My Blog

Extreme things in January.... In Memoriam

BikerPup — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:46:13 GMT

Well Dec came out with a depressing slam when mid december I heard for 4 days in a row that someone was dead, dying or got hammered into oblivion, from a favorite uncle suddenly bleeding to death from a hematoma, to a sport bike rider friend hitting a low side slide in a fast turn and sliding into the lane of an on coming truck, to an old motorcycle acquaintance dying a slow death of anemia and bone cancer in the next 6 months despite painful bone marrow grafts. Here is a link that shows the kind of mayhem you get into when you slide under a truck... this guy is on a scooter and was over taken from the rear, my bud was on a sport bike and was over taken from the front. The effect was the same and freaked everyone out pretty bad at the accident site. People on the ride where in a state of shock for a good while on it and did not have much to say about it other than it was really bad, he died instantly and did not suffer, and they never want to see that kind of shit again. http://share.youthwant.com.tw/sh.php?id=23003335 Here is some extreme sportbike stunt threads scored with some good music to make you feel better now. Easy survivable crashes. The ones you can live to talk about. Not as much fun as crashing dirtbikes but close. http://youtube.com/watch?v=-9V8UEa8mDk One with some more fun-esque dirt bike crashes... http://youtube.com/watch?v=b0ao93HxdGQ&feature=related Joel Everyone dies, but not everyone lives.

