Wednesday, July 23, 2008

More Nanny State Nonsense

Got this in from Frankie 5 Angels this morning:

. . . our government is keeping us safe from ourselves. This is sureal. . . can't people think for themselves anymore?! Pretty soon it will be illegal to screw or fart!

LA is proposing a new ordinance to forbid the construction of fast food restaurants. Read more at this link to the Wall Street Journal story:

. . . Despite its health-crazy reputation, parts of Los Angeles are plagued by obesity rates that rival any city in America. Now, the city may join a growing roster of local governments aiming to put their residents on diets by cracking down on the fast-food industry.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB121668254978871827.html

[There are a bunch of laws that already tell one how they may or may not participate in sexual relations, so some types of sex between two consenting adults are already outlawed.

Just another way the government protects us from ourselves - because we don't know better. And Obama promises lots more of the same. Monk]

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Gas Taxes on Rise?

As I write this, we're payin' $4 a gallon for gas, and it's in the middle of July. Prices have come down a little, perhaps because President Bush is using the bully pulpit to beat up Congress on off-shore drilling. No biggie on that - it's too little, too late - but now this little gem comes up:

Remember back in the Spring how our pandering senators and representitives were talkin' about a "Gas Tax Holiday" for ninty days to "help the American working people" travel through the summer? What a bunch of crap that was. Now those same congress people are queitly gonna stick us where the sun doesn't shine, yet again. They want a $ .10 per gallon tax increase on gas and diesel. Friggin' idiots - it's the same ol' status quo. Raise taxes quietly while shouting about "how much they care for the working people." I'm so over all these assholes I'm thinking about voting against every single incumbent. I don't care who's running against them, the new folks could NOT do any worse than what our current elected representives are doing to us.

We had an acronym in the Army: BOHICA. "Bend over. Here it comes again." Well that's what they're doin', quietly, while we have a million other problems that need to be addressed.

Anyhow, here's the link to the Gas Tax story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25751775/
Now, lawmakers quietly are talking about raising fuel taxes by a dime from the current 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents on diesel fuel.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Only in Dixie - Funny Tomatoes

"I've been growin' tomotoes a lotta years, Monk" wrote Dixie Biker reader Donna from Fernandina. "But I've never gotten any like this! I just hadda take a couplea pictures and get 'em in to you."

Thanks for sharing!

It's Monday - How about a little political humor.

Five surgeonsare discussing who makes the best patients to operate on.
The first surgeon, from New York, says,, "I like to see accountants on my operating table because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."
The second, from Chicago, responds, "Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is color coded."
The third surgeon, from Houston, says, "No, I really think librarians are the best, everything inside them is in alphabetical order."
The fourth surgeon, from Los Angeles chimes in: "You know, I like construction workers. Those guys always understand when you have a few parts left over."
But the fifth surgeon, from Washington, DC shut them all up when he observed: "You're all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There's no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains and no spine, and the head and the ass are interchangeable!

From Dixie Biker moto-journalist, Grump

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Harry Reid on Oil and other Fossil Fuels

In a recent interview with Fox News Business Channel, Mr. Reid (D-Nevada), the Senate Majority Leader, who was evidently fed up with questions about drilling [off-shore, western shale deposits, etc.], suddenly exclaimed:
"Coal makes us sick, oil makes us sick; it's global warming. It's ruining our country, it's ruining the world. We've got to stop using fossil fuel."

Talk about outta touch. . .

Where would America be without oil, coal, plastics, and myriad other things that are products or by-products of fossil fuels? How does Mr. Reid fly back and forth to Nevada from Washington DC? How does he get limoed around the Capitol? Does he enjoy the extravagant meals in the Senate cafeteria? What powers the microphones he speaks through? There are thousands of things we take for granted everyday, the very things that make our lives comfortable and not a struggle, that are a direct result of fossil fuels.

As I write this, it's 84 degrees and humid (at 7:30 am.). Our AC is runnin' to keep our family comfortable. My computer is goin' fine, allowing me to write this post. Florida Power supplies 'always on' power to my home which allows me to brew the coffee I'm enjoyin' as I post. A little later today I'm gonna fire up the Harley Dixie Glide and ride to Jacksonville to cover a biker event. Gonna be burnin' a little fossil fuel for that one, too. When I return home, I'll flip on the lights and be able to see. I'll fire up the grill and put on a steak (gas grill - another fossil fuel) and enjoy an ice cold brewski that I pulled outta the fridge - runnin' very cold thanks to fossil fuel - as I grill my evening meal. Then maybe a little TV, a little reading, by electric lamp. That's enough - anyone with any common sense can come up with thousands of examples, too.

Which may just go to prove that the boy from Nevada has no common sense.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Off Shore Drilling Now

Despite what the people want, Congress, and it's Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, have been raisin' hell the past few days about NOT lifting the ban on drilling off America's coasts. Unfortunately, one of our Florida Senators, Nelson - D, has his head up his butt and isn't listening to the people, either.

