BIG LIVES and the women who live them! Meet Laurie Latham

Laurie Latham is a former motor cop and police detective who is now the chief instructor and owner of Arizona's Play It Safe Defence company.

Before she founded her company, one that teaches women and children the art of self defence, Laurie spent 5 years as a motor cop until she suffered a bad work related crash.

She didn't want to get back on a bike, it held no appeal to her, the bike was nothing more than a tool of the trade of being a police officer.

But things changed and today Laurie is back riding and enjoying it immensely. She attributes the change in her thinking to being around other women who ride. Listening to their stories of the places they visit, the way the wind and their motorcycle soothes their soul and makes them feel, created a desire to ride again, this time for pleasure.



During her time as a police officer and later as a detective, Laurie trained a lot of officers in self defence and when she retired from the force, she decided to start instructing women and children on the art of self defence.

Her motivations? The statistics she lists on her web site:

According to the U.S. Dept. of Justice one out of every four women will be attacked or raped in her lifetime. Look at these alarming statistics:

• 83% of rape victims are between the ages of 12 years and 25 years of age.
• 90% of women assaulted knew their assailant.
• 25% of college women surveyed are victims of rape or attempted rape.
• 85% of rapes on campuses are acquaintance/date rapes and most happen in the first three months of college.
• 90% of all campus rapes involve alcohol.
• Women who resist are twice as likely to escape injury as others. According to the Women’s Self Defense Institute, an analysis of 3,000 actual assaults showed that half of the attackers fled from a woman who was willing to resist! The key, however, is to learn how to effectively resist.

Her training techniques are far from conventional.

In her courses for women, she teaches them how to use weapons, in her mind every woman should know how to handle a weapon. She told me a number of stories of women; some who died because they were too afraid to use a weapon that their assailant had dropped or that was within arms reach, and of others who, although they did not shoot on a regular basis, defended themselves successfully because they were not afraid to pick up a weapon.  She says that learning to use a weapon, to know what it feels like helps to remove a psychological barrier.

"Women who know how to use a weapon are less likely to freeze up during a confrontation and that helps many of them to extricate themselves from a potentially deadly situation." said Laurie.

Laurie also teaches situational awareness and a host of other self defence strategies and techniques.

Her courses for children include role playing where children are taught about bullies, who they are and what they look for in a potential victim and how to talk to them and react to them. All  courses are taught at age appropriate levels.

As a police officer Laurie saw the best and the worst in people.
She is a champion for the underdog. She wants to share her knowledge to ensure that as many people as she can touch are given the tools they need to stay safe.

Laurie is a level headed, big hearted woman who is living out the best times of her life and helping others to do the same.

You can find out more about Laurie Latham and her company Arizona Play it Safe Defence by visiting: azplayitsafedefense.com

I hope you are enjoying this series on BIG LIVES and the women who live them.

I know how much I am enjoying writing them.

Have a fabulous day and if you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding your motorcycle, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider








Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

American Sniper - the movie

Last night my husband and I went to see American Sniper and while I am glad I went, I have to tell you, I didn't sleep well last night.

The image of a woman handing a grenade to a young child and pushing him to go towards the US soldiers is one that will forever haunt me.

Life means nothing to the people our soldiers of the Allied forces are sent to fight.

In countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, mothers use their children as suicide bombers, children are tortured, and taught deep hatred and anger from the time they are born. Despair, fear, anger and hatred are all they know and it's been that way for generation after generation.
A human life means nothing to them.

War is hell.

The ability to move people emotionally is one that every director, writer and every actor aspires to.

This movie moved me. It disturbed me, it broke my heart and at the end of it, I ran out of the theatre crying.  I thought of my friends Corporal Michael Starker, Vic Remillard and their families.

I thought of Dave Sopha's renderings of our soldiers lost in combat in Afghanistan and every memorial ever built to honour our dead.

I thought of every soldier's family and the hell they must endure, a hell that JP Cormier summed up succinctly in his song Hometown Battlefield.

It is such a powerful movie, and for once Hollywood did not go over the top with the special effects.  This time the story did not need to be embellished.

The story of Navy Seal, Chris Kyle, is about so much more than a deadly sniper with over 160 kills to his credit. It is about so much more than the horrors of war.

It is about PTSD and the way war ravages the mind.
It is about the strength and courage it takes to be the wife/husband of a soldier.
It is about the devastation of war, where the war takes place, but it is also about the destruction and havoc it wages on the children and the families of our soldiers.

It is one of the greatest ironies of life that Chris Kyle, Navy Seal sniper was killed by a soldier he sought to help, on American soil.  It shows you that although they physically leave war, the war never leaves them.

