The GUNNY'S SACK

May 2005 I just got back from the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Convention, this year in Nashville, Tennessee. This one was way beyond huge. Every year it seems to grow by leaps and bounds. For those of you who missed it this year, a good part of your Sack this month is my report.

THE PATRIOT ACT, we learned, is still prevalent in our lives and is affecting brothers and sisters all over the country, and possibly even in Idaho, where we hear there is legal action brewing over the Act and how it may be applied to BIKERS. The good former Senator from Colorado, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, explained that this law was still gonna raise its ugly head, even AFTER the sunset clause, because it's scheduled to be revamped and reinstated. That seems to give ‘em the right. It's all pretty scary. Here's why:

A lot of us fight the good fight about helmets, but we seem to ignore the problem that's much more insidious: The power today of all levels of government to walk into our homes, unannounced, snoop, and leave, all without telling you, and all with NO WARRANT. What have we come to? I was talking to Sam Hochberg, my boss and the Oregon AIM Attorney, and he reminds us: There IS a Fourth Amendment to our Constitution that says a little something about unreasonable SEARCH AND SEIZURE. Sam and I don't get how they get away with it. Wartime, supposedly. Well, nowadays, they can even remove your own kids, without your consent. Sometimes this is NEEDED, but it is abused. I just say, think of the trauma those kids go through when this happens. Just something under the Gunny's skin.

But back to NCOM: This year we welcomed the addition of another group to our mix: SPORT BIKE riders are now welcome and invited to join us in our ongoing fight for our freedoms, through the new NSBA, the National Sport Bike Association. This is just gettin' off the ground, and we'll see if it's possible to haul THOSE folks into the bikers’ rights movement, too. Just like our OREGON COC – Confederation of Clubs – I go to them, as a rep. for NCOM, and I can tell you, we're trying hard to be as all-encompassing as we can be. We want the younger riding groups, the Vespa people, you name it. ALL these folks can learn and benefit from us greybeards who've been there and back, too. And at NCOM, the CHRISTIAN CLUBS and associations were there in new numbers, and new recognition. What powerful additions to our strength in numbers. WELCOME! We were also honored again by the enthusiastic participation by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, now retired, but a long-time Harley rider, and a staunch supporter of bikers’ rights. Our own OREGON state Senator Gary George was there too. He is now is a member of the NCOM Legislative Task Force, along with former Senator Nighthorse Campbell, and Jim "Putt" Putnam, our ever-energetic riding state representative in South Dakota. The Chair is still Oregon's own BUTCH HARBAUGH, who was sidelined this year, but he'll be back!

CRASHER'S ED: Cathy and I still found time for workshops and seminars throughout the several days and evenings. SLIDER GILMORE, Iowa pig farmer and EMT, presented his well-known seminar, "TWO-WHEELED TRAUMA." Catch this one, if you're anywhere near one of his talks. It's about the CRUCIAL time, at the scene of a serious wreck, when the rider's FRIENDS can save a life. Learn. It could save your life, too. Check with your local AIM Attorney, and find out about the AIM SPEAKER PROGRAM, if you want to get SLIDER on out to YOUR state's MRO function, and learn about surviving wrecks.

The CONFEDERATIONS OF CLUBS from all over this land were at the conference, too. These COC's exist as independent organizations in their own states, but they all work toward the same goal: FREEDOM, and a FREE LIFESTYLE of our choosing. MANY of the AIM ATTORNEYS gave seminars, including Oregon's AIM lawyer, our Bronx-bred SAM HOCHBERG. He spoke to a very interested crowd about the legal issues involved when we ride together in PACKS, and when we use "road guards" and such. Sam has done several mass trials for groups of bikers who were cited while pack riding, pro bono, or free. As we saw at NCOM, many other AIM Attorneys donate their time to biker causes, too, since they ARE, by and large, riders just like us.

BIG D is NOT DALLAS: This conference, like every year, was topped off with the banquet and Silver Spoke Awards ceremony. Dennis "Big D" Watson, one of the founders of ABATE of New Mexico, received the Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award, and there isn't a finer biker to get it.

