Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Interesting news out of the US as the AMA appears to be embracing MC's

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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>This in from NCOM:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>U.S. Defenders Press Release with regards to the AMA</b> - Jan 27, 2015 - <b><i>U.S.A. </i></b>- By U.S. Defenders National; <a href="http://www.usdefender.net/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #196ad4;" target="_blank">www.USDefender.net</a> - More than 50 years ago the <b>A</b>merican <b>M</b>otorcycle <b>A</b>ssociation is credited with releasing a statement arguing that 99% of all motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens, implying that 1% of motorcyclists are not. It is argued that the AMA released this statement to combat rumors that rabble-rousers were disrupting AMA events.  Being the rebellious postwar sort, many individuals that found common brotherhood in motorcycle clubs began to call themselves 1%'ers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b><i>This statement, and its history</i></b>, has been widely debated and discussed.  But what is certain is that this statement & history have been skewed and manipulated by law enforcement from coast-to-coast to validate unsubstantiated stereotypes about motorcycle clubs, particularly those self-identified as 1%'ers, This has reinforced a separation in the motorcycle rights movement in America between independent motorcyclists and clubs. This statement, and the false separation of our movement, has outlived its usefulness. It is now time to break down the barriers to true unification of the entire motorcycling community.<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>There is no clearer</i></b> of an indication than recent public statements by representatives of the AMA that the opportunity, willingness, and possibility of true unification is within our reach. The AMA has tangibly reached out to the the club community dedicated to advancing motorcycle rights and fighting motorcycle discrimination. In fact, the AMA has publicly and openly endorsed the movement to end motorcycle profiling and discrimination and has unapologetically separated itself from the 50 year-old statements used to divide hundreds of thousands of AMA members from grassroots efforts being driven by motorcycle clubs nationwide.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b><i>In October 2014</i></b>, the motorcycle club and independent community in California held a Motorcycle Unification Rally on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. The theme of the rally was to unify all of the different elements of the motorcycle rights movement in California and extinguish the false separation fueled by law enforcement's mythologically driven stereotypes. In front of an estimated 3,000 motorcyclists on the steps of the Capitol, Nick Haris, AMA western states representative, publicly endorsed groundbreaking legislation combating motorcycle profiling passed in Washington State in 2011. Nick strongly encouraged the unification of the entire motorcycling community in California in order to replicate Washington's success. This is the first time that I am aware of that the AMA has so strongly endorsed legislation combating discrimination against motorcyclists being driven by motorcycle clubs at the grassroots level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b><i>Nick's public statements</i></b> in California are not an anomaly. On January 26, 2015 Sean Hutson, an AMA lobbyist from </span><span style="font-size: small;">Washington D.C., travelled to Texas to attend and speak at the bi-annual motorcycle rights rally on the steps of the </span><span style="font-size: small;">Capitol in Austin. Significantly, this event is organized and hosted by the Confederation of Clubs and US Defenders in </span><span style="font-size: small;">Texas. These organizations are primarily comprised of motorcycle clubs fighting for the advancement of motorcycle </span><span style="font-size: small;">rights at the grassroots level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>In front of thousands</i></b> of club members, Sean spoke very directly and separated the AMA from statements attributed to the organization over a half century ago. He also directly endorsed the movement to end motorcycle discrimination and profiling arguing that motorcyclists of all walks of life have more in common than differences. We all love to ride.  In fact, Sean helped draft federal legislation to end motorcycle-only checkpoints because they are misplaced and discriminatory. Importantly, he correctly observed that if the over 10 million motorcyclists in America unified we could stop the practice of profiling and implement a pro-motorcycle rights agenda across the board. Imagine what a powerful movement motorcyclists would be.<br /><br /><b><i>The time to unify</i></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> all of the elements of the motorcycle rights movement in the United States is now. When a massive and well entrenched organization like the AMA extends an olive branch the world is truly changing, signaling that the advancement of the motorcycle rights movement has no ceiling. It is time to solidify the rights base of motorcyclists nationwide so future generations will enjoy the freedoms and privileges that so many have fought, bled, and died for.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Respects</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mike  </span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">NCOM</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>B</b>rothers <b>B</b>ehind <b>B</b>ars Newsletter Editor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.onabike.com/brothers-behind-bars/about.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #196ad4;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.onabike.com/brothers-behind-bars/about.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #196ad4;" target="_blank">www.onabike.com/brothers-<wbr></wbr>behind-bars/about.htm</a></span></span></div>
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So - what are your thoughts on this development?</div>
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Have a great day and remember, if you are fortunate enough to live where you can ride, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!</div>
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Belt Drive Betty</div>
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Editor & Ride<br />
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Interesting news out of the US as the AMA appears to be embracing MC's

This in from NCOM: U.S. Defenders Press Release with regards to the AMA - Jan 27, 2015 - U.S.A. - By U.S. Defenders National; www.U...

Interesting times ahead...

Here at Belt Drive Betty Media we are going through growing pains in a big way! AND, that's a good thing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ali & Gator</td></tr>
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I am in the process of hiring at least two data entry clerks to work on a contract basis from their own homes to take some the stress off of Ali's and my shoulders.<br />
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Ali, our web mistress does a great job of keeping things working and moving forward at www.beltdrivebetty.com and all of it's sub sites.  She and Gator are on their first vacation in 10 years,  and I am so happy for them that they are finally getting away - they like my husband and I, never had a Honeymoon!<br />
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We are at that point where we need more hands to give both Ali and I some balance in our lives. Both of us have a passion for helping people and both of us are workaholics because we truly love what we do, but there comes a point where you have to put yourself first and fill up the emotional gas tank.<br />
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I truly hope that Ali & Gator have the most fabulous holiday, lord knows they more than deserve it.<br />
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In the meantime, I will be doing the best I can to hold down the fort and assist anyone who needs help on the site, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a><br />
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I will be training a new sales rep next week, weather permitting and I am hoping to attract more people who love sales to help us grow the free tools we provide to the riding community.  It's an exciting time as this network we have created keeps growing.<br />
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We have so many plans for a new and improved experience and I can't wait to see them ALL be implemented! I know that we are looking to hire a part time Joomla expert, so if you know anyone who excels in Joomla CMS, send them our way for a chat!<br />
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I have been attending seminars on how to become an effective leader and business person thanks to Community Futures - a wonderful organization that helps small business people like myself to grow in ways that we'd never be able to otherwise.<br />
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Community Futures of Alberta are also the presenting sponsor of the Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community contest as they realize the value that rural tourism brings to small business!<br />
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I am embarking on my very first webinars geared towards Canadian Event Coordinators!<br />
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The webinars are going to help these coordinators by providing the important information on promoting their events and how to deal with a multitude of situations.<br />
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If you'd like to participate in our Webinars/Group on Greenrope - please accept our Ebook on Hosting Motorcycle Events as a thank-you - fill in your email to be taken to the form:<br />
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Yes, it is a super exciting time of growth with many things on the go around here, stay tuned for information on some of those changes coming soon!<br />
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<b>In other news around the world:</b><br />
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According to an article on <a href="http://gizmodo.com/the-hells-angels-are-old-pros-at-encryption-1683284169" target="_blank">Gizomodo</a>, the Hells Angels admit to being experts encrypting data in a text message during a rather bizarre trial.  <b>Begin Quote: </b>The Silk Road trial is back on, and we still don't know if Ross Ulbricht is going to go down for the crimes of the Dread Pirate Roberts. Today, the trial focused on DPR's interactions with the Hells Angels, who he allegedly hired to kill a rogue drug vendor. <b>End Quote</b><br />
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Keith Wandell is retiring from Harley-Davidson <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/harley-davidson-promotes-levatich-to-ceo-as-wandell-retires-290844561.html" target="_blank">and his successor is Matt Levatich</a><br />
Triumph is doing very well in the Indian market having outsold their goal of 500 bikes.<br />
<a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/content/457559/triumph-aims-larger-piece-indian.html" target="_blank">They sold 1,300!</a><br />
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This week's version of the <a href="http://www.bustedknucklechronicles.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid=53&key=457b96df6c5c47ca9d3f8f8141fe552c&subid=2-F0STZCAySfyXKk&tmpl=component" target="_blank">Busted Knuckle Chronicles is out!</a><br />
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Next week is a dark week - we resume again on February 19th.<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful day and if you are not riding out a huge snow storm, if you are blessed to live where you can be riding - please ride like everyone is blind and cannot see you!<br />
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For those of you who like me are suffering HUGELY from PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome):<br />
Visit our Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine brought to you by our fabulous sponsors - <a href="http://www.bigblueincanada.com/">www.BigBlueInCanada.com</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SCCOntarioandQuebec" target="_blank">Strip Club Choppers Canada</a><br />
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Join our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/623943834397681/" target="_blank"> PMS Support Group on Facebook</a>!<br />
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Belt Drive Betty<br />
Editor & Rider