Silent for five years….

While the past five years have been exciting, and full of events that have tested the country and world a sense of hope still prevailed. I’ve had a front row seat for the tragedy at Emanuel AME, and the shooting of Walter Scott. The fear and anger felt by those in the community did not give way to violence, and the victim’s families forgave those who perpetrated these acts of violence. The community came together as one to continue forward and work together to confront the past and make a better future.

However, this past election season was different. Trump’s ascension to President of the United States could be considered a sign of the end times. Reason, Science, and Compassion have left the building. Fear mongering, Xenophobia, and Fascism, wrapped in a flag carrying a cross, has become the mantra of the highest office the country.

While the above paragraph may be dismissed as to general, or simplistic assessment of the current situation, Trump’s first week has been a doozy. We joked in the past that his handlers should turn off his Twitter account, but perhaps it would’ve been more prudent to hide all his pens.

The thing I fear most now is for an event that will escalate Trump’s agenda into the stratosphere. We are one “9-11” away from an unraveling this country has never seen. The concessions and mistakes made during the Bush administration after 9-11 will be pale by comparison.

For now, I watch and wait.

Southern Migration

So, I have settled into my new life south of the border. Charleston, South Carolina has become my newest home. While I have moved about the southeast of Pennsylvania for the past 11 years this is the farthest I have ever moved. My wife wanted to come home to South Carolina, and applied to transfer into the South Carolina conference of the United Methodist Church. Lo and behold, to my good fortune, we landed in the lowcountry.

Charleston is a mixture of refugees and locals. One person described Charleston as a “conservative city with a drinking problem.” While many have said that the lowcountry should be called the “slooooowcountry.” I believe it is a little of both. The refugees are mostly from Minnesota and Ohio. The Navy and Air Force have a huge presence here, and the area has been undergoing an industrial rebirth with the arrival of Boeing.

Being one of the oldest cities on the east coast, Charleston has a rich history and culture, and that mixture has seduced this northerner to stay in the south. Yes, there are some crazy things going on in the news regarding South Carolina from the new discriminatory voter ID law and politicians not exercising the option to think before speaking, but that kind of thing happens everywhere.

Charleston is a motorcycle town. Motorcycles are everywhere since the weather is conducive to year-round riding. Good beer and barbeque are also the norm. So, I’m content. What more can I ask for? Well, a job would be nice, but don’t worry it will come. 

Currently I'm....

Disillusioned: Disappointed in someone or something that one discovers to be less good than one had believed.

Thanks Merriam-Webster. Currently if there was a mood icon over my head it would read “disillusioned.”   Why? Well, if you have to ask you either live in a cave with the rest of the troglodytes actually thinking the world is a groovy place to live, or you haven't been sucked into the maelstrom yet.

What I thought would stop with the Obama administration (corporate greed, senseless wars, putting everyone into poverty) has actually gained momentum. Republicans are gutting every social program possible while demanding the wealthy and corporations pay no taxes. Democrats are not that far behind since they are complacent and in fact probably benefit from those Republican ideals anyway. "Sorry, we're broke, but we have money for bullets, bombs, and statues" Statues? C'mon Mayor Nutter, really? Oh, and Governor Corbett, cutting education is the easy way out, but we understand. It's hard to make tough choices. Those Natural Gas drillers are tough customers. See folks, our political landscape consists of two teams, that both reek of entitlement, duking it out for the championship. No matter who wins we still lose.

My only saving grace is motorcycling. Cranking out the throttle on the highway is the only way for me to disconnect anymore, because if think about the current state of affairs too long I really start fearing for my family. They make me vulnerable. I used to laugh when I heard someone say "bringing children into this crazy world was irresponsible." Now, that idea seems plausible. Hell, even Charlie Sheen is starting to make sense.

Yes, he did say this in one of those crazy interviews. I love the internet cause where else can you find gems like that picture. But alas, once the telecoms have their way and kill net neutrality that love will end too, and we will only have access to the infotainment they want us to see.