Clint Eastwood got it right and so did Bradley Cooper who portrayed Chris Kyle.

The glimpse into what PTSD does to a family is powerful. It helps people, if only for a moment, to feel the pain, the separation, the disassociation that accompanies the horrors of the mind that keep reliving themselves over and over.

For those who glorify war, for those who bash our soldiers for following orders and doing their jobs, this film is a MUST see, for it will truly give you an insight into what the taking of a human life does to good men and women. The torture, the guilt, the mental and physical pain in all of its rawness moves you.

If you can watch this film and not see the bigger picture of what war does, then you are emotionally dead and I pray for your soul.

Do I recommend this film for you to watch? YES, but with a caveat...our politicians should be watching this movie. They need to be looking after our men and women and their families far better than they do.

Perhaps our politicians should have to do like the Royal Family in Great Britain - serve with those they lead.  LEAD by example, walk the talk. Perhaps then our men and women would get the supports they need when they come home.

There was only one thing about this film that Clint Eastwood got wrong.
The portrayal of Mark Lee was very wrong, according to his wife, Mia, in an interview done with FOX News.  Mark was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq and was a team mate of Chris Kyle's.

See the interview here: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/02/20/american-sniper-portrayal-hides-real-marc-lee/

She shared the last letter her husband wrote in an effort to have Mark's story told - here is the link to that letter: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/02/20/have-seen-amazing-things-marc-lees-last-letter/

I truly hope you read the letter, the sense of the conflict this man feels is something everyone needs to understand.

In closing I want to say that I feel we here in Canada along with the US are blessed to live in some great countries.

Sadly our politicians seem to have forgotten the men and women who protect our rights and freedoms.

Sadly we, as citizens of these 2 great countries, don't do as much as we could to make our countries better, we aren't as kind or generous as we could be. Too often we are complacent, unfeeling, self involved.

We are better off than most, but there is much more we could be doing right here at home.

Each and everyone of us could do more.

As my friend Medric Cousineau of Paws for Thought is fond of saying:
"IF WE SEND THEM WE MUST MEND THEM"

The movie American Sniper gets 5 out of 5 gas tanks from me.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movie, the wars we find our countries fighting and how we here at home could better defend our rights and freedoms through being of service to our fellow man.

If you are blessed enough to be living where you can ride, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider










Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

BIG LIVES and the women who live them! Meet Kate MacEachern

In 2005 a single mom with a one year old little boy joined the military.

She successfully finished all training and was posted to CFB Edmonton.

In 2007 she experienced "traumatic injury" while in training on the base.  A closed head trauma & significant spinal cord damage that left her with seizures and a subsequent stroke 9 weeks later. She was told at the time, that due to the extent and nature of the damage to her brain and body that her career would be over. The chance of ever regaining mobility and full function was minimal at best.

She walked out of the hospital within weeks of the surgeon and doctors speaking those words. The day she tried to speak with an intubation tube down in her throat is the day she learned what FIGHT really meant.

At the time, she had to surrender her drivers license and her life. 

"With seizures I wasn't allowed to drive. So much of my life was now "my new normal" things got hard. With my recovery, I would get so close to the time period needed to be re licensed and relapse. So close but so far away. I wanted to quit. But I didn't. I am a Leopard tank driver by trade, if I couldn't drive, I was nothing.  My unit and my family never gave up on me. My Dad never gave up. " says Kate

In 2010 she was finally cleared medically on the physical injuries. She could finally return to a fighting Squadron, get her license back and carry on.

"After the accident I had saved a little money. I wasn't driving or paying for gas so, I could squirrel away a little. I had a very specific goal in mind. I never gave up.

Years ago, My Dad had given up his motorcycle due to the financial obligations of being a father. He always missed it. You could see it in his eyes when you would hear the vibration of a bike coming up the road. He's the type of man that just belongs on a bike. It just fits. Dad gave up so much for us but he would never ask nor attempt to get another. Something always got in the way.

So in December, I flew home from Alberta and I bought my Dad and I motorcycles.  He was in NS, I was in Alberta. We competed to the minute as to who was going to get their licence back first. Our course was running the same time and days but...due to the time change he technically got his first. He still hasn't let me live that one down!"

Although this was an amazing period in her life, later that year she was diagnosed with PTSD. 
She went into a denial period. A heavy period of denial.