The "BELL OF REMEMBRANCE" at NCOM rang for too, too many of our brothers and sisters lost this year from motorcycle accidents, the combat in the near east, and a few other reasons, too. It's a ceremony that'll either chill your spine or water your eyes. This year, must've taken twenty minutes to read all the names. Damned shame.

On a happier note, the NCOM shindig NEXT year will be in Louisville, Kentucky, same time same station. Every year, it's always on the three days just before Mother's Day. Start planning NOW for next year! Our strength is in our numbers, our hearts, and our commitment. See for yourself.

Northwest Biker Alert: The NCOM West Coast Regional Conference will be held here in Portland this year, on October 15th. I'll get you the particulars as soon as I know. Plan to be there, I guarantee you will be enlightened!

NEWSBITS ‘N' PIECES:

VERMONT: What if I have more than five friends and we want to go for a ride on a favorite route!? I'd need a PERMIT, first, according to this proposed Vermont law. This is absurd. IF this bill were passed, you'd have to get a permit for any event involving more than six vehicles, car or motorcycle or even tractors, I suppose, if it takes place on the highways of Vermont! What are they THINKING over there? Does maple syrup cause political brain rot or something?

SAN DIEGO, CA: Motorists who receive a traffic citation in California now have the option to attend the only California DMV- licensed Traffic Violator School committed to motorcycle safety. The "Joy of Motorcycling Traffic School" provides riders and non-riders alike lessons in motorcycle safety, and they learn about laws not typically taught in other traffic schools. This is something worthwhile and all the rest of us could do the same. Might even save a life or two! Here's some contact info on this: Email or web: news@joyofmotorcycling.com, http://www.joyofmotorcycling.com.

HOUSTON, TEXAS: Now this takes the cake: Apparently a biker here crashed his bike into a house and was killed. But when the police arrived there was a big mystery: They found a body and tire tracks but the wrecked bike had been removed from the scene! Guess the thief decided the dead guy didn't need his scoot anymore.

The "TEAM OREGON" motorcycle safety program was just rated HIGHEST IN THE NATION, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, known as "NHTSA." Go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov for more.

NHTSA finally did something that impresses ME. Who'd a-thought they would be proactive on anything actually to do with safety on motorcycles? Oregon scored highest in three categories: program administration, rider education courses and motorcycle licensing, according to the study. Overall, my hometown team, TEAM OREGON, won the day! Three cheers for the OREGON BIKERS WHO RAN and STARTED our rider education program, and turned it over to our state DOT. Proves that bikers know BEST how to take care of our OWN, doesn't it?

MOTORCYCLING AND WOMEN: Would you believe women are the FASTEST GROWING segment of the riding world? You can take it to the bank, folks. They are taking rider ed courses, and they are better and safer riders than many of us men. They pay attention to what's going on around them and are better at avoiding accidents. Whether you like it or not it's true, according to the Gunny's sources. Hey, more power to ‘em. One in ten bikers are now women.

GUNNY AGAIN: Remember folks, NCOM is supported by our very able AIM Attorneys, who go to battle for us in the world of motorcyclists rights, and to get you the BEST TREATMENT if you're ever in a WRECK, bike or car. Unlike ANY OTHER lawyers, part of THEIR fees in accident cases goes back to NCOM, as its SOLE financial support. This, to the tune of about $300,000 a year, as Richard M. Lester told us in Nashville, while ALL the AIM ATTORNEYS STOOD UP at Richard's request, and were heartily CHEERED. These fine people are among the finest in the land, for bike wrecks especially. Call 1-800-On-A-Bike, or go on line to www.aimncom.com . Sam Hochberg's number here in Oregon is 1-800-347-1106. Or, go have a look at Sam's website, at www.YourInjuryLawyers.com , and look at the link for "Motorcycle Attorney." OR, just drop Sam an email at SamBikeLaw@aol.com , or your Gunny will listen to ya, at AIMGunny@aol.com .