Recent polls say close to 75% of Americans want us to DRILL NOW! http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1519
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/884/gas-prices
(http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6214070).

President Bush has lifted the moratorium from the Executive Branch. What's the Legislative Branch doing? Nothing. Telling us that we need to conserve more; look for alternatives; or live with the high prices. They're gonna go on vacation, but tell us to suck it up and drive on. Screw that.

Congress's ban on outer continental shelf exploration expires every year on September 30, which means that if the Democrats want to continue keeping gas prices high, they will have to act a few week's before November's election. They must vote to keep it in effect. Ha - they won't be able to hide their votes this year!

The President of the Institute for Energy Research
(http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/), Thomas Pyle, issued this statement in response to President Bush's annoucement:

"The federal government has made it illegal to produce taxpayer-owned energy from taxpayer-owned lands for nearly three decades. That’s a fact consumers need to understand as they cope with skyrocketing prices for everything from groceries to gasoline. Most Americans understand the law of supply and demand, but they may not know that America is the only developed nation in the world that restricts access to its own offshore energy resources, or that an annual vote in
Congress is require to continue that policy. That time of the year has come, and the next 78 days will be a critical period for America’s energy security."

Congress, our 535 representitives and senators (lower case on purpose), are making us pay $4+ per gallon. They're the same people that MANDATED the use of ethanol which is screwing up not only my Harley, but has driven food prices outta sight. But, I digress - that's another column.
It's time to call, mail and e-mail your representitive now and let 'em know how unhappy you are because they're so outta touch with reality. Hold their feet to the fire )like last year when they tried to sneak the Immigration-Amnesty crap through. As Chuck Norris said recently:

"Bottom line: It is "We the People" who have power over the government, not them over us. They are called to protect our pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, not vice versa. And if they don't, the Declaration of Independence states, in no uncertain terms, that we are "to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for (our) future Security." It's time to replace most members of Congress with "new Guards". . .

That's what November's for. . . unless they listen NOW.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Democrat, Republican or Biker?

This has been floatin' around the internet and we've recieved it from lotsa readers, so I thought I'd post it here.

Democrat, Republican, or Biker? Here is a little test that will help you decide.

You're walking through a parking lot after having dinner with your wife and two kids. Suddenly, a middle eastern lookin' dude approaches, screams obscenities, praises Allah, pulls out a knife, and charges at you. You're carrying a Colt 45. You have mere seconds to decide whether to shoot or not. What do you do?

Democrat's Answer:
That's not enough information to answer the question! Does the man look poor or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack? Can we run away? What does my wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? What does the law say about this situation? Does the pistol have appropriate safety built into it?

Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children? Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me? If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? Should I call 9-1-1 on my cell? Why is this parking lot so deserted?

This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends over wine and try to come to a consensus.

Republican's Answer: BANG!

Biker's Answer:
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Click. . . (Sounds of ejecting and reloading a magazine)
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Click . . .

Daughter: "Nice shot group, Daddy! Were those jacketed or hollow points?"
Son: "Hey dad! Can I shoot the next one?!"
Wife: "You ain't taking that to the Taxidermist to mount in the den!"

Turn Traffic Lights Green

Hey y'all. Got this from my good bud Willie at Tropical Tattoo.
Sick of sittin' at traffic lights? Here's a video of a way to fix it:


Turn Traffic Lights Green Every Time - Watch more free videos

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Back into Commentary

We haven't posted to this blog in a long while cuz we've been busy and tryin' to maintain our other websites. But elections are coming up and we're hearin' lotsa buzz from our readers so we figured it's time to start bloggin' again and give y'all a place to let loose. Please comment, or e-mail us what you'd like to post also. Ride safe!

Monday, October 02, 2006

Flagler Music Festival - Molly Hatchet

Boots and I rode up to Bunnell, Florida on September 30th to catch the Saturday evening portion of the Inaugural Flagler Music Festival. We had a couple of poker runs we covered earlier in the day so didn't make the afternoon's activities. There was a bike show scheduled but we missed it. Probably no big deal since all the bikes are now lookin' more 'n more alike. The one-offs bikers used to make to ride are disappearing and people are just buyin' bolt on parts, gettin' a $5,000 paint job, parkin' it in the garage, callin' it a custom chopper and enterin' it in bike shows to get another trophy. Shoot, it'd be easier to just go buy your own trophy. I'll wait for Tropical Tattoos' Ol' Skool Chopper Show or the Rat's Hole Show durin' Biketoberfest later this month. Sorry, I digress.

We arrived and got hung up with our asses out in the right hand lane of US Hwy 1 tryin' to pull into the Thundergulch Campground, the location of the event. That was pretty dangerous, plus it took us twenty minutes to get off the road and through the admission gate. After payin' our $15 per person, we rode to the motorcycle only parkin area. Nice touch - thanks. We love it when venues provide motorcycle only parkin' and don't mix the cars, pick-ups and bikes.