Everyone needs an escape for these times. For some it's drugs, and for others it's a belief in the afterlife. Me, I'll take barreling down the highway at undocumented speeds any day. Hey, if were lucky Jesus will show up on May 21st and pull the plug on this mess. I should have taken the blue pill. Oh well, time to check facebook.

Erik Buell Swag Contest

Okay, Erik, where's my swag??

Looking to next Summer...

Now that the weather here in Southeastern, PA is frigid I am looking forward to next summer. One of my summer rituals has been making a pilgrimage to the Smoky Mountains. Last summer I witnessed an unusual group of motorcycle enthusiast in the wild. The Quad Cam Bastards are Sportster aficionados, and their approach to their rides is minimalist in nature. Their disdain for the corporate culture of present day Harley Davidson is evident in the postings on their blog. I do agree with them that the motor-company has lost its way, but it is what it is, a public traded company.

At first glance most people would take these bastards to be elitists hipster bikers, but there is more to it than that. These guys actually wrench and fabricate their own rides.

Unlike hipsters (and most bikers) who buy their their image at Goodwill or the Harley boutique, the Quad Cam Bastards are a grass roots collective of Harley riders who are dedicated to Sportsters because of the model's simplicity, power, and longevity. Sportsters have been in the Harley lineup since the early 1950s. One could say, and I often do, that Sportsters are the only true Harley.

Their last bash was at the Tail of the Dragon (US 129) in Deals Gap, NC. I rode to the Tail of the Dragon to take advantage of the 11 miles of 318 curves and the Cherohala Skyway, but I also wanted to see what the QCB were like. However, after riding 50 miles in driving rain I arrived soaked and in a sour mood. My introverted tendencies were heightened by being waterlogged, so I observed the bastards from afar. Hey, medication can only do so much for this curmudgeon. But I did get some good pics and some vid. 

This summer, the QCB gang will once again migrate to Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon. I will be there as well to enjoy the tremendous riding the Smoky Mountain area has to offer. Hopefully this time the rain will stay away.

Delmarva Bike Week 2010

So, once again I ventured down to Ocean City, MD, for the annual Delmarva Bike Week. To be honest it's more like a weekend with trailer queens. However, this year the scene was mobbed due to the excellent weather. Me and my friend, Jim Donnelly, agreed that one day is all that was needed. Here are some pics and videos.

Of course the best part was the Wall of Death. I think it's the main reason I go to this thing. This year they had a 1928 Indian Scout riding the wall! Most excellent my friends!

Run on the 1928 Indian Scout

Here are some bikes I found interesting...

 Not really practical but the color was awesome

 Using the frame for an oil tank from Redneck Engineering

 My favorite

Adam would have really torn up the neighborhood on one of these (XR750)

All in all it was a good time, but really, how many doo-rag vendors can you endure?

This I believe...

I spend a lot of time and mental effort grappling with my spiritual life. The ongoing war in my head consumes me. I am torn. Raised a Jew and now a Christian, I have not been able to shake or cement my faith. Perhaps it is not meant to be, and I will always question everything pertaining to a belief in “G-D.” So, am I losing my faith altogether, or am I shedding the supernatural aspects? If the supernatural is removed what’s left to believe in.

Where does this stance of un-supernatural faith fall in regards to my belief in Christ? Belief in something does not necessarily mean an association with the supernatural. Can one follow Christ’s example alone and be a Christian? Love, charity, and service to others should be enough, right? Must I be a “literal” believer of the bible? I don’t think so. I am not delusional. Skeptical, yes as should anyone who hears the fantastic stories of the bible. But are there logical explanations to all those fantastic stories? Does it really matter? Can I be faithful without the trappings of religion?

What matters is how we treat each other. Our connection to each other will lead us to understanding why we are here and our place in the universe. One thing that continues to elude us is the ability to coexist. If race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status didn’t already push us apart, “religion” drives the wedge between us even further. Even those who don’t hold any spiritual beliefs are guilty of the same derision. So, is there any possibility of unity with such diversity in this world? Historically it hasn’t happened with any long term success which leads me to believe it is impossible.

