Follow-up for saturday in Ft.Worth

Whew.. LOL.. I got heat on me.. Seems I didn't make the complete report
yesterday and there has been a bunch on my ass about it.. OK.. "my bad"..
Here is what I'm reminded about... TMRA II were organizers of this rally
along with the Texas Democratic Party.. Damn.. hope I didn't leave someone
out..Sputnik made a speech that was a 'barn burner".. I mentioned that..
There was much more to the discussions that went all day and into the
night.. As usual, the question of membership in TMRA II ..The bikers in our
state are made of of as many republicans and independents as there are
democrats.. I have always contended that the worst nightmare for any corrupt
politician is that all these folks commence to talk to each other and
realize how much we all have in common.. Along these lines, TMRA II should
address and attack issues which we all contend with, regardless of party
affiliation.. Look for it.. I think it was agreed, those are the bread and
butter issues that TMRA II will be addressing in the coming months.. Support
them.. Jim Foster was present, he is campaigning for Sheriff of Dallas
county.. My impression is that he is a good man, scrupulously honest and
interested in the integrity of our dept.. That's a good thing.. Mike Dupre,
our constable of one of the larger precincts in Dallas county was there..
Good man and just elected constable in his precinct.. I am impressed with
the openness and accessibility he presents to his constituents.. Particular
concerns that we talked about is the Dallas county judges.. One our bench,
most are running unopposed.. Through my own exposure to our system, last
year (nope, I wasn't arrested.. surprise) Not a participant, just involved..
I came in contact with one of our esteemed judges.. I learned that our bench
only consists of conservative republican judges.. One of the key components
of that case was the testimony of an acting FBI associate from the Dallas
Police Dept.. I had personally served the subpoenas for others but had been
unable to serve the FBI agent because of security.. We appealed to the
constable's office and Mike Dupre served the paper on the agent.. Bill Rhea
is the judge on this case and after waiting for almost a year, for our court
date.. His office was unable to give us a date.. It was a maybe week that
the case would be heard.. Docket calls were answered and no date given..
Mike Dupre was distressed to learn that the subpoena served on the witness
FBI agent was ruled against by Judge Rhea.. He's coming up for his election
soon, and this guy needs a strong opponent.. Don't make the mistake of going
into his courtroom without strong representation, especially if you are
going against a corporation.. You gonna lose, baby.. His interest as a
judge, has nothing to do with justice.. Now .. all you bikers just chew on
this for a bit.. I know that many were in Wilhoites in Grapevine, many in
Strokers in Dallas.. Many were in the stockyards in Ft.Worth, yesterday..
One club who had committed support for this event was in the club house..
That's all well and good guys.. but.. a lot of good and dedicated people are
out here covering your beer drinking asses while you are busy... Think about
it.. Those good and dedicated people are not your enemies.. See ya'

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

LOL... As you well know, insurance is one of my biggest concerns.. I, too
have been frustrated by the positions of TMRA II.. I spent several hours
with Sputnik, Mike Alvey, Elmer McKeeghan and others .. I believe we all
agreed with my contention about the non partisan issues.. No decisions were
made due to the democratic process involved in the organization.. The
membership has to vote.. LOL.. My publicly declared position is that I will
personally NOT pay dues or contribute until we all have the opportunity to
decide those issues.. Insurance has been my pet peeve and I was assured,
that one will be considered as a prime issue for attack.. You might want to
give us a little support .. I respect your position for not wanting to
attend this rally.. My position is that if you do not address your issues
face to face, you will not make much of an impact.. As you well know, I am a
democrat, but I have confronted and debated with many of the republican as
well as independent opposition about many issues that affect us.. With all
due respect, my friend, your voice is important to us all and you have
contributed to many, on this group.. Take your show on the road as many of
us have.. Make your voice heard and you might be surprised at the difference
you will make...

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Bill -

You have a point, but if the TMRA is going to rally for issues
related to bikers, they need to express that. In this case, they did
not. I didn't see anywhere on their site or their flyer where they
were addressing issues specifically related to bikers. All I saw was
party bashing and democratic support. Now that may not have been what
happened once you were there, but that is what was "advertised" before
the event and why I (and perhaps others?) did not go.


--Fullstate

 

Bill -

If there is a rally that is by bikers, for bikers, regardless
of party affiliation and I can make it, then I will be there. Even if
the bikers are a "side note" to an even larger rally. I just didn't
see that this was the case this time.



--Fullstate

 

Your reasons for not attending were your own.. Many of us who were there,
defend your position to make those choices.. My choice was to make my
presence heard and I did.. I am told that my speech was one of those that
touched many.. That would have be decided by those who heard me.. My
personal contact with the high profile figures was my own initiation and I
expressed the views and positions of different sides.. The strength of each
of our convictions and our contributions to our world has to be resolved in
one's own conscience.. You made your decision not to attend, and I defend
your right to that decision..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Just FYI, I didn't go because I refuse to go to a place where there's
nothing but a bunch of people who will agree with what I say. My
question is, if this insurance thing is such a priority to these
Senators, why has it not been addressed and only getting worse? They
can't really blame the Republicans, because up until this year, they
had control and the votes to push their agenda. Almost every
legislation which was passed this last session didn't go into effect
until Sept 1st...what happened all the other times? My homeowners
insurance has been getting worse, as well as my car and motorcycle.
What have they done to change this? The question should be asked when
they agree on this position is "why haven't you done something about
it?".

