycle in?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, one company in Ecuador asks you to consider that country...<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/18285-a-new-motorcycle-tour-of-ecuador-that-will-astound-your-senses">Freedom BIke Rentals has just announced a new tour!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the California - a member of the Hells Angels <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/360-contacts/18297-hells-angels-leader-sentenced-for-home-loan-fraud-" target="_blank">is sentenced over home loan fraud.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Australia, the Finks were embarrassed <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/286-news-international-/18298-naked-man-crashes-charity-finks-appalled" target="_blank">by a streaker at their fundraiser for Fiji</a>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also in Australia, a judge gave permission for seven members of the Finks who are under an order that prevents them from <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/361-contacts/18302-bikies-given-leave-pass-for-funeral" target="_blank">any association with members of OMC's to attend a funeral for a fellow bikie.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Great Britain, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/361-contacts/18301-st-helens-biker-jailed-for-pillion-passenger-death-" target="_blank">a rider was charged in the death of his passenger.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Under the Concept Motorcycles category in Lifestyle News, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/18290-frogs-ultra-cool-vision-for-what-electric-motorcycles-can-be" target="_blank">you have to check out the vision FROG has for the Electric Motorcycle</a>....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a TON of news in the feeds today - check it all out at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> where we sift through the news so you get only MOTORCYCLE news!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I leave you with a few giggles, shared with my by friends through Facebook and Emails... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a wonderful Day and Happy Easter.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></b></i><br />
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