My dilemma is when religious fanatics rear their ugly heads and do ugly things in the name of G-D. News-feeds from around the globe never fail to show some medieval display of religion going on somewhere. This Saturday a church in Florida will burn copies of the Koran in the name of Christ. Yup, I’m embarrassed. Not for them, but for me. I am embarrassed because of the beliefs that I do have. I don’t want to be associated with the zealots and charlatans proclaiming their twisted views of G-D, but we all get lumped together and it’s not fair. But still I participate in some way because my faith keeps me hooked into a community that feels foreign.

I feel like I’m in a no win situation. Is this how it’s supposed to be?

Tea Baggers: spoiled little children refusing to grow up.

By now we should all know something about the “Tea Baggers” and their spoke-persons Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. So, what has these people’s knickers in a twist?

Out of control government spending?

Universal healthcare?

Immigration?

Perhaps, but I doubt it, I mean where have they been for the past decade(s)? All of a sudden an African American becomes President of the United States and in one year the country has plunged into hell. Really?

Take note! Tea Baggers are having an effect on the political spectrum.

So, let us look at this movement on the local level. Here in Avondale, Pennsylvania, lawn signs have been popping up calling everyone’s attention to an out-of-control government. I guess they just figured it out. Well, the signs have a web address at the bottom AdvanceFreedom.org. Nice ring to it, who doesn’t want to advance freedom and the .org domain extension adds a grass roots earthy kind of feel. However, these baggers intent is not warm and fuzzy. Sinister? Okay, sinister might be over reaching, but their ideology is a throw back to the 1800s.

Issues these tea-baggers are complaining about were created by them for the most part. Deregulation of the banking sector has produced the financial crisis this country is in now. When George W. Bush first bailed out the failing investment houses on Wall Street the Tea Party Patriots were nowhere to be found. Why? Well, he’s was a Republican. Let’s not forget that this is a Conservative Republican movement even though they claim a non-partisan atmosphere. Republicans had been in control of the house and senate for over a decade, so the sleeping giant had no reason to wake up, because it was too busy raping the county’s coffers.

Now it’s all the Obama Administration’s fault? Granted I’m not overly impressed with Obama’s work so far, but look what he inherited, and I’m not impressed with politicians on either side of the aisle anyway. I would whole heartedly join with these so called patriots if their intensions were true, however, from what I can see… So, what can be gleaned from AdvanceFreedom.org is a lot of empty rhetoric based on the decades old 5000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen. Not exactly a fair and balanced look at the Constitution or American History. Well, if you are white and wealthy you probably subscribe to this take on U.S. history.

At a recent gathering Tea Bagger gathering in Washington, D.C., Mr. Beck called for a return to GOD. I wonder whose GOD he would be referring. The rhetoric of coming back to GOD and traditional values of our founding fathers is perplexing to me. Should we bring back slavery, take away women’s right to vote? What values are they harping about?? In a nutshell I observe these so called “patriots” to be over indulged baby-boomers who are upset that they are not getting their way anymore. They’ve blown their inheritance and have to pay the piper, and don’t like it.

With the arrival of spring...

Now that riding season is here....think!!!



and think....



and THINK!!!



That includes us riders too!

That's it for the other one...shoe that is

We have been sold out to the corporations under the guise of free speech. Earlier this week a Supreme Court decision to not allow the limiting of corporate donations to political campaigns has weakend this country far worse than any other action against the American people. Now the circle is complete. The picture below sums it up.

Adam J. Chitjian

8/30/1968 - 10/25/2007

Forever in our hearts!

The State of Harley-Davidson

A lot of discussion this week in the motorcycle community has centered around the shuttering of Buell. Buell, a subsidiary of HD, has produced some of the most innovative designs around the Sportster type engine. While the debate continues here are two links that provide insight into the problem.