"I wanted to put my head in the sand and just ignore the world. Fade into a dark wall and disappear. Between anxiety, depression, trigger episodes... I was not doing well at all. The bike though, it gave me freedom. Wind therapy. It hurt, and it was a horrible experience but I didn't give up. It's not in my blood. That being said though, I was tired of fighting. Tired of getting one step ahead and falling three behind. I recognized that I wasn't alone. Many others faced this demon. I needed to do something." said Kate

In 2012 that "something" was born. It is called "The long way home". A physical journey to show people what it looks like to come "home" after injury.

Her goal was to bring as many soldiers "home" as she could. Help them heal, to protect her brothers and sisters and show them...they are never alone.

In June of that year she walked from CFB Gagetown to her hometown of Antigonish NS, 576km. 
Hit with hail, bleeding feet, exposed bone, dehydration... She had no idea what she was doing...but she could sleep at night knowing she was at least trying.

She and her team raised 20 thousand dollars for their benefactor - Soldier On

Kate faced criticism and met it head on:

In 2013, Kate was forced to make a decision about her military career - either stay in uniform or give it up to continue with her personal mission to change the way people view PTSD.
She chose her personal mission - she was determined to make a difference even if it was only for one person.

In 2013 she decided to take the lessons she had learned and apply them to something bigger. 
She wanted to incorporate more people. 

"It's not just soldiers that survive PTSD. Nobody is exempt." said Kate

So, she put her boots and ruck on once again. This time she left from Cape Breton NS and walked 1876 kms to Ottawa Ontario in support of Military Minds.

"I'll be honest, I wanted to quit a few times, but I never gave up.

Three amazing things happened that year though. I was patched in with 2CAV Dunkirk, but I had to sell my bike. I wanted desperately to buy a house, a forever home for my son and I, so the "wants" had to go and the "needs" were the focus.

It killed me, but I finally understand why dad had that look in his eye around bikes.

It gets in your blood. 

Someday I'll have another. Might not be anytime soon but...
I won't give up. Bikers are my life and have always been a part of my life. They are my brothers and sisters."

Now I ride behind trusted friends and family - I miss the wind therapy that much. It's not the same as riding my own, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

In 2015, Kate will cross the entirety of western Canada. Over 3000 Kms in 85 days In support of all who have chosen to survive PTSD.   She leaves from Nipawin Saskatchewan the founding home of the Wounded Warriors Weekend and ends her journey in Chilliwack BC arriving in time for the Wounded Warriors Weekend events there.

JP Cormier, singer songwriter responsible for the hit song "Hometown Battlefield" has written a song called "The Long Way Home" in honour of Kate and Her Walk - the LONG WAY HOME.

Kate has set not one, but two World Records for the Heavy March.

Her walk this year will mean that she has traversed all of Canada with a 45 pound rucksack on her back. That's no small feat!

She has touched thousands of lives and has helped so many people.

 "I walk for all of us with PTSD. The 45 lb pack on my back, it's not just my burden, it's all of ours. I carry it to show people what that looks like. The journey home. The long way Home." says Kate.

An amazing woman of courage and strength, Kate Mac (as we who are blessed to call her friend, call her) is an inspiration, a breath of fresh air! A gorgeous woman inside and out, one built with a determination that few can equal.

She is a woman who lives a VERY BIG LIFE!

Join Kate's Facebook Page - The Long Way Home

Have a wonderful day, and if you are blessed to live where you can ride, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

BIG LIVES and the women who live them! Meet Terri Collier

In advance of International Female Ride Day in May, I thought I'd start doing a series of articles on some of the amazing women in the riding world that I have had the pleasure of meeting face to face or just interviewing over the phone.

I have dubbed this series of articles "BIG LIVES and the Women who live them!"

These are very talented and incredibly generous of spirit women who are doing some amazing things, over coming some herculean challenges and life situations and who are living life on their terms.

Over the next few days and weeks ahead, I am going to give you a glimpse into what it is that makes these women so special.

BIG LIVES and the women who live them! Meet Terri Collier

The first lady I want to introduce you to is Terri Collier of Thunder Roads Magazine of Oklahoma & Arkansas.

Terri is a hard core rider who quit a 25 year career in banking, even though she was a vice president!

She had had enough of the pressure, the hours and the rat race of the corporate world.

She went through a heart wrenching divorce, a horrific head on automobile crash and is also a recovering alcoholic.




In 2008 Terri bought Thunder Roads Magazine; Oklahoma & Arkansas and became the editor in chief.

Terri has loved riding all of her life.  Her story is typical of so many. She started out on dirt bikes as a kid. Her father was an oval track racer and her family owned a race track so sweat, grease and wrenching are something she's very comfortable with. And so becoming the editor of a motorcycling magazine was not as big of a leap as one might think.

