BABE OF THE DAY

There is No Room for EGO in the Motorcycle Rights Movement

OFF THE WIRE

by David "Double D" Devereaux

There is no room for ego in the motorcycle rights movement. In a community full of alpha male personalities this makes things difficult. But every one of us learned what we know from somewhere and most likely from someone. And what we all know, even if we seem to forget, is that successful grassroots people-powered movements are the result of an entire community’s efforts.

I understand this reality firsthand.  I am a Spokesperson for numerous motorcycle rights groups and therefore I am more visible than many. But the fact remains, every amount of success I may have achieved has only been possible because of the hundreds of unified bikers always standing with me.  The Washington State Confederation of Clubs and ABATE have always stood with me and trusted me to represent the voice of our movement. I humbly recognize this reality and will never take it for granted.

Although it is true that it takes everyone, it is also true that there are usually a few obvious stand-outs in any successful effort that create a strategic foundation for the entire movement. In Washington State, we were lucky enough to have a handful of highly motivated and capable individuals.

Donnie “Mr. Breeze” Landsman

Donnie was our single point of contact, our feet on the ground, for legislators. Donnie developed and implemented a cooperative strategy combining the legislative process knowledge of active independents and the massive manpower of an increasingly involved club contingent. I worked closely with Donnie including daily communication and constant and absolute collaboration on every issue that arose.

Jeff “Twitch” Burns

Twitch took responsibility for all public information requests and video documentation. Jeff’s contribution to Washington State’s success cannot be overstated. Filming the movement for over two years resulted in the award winning documentary “What It’s All About”, an invaluable tool for mobilizing the community and providing a “how to” for the rest of the country.

Lucky Les

Lucky Les keeps our movement in Washington State connected, maintaining our US Defenders program through countless hours of contact information changes and integrating new organizations into the network. Without Les’s contributions our coordinated calls to action would not have been effective and passing the profiling law would not have been possible.

Robert “Pigpen” Christopher

Pigpen was critical to the formation of the Washington State COC and my involvement in the movement. Before anyone knew my name, my brother Pigpen put his own credibility on the line to vouch for me with literally everyone he talked with. He saw something in me I don’t think I even saw in myself. It’s been over a decade and we all still recognize and thank him for having the vision and belief that we could unify motorcycle clubs to protect our culture.

BABE OF THE DAY

US Court: Wearing Unearned Military Medals Is Free Speech

OFF THE WIRE
US Court: Wearing Unearned Military Medals Is Free Speech......

by Paul Elias

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal appeals court on Monday tossed out a veteran's conviction for wearing military medals he didn't earn, saying it was a form of free speech protected by the Constitution.
A specially convened 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the First Amendment allows people to wear unearned military honors.
Elven Joe Swisher of Idaho was convicted in 2007 of violating the Stolen Valor Act, which made it a misdemeanor to falsely claim military accomplishments. President George W. Bush signed it into law in 2006, but the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in 2012 as a violation of free speech protections.
Investigators looked into Swisher's military claims after he testified at the 2005 trial of a man charged with soliciting the murder of a federal judge. Swisher wore a Purple Heart on the witness stand.
Swisher testified that David Roland Hinkson offered him $10,000 to kill the federal judge presiding over Hinkson's tax-evasion case. Swisher said Hinkson was impressed after Swisher boasted that he killed "many men" during the Korean War.
Prosecutors say Swisher enlisted in the Marine Corps a year after the Korean War ended but was never wounded in the line of duty. Swisher was honorably discharged in 1957, and discharge documents indicate that he didn't receive any medals, according to the 9th Circuit ruling.
During his 2007 trial, prosecutors showed the jury a photograph of Swisher wearing several military medals and awards, including the Silver Star, Navy and Marine Corps Ribbon, Purple Heart, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Bronze "V."
Swisher's attorney Joseph Horras of Boise, Idaho, couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday.
After the Stolen Valor Act was struck down, Congress passed a new law making it a crime to profit financially by lying about military service. President Barack Obama signed it in 2013.
After Swisher's conviction, Congress removed a provision making it illegal to wear unearned medals.

BABE OF THE DAY