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/10/harley-didnt-calculate-savings.html

http://quadcambastards.blogspot.com/2009/10/so-beancounting-execs-at-moco.html

I think this view that HD has lost its way is shared by a lot of riders. Personally, I think it's a microcosm of what is affecting the United States today.

Wall of Death!!!!

The best 5 bucks I've ever spent. Saw this at Delmarva bike week this year. Enjoy!

The Grand Finale!

So, who’s really being noisy???

The debate about motorcycles and noise they generate has been long existent. Now, I believe, the issue around noise is coming to a head. I recently received an email about the AMA’s proposed legislature regarding noise from all combustion engines. The AMA’s actions are explained by Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager;

"Many cities and other jurisdictions already have excessive sound laws on the books, but when they get citizen complaints about loud motorcycles, they sometimes decide to single out the riding public with unfair or overly restrictive ordinances and laws," said Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. "We believe that motorcycles shouldn't be singled out, but should be regulated as part of a comprehensive sound management policy that also addresses cars, trucks, leaf blowers, generators and other sources of excessive sound."

The J2825 standard, issued by the SAE in May, is based on a comprehensive study of a wide variety of on-highway motorcycles. It establishes instrumentation, test site, test conditions, procedures, measurements and sound level limits.

"Too many times, jurisdictions responding to citizen complaints about excessive motorcycle sound create laws that simply don't work in the real world," Szauter said. "They either set an unreasonable decibel limit, leave it up to a police officer to subjectively decide whether a bike is too noisy, or come up with another plan that is arbitrary or unworkable. Our model legislation is objective, workable and fair."[1]

What is the J2825 SAE standard? Well, the article said the standard goes like this, “Under the SAE J2825 standard, decibel limits range from 92 dBA at idle for all motorcycles, to up to 100 dBA at certain RPMs for various motorcycles, depending on the type of engine.”[2] Personally I have Vance and Hines Straightshot slip-on mufflers on my sporty. They produce a lot of “sound,” but fall well within Pennsylvania’s limits. These limits are found in the vehicle code, “Pennsylvania Administrative Code Title 67, Part I, Subpart A, Article VII, Chapter 157, Subchapter B, Section 157.11, Paragraph a: Max A-weighted sound levels as measured at 50 feet: 84dBA at 35 mph or less; 88dBA above 35mph.”[3]

So, does anyone really know how the two measure up? Will the AMA’s suggestion be adopted? I believe this issue lies in the upswing in motorcycle riders during the past couple of decades. I do believe that some exhausts (straight pipes) do emit an excessive amount of noise, and the more recent cadre of riders think it’s their right to do so. I believe that a certain amount of loudness does help with being visible to others, but there is a limit. Most of the take home choppers (bar bikes) have ridiculous noise issues, and their riders have “look at me, look at me!” issues which complicate matters. I also believe that those who complain are a minority of folks who have nothing better to do, but since they complain to the right people the complaints are acted on. With that said, if you do ride it’s a good idea to join either ABATE, my choice, or the AMA. These groups provide a collective voice where it matters most. I guess you can say I’m noisy whether on or off my motorcycle.

---

[1] http://www.whowon.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=186&StoryID=279336 (Accessed on October 1^st, 2009.)

[2] Ibid.

[3] http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=PA (Accessed on October 1^st, 2009.)

A day of rememberance...

Let us all take some time out today to remember what happened 8 years ago.

My Summer Vacation @ Disney

I was in the Tragic (Euro) Kingdom last week and I'm feeling a little guilty right now. The reason I say Tragic (Euro) Kingdom is most of Western Europe was there with us. I thought Europeans hated us culturally deprived Americans with our McDonalds and NASCAR. I guess with Disney all bets are off. I mean there were French people…lots of French people. Britain, Germany, and some Slavic nations too were in the house of mouse. Not that I mind foreigners, it’s just ironic they would come all this way to pay homage to the Mecca of Capitalism for which we are hated! But let’s face it; Disney World is perfect for Western Europeans because it’s so Hegelian it’s ridiculous.

I mean look at EPCOT and it is plain to see. All the countries represented are European except for Japan (we love their technology), China (Chinese food and everything is made there, duh!), and Mexico (where else could you get Margaritas and salsa). Hell, Canada is represented…they’re either French or British! Some diversity! Well, Africa does have its own park practically. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has Africa. Here the buildings are crumbling with frayed electrical wires running everywhere. The atmosphere was pretty realistic to the state of things in Africa today. All was needed were some toddlers with AK-47’s to complete the picture. Dire as it was at least it wasn’t portrayed like in the Magic Kingdom itself with the drums and cannibalistic savages. Let’s face it Disney loved the Victorian era where white was right, the West was Wild, and the African continent was dark as ever. I don’t know where the Jews fit in, because they are totally non-existent. Now with that rant aside let’s start another one.

Mmmmm, when in India sample the authentic fare!

My love for Disney begins with the all encompassing access card. If my tinfoil hat wasn’t being repaired I would swear that WDW was the testing ground for the national ID. Once issued, this card gives you access to food, entrance to all the parks, and is linked to your credit card so you buy anything with it as well. Damn, it even has biometrics linked to it. When entering any of the parks you need to submit a fingerprint. Now YOU are attached to this card and only YOU can use it. To prove it I tried using my index finger on my left hand one day and was rejected. I had to use the same finger on my right hand (GASP!).

That aside, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. The staff was friendly. Every one of the 60,000 employees was pleasant, no kidding. It was paradise. I want to move there and claim asylum. I mean it! While I was scrubbing dishes today I thought to myself, “I wish I was at Disney.” I feel like I have been sprung from some reeducation camp. The world is not supposed to be like this. It is supposed to be like Disney World! We have already booked next summer’s vacation there (sigh). Yipeee!!!!!!

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

What can I do? I am watching again as Israel goes on the offensive against Hamas. I want to understand why Israel believes that packing a people in to a small territory and cutting off aid and the basic necessities of life (water, electricity, the ability to move) would not incite rebellion? Have we forgotten our experience in the ghetto of Warsaw, Poland? Did we forget how the Jews fought with every inch of their life a losing battle but still fought bravely against the Nazis? Perhaps, this current situation is what Israeli leaders have been waiting for. A chance to finally remove any resistance or existence of the Palestinian population in Gaza. But why?

Okay, I know the history of the region, but doesn't our history teach us this is a losing battle? This continued aggression, despite the fact that rockets and suicide bombers constantly plague Israel, only elevates the Palestinian status to freedom fighters struggling against a colonial aggressor. Which is really the truth at this point, because if we changed the names for example Palestinian to Algerian and Israeli to French, we would understand the outcome. When one marginalized group is backed up against the wall their odds at liberation increases 100 fold. Doesn't Israel understand this? Israel lost the battle before it began. Even if Israel drives the population of Gaza into the sea, Israel will lose any security it ever wished to gain, because the Palestinian cause has become the rallying point for all Arab and Islamic fanatical hatred towards Israel. Of course not one of Palestine's neighbors cared about them before the creation of the State of Israel, but now that doesn't matter.

O, Israel! Look at what you have become! Has the struggle rendered your hearts incapable of mercy and compassion? Will the G-D of Abraham forsake the children of Ishmael and not deliver them when they cry out? What can I do? I still love you and stand by you. But I fear what the future holds for you. 

Born Again Biker and the Good Samaratin or What Does Riding a Harley Really Mean?

All I could do was swear and brace myself as the bike squarely hit the pothole. I thought only Philly had potholes capable of disabling your vehicle. But alas! I found one and hit it. At first I thought my front tire would blow and possibly bend the wheel itself. I got lucky, or so I thought, and rolled right into the gas station. It wasn't until I finished filling up that I realized the bike would not start.

See, I got this bike, a 05 Harley 883R, from a friend. Basically, he thought I was too domesticated and  gave his wife specific instructions that if he died in Iraq to give me the bike. We used to ride together, dirt bikes mostly, and hung out in my parent's garage doing mischievous things. The place became a local hangout with its cast of characters. We would sit around our bikes and tinker. Upset the neighbors with all the noise and other shenanigans. Twenty years had passed and now I'm rediscovering a passion that was dormant for too long.

My love for riding began when I was fifteen. I was working in a machine shop in Huntingdon Valley, my friend told the owner that I was 18, and I fell in with the older guys at the shop. They introduced me to the world of motorcycles. My first bike was a 1976 Kawasaki KZ 400 bought for $350. It was 1985 and that Summer I learned to ride. What I really learned was the camaraderie shared amongst other motorcyclists. The dropped left hand when you passed another motorcyclist signaled you were apart of something bigger. You stopped and help other motorcyclists when they were in trouble. So, standing there with my broken down bike at the Sunoco on Rte. 10 near Oxford, PA, I began to consider my options. In come two riders, one on a Harley FLHX, and another on a Honda Shadow. They came into the station from different directions, pulled up to different pumps and began filling their tanks. Both riders noticed me looking over my bike trying to get it started. I even tried to bump start the bike in the presence of both riders. The rider on the Harley bagger drives off not even considering helping me. Bye, thanks for nothing. The Honda rider pulls up next to me and says, "Having trouble?" Together, we systematically figure out that the ignition module came loose. Once the module was firmly seated the bike started. Afterwards, we talked about riding, I thanked Mike (What are the odds of having the same name?), and went our separate ways.

This incident really compromised my attitude towards Harley riders. Not the bike mind you just the people who ride them, and I know this does not apply to everyone, but I was riding a Harley at the time and was dissed by another Harley rider! WTF!!! Where's the brotherhood? Maybe, Harley dealers should hand out a little pamphlet, that I'm willing to write, instructing these noobs on how to be a real biker. Perhaps Harley's effort to sell more bikes has in effect brought the wrong element to the scene. Go into any Harley dealer and you'll find that most of there clothing (except the dealer t-shirts which are made in the U.S.) and some of the parts are made in China and elsewhere. Harley has perfected the illusion of the American biker and packaged it in a nice overpriced corporate bow. I mean really how much of a bad ass biker can you be wearing Harley jeans made in China? Guess I missed the real Harley motorcycle scene by 20 years. Oh, well. I'm still going to ride my Harley to honor my friend, but not buy into the hype.

Obamarama

So, the election is over and a regime change is coming. Democrats won big but will this produce results needed to heal the country? Hmmm...I'm hopeful but my pessimistic view of American politics has been nurtured by years witnessing high jinks on the hill. President-Elect Obama is definitely a step in the right direction after years of Republican anti-intellectualism. My main concern now is how Obama is going to work with Pelosi and Reid? One would ask "What's the problem they're both Democrats?" That's my point. Democrats have not shown the ability to walk lock-step like Republicans, and this could lead to infighting amongst Democrats who all have their own agendas. Let's face it, a politician is a politician, and they all have an agenda. But in this time of uncertainty in the U.S., we need unity. With that said I hope Obama's message of change prevails.

Hello Kitty

I have always been allergic to cats. My reaction to their dander sends my to the hospital for an adrenaline shot in the bum. Problem is...cats love to come up to me and rub themselves all over me. Like they know they have the power to destroy me. Little assassins!

Every girl I have dated has been a cat lover. My wife loves cats and when we were dating had one. Somehow she chose me over the cat, but I wonder sometimes if she thinks she made the wrong choice? Anyway, the past two days a gray cat has camped outside our house. It is a gray male, and is very friendly. Of course, my wife thinks its lovely. I do not. Well, actually I do but will not admit it. Yes, our mouse issues would be nil, and my son would finally have the pet he always wanted if I decided to adopt it and bring it inside. However, this would mean living the rest of my life wearing a bio-hazard spacesuit. For now the cat is fine just where it is, outside.