OFF THE WIRE
http://www.wkrn.com/story/21313046/helmet-law-for-motorcyclists-to-be-reconsidered-by-lawmakers
Helmet law for motorcyclists to be reconsidered by
lawmakers
Posted: Feb 24, 2013 11:33 PM EST By Joe Avary,
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee is one of 19 states that require
motorcyclists to wear helmets, but some lawmakers are aiming to change that.
The "Liberty Restoration Act" would make helmets optional for
riders over the age of 21.
Motorcyclists who meet certain minimum insurance and training
requirements would pay a $50 fee to display a special sticker permitting them to
ride without a helmet.
Tennessee Motorcycle Lobbyists CMT/ABATE maintain the issue is
about freedom of choice.
In a statement given by CMT/ABATE, Legislative Director Rhonda
Rae Williams said that currently there are 31 states who allow adults to make
that decision themselves.
"Kentucky merchants have enjoyed motorcycle tourism revenues,
including Tennessee residents, since 1998. That is because their state
departments have failed to meet the burden of proof that motorcyclists are a
'social burden' to tax revenues," Williams said.
In March of 2012, Nashvillian Jamie Simmons was riding his '09
Harley-Davidson Road King Classic when a car pulled in front of him from a side
street.
His life changed in an instant.
"I don't remember the accident at all," recalled Simmons. "I
hit the car and went up in the air and spun around and came down directly ion my
face."
"I broke my jaw, broke six of my teeth out, broke my arm here,
broke my pelvis, a couple of ribs, shattered both my femurs, my tibia so now
I've got plates and screws all the way up," added Simmons.
He recently underwent his 18th surgery, and still walks with
crutches.
He told Nashville's News 2 his helmet may have saved his life
and that before that accident, he had no strong thoughts towards helmet laws.
"We're not for certain that it saved my life, but we know that
it kept me from having brain damage," said Simmons.
Motorcyclist Jared Whitman of east Nashville supports the
bill.
"You don't want to wear one, I think you should have the
choice," Whitman said. "I'm not a fan of anytime the government is making laws
that take away your choices."
He told Nashville's News 2 his own choice, however, is clear.
"Given the choice I would still wear one. I would still make
anyone that rides with me wear one," said Whitman.
The bill, SB 0548, comes up in subcommittees next week.
Similar bills have failed to pass since the late 1970s.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
WTF - Not Exactly Lies
OFF THE WIRE
Most of what you'll hear about Congress's latest "immigration reform" is
lies.
Also bullshit.
There's a difference, as Princeton philosophy professor Harry Frankfurt pointed out in his wonderful book, "On Bullshit."
Liars tell lies to try to fool people.
Bullshitters lie without giving a damn whether it will fool anyone or not. They just bullshit.
The arguments we have heard, and will hear, about immigration reform are both lies and bullshit.
Not that I oppose immigration reform - so long as it provides a way for the millions of law-abiding undocumented people already here to become legal.
We did, after all, invite them to come here, mostly from Mexico and Latin America:
by letting U.S. companies recruit them in their home countries;
by refusing to prosecute employers for hiring them;
by letting corporations use sleazy "labor contractors" to let corporations duck criminal responsibility for institutionalized, gross abuses;
by making war in their countries.
We invited them in all sorts of ways.
Then we punished them for coming, and we punished their children.
We lied about inviting them, we lied about their children, and we're lying about it now.
Consider Sen. John McCain, who, to his credit, wants to fix a few of the abuses. McCain lied to - or bullshitted - his constituents in Arizona by claiming that illegal immigration has declined recently term because of the thousands of Border Patrol officers we've hired in the past decade.
That's nonsense, and McCain knows it as well as I do.
Illegal immigration to the United States slowed down because of our financial crisis. There's fewer jobs here, so there's been no reason to come.
Economic recession or depression is the only thing that's directly affected immigration from Mexico to the United States for the past century.
For the greater good, I suppose it's fine for McCain to bullshit his constituents, but border enforcement has nothing to do with illegal immigration, other than to force it from one point of entry to another.
The most sensible and honest study of undocumented immigration was done 20 years ago by Kitty Calavita, a criminology professor at UC-Irvine.
Calavita wrote, and it still is true, that Congress never will write sensible immigration policy unless it addresses three basic issues. Actually, unless it admits that the issues exist.
First: Congress never has defined what the greater good means when it comes to immigration, legal or illegal.