She prefers her new office where she can get into the zen rhythm of the road, meet others of like mind and make an impact in her community in ways she could never do while tied to the corporate world.

Today she owns a pair of bikes - a 2007 Big Dog chopper named Lola and a 2014 Street Glide Special and she loves to ride hard.

Terri is active in her community and speaks at events like the Oklahoma State University's Design, Housing & Merchandising seminars and volunteering for Special Olympics.

Terri is constantly espousing the benefits of motorcycle tourism and how it can help to grow rural businesses at many Chamber of Commerce and other business gatherings. She also loves to empower other women to grab life by the bars and fulfill their dreams.

Through her magazine, Terri is able to give back to a community that she loves, the riding community. She gets out to as many events as she can, sponsoring a ton of them with free advertising and articles.
She attributes much of the success of her magazine to the terrific team that makes up Thunder Roads Oklahoma & Arkansas.  "You need a great team if you are going to do great things," says Terri.

As Terri also said to me; "Unless you are in service to others, your life never feels full, it feels empty and hollow. I love giving back, making a difference".

She is strong willed, determined, passionate and very generous of heart and spirit.

As a recovering alcoholic with 10.5 years of sobriety, Terri has come to understand that she can overcome pretty much anything, and has, with the help and love of God and she says that life is better than she had ever dreamed it could be!

You can learn more about Thunder Roads Oklahoma & Arkansas here:
www.thunderroadsoklahoma.com

Next up will be an amazing little gal from Antigonish, Nova Scotia who has overcome some huge challenges to live a life that is so big that...well....I won't give it away, you can read all about her tomorrow!

Have a great day and if you are fortunate enough to live where you can be riding, PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider





Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

I DARE YOU!

There is a fight brewing, a fight for equity under the law.

NOISE IS NOISE and it doesn't matter who is making it - offenders should all be charged and dealt with the same way under the law.

THAT's the FIGHT, that's what this is about.

Riders in Edmonton Alberta are being singled out and treated differently from other road users when it comes to noise.
 The fines are higher, they are pulled into noise check stops, inconvenienced. No other road users are pulled over for noise checks. Why are the fines for cars and pickups $125 but riders pay $250?


This is what Liane Langlois has to say about how things are going for this Fund Raiser that is to fund the court case that is about to set a precedent regarding motorcycle only noise checks:

"In the city, tickets are going fast for the event but the help from our "extended family" across the country on the crowd funding page is a bit slow despite all I've done to try and help everyone else.
It's all good. You get what you put in. If we fail because of lack of support and the laws start escalating, no one can say we didn't try to stop it."

THIS IS TRAGIC PEOPLE -
PLEASE DONATE NOW - $2, $5 whatever you can:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motorcyclists-opposing-discriminatory-legislation/x/5510812

I want you to read the information on the M.O.D.E.L. Edmonton site:
www.modeledmonton.com  Educate yourself...it is important for all who ride, NO MATTER WHERE IN CANADA YOU LIVE to get involved.

I don't have a lot at the moment, but I had $10 that I donated.
If every Canadian rider I can touch did the same, the $5,000 needed to fight this fight would be raised in no time.

If you live anywhere near Edmonton, consider attending the fundraiser: http://www.modeledmonton.com/noise-is-noise-fundraiser.html

If you have a business that relies on or enjoys dealing with riders, consider kicking something in for the silent auction or supporting it financially.

If we all did one small thing - got involved in some small way -  the funds needed to fight this fight would be in the kitty already!

I DARE YOU to stand up for the rights and freedoms of all riders. 

CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

Our Charter says the we all have right to fair treatment under the law - so let's preserve that right by fighting for it!

Every right and freedom that we do not defend is one the government feels it has the right to take away from us.

Our soldiers have and continue to die to defend those rights and freedoms - will it really hurt you to defend our rights and freedoms on our own soil by donating $10? By getting involved?

Is $10 really so much to give to protect our community and its right to be treated like any other road user?

                                     UNITED we RIDE - DIVIDED we Walk.

If you say to me, I live in Ontario, Nova Scotia, BC etc. and what happens in Alberta doesn't affect me - THINK AGAIN.

Talk to people who live in Bathurst NB -talk to people from Fredericton NB, Talk to people in Saskatoon SK...Talk to people in Windsor ON...Talk to people in Oakville ON

I will be monitoring the fundraising on Indiegogo and I will be on your arse until we raise the minimum of $5,000 that M.O.D.E.L. is looking for.

THIS FIGHT WILL SET PRECEDENT!

So if you want this nagging BI#%H off your arse, get out your credit card - or log into your PayPal account and head on over to:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motorcyclists-opposing-discriminatory-legislation/x/5510812
AND MAKE THAT DONATION NOW!