We hooked up with Toni, our Northeast Florida moto-journalist and Robert; plus Halfbreed and Karen from the Iron Brotherhood, and went in the Black Cloud Saloon to get a cold one. What a disappointment. A White Russian - $6; a shot of tequila - $6; a Bud Light - $3; and two Miller Lites - $6. For cans. Jeez. This after payin' $15 a pop to get in. Yep, this normally biker friendly bar jacked up their prices to take advantage of bikers for the event. And it got even worse when we walked over to the area where the vendors (and carnival rides) were set up in the ThunderGulch camping area. Boots and I hadn't eaten so while Mark "Muddy Harp" Hodgson (right) was doin' his awesome gig gettin' the crowd warmed up for later, we wandered over to the Black Cloud Saloon's food tent. They had a grill and fryer set up, but once again, the prices were the gougin' kind when ya got a monopoly: $3.50 for a little bitty ol' corn dog and $3.50 for about twenty french fries that were still frozen in the center. What a bummer - left a bad taste in my mouth - no pun intended.

After eatin' we wandered back over to the stage area to enjoy Blackfoot. They've been playin' quite a few dates around Florida the past couple of years and our readers always have lotsa good things to say about 'em. We saw 'em last year at Harley-Davidson of Crystal River and they just don't seem to age. They just keep crankin' it out, and they were great tonight as well. Very enjoyable, plus we'll get to see 'em again at the Starke Fall Jam on November 3 & 4. They're opening for the Charlie Daniels Band and they'll definitely get the crowd worked up.

Molly Hatchet, the evening's headliner was set to play at 9:30, but before they played they got an award from their fan group at Yahoogroups.com for the twenty years this iteration of the band's been together writin', composin' and playin' kick-ass Southern Rock. When they finally came out to play, the crowd, I'd estimate at over 5,000 went crazy - makin' lotsa noise and in the mood to rock. Molly Hatchet didn't disappoint. Mighta been thirty years ago that they first formed, but they haven't lost their gritty, southern-rock roots formed in South Jacksonville, also the home of Lynyrd Skynrd. They haven't sold out to mainstream pop, and have continued to record new records every year or two despite no air play rotation on classic rock stations. And they're always interacting with the crowds, bein' real, not above it all. That's why we support 'em by buyin' each new CD. Yeah, right - we buy 'em cuz we love the music!

These guys seriously kick ass.
Bobby Ingram's guitar licks and playin' are still second to none. He's still rockin' and played an awe-inspiring guitar solo cover of Clapton as a tribute to his wife Stephanie, who passed away 0n April 1, 2004. Obviously, she's still part of the band and on their mind and they performed Rainbow Bridge, as well. They also did a nice tribute to Danny Joe Brown, original lead singer and frontman who passed away last year.

Gator Country and Son of the South got huge responses from the audience, as expected. Shoot, we're in Florida's little portion of Dixie, after all. And of course they hadda play Flirtin' with Disaster, the original 'mainstream' hit from the late 70's. Daytona Beach native Shawn Beamer also did an awesome solo on the drums and had the crowds surging forward to the stage. Good to see a local boy kickin' serious ass on the worldwide music scene. Shoot, they're all local boys.
Great choice to the Flagler Chamber of Commerce pickin' them as the headliner for their Inaugural Music Festival.

Another thing that struck me as cool was seein' so many younger folks enjoyin' the show. They might notta come out specifically to see Molly Hatchet, but when they left they were hooked on Southern Rock instead of that rap shakalaka shit that's gloggin' the airwaves and videos nowadays. Gotta thank Molly Hatchet, and the thousands of fans that still come to their shows, for keepin' the Southern Rock tradition alive and kickin'. They ended up playin' for well over two hours and it was super high-energy all the way. If you're comin' to Daytona for Biketoberfest 2006, don't waste your money at Destination Daytona with all the yuppie-rub bikers hangin' out for some concert or another. Git yer ass on your scooter and ride six miles north to the White Eagle on October 20 and catch Molly Hatchet for free. Yep, that's right - free. You'll thank Dixie Biker for the recommendation after the show. Guaranteed that they'll knock you on your friggin' ass. . . and you'll be glad they did.

All in all the Flagler County-Bunnell Chamber of Commerce deserves a BIG tip-of-the-hat for puttin' on this weekend event. Great job for an inaugural event. Next year we'd like to see it moved to a different venue (maybe the Fairgrounds?) and have more resonable priced beer and food. Other than that, way to go. And, we'll definitely sponsor the event again. All the volunteers and workers get a pat-on-the-back, too. They're the unsung folks doin' the behind the scenes work to make sure everyone has a good time. We had a great time and thank you for your efforts.