2007 News In Review

BikerPup — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:21:37 GMT

Here is an excerpt that I got out ot the yahoo group TGPSK, Things Gay People Should Know.... A great alternative news feed that pics up a lot of stuff lost in our censoring partisan corporate owned and served pouplar press and news media. Enjoy, and happy new year to everyone... it was a GREAT YEAR for me for once, despite all the badness in the world. *Top 10 LGBT stories of 2007 * Filed by: Bil Browning <http://www.bilerico .com/contributor s/bil_browning> December 27, 2007 1:03 PM Was 2007 the year of the queer? As our community gets more and more visibility, we've all had plenty to talk about this year but did anything actually get accomplished? Alex and I thought we'd work together on this post recapping the past year. We had a lot to choose from but we've narrowed it down to a top ten list. Agree or disagree, these are our picks for the top 10 news stories from around the LGBTQ world in 2007 and my conclusion and thoughts on 2008... *1) ENDA split* Barney Frank made headlines across the nation when he guest posted to the Bilerico Project<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 09/guest_ post_on_enda_ from_congressman _fran.php>about his reasons for dropping the transgender community from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The LGBT community reacted with outrage<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/an_open_ letter_to_ barney_frank. php>and several of our organizational- based contributors led the fight for a fully inclusive ENDA<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 09/a_nontransgen derinclusive_ enda_no_way. php>. Lambda Legal disputed Frank's claim leading Rep Frank to guest post a 2nd time<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/barney_ frank_on_ lambda_legals_ analysis. php>in response. Lambda's president, Kevin Cathcart, also guest posted<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/lambda_ legal_responds_ to_rep_barney_ fran.php>to refute Frank's second post. As the debate raged back and forth<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 09/the_big_ breaking_ news_about_ enda.php>, Congress persons were confused as to whether or not to vote in favor of the bill which would be doomed to Presidential veto even if it made it past both houses of Congress. Rep Tammy Baldwin offered an amendment to include gender identity<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/enda_update_ tammy_baldwin_ to_introduce_ a.php>, but she ended up withdrawing it before the final vote<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/congresswoman _tammy_baldwin_ on_the_passa. php>and guest posting about her reasons for doing so. In the end, HRC supported the non-inclusive bill<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/enda_update. php>causing even further divides between the largest LGB(T?) organization and it's transgender members. The non-inclusive version passed the House<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/enda_rift_ throw_tammy_ baldwin_under_ the.php>but died in the Senate. On the HRC president's "The Agenda with Joe Solmonese" radio show, Frank recently announced that transgender protections would also be left out of 2008 lobbying efforts<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/barney_ frank_no_ transinclusive_ enda_in_0. php>. HRC and the trans community remain estranged<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/supporting_ those_who_ support_you. php>and Joe Solmonese withdrew from the Bilerico Project citing an HRC unfriendly environment on the blog. *2) Hate Crimes* Since it was introduced in the House<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/%3Cbr% 20/%3Ehttp: //www.govtrack. us/congress/ billtext. xpd?bill= h110-1592>in March, sexual orientation and gender identity inclusive hate crimes legislation became a focal point for the Religious Right's opposition to queer equality. Yet amid protests that the legislation would infringe on religious freedom<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/%3Cbr% 20/%3Ehttp: //www.bilerico. com/2007/ 07/hate_crime_ fundie_follies. php>, a presidential veto threat<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/%3Cbr% 20/%3Ehttp: //www.bilerico. com/2007/ 08/bush_might_ really_reject_ hate_crimes_ leg.php>, and new data showing increases in hate crimes<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/fbi_reports_ hate_crimes_ increase. php>, the popular<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/%3Cbr% 20/%3Ehttp: //www.bilerico. com/2007/ 05/gallup_ poll_mos. php> Matthew Shepard Act passed the House<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 05/hate_crimes_ spl.php>on May 3 and got attached to the Defense Reauthorization Bill<http://www.washingt onpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/ article/2007/ 09/27/AR20070927 00126.html>on September 27.[image: MattFen8.jpg] <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/MattFen8. jpg> The legislation was so attached to save it from Bush's veto stamp, but speculation from all the way back in July warned that the plan might fail<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 07/something_ rotten_in_ the_senate. php>due to the War's unpopularity. The hate crimes legislation got separated from the war funding bill<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/from_the_ washington_ blade_senate. php>in conference amid threats that the legislation would draw the ire of both anti-war Democrats and anti-gay Republicans. The fight is long from over. A wide coalition of civil rights, civil liberties, and criminal justice advocacy groups will continue to push the legislation, which all Democratic presidential candidates have promised to sign into law, in 2008. *3) Episcopals* The worldwide Anglican Communion's unity has been put even further in jeopardy this past year as the hierarchy decided to rebuke American Episcopalians because of their consecrating a gay bishop and blessing same-sex unions <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 02/episcopalians _r.php>. The theological disagreement over homosexuality at the heart of what can best be described as a power struggle<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/gays_unfairly _blamed_for_ episcopal_ churc.php>, divided along post-colonial racial, ontological, and economic lines<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 06/the_anglican_ co.php>, for the future of the Communion threatened schism.