For the time being I will step off my soap box and wish you all a great day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider




Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Attention all riding clubs and event coordinators in Canada

Every year right across this great country called Canada, Riders who work for an employer are asked to have their requests in for holidays and long weekends before March 31st.

If having more people attend your event is something you would like to see happen, one of the best ways is to have your event posters done and ready BEFORE March 31st!

We are all busy people and we are all controlled to a degree by the demands of our jobs and employers.

The ideal time to start promoting events is December, January, February and March for maximum exposure and so people can book their holidays and long weekends.

Yes there is still lots of time to promote events after March 31st, but if you want that tourist, that rider from two or three provinces away whose going on vacation in your direction to show up, you need to at least get your event name and date out there by MARCH 31st!

One of the pet peeves that most riders have with event posters is the lack of important information on them.

Too many event coordinators think on a local level, they don't stop to think about that touring rider and the information they are going to need.

You see the CVMG poster on the right? It is pretty decent BUT it assumes that everyone knows where the Westerner Fairgrounds is. At least there is an phone number and email to contact the gent running it and the fact that the area code is in the phone number lets a person figure out this is an Alberta Event.  This particular event is in Red Deer Alberta for those interested.

Every poster should have the name of the event, date and times.

They should also include a street address, the NAME of the town and the PROVINCE

Contact information is vital - for both the event itself and the venue.

A lot of coordinators don't stop to think about that person who might break down or get lost on their way. If it's a poker run, they are going to want to call the venue where everyone met up at to see if they can find out where the first stop is to try and catch up.

If they have broken down they might want to call and get a message to people that they need help or to let others who are expecting them that they will be late, need help or won't be coming.

WHO - WHAT - WHERE - WHEN & WHY is what people need to know FIRST - then you can add bands, and other pertinent information to entice people.

Don't ASSUME anything.  If you are hosting an event do not assume that everyone knows where the Crossroads is or the Big Red Barn or the Western Fair Grounds is.

Think like a tourist when you are making your posters.

We here at Belt Drive Betty Media offer free promotion of all riding club events, charity events etc.

You can add your posters to www.canadianmotorcycleevents.com by registering on our site.

If you have ANY challenges getting your event information and need help - email me at bdbetty@gmail.com and I can help you.

We have a small team of data entry people who can also add events for those who are computer unfriendly.

This is my gift to the Canadian Riding Community every year and has been for 13 seasons!

We work these events calendars hard by reaching out to all of the clubs and coordinators we know and hounding them for the information.

My goal always has been to help the riding clubs and charitable events to get the most exposure they can FOR FREE and that the rider can, FOR FREE use these highly sortable, sharable and MOBILE calendars on their phones, computers and tablets.

When I first started out I did all the work and research myself, now we are a team of five people making sure these events are out there for all to have access to.

We are here to SERVE the riding community and if you want or need some help all you have to do is ASK!!!!

In other news:

An Ontario family is challenging the findings of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit regarding the June 14th, 2014 crash that killed their loved one Clayton Rivet, 29, who was travelling on Queensville Sideroad, near Hwy. 404, in East Gwillimbury at around 11:15 p.m. last June 14, when his BMW sport bike slammed into a York Regional Police cruiser which was making a U-turn.

The Gatekeepers MC has expanded from Nova Scotia to Ontario and the OPP's Biker Enforcement Unit is very aware of them and spreading the word to the citizens of Elgin and Stratford about their presence.

There is a move in Washington state to see the helmet law there be repealed!

Victory is doing its level best to come out with an electric motorcycle before Harley-Davidson dos by the sound of it! They have filed a patent for the name: Victory Charger.


I hope you have a fabulous day!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider







Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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.USDefender.net - More than 50 years ago the American Motorcycle Association 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.

This statement, and its history, 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.
 

There is no clearer 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.

In October 2014, 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.

Nick's public statements in California are not an anomaly. On January 26, 2015 Sean Hutson, an AMA lobbyist from Washington D.C., travelled to Texas to attend and speak at the bi-annual motorcycle rights rally on the steps of the Capitol in Austin. Significantly, this event is organized and hosted by the Confederation of Clubs and US Defenders in Texas. These organizations are primarily comprised of motorcycle clubs fighting for the advancement of motorcycle rights at the grassroots level.

In front of thousands 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.

The time to unify 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.

   - - -

Respects, Mike  

NCOM Brothers Behind Bars Newsletter Editor

www.onabike.com/brothers-behind-bars/about.htm

So - what are your thoughts on this development?

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!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Ride








Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.