Does it mean the good of U.S. workers, or of corporations and employers?
During this year's debate, I guarantee we will not hear this question asked.
Second: Calavita wrote, U.S. immigration laws always have been out of phase with reality. We invite undocumented immigrants here when times are flush, because all sorts of businesses need the cheap labor: above all agriculture, construction, hotels, restaurants, office buildings and hospitals.
Then a recession stirs up U.S. xenophobia, and we become abusive again, as we did during the Great Depression, during the Eisenhower recession after the Bracero Program, and in the two recessions since Sept. 11, 2001.
Congress takes so long to pass immigration laws that it always is reacting to a situation that no longer exists.
Third: Calavita said, Congress never has asked whether "securing" our immense, desert border with Mexico may be incompatible with respect for human rights.
Can we do both?
I doubt it.
I've done legal work in every immigration prison on or near the U.S.-Mexico border.
I had clients who were subjected to every abuse you can imagine - by the Border Patrol.
Will it ever stop?
I doubt it.
But Calavita's third question has to be asked. It has not been asked, and it will not be - not by U.S. politicians.
The cumbersome nature of Congress makes it hard to cure Calavita's second point.
But we never will have a rational immigration policy unless we address all three of her questions - surely we never will have it unless we admit that these questions exist.
That Congress has not, and will not, address Calavita's 20-year-old questions makes the entire "national debate" we are not having about immigration, to a great extent, bullshit.
Also bullshit.
There's a difference, as Princeton philosophy professor Harry Frankfurt pointed out in his wonderful book, "On Bullshit."
Liars tell lies to try to fool people.
Bullshitters lie without giving a damn whether it will fool anyone or not. They just bullshit.
The arguments we have heard, and will hear, about immigration reform are both lies and bullshit.
Not that I oppose immigration reform - so long as it provides a way for the millions of law-abiding undocumented people already here to become legal.
We did, after all, invite them to come here, mostly from Mexico and Latin America:
by letting U.S. companies recruit them in their home countries;
by refusing to prosecute employers for hiring them;
by letting corporations use sleazy "labor contractors" to let corporations duck criminal responsibility for institutionalized, gross abuses;
by making war in their countries.
We invited them in all sorts of ways.
Then we punished them for coming, and we punished their children.
We lied about inviting them, we lied about their children, and we're lying about it now.
Consider Sen. John McCain, who, to his credit, wants to fix a few of the abuses. McCain lied to - or bullshitted - his constituents in Arizona by claiming that illegal immigration has declined recently term because of the thousands of Border Patrol officers we've hired in the past decade.
That's nonsense, and McCain knows it as well as I do.
Illegal immigration to the United States slowed down because of our financial crisis. There's fewer jobs here, so there's been no reason to come.
Economic recession or depression is the only thing that's directly affected immigration from Mexico to the United States for the past century.
For the greater good, I suppose it's fine for McCain to bullshit his constituents, but border enforcement has nothing to do with illegal immigration, other than to force it from one point of entry to another.
The most sensible and honest study of undocumented immigration was done 20 years ago by Kitty Calavita, a criminology professor at UC-Irvine.
Calavita wrote, and it still is true, that Congress never will write sensible immigration policy unless it addresses three basic issues. Actually, unless it admits that the issues exist.
First: Congress never has defined what the greater good means when it comes to immigration, legal or illegal.
Does it mean the good of U.S. workers, or of corporations and employers?
During this year's debate, I guarantee we will not hear this question asked.
Second: Calavita wrote, U.S. immigration laws always have been out of phase with reality. We invite undocumented immigrants here when times are flush, because all sorts of businesses need the cheap labor: above all agriculture, construction, hotels, restaurants, office buildings and hospitals.
Then a recession stirs up U.S. xenophobia, and we become abusive again, as we did during the Great Depression, during the Eisenhower recession after the Bracero Program, and in the two recessions since Sept. 11, 2001.
Congress takes so long to pass immigration laws that it always is reacting to a situation that no longer exists.
Third: Calavita said, Congress never has asked whether "securing" our immense, desert border with Mexico may be incompatible with respect for human rights.
Can we do both?
I doubt it.
I've done legal work in every immigration prison on or near the U.S.-Mexico border.
I had clients who were subjected to every abuse you can imagine - by the Border Patrol.
Will it ever stop?
I doubt it.
But Calavita's third question has to be asked. It has not been asked, and it will not be - not by U.S. politicians.
