The GUNNY'S SACK
February 1999
This month I'm all fired up to ride on down to the 1999 NATIONAL COALITION
OF MOTORCYCLISTS (NCOM) and AID TO INJURED MOTORCYCLISTS (AIM) Convention in
Phoenix. This is a legislative season in many states, and there is a ton of
information available, distributed through NCOM at the Convention.
This is one of many bikers' rights organizations all over the country
that devote untold hours of effort to get legislative and discrimination info
out to the rest of us.
Look for workshops and seminars on such subjects as: Women in
Motorcycling, How to Write Legislation that will Pass (!!), seminars on how to
get our own people, BIKERS, elected to public office. Another workshop will be
on Harassment and Governmental Intrusion.
Slider Gilmore, a biker/EMT in Iowa, will give his acclaimed
presentation, "Two Wheel Trauma." This Convention promises to be the
best ever, and these opportunities to get together are invaluable because we can
talk to others involved in the fight for freedom. We learn so much from each
other just swapping stories over a few beers!
Plan to be there. Believe me you won't forget the experience. Make
your room reservations at Embassy Suites in Phoenix, at 1-800-527-7715. Let
them know you plan to come for the NCOM Convention May 6-8, and they'll give you
a special rate of $59.00 a night, which includes a hot breakfast and a free
happy hour. It just doesn't get much better.
Registration will cost you just $30.00 if you attend the Convention
and $60.00 will include the awards banquet on Saturday night. You won't want to
miss that. For more info, contact BILL BISH at the AIM and NCOM offices in
Encino, at 1-800-531-2424, or 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or drop an e-mail to Bill at
NCOMpms@aol.com. BIKER DISCRIMINATION: You've read about it here, and the
discrimination lawsuit was just filed in Federal Court in Oregon. Art West has
put himself and his club, Brother Speed (Portland Chapter) on the front line for
our rights, with the help of the Oregon Confederation of Clubs. A City
Ordinance in Portland labeled members of Brother Speed as part of a "CRIMINAL
GANG," and that just won't sit. Lawyers include AIM Attorney Sam Hochberg,
his new RIDING (HEY, welcome aboard!) associate BROOKS COOPER, led by civil
rights attorney, Spencer "Spike" Neal.
BIKER LEGISLATION NATIONWIDE: Good news first:
OREGON'S handlebar height repealer bill passed the house
unanimously with only one member absent. This will go to the Senate with a "DO
PASS" endorsement. This thing was truly a harassment tool for police here
in Oregon and I understand they admitted so in hearings. March 3rd, Oregon's
Helmet bill passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee with a "DO
PASS" recommendation with no changes. We'll know more by the time this is
in print.
March 3rd was also our last Biker Day and we had about 50 or so
people there to lobby their lawmakers. We just have to get the votes to make
our Helmet Bill VETO proof. With a little more work I think we can do it. Our
biggest problem is getting bikers to the capitol this year. After last
session's shameful treatment by our Governor (we won in the legislature but got
a veto from our Governor, who was an ER doc), there are some very disheartened
folks out there. Well, guess what? This is his last term. He is leaving, and
WE WILL STILL BE HERE.
TENNESSEE'S helmet bill passed the Senate and continues to march.
They are optimistic it will pass. Root for them hard. Unfortunately, West
Virginia's and Maryland's helmet bills went down to defeat this year. The
public burden theory is a real problem to get past some people. Lots of work
ahead for those folks. They aren't about to quit though, so lets give'm our
wholehearted support.
NEWS BITS'N PIECES: NEVADA: There is a bill in Nevada's Senate that
will make it legal to "immobilize" a vehicle up to 30 days if the
driver blows a .10 or blood tests indicate intoxication or substance abuse. All
without trial or arrest. This ought to do Nevada's tourism business a ton of
good, huh?
NEW YORK CITY: A new ordinance here allows confiscation of property if
there is just suspicion of unlawful activity or DWI. The suburban counties of
Nassau and Suffolk have jumped on the bandwagon, too. All this can be done
without conviction. What has happened to the Fourth Amendment? It's not just
helmet laws, folks. WE ARE ALL LOSING OUR FREEDOMS at an alarming rate and we
better put a stop to it before it's too late.
NEW JERSEY: The Governor fired the State Superintendent of Police
after a report quoted him linking certain minorities with drug trafficking.
Col. Carl Williams refused to recognize racist policies and the targeting of
minority groups AND motorcyclists for traffic stops by the State Police. The
Governor said these policies would not be allowed to continue. The Associated
Press reported that the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has had the
New Jersey State Police under investigation for two years. Justice in this case
has been served I think, and it's about time.
ILLINOIS, Springfield: The House Judiciary Committee rejected the
efforts of motorcyclists by voting 4-2 against the bill that would have made it
illegal to discriminate against bikers. The lobbyist saw no obvious opposition
to the bill, but suspected some with "philosophical opposition" to the
idea. Is this BIAS or what?
PHOENIX, AZ: Titan Motorcycle Co has added a new logo to their
impressive motorcycle line called the "PHOENIX." The new machines
will consist of four new models in the $20,000.00 range. Still way out of my
league.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA: Ford and H-D entered into a partnership centered
around racing. The Ford logo will appear on the H-D factory VR-1000 racing
bikes in the Daytona 200, the first of the 13-race AMA superbike series that
runs through October of this year. GILROY, CA: The Indian Motorcycle Co.
officially launched the other American Icon. The 1999 Limited Edition INDIAN
CHIEF was presented at Daytona "Bike Week" in Florida. By the year
2001, the 100th anniversary of the Indian, they expect three new models will be
introduced. I think I'll wait and see folks, if you don't mind.
SAM'S AIM TIP ‘O THE MONTH: This is a basic one, but a lot of
folks don't know it: Every civil action -- like a lawsuit against a driver or an
insurance company -- has a Statute of Limitations, and you want to know what it
is in YOUR state. If you've had a wreck, you MUST have your case either settled
or filed in the right court by the statute's anniversary date (Oregon's is two
years, for example), or you can LOSE your right to make a claim beyond then. A
FEW circumstances can extend the statute, depending on your state. Questions?
Call an injury lawyer, or your state AIM lawyer (who RIDES), by calling
800-531-2424. Sam Hochberg (Oregon AIM Attorney) is at 503-224-1106, or on the
‘net at SamBikeLaw@aol.com.
Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon AIM Chief of Staff