This is simple. The lobbyists pay the party and the party acts as the
pimp for the Senators. The more people belonging to the party they
have in office, the more money the party gets. If they care about my
issues then fine, let's get to work on it and make money off what the
pay check affords. Wanna turn around the economy, then fine...give
incentives to businesses to start and grow. Make the utilities give a
discounted rate to new businesses as well as insurance companies. Make
utilities regulated where they're unable to decline power to people
based on credit. Make homeowners insurance costs reduce and keep
people from having to sell their home to avoid bankruptcy...all
because the insurance premium is more than the house payment with
reduced coverages.

It doesn't seem that difficult, and if all these "agreeable" Senators
and individuals are serious, they can make it happen very easily.

 

I'm definitely for better safety for bikes. Including changing the
ways that contractors (or the DOT) does road repairs. Too many times
I've felt that roads that were under construction were left in a
dangerous configuration for a bike.

How about a stronger mandate for DRIVER education? The people in
cages, that is. They may mention motorcycles a little bit during
drivers ed and in school, but they don't emphasize the differences
between bikes and cars on the road. Nor do they try to make cagers
aware of bikers.

If it were up to me, I'd say that in order to drive a cage, you gotta
spend at least one week on a bike..... not that you have to drive it,
but you have to at least be a passenger. hehe That will fix a lot of
'em.

Well, i can see that. And if it's not rediculous, I would probably
support it. The bottom line, though, is that any business has a right
to refuse service to anyone....pretty much for "no reason." That gets
sticky, though, because one might argue that it was the color of their
skin that got them discriminated against.

Sounds interesting. I'm guessing that between you and Bill we can
figure out how to coordinate this?



--Fullstate

 

There are something in the neighborhood of 375,000 motorcycles registered in
the state.. That could be a formidable political force, motivated and
mobilized .. There is probably as many republicans riding as there are
democrats.. Not counting the alternative parties and the independents.. The
key and the secret to that mobilization is to find the issues that everyone
mutually is affected by.. i.e. insurance issues.. All of us, mutually are
affected by the influence of the companies not to mention the premiums we
pay for their coverage.. Regardless of party affiliation, we each feel the
pinch when we pay those premiums that are mandated by legislation.. That is
only one issue, there are many others that affect us as bikers indirectly..
i.e. utility costs.. Our utility commission which is appointed by the
governor in office knows that our energy costs are necessary for the quality
of life.. We have to pay them, if we want a light when we flip the
switch..They de-regulated the industry with the indication that competition
would lower the cost of that necessity of life.. What a fraud was played
upon the supporters of the de-regulation legislation.. We have seen our
utility bills skyrocket and the ruthless disposition of service in the event
many could not pay their enormous bills is a disgrace to any civilized
industrial nation.. Those are issues without partisan effect.. We are all on
the same page in that area.. That issue alone would incorporate the
non-bikers to unite in our battle to provide relief to us all.. There are
many issues that are not directly affecting bikers, but need to be addressed
and corrected.. Participating in events like the one last saturday, is
necessary to enhance the issues which affect only the group of bikers ..
Don't bite the hand that feeds you and if you will scratch my back, I'll
scratch yours... Those are cliches and they are sometimes very wise
counsel.. Good luck, everybody..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

I have a couple of issues to add.
Reduced tolls for motorcycles.
Motorcycle awareness campaigns.

 

The legislative sessions are over, unless the governor calls another special
session (possibly april). So a lot of the legislators won't be around.
Some will be there because the business of committee's and such will be
going on. But most will be gone.
You may want to wait till the governor calls the special session (sometime
around april) to make a bigger impact.
TMRA 2 usually plans Legislative day on the 4th monday of january during the
legislative session. The next normal legislative session is in 2005, after
the elections.
However items as you described above are ones that can be put on the party
platforms. We do these as resolutions that the people want the party to
support. We normally try to get this done for both the dem and rep party's.
TMRA 2 will be conducting workshops here over the next few months. They are
to help people get involved in the party process to make them make a
difference. The basic info is the same for both the republican and
democrats.
I will let you know when the workshops come up in the various areas.

 

Here is a link to look at a few photos of the rally. Unforunately the
digital camera I used isn't very good so the photos are of low quality.
Won't be using that camera for much any more. Just in case you wanted to
see Bill in Action out there, here ya go.....