[image: episcopal.gif] <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/episcopal. gif> American Episcopalians didn't back down even as seven conservative Anglican leaders refused to take part in communion with Kerri Jefforts-Schori<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 02/anglican_ split_deepens. php>and harsh words from rising-star and homophobe Bishop Akinola of Nigeria<http://www.thinking anglicans. org.uk/archives/ 002387.html>. But several American churches have begun to break away from the Episcopalian hierarchy and join conservative communions, including the entire San Joaquin diocese <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/evangelical_ schism_continues .php>. And even presidential hopeful John McCain has cut-and-run from the Episcopal Church<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 09/john_mccain_ even_flipflops_ on_his_religi. php> . The divide will continue to deepen as more churches side with inequality in the face of the Episcopal Church's historic and continued agitating for social justice. And progressive voices like those of Jefforts-Schori and Desmond Tutu <http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/africa/ 7100295.stm> could be the forces that help queer liberation cross another set of national boundaries. *4) Larry Craig gets outed* When Roll Call<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/what_is_ it_with_republic an_politicians_ a.php>got ahold of arrest documents from a Minneapolis/ St. Paul bathroom sting operation, and Craig's sexuality seemed to be all the LGBT blogosphere could talk about. There was no denying it; this story had everything - a conservative politician with a solid anti-gay record, one of the most embarrassing ways for anyone to come out, and a protracted political and legal battle over his job and dignity.[image: larrycraig.jpg] <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/larrycraig. jpg> Despite announcing that he would resign a month after the story broke, Craig fought to take back his guilty plea<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 09/larry_ craig_to_ appear_in_ court_tomorrow. php>, and failed, and remained in the Senate<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/larry_ craig_vows_ to_finish_ out_his_term. php>to call the Religious Right's and Republican leadership's bluff in calling for his resignation. Craig's actions also brought back memories of a less pleasant time in gay America's history, when public spaces provided some of the only avenues of connection for closeted gay men and police officers did what they could to hassle up queens. Cruising and Bag a Fag<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/larry_ craig_innocent. php>were back on center-stage as the ACLU filed a brief in Craig's support<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 09/aclu_backs_ larry_craig. php> . Larry Craig did his part to help debunk the GOP's faux-1950's morality and remind gays that the nastiest effects of that morality are still around. *5) HRC/Logo debate* All of the Democratic candidates for President have courted the LGBT vote this election cycle, but never was it more obvious than the HRC/Logo debates<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/will_the_ hrclogo_debate_ be_a_white_ queer.php>. The televised event was the first time all of the candidates have met to talk specifically about LGBT issues. [image: flag.jpg]<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/flag.jpg> While some candidates faltered (Richardson' s gaffe<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/bill_richards on_not_a_ man_of_science_ 1.php>, Clinton's "I'll repeal part of DOMA."<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/hillary_ clinton_and_ section_3_ of_doma.php>) others took the opportunity to shine (Edward's straight-forward conversation, Kucinich's stance on everything). Hosted by HRC President (and former Bilerico Project contributor) Joe Solmonese, musician Melissa Etheridge and journalist Jonathan Capehart and moderated by (straight) journalist Margaret Carlson, the event was praised<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/popping_ the_question_ to_the_candidate s.php>and panned <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 10/say_it_ aint_so_joe. php> by the LGBT blogosphere. The questions were easy and the stances already taken. Like most of the presidential debates we didn't learn anything new<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/after_ the_forum_ a_few_thoughts. php>, we just watched the candidates posture and preen while we rated them on their poise and polish<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/the_visible_ vote_do_they_ really_support. php> . *6) Mary Cheney's baby* [image: cheney.jpg] <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/cheney. jpg>Mary Cheney, Vice-President Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter, had a son<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 06/is_the_ cheney_b. php>with her partner Heather Poe. Mary helped the Bush/Cheney team to win the presidential election on a platform of anti-gay rhetoric and war mongering. While her father and his boss opposed gay families at all costs on the campaign trail, the veep's little princess defended her family with a weak "My child is not a political statement."<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 05/welcome_ to_mast.php>The official White House photo <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 05/samuel_ david_ch. php>, of course, only showed the smiling grandparents with the baby – but no sign of his lesbian mothers <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 06/ive_been_ wonder.php>. *7) New Jersey Civil Unions* Garden Staters began being able to apply for civil unions<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 02/one_step_ forwar.php>[image: Rings.JPG] <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/Rings. JPG> in February of this year, and the gap between a civil union and a marriage has never been more apparent. From UPS to private insurance, businesses and employers have been refusing to recognize one of every 6.3 civil unions<http://www.nytimes. com/2007/ 10/28/nyregion/ 28civil.html>as they would a marriage. The good news as marriage advocates publicize this new information and develop tactics around it is that New Jersey voters have moved closer to accepting<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 08/new_jersey_ marriage_ zogby_poll. php>same-sex marriage. *8) Jerry Falwell's death* [image: tinky.jpg] <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/tinky. jpg> Noted homophobe and political meddler Jerry Falwell died this year after a group of lesbian witches put a hex on him<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 05/for_immediate _r.php>. (Or so we said!) The passing of the LGBT community's foremost enemy was marked across the country <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 05/jerry_ falwell_i_ 2.php>by not only gay and lesbian groups, but the majority of America, as an end to Falwell's religious bigotry and gospel of Republican hate. *9) Don't Ask Don't Tell* [image: dadt.jpg] <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/dadt.jpg>While politicians cling to Don't Ask Don't Tell, soldiers are coming out and are valued for their ability to shoot straight, not be straight. Darren Manzella<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/60_minutes_ with_darren_ manzella. php>became the first openly gay, active-duty soldier to speak with the media on the matter, showing that the only people who oppose gays serving openly and with dignity running for the GOP presidential nomination<http://youtube. com/watch? v=l4UAhbMRpQU> . The secret's out and everyone knows there are gays in the military - how long until our politicians catch up? *10) The Bilerico Project launches* You didn't think we were going to let this one pass us by, did you? The Bilerico Project launched at the beginning of July. As we've grown over the past six months, we've more than exceeded our original expectations. We were nominated for the 2007 Blog Awards for Best LGBT blog<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/you_love_ us_you_really_ really_love_ us.php>and the 2007 Gay Verve Awards for Best Brand New Blog and Best Political or News blog<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/nominated_ for_more_ awards.php>. We were also listed as one of *Advocate* magazine's top ten blogs of 2007<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/the_advocates _best_blog_ of_2007.php>. With our roster of 50 prominent contributors<http://www.bilerico .com/contributor s/>from around the queer world, we quickly became the nation's largest LGBT group blog and helped shape the national debate on LGBT issues by including groundbreaking guest posts from Presidential candidates Bill Richardson<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/bill_richards on_i_screwed_ up.php>and Barack Obama <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/a_call_ for_full_ equality. php> and Congresspersons Joe Donnelly <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 05/003031. php>, Brad Ellsworth <http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 05/003046. php>, and Tammy Baldwin<http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 11/congresswoman _tammy_baldwin_ on_the_passa. php>among others. We made history as the first LGBT blog to have a presidential candidate directly speak to the readers and we look forward to continuing our upwards trend in 2008. *Conclusion* As we look at the list, which items actually had a definite conclusion? Where did we win an actual victory? - *ENDA* - Still not US law - with or without gender identity - *Hate crimes* - Still not US law - *Episcopals* - Still not split - *Larry Craig* - Still hasn't left office - *HRC/Logo debate* - Still haven't chosen a Democratic nominee - *Mary Cheney* - Resolved. *(But we didn't have anything to do with it!)* - *NJ Civil Unions* - Still not equality. State is looking at marriage already. - *Jerry Falwell* - Resolved. *(But we didn't have anything to do with it!)* - *DADT* - Still not overturned. - *TBP* - Still growing. The only place where we benefited from direct accomplishments were the two items we had nothing directly to do with! While we made huge gains in some areas (DADT and legislative advances around the country), we've still not reached our ultimate goals. As we head into 2008, we should remember how many things we still have to accomplish. We should gather our friends and surge ever onwards. We may not always agree on the goals or the strategies, but we have one things in common. We're different. We're queer. We're not the same as "everyone else" and a surprisingly large amount of our fellow citizens don't like us because of it. There is strength in numbers and coalitions are the background of movements. To quote radical community organizer Lew Alinsky<http://www.google. com/custom? num=50&hl= en&c2coff= 1&safe=off& client=pub- 2702030005222367 &channel= 6301924329& cof=FORID% 3A1%3BGL% 3A1%3BS%3Ahttp% 3A%2F%2Fwww. bilerico. com%2F%3BL% 3Ahttp%3A% 2F%2Fwww. bilerico. com%2Fimages% 2Ftbpgoogle. png%3BLH% 3A50%3BLW% 3A100%3BLBGC% 3Affffff% 3BLP%3A1% 3BLC%3A%234a853b %3BVLC%3A% 2371483d% 3BGALT%3A% 234a853b% 3BGFNT%3A% 23cc6600% 3BGIMP%3A% 23cc6600% 3BDIV%3A% 23000000% 3B&domains= www.bilerico. com&sig=9MNgqyqz cVT5DoFf& flav=0001& q=Alinsky& btnG=Search& sitesearch= www.bilerico. com> : *We will start with the system because there is no other place to start from except political lunacy. It is most important for those of us who want revolutionary change to understand that revolution must be preceded by reformation. To assume that a political revolution can survive without the supporting base of a popular reformation is to ask for the impossible in politics.* We're honored to be part of the movement - a spot where folks of differences can come together and discuss the goals and strategies behind our lives. Now let's get ready for 2008. We have work to do. More: http://www.bilerico .com/2007/ 12/top_10_ lgbt_news_ stories_of_ 2007.php

Red Stated Versus Blue States. :-(

BikerPup — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 22:55:27 GMT

For those of you poor bastards like me that are unlucky enough to live in a RED state here are some links that may help you keep from loosing your mind, or at least your perspective and sense of humor. For those of you that live in Blue states, just shut the f@ck up and quit laughing!!! 1) How can you tell the difference between a redneck BBQ place and a strip joint by the name? http://www.redstateguide.com/joints/index.html 2)What is it like to drive thru Texas meeting some of the people in small towns? What is it like to take a trip across the proverbial Red Sea? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1881-2005Jan11.html 3)Is it true that Red states are "fundamentally" different from Blue states? Maybe not so much as Red states might like to think!!! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15644-2004Dec21.html 4)OK... I admit it, I riped all this off from the page at the link below: http://www.redstateguide.com/

It has finally happened...

BikerPup — Thu, 10 May 2007 10:02:06 GMT

Has anyone noticed the "film" stuff out of Hollywood going down down down steadily over the last couple decades? I think they have finally hit total bottom in their production of crap pulp "film". Stuff that does not even warrant a review, a poster, or any promotion what so ever. This garbage has shown up at my local theatre... what where these people thinking??? No wonder this country is going down the toilet.

the Dismay of May

BikerPup — Thu, 10 May 2007 03:21:26 GMT

its finally warming up some here... into the 80s... with humidity to match which really sucks for doing stuff outside and not be greasy with oily sweat. Last Sunday I went to the renaissance festival south of Dallas. It was quite a bit more extensive than it was when I went 15 years ago with about 10 to 20 times as much stuff... and it was only double the money! I got me a cool bronze medallion for my neck with a Wolf on one side and the Traveler symbol on the other. The woman that ran the guillotine like stamping machine that made it for me said that she had one just like that with those two symbols for her dog. That was when I knew it was just the one I wanted, for sure. The Wolf is the protector of nature and the traveler's symbol looks kinda like a compass cardinal with more details and represents protection for travelers.

April Showers

BikerPup — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:48:32 GMT

Well I have been wanting to go camping and to get back to that rocky bluff that looks out over the Brazos R. for a month now. We keep getting lines of thunderstorms that are spitting out tornadoes on Fridays going into the weekend, then everyone begs off for camping. :-( I need to get out and sleep under the stars soon or I am going to go nuts.

Isle of Man TT races

BikerPup — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 22:16:30 GMT

Coolest motorcycle races on the planet is coming up fast now for a May June time I am guessing if its like any other years. Go see the Isle of Man races on a GREAT video promo for it... sexy... sleek... fast... good music... great scenery... superb camera work and editing. If you like speed this will be your methamphetamine of video race experience, best done live of course on site at IOM but be VERY CAREFULL where you choose to stand cause these guys definitely crash and burn with some of the wost carnage of any organized motorcycle race event and you don't want to get sucked up into that level of drama and excitement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpfDXPIP9CM Stay tuned with it as it develops on the Tribe for IOM AT: http://tribes.tribe.net/ttraces

Tee Shirts.... Food on your Family

BikerPup — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:30:57 GMT

Well I tried to log onto Tribe this morning and got something I have not seen before, which was some kinda screen that said they were momentarily busy with their severs or somesuch. So I followed the link to the cool tribe junk souvenir store instead and ordered some shirts... I liked the one that had the LINUX/UNIX reboot text with about three years of hours since the last reboot in the uptime field so I ordered that one.... and then I got the one that had Geo Bush's face with the caption "I will put food on your family" because I want to show my support for the US administration, even though its one of the most self evidently worthless ones of all time including Hoover (he did not do any damage, he did not do anything, versus the current buffoon) I also liked the BushFish one where he is getting quoted that he thinks that "The person and the Fish could co-exist." The latter was just a bit too far out for me as it was apparently either too deep or I missed its meaning entirely. I can relate to Dumbayaw putting food on my family though, since that statement is active and refers vaguely to him trying to fix something, something that he screwed up, but hey, at least he is trying to fix it right!!! Hoover never did anything, At least Dumbaya is trying to fix the stuff he messed up by white washing people with food. Probably his reference is to the fixing damage due to Conaleza's foreign trade policy where we export money and jobs, and import non-durable goods and other crap from China while they finance our war debt and buy our country out at deflated rates due to the heavily devalued dollar. With my drop in income and substantially reduced middle to upper middle income employment value over the last few years, I sure could use with getting some food smeared on me. I wonder if I need to go apply for it like you do for food stamps.

blog blog blog.. plays... wars... politics... colds.

BikerPup — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:15:51 GMT

Blogging across half a dozen sites seems like its a hard one to do. I joined the guild down at Uptown Players and finally got to see the last week of the resurrected musical play HAIR. Most of the scenes were great ones but there seemed like there were one or two actors that appeared to be miscast giving a kind of high school production feel to some of the scenes. My favorite part was the war protest scene in the 2nd half that had been updated to have antiBushCheney slogans, chants, and placards. Its REALLY good to come out of that and see all the protests as we enter the 5th year of that mess of a needless war. The best part is to see people, especially young people, get active in expressing their opinions on what should and should not be happening in our government. It even makes up for the fact that I have have been suffering the head-cold-from-hell the last three days.

thank God it finally warmed up some

BikerPup — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:22:51 GMT

With three weeks in Jan and into feb and only 2 warm days between continous cold fronts I was about to loose my mind for having to wear clothes around the house each and every day to keep warm. Now I sit here in the relatively cool low 70's air coming from outside sans clothes and am quite happy!