The cumbersome nature of Congress makes it hard to cure Calavita's second point.
But we never will have a rational immigration policy unless we address all three of her questions - surely we never will have it unless we admit that these questions exist.
That Congress has not, and will not, address Calavita's 20-year-old questions makes the entire "national debate" we are not having about immigration, to a great extent, bullshit.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Government Gun Grabbers (Canada)
OFF THE WIRE
VIDEO
http://youtu.be/8h37KB9NEAk
This is a guest post that was submitted using our submit a post link
Let’s see what happens to an 89 year old man’s gun collection as he simply says he’ll fight to keep his house as the 407 highway wants to take his property for their highway extension. Note he didn’t say he’d shoot people – he didn’t even take any of his guns out of their storage. His words were all legal, but the cops saw fit to get a warrant and take his guns anyways. I’m disgusted, and you should be too.
.
Let’s see what happens to an 89 year old man’s gun collection as he simply says he’ll fight to keep his house as the 407 highway wants to take his property for their highway extension. Note he didn’t say he’d shoot people – he didn’t even take any of his guns out of their storage. His words were all legal, but the cops saw fit to get a warrant and take his guns anyways. I’m disgusted, and you should be too.
.
http://youtu.be/8h37KB9NEAk
Oxford Dictionary drops ‘dirty biker’ definition
OFF THE WIRE
Oxford English Dictionary has dropped its definition of bikers as “long-haired
in dirty denims” after outrage from British motorcyclists who claimed the
description was outdated.
Oxford University Press (OUP), which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, bowed to the pressure from Britain’s two-wheeled community.
The on-line version of the dictionary previously defined a biker as: “A motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a club: a long-haired biker in dirty denims.”
Figures, however, show that far from the “long-haired and dirty denim” stereotype, fewer than one in 10 male bikers now has long hair (9 per cent), the ‘Telegraph’ reported.
Also, almost half of UK bikers (42 per cent) are totally free of tattoos, piercings, facial hair or club markings.
OUP has now changed the Oxford Dictionary’s on-line definition of biker to: “A motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a club or group: a biker was involved in a collision with a car.”
Almost 74 per cent people believe the old definition was inaccurate, with 21 per cent saying they are “outraged and offended” by it, a study by insurance firm Bennetts found.
As many as 65 per cent of motorcyclists spend the majority of their time riding alone, and not as a “member of a club.”
A huge 60 per cent said the old definition was “dated and irrelevant”, and just 2 per cent said it was “correct and accurate”, the poll of 524 bikers found.
According to the data from Bennetts, today’s biker is most likely to be aged over 35, middle class, working in IT or telecoms and likely to ride a Honda.
It said when the term “biker” was used in the 60s and 70s, it described club of long-haired, leather-clad trouble makers. They generally drove at dangerously high speeds, often to confront rival club elsewhere.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/oxford-dictionary-drops-dirty-biker-definition/article4451975.ece
Oxford University Press (OUP), which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, bowed to the pressure from Britain’s two-wheeled community.
The on-line version of the dictionary previously defined a biker as: “A motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a club: a long-haired biker in dirty denims.”
Figures, however, show that far from the “long-haired and dirty denim” stereotype, fewer than one in 10 male bikers now has long hair (9 per cent), the ‘Telegraph’ reported.
Also, almost half of UK bikers (42 per cent) are totally free of tattoos, piercings, facial hair or club markings.
OUP has now changed the Oxford Dictionary’s on-line definition of biker to: “A motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a club or group: a biker was involved in a collision with a car.”
Almost 74 per cent people believe the old definition was inaccurate, with 21 per cent saying they are “outraged and offended” by it, a study by insurance firm Bennetts found.
As many as 65 per cent of motorcyclists spend the majority of their time riding alone, and not as a “member of a club.”
A huge 60 per cent said the old definition was “dated and irrelevant”, and just 2 per cent said it was “correct and accurate”, the poll of 524 bikers found.
According to the data from Bennetts, today’s biker is most likely to be aged over 35, middle class, working in IT or telecoms and likely to ride a Honda.
It said when the term “biker” was used in the 60s and 70s, it described club of long-haired, leather-clad trouble makers. They generally drove at dangerously high speeds, often to confront rival club elsewhere.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/oxford-dictionary-drops-dirty-biker-definition/article4451975.ece
ILLINIOS - 2 Investigators, BGA: Suburban Cops Form Motorcycle Club
OFF THE WIRE
The Outlaws, an infamous motorcycle club known for violence used to protect its turf.
But when Melrose Park Police Sgt Nunzio Maiello founded the Reapers motorcycle club in 2005 he “actually reached out to the outlaws,a motorcycle club that’s been labeled a criminal enterprise by the justice department, to essentially ask permission to ride so there wouldn’t be any altercations,” said BGA Investigator Andy Shaw.
The Reapers also wore patches saying support the Outlaws. Not a good idea says an ATF agent who infiltrated criminal biker clubs.
“That signifies that they’re affiliated with or aligned with the Outlaws,” said the agent.
Then there’s the Reapers name and logo similar to the Grim Reapers, involved in everything from “drug distribution to violent beatings, home invasions, rapes and bombings,” said the ATF agent.
At least six Melrose park cops joined the Reapers despite all the controversial images.
A problem for David Bradford former president of the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs.
“If I raise my hand and I say to the public I swear to uphold the United States constitution, the laws of the community in which I live, and then I turn around and go out and I affiliate myself with an organization that is openly against what I held up my hand and swore to you. “How can you do that?” said Bradford.
Bradford says a bar fight at Josephine’s Bar in Villa Park underscores the conflict.
The Outlaws, an infamous motorcycle club known for violence used to protect its turf.
But when Melrose Park Police Sgt Nunzio Maiello founded the Reapers motorcycle club in 2005 he “actually reached out to the outlaws,a motorcycle club that’s been labeled a criminal enterprise by the justice department, to essentially ask permission to ride so there wouldn’t be any altercations,” said BGA Investigator Andy Shaw.
The Reapers also wore patches saying support the Outlaws. Not a good idea says an ATF agent who infiltrated criminal biker clubs.
“That signifies that they’re affiliated with or aligned with the Outlaws,” said the agent.
Then there’s the Reapers name and logo similar to the Grim Reapers, involved in everything from “drug distribution to violent beatings, home invasions, rapes and bombings,” said the ATF agent.
At least six Melrose park cops joined the Reapers despite all the controversial images.
A problem for David Bradford former president of the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs.
“If I raise my hand and I say to the public I swear to uphold the United States constitution, the laws of the community in which I live, and then I turn around and go out and I affiliate myself with an organization that is openly against what I held up my hand and swore to you. “How can you do that?” said Bradford.
Bradford says a bar fight at Josephine’s Bar in Villa Park underscores the conflict.
A Villa Park Police report describes the battery of an
off-duty Villa Park fireman allegedly hit and injured by a group of Reapers
including Melrose Park Cops.
“The conflict was my responsibility as a police officer to preserve the peace,” said Bradford.
Melrose Park prohibits police from engaging in conduct that is unbecoming for an office or reflects unfavorably on the department.
CBS 2 showed Melrose Park Police Chief Sam Pitassi the findings
“I was deeply disturbed by it. This is not the image we want to portray,” he said.
His ultimatum.
“Do you want to be in a motorcycle club or do to want to be a policeman?”
Late last week, the cops disbanded the Reapers. Sgt Maiello told his chief they never intended to give a negative impression to the public. He said, they intended to have a drug and crime free club that promoted motorcycle safety.
The Reapers told CBS 2 they were not affiliated with the Outlaws, but wore the patches for protection. There were no charges in the bar fight because the firefigher would not press charges.
CBS 2 found no evidence that they violated any laws.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/19/2-investigators-suburban-cops-form-motorcycle-club/
“The conflict was my responsibility as a police officer to preserve the peace,” said Bradford.
Melrose Park prohibits police from engaging in conduct that is unbecoming for an office or reflects unfavorably on the department.
CBS 2 showed Melrose Park Police Chief Sam Pitassi the findings
“I was deeply disturbed by it. This is not the image we want to portray,” he said.
His ultimatum.
“Do you want to be in a motorcycle club or do to want to be a policeman?”
Late last week, the cops disbanded the Reapers. Sgt Maiello told his chief they never intended to give a negative impression to the public. He said, they intended to have a drug and crime free club that promoted motorcycle safety.
The Reapers told CBS 2 they were not affiliated with the Outlaws, but wore the patches for protection. There were no charges in the bar fight because the firefigher would not press charges.
CBS 2 found no evidence that they violated any laws.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/19/2-investigators-suburban-cops-form-motorcycle-club/
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