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/grou....jpg?bchn.ouBIm9SE9By&.cx=138&.cy=150&.type=u

--
Elmer
DFW Chapter TMRA2

anti-spam: remove the 9 to send me email


< snip the good stuff>

 

On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 10:01:29 -0600, fullstate

.. . . if the TMRA is going to rally for issues

I nearly didn't go for the same reason -- I've grown weary over the
years of all the partisan bashing. Especially around election times
parties dehumanize, demonize, and pronounce unpatriotic all
opposition. It is one of the easy predictables of politics. I'm more
interested in dialogue.

Which is why I went. This was my first good opportunity to meet
Sputnik, Elmer, Bill, and Mike -- I didn't want to pass it up. I had
some interesting conversations with these guys and hope to have more
in the future. I've never heard Sputnik speak before, so I don't if
he was giving his standard spiel or if each "speech" is different, but
I like what the man had to say and how he said it. That by itself was
worth my time.

I also enjoyed meeting "Damn Indian", an out of work electrician from
the Armadillo club out of Cleburne. I'll keep my eye out for him in
the future as well.

A lady by the name of Karen Stevens got a little mic time and I found
her comments interesting and thought provoking.

Roberto Alonzo's remarks were worth listening to, and listening to
some of the reactions in the crowd was educational for me.

A lot of the speakers were just background noise while I was talking
with some of the aforementioned folk, so I can't tell you much about
what they had to say.

I guess I was looking for an opportunity to meet some of the regular
posters in their element. That happened and I'm glad I went. I went
in spite of the fact that the agenda looked like a bashing. I went
with my own agenda.

Then I went home and the wife and I had a short ride. Rode out to
Weatherford Sunday and had a good ride with a good woman. Don't get
no better.

Oma

Walk with many, follow The One.
(to email, change nospam to w000023)

 

Elmer, this link didn't work for me. Anyone else have problems?

Oma

Walk with many, follow The One.
(to email, change nospam to w000023)

 

I also wanted to let you know I enjoyed meeting you Saturday at the
"Enough is Enough". I also appreciate your patience with my
questions.

Maybe I'll see you at a TMRA2 meeting.

Oma

Walk with many, follow The One.
(to email, change nospam to w000023)

 

Not lurking anymore, huh ?? Good to see you on here, today.. Oma.. Real
nice to meet you and I enjoyed our little visit, saturday.. Glad you enjoyed
the experience and hope there wasn't too many disappointments.. Like I said,
the turnout could have been better, but it was OK.. You should know that
some of the concerns you expressed to me were topics of my conversations
with many of the people you saw me talking to.. If I remember, I even talked
about some of them when I was speaking.. Your presence was appreciated and
your comments were noted.. Hopefully, in this upcoming year, we can
influence some of the changes that will get all of us some relief.. Good
luck to you and thanks again for coming.. 'preciate it..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Try this instead....

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tmraii/

Then go to the photos section and then the fort Worth Rally.

Let me know if you still have trouble. I can move the pics to a friendlier
site if necessary.

 

Thanks for the new link.

I think the problem was/is that the pictures are in the Members
section. Joining is free, but you do have to do that to view the
pictures.

You might also want to check the labeling -- at least one pic of
Sputnik is labeled as Bill Walker. I'm sure they're both flattered.


Oma

Walk with many, follow The One.
(to email, change nospam to w000023)

 

As a side note Bill, Senator Duncan did vote for redistricting. The only
republican senators that opposed it were Senators Ratliff and Frasier.

However Senator Duncan didn't like was going on. Here is a quick sniplet.

At least 5 Senators opposed the Bill but finally Senator Duncan gave the
defeatist speech on the Floor. He praised Staples and Dewhurst for the work
they had done but said though some of us don't like the map, we must support
the Lt. Governor. We spoke with him shortly after that little speech and he
was like a tired, haggard old man.

 

During the re-districting senate meeting in Duncanville, my contact with
Senator Duncan was brief, but we did have a very good conversation
together.. I particularly noticed the attention and courtesy he afforded to
most speakers, myself included.. I came away from there with the impression
that he is a good man, with integrity and interest in all of us.. LOL..
Wouldn't vote for him, of course, but I do respect him.. Harris, Ratliff and
Fraser also seem to represent the interests of their constituents.. Coming
from me and directed to those good Republicans, that is a compliment..
Thanks Elmer, just curious how they voted..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

In this "group" particularly... many of the comments consist of
criticism directed toward gatherings for "party bashing".. I got mixed
emotions about that one.. Seems kinda like saying, "I want something
corrected, but don't attack my representative when you fix it".. LOL..
OK.. don't like political gatherings.. Here's another solution that I
know to be effective, as it was employed this past spring.. A couple
of bills introduced by one of the state reps. were detestable.. A
small group, ten or fifteen, I am told who is the rep's neighbors and
constituents rode out to his house on saturday morning, when they knew
he was home.. They woke his ass up and informed him that he "would"
return to Austin on Monday and kill those bills.. Guess what.. it was
done.. Most of us cannot spend much time traveling the state, but we
all live in districts with state reps near our homes.. Gather a crew
and go to visit his ass.. Assure him, that his activities in Austin is
either acceptable or he is OUT.. Not much sacrifice involved there, is
there ?? Just a thought..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker