go forth and encourage...

Medic March has been gone for a bit, and just recently came back... to post that his absence has been due to rehab.

Admitting to the problem (and that he went to the treatment center) took a LOT of guts, especially on a public blog.

Y'all stop by, and wish him luck!

Since folks are asking...

Seems my request for help as brought some interested parties...

What I need is someone (most likely a couple folks) who can deliver packages to Law Dog and Ambulance Driver.

the packages are completely harmless: I'll send volunteers pictures of what they contain. They're in the nature of reminders of certain things (and the pic will be posted here after they've received them).

So... anyone willing to help out a bit?

Surviving amongst 600+ bikers

Well... I made it back from the BACA National Convention. Let me give you my impressions.

First off, when you put 600+ bikers into one hotel, you're guaranteed a party. And we had one, every night of the event. Amazingly though, we had very few problems with the partiers: BACA members are unusually well-behaved in public.

Not to say there weren't a few issues, just that they were handled quickly, and didn't cause major disruptions.

Got to meet some really cool, dedicated folks. Finally got to meet our founder, JP "Chief" Lily (after he had the State Rep from Texas, Willow, poke me to "make sure I was alive" in the board meeting). Good times!

Of course, how did I spend my time?

When not in the board meeting, I was usually on security.

Also got to meet somebody from the shooting boards. Bogie, if you're reading this, thanks again for coming by (and bringing all that stuff: we'll work things out for next year).

Some important things: there's been a new "about BACA" video produced. It's not available yet, but I'll post a link when it finally shows up on the website. If you can watch it without feeling something, you have no soul. We also discussed plans for "Camp BACA": a camp where our kids can go and just be kids. I'm not sure when it's going to happen, but it's a case of "when", not "if"

Bylaws were amended, issues were discussed. And a great time was had by all.

Now back to the business of running this great state.

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Oh... the great job opportunity I have? I could use a little help. If any of y'all know of a bike-related business in your area that would be interested in advertising in the Wisconsin market, let me know. Your help is greatly appreciated!

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And I'm still looking for co-conspirators to deliver a couple packages for me (one in Louisiana, one in Texas). PLEASE don't make me find someone in BACA to help: I'm sure the recipients would rather receive their "presents" at home, rather than work...

Hiatus

Well... in about an hour, several of us leave for the BACA National Conference at the Casino Queen in St Louis. So, I'll probably be out of touch until Sunday night/Monday morning

If you're in the area, feel free to stop in and ask around a bit for me: "Yeah... Strings. State Rep for Wisconsin, wears a kilt?". Somebody will probably be able to find me...

News flash: history repeats itself. Film at 11.

Was having an interesting discussion over coffee tonight. Got to talking about great generals over the years, and a stunning revelation...

In WWII, we had awesome generals (Patton, Eisenhower, Mac Arthur, etc), who Washington left in charge of the war effort. The Germans, on the other hand, while they had some great leaders (Uncle Erwin leaps to mind), Hitler kept sticking his nose in. As we all know, the Allies won.

Hope y'all are keeping up: the side that let the generals run things without dealing with politics won.

In Korea, we still had Mac. In talking with veterans of that conflict, I have yet to hear from one that doesn't agree that Mac was a bastard... But he should have been allowed to actually fight the war. Instead Mac got fired (and we had at best a stalemate). See a pattern?

Let's step right along, to our next big encounter: Vietnam. Heck we didn't even get into the conflict before politicians messed up. And can we remember how THAT whole game played out? Yeah... We let the politicians run things...

Step forward again... Gulf War I. Schwarzkopf was doing a hell of a job, but we had what holding him up?

Class? Anyone?

Yep... Political concerns kept the job from being finished properly.

What... Did we defeat Hitler because we wanted to steal his style?

It's been covered in a few places...

... But I'm going to go ahead and post it here too.

Woman, attacked by a stalker, who has the means to fight back. Even though she survives, this is still kinda chilling to listen to...

What the Hell?

For the record, I neither watch TV nor do I follow sports. However, there's been buzz about the whole "Kelly Tilghman said 'lynch'" thing all over.

For those living further under a rock than I do, you can read about the latest (Rev Sharpton getting his panties in a wad over the mess) here.

Now, let me get this all straight. While talking with another sportscaster, Ms Tilghman commented that other young golfers, if they want to beat tiger Woods, should "Lynch him". Let's take a look at that fer a sec:

From Wikipedia:
Lynching, an enumerated felony in some states in the U.S.A., is defined by some codes of law as "Any act of violence inflicted by a mob upon the body of another person which results in the death of the person," with a 'mob' being defined as "the assemblage of two or more persons, without color or authority of law, for the premeditated purpose and with the premeditated intent of committing an act of violence upon the person of another." Lynching in the second degree is defined as "Any act of violence inflicted by a mob upon the body of another person and from which death does not result."[1] To sustain a conviction for lynching at least some evidence of premeditation must be produced, however "The common intent to do violence" may be formed before or during the assemblage."

Anybody see any racial overtones there?

Yes yes, I know: during the Reconstruction (and up into fairly recent times), lynch mobs were used to terrorize blacks in the South. But the meaning of the word is NOT "A group of whites attacking a black"...

Funny thing about these terms: I don't recall anybody freaking out over the title of the movie "Ghost Rider", yet that was another "tool" used during the Reconstruction to terrorize recently freed blacks. Hmmm...

Of course, the "Good Reverend Al" has been demonstrating that he, himself, is yet another tool being used to keep black society "down". Wonder how he actually feels about that?

He finally did it!

Some here may remember him from sites such as TFL, THR, and APS. The illustrious Preacherman has, FINALLY, gotten his own blog! Check it out here.

I know, it's late...

Blogs are about personal things, right?

And, since everyone does something fun on New Year's Eve, such makes for good material, right? They go to parties, drink too much, make promises that just never get kept, spend time with friends playing silly games... that kind of thing.

Right?

Raise your hands now: how many got to spend New Year's Eve as a member of a private security detail? For a 16 year old? In the city square of a fair-sized city?



Yep... BACA made sure we got to ring in the New Year by making sure a scumbag didn't cause any problems for one of our kids. Outside. In the cold.

Beats the Hell out of getting drunk!

At one point, I had to ask Tomboy: "How many kids here do you think have their own private security detail?". She just grinned back.

Makes it all worthwhile.

I really don't usually post these...

... pleas for financial help, that is. I don't know these folks (truth be told, I JUST found their blog via AD). But this sounds like a problem that y'all might want to get behind.

So check out the situation here, and give what you can. i just wish I had money I could donate.

Gifts for certain peoples

Wow... life starts happening, and I forget to post on here. Funny how that happens.

Ok, here's the deal: I have a couple gifts to send out to two authors on my blogroll who like to leave us hanging: Law Dog and AD. They're not mean gifts, just something to remind them that they HAVE left us all hanging. Gentle, kind reminders... fluffy, even.

*I* don't have any kind of an address to send them their care packages.

So I need y'all's help.

If someone who reads this knows either of those two worthy folks in the real world, can come up with a "safe" way for me to get the packages to you ('cause i don't expect folks to trust some random guy on the 'Net), and are willing to deliver them: drop me a line. PLEASE don't make me use "other means": it would take longer, and the packages would end up at the SO and hospital...

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Now, like I said: life happens. I'm still the running both my Chapter and State for BACA, keeping up with my lovely wife, and getting ready to start a cool new job (I'll post more on THAT later: don't want to jinx things). But I promise to start posting just a bit more frequently...

Wow... ignore the intarwebz for a few days...

... and EVERYONE posts something good to read!

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First off, go read the new Perspectives. Start at Lawdog, then hit Ambulance Driver, and finish off with Babs. Have a hanky handy, this one's a tear-jerker.

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Ok... done crying? Time for something a lil' more light-hearted, over Boobs, Injuries, and Dr Pepper

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Sorry I haven't been posting as much lately: I've taken over the position of State Rep for BACA, and that has kept me hopping. And there's a REAL cool job opportunity in the works: we'll see how it goes.

Have you actually studied your religion?

You know, I once had a conversation with someone convinced that Christ was "Christian". No matter WHAT I said, this person was adamant that Jesus Christ fllowed the teachings of that great man, ummm... Jesus Christ. Because Christianity was the oldest religion on Earth, don't ya know. I thought that ignorance was the ultimate in bliss.

I was wrong.

Via LabRat at Atomic Nerds, get this clip:



My gawds... how does this woman come up with this?I assume she's a Christian herself: did she NOT study her Bible any better than an irritated Satanist with an agenda?

This is the problem with WAY to many "religious folks": they don't actually study what they're claiming to practice.

Here's a newsflash for anyone that didn't know: Jesus was a Jew living in the Mid East many centuries after the Greeks had their heyday. Yes, he was a Jew: in fact, he was a Rabbi. And there was a LOT of history that predated his birth (hence the whole "BC" thing).

I'm frelling WICCAN, and I know these things. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over?

I just had to...

Got this via the Squeaky Wheel:

Everyone,

I am asking a favor…

Teresa is my supervisor at TBI. She is the type of person who always does for others. She constantly gives to her co-workers, employees, and family members and rarely takes anything in return. She loves her Harley and her brother finally convinced her to enter a contest they are having for women who ride. The prize is a trip to Bike Week in Daytona. She needs this trip more than anyone I know and she definately [sic] deserves it. Watch her video and please vote for her (the winner is chosen by those who go to the site and view the video) then pass this on to anyone you know. You can vote everyday but it closes on Dec. 10th.

Please go to this link http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Events/Daytona/2008/womens_ride.jsp?locale=en_US and put your vote in for Teresa Weston.

Thank you,

[name redacted]

Folks, she kinda got to me too. Click the link, and give her a vote: let's see if we can't make her able to give her brother this gift!

Comments from yesterday...

After yesterday's post, there was a comment or two. I thought I'd address them openly, where everyone (all three of ya) sees 'em...

Mark said:

We can save the need for a trial, just lock those two up with the hard lifers and let it be known what they did to that poor child. there is no level of hell low enough for these two.

I agree... there IS no level of Hell low enough. The saddest part is, there are LOADS of people who pull shit like this, and get away with it. Yet there are people who just give a (much deserved) spanking, and have their kids yanked away.

The big question (and it's all over our criminal justice system), is how do we balance between the two extremes?

Asphyxiated Emancipation said:

I just look at that little face, and I see my own daughter....
This is why I want to start a BACA chapter where I live, to try and keep these things from happening...
I read stuff like this, and I alternate between soul wrenching sadness, and white hot rage.

I know how you feel, bro. It's even more fun when you're there, trying to help these kids: what you hear makes you SERIOUSLY want to hurt someone, and you have to hide it completely. Showing anger in front of a child, gets interpreted by said child as them being the cause. So you swallow your anger, smile while you're with 'em, and rant at your chapter's designated therapist* for awhile...

The part that hurts the most though, is knowing that there was NOTHING that you could have done to save this one. She was so young, living with her abuser, and it happened that fast. I do NOT like being powerless, but we are in these cases.



*some Chapters use an actual therapist, some will call a member from another Chapter. With us, my mom-in-law takes care of our sanity. Gotta admit, my mom-in-law rocks (and has kept me from going out "hunting" more than once)

Something lighter after yesterday...

Caught this via Hammer. For those wondering what to get me for Christmas... ;)

Evil...

People sometimes ask me "Why do you do what you do with BACA?". I usually answer "For the kids, to see the smiles when they realize they are safe.

That isn't always the truth. Sometimes, something else spurs me to renew my commitment to BACA. The Article:

HOUSTON, Texas (AP) -- The stepfather of a 2-year-old girl lost control and beat her to death because she wouldn't say "please" and "yes sir," an attorney for the girl's mother said Wednesday.

A body found last month in Galveston Bay is believed to be that of the little girl, Riley Ann Sawyers, though DNA tests are pending.

Her mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor, and stepfather, Royce Clyde Zeigler II, were arrested Saturday.

Trenor's attorney, Tommy Stickler Jr., also said Wednesday that Trenor is pregnant.

According to court documents, Trenor, 19, told police she and her husband killed the girl in July and hid her body in a shed before dumping it in the bay.

Stickler said Zeigler, 24, was overwhelmed by his sudden fatherhood and didn't know what behavior to expect from a toddler. Trenor moved with her daughter from Mentor, Ohio, to Texas in June to be with Zeigler, whom she met online.

Zeigler wanted his wife to spank Riley with a belt when she failed to say things like "please" and "yes sir" or "no sir," Stickler said Wednesday. Zeigler didn't believe Trenor was doing it, however, because the 2-year-old's behavior wasn't changing.

The fatal beating happened after Zeigler stayed home from work to make sure his wife was following his discipline plan, Stickler said.

In her statement to Galveston authorities, Trenor said the girl was beaten with leather belts, had her head held underwater in a bathtub and then was thrown across a room, her head slamming into a tile floor.

Although the affidavit said the couple abused Riley over a four- to six-hour period, Stickler said it wasn't a continuous event. Instead, Zeigler grew increasingly enraged as he spanked Riley and she kept forgetting to do things the way he wanted.

"There was never an intention to beat Riley to death," he said.

At one point, Trenor wanted to call an ambulance but Zeigler wouldn't let her, saying they would both be arrested if officials saw her injuries, Stickler said. Instead, Riley was given some over-the-counter pain medication.

When Riley later stopped breathing, Zeigler performed CPR on her tiny body, Stickler said.

Neal Davis III, Zeigler's attorney, said Trenor's story isn't believable.

"She is placing all the blame on Royce, but I think that once the facts come to light, once the timeline's established and the evidence is combed through ... I think her credibility is gonna become a big issue," Davis said.

Trenor and Ziegler were arrested after investigators spent weeks trying to identify the girl they dubbed "Baby Grace," whose body was found in a plastic box floating in Galveston Bay. Riley's paternal grandmother in Ohio had called police, thinking a sketch of the dead child might have been the granddaughter she hadn't seen in months.

Trenor and Zeigler remained jailed Wednesday on charges of injury to a child and tampering with evidence. Bail was set at $350,000 each.

so... the next time I'm talking about what my brothers and sisters do, and you feel the urge to ask "why?", here's your answer. Because I can't read something like this, and NOT do something to help another child avoid dying.

The Promised Float pics

Ok, as promised: pics of the float that had me running around like a lunatic:

First off, the finished float in the garage (and before it started frelling SNOWING)...



Next, a rather dark shot of the float as we staged:



Here's the bigger kids, in the back of the truck. Obviously, I've blocked out faces for confidentiality:


And the other side of the float, with the kids aboard:



We had members around the float on bike (in the SNOW!), and a supporter in front of everything with our banner.

This lil' exercise finalized that I'm replacing the grips on my bike: they're basically sponges, which meant they were VERY wet during the parade. Which meant that I pretty much had a frostbitten left hand by the end of it. Despite that (and all the running to pull it all together), it was fun. The kids had a blast, and we showed ourselves as part of the community...

Hopefully, the 4th of July parade will be easier...

A Call to Action

Ok... I know the three of you like AD and all. He's been writing a novel, and publishing it a chapter at a time. Unfortunately, he posted the last one on 27 October.

I know he's a busy man, but this just ain't nice. He's got LOADS of us just hanging there!

So... I'd like to make a modest proposal. We need to find a pink gorilla (a suit would be perfect, but a small stuffed animal would work fine). Then someone needs to get an address on AD, and get the thing delivered (with a card signed "From the fans of Star of Life").

What do y'all think? Might he get the message? >:)

Ya know... some things just SHOULDN'T be tried against the power of Google...




If you're looking for this on Google, maybe you should just give up. All the "hotter" you're going to get is Rosie & her daughters...

HT to Stingray