Motorcycle
Riders Foundation Meeting of the Minds 2003 Review
by Spotman
I left for the
19th Annual Meeting of the Minds in Green Bay Wisconsin on Wednesday,
Sept 17th, 2003. I was to meet my buddy Aaron Frank (ABATE of Iowa District
#5 Coordinator) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and we were gonna spend the night
at his in-laws cabin on the Mississippi River at Guttenburg. There were
wind advisories and after about 20 miles on the I-80, I had had enough.
I took county roads the rest of the way. Even so, I got to Cedar Rapids
a little early and stopped by "The Dog Zone", which a "doggy-daycare"
owned by my good friends Dick & Dawn Walton. Dawn looked a beautiful
as ever and she told me Dick was home. I went over to Aaron's and we then
went down the alley to Dick's for a quick beer. We then said good-bye
to Aaron's wife Carol (who told us NOT to kill each other) and we were
off for our wild adventure.
We made good
time as traffic was light. We stopped in Manchester to get gas, when Aaron
noticed my "blue" (right-side) gas tank was leaking. We had
just passed a buddy's of his place, but I said "Let's just ride on."
Yep, bad mistake! Not 2 miles down the 4-lane running very fast, the rear
stud pulls out of the now full gas tank leaving a gaping ¾ inch
hole out of which all the gas dumped in about 10 seconds. I couldn't see
from the steam that billowed up and my eyes were full of gas. I was grabbing
for the ignition switch while stomping the rear brake and trying to get
off the highway
all the while thinking "I'm riding a freakin'
BOMB!" Once I got the bike stopped, I jumped off, grabbed my leatherman
tool and pinched off the crossover hose so as to save as much gas as I
could from the left side tank. Aaron saw the steam, spun around and came
back. With his help - we dug around and found a bolt & a hose clamp
and clamped off the crossover hose. At this point, I'm all for going back
to his buddy's house for some assistance. We get there
and after
some discussion (and begging!), Terry (I hope I got the name right!) says
he'll weld the stud back in. After taking the tank off, we rinse it out,
fill it with water and Terry does a masterful job of welding. We put the
tank back on, leaving the cap off so it will dry out. I thank him profusely
and back down the road we go. We finally get to the cabin and the first
thing I do is to take a shower and put my gas soaked clothes into a zip-lock
bag.
The next morning,
I fill the blue tank with gas and the weld holds! Excellent and we're
off to Green Bay. However, both Aaron and I kept getting each other lost
in Madison
it was actually comical how each of us thought we knew
where we were going. But we made it through and finally got to Green Bay.
Before I even got checked in
I ran into Karen Bolin and Tom Wyld.
It was great to see them so fired up and ready to go! After packing all
my stuff up to the room, I took off, found an "Off-Sale" and
bought a ton of beer and pop.
Thursday night
was the "Meet the Board" question and answer session. By this
time, I was wasted and in full party mode. I didn't realize how many people
I actually knew. I spent most of that evening renewing old friendships
and consuming massive amounts of alcohol. Later on, Fast Fred (ABATE of
South Carolina State Coordinator), some "other" friends and
myself ended up in the "nudie" bar just down the street. (As
it was within walking distance - we didn't ride). I was very glad to have
my sunglasses with me when the bright lights blinded me at closing time!
Friday morning
was a fog. However, after swilling a bucket of coffee - I was ready for
the day. The first session was titled "History of the Motorcycle
Riders Foundation"
in which Charlie Williams and others told
the story of how and why the MRF was founded and milestones in the organizations
history
very informative.
The next session
was "Riding Through Legislation" Tom Wyld explained to everyone
what the MRF has been doing over the last year as our advocate in Washington,
D.C. He touched on the big three
HIPAA, the EPA and reauthorization
of TEA-21. For the most part, this was a review as I have been in the
middle of all these issues. But for those who had been on the sidelines
- this was very eye opening as Tom did a masterful job of not only explaining
the issues, but "why" these issues are important and what the
MRF and others have been doing this past year to win these battles. Three
things I didn't know: It was stated that the MRF spent $13,127.83 fighting
the EPA for the fiscal year 2003. The EPA is NOT prosecuting motorcycle
importers who do not meet emission standards - as NHTSA caught one company
that shipped 6000 bikes into America that did not meet EPA regs. One motorcycle
company put out an 8-page service bulletin and a recall on an ECN Valve,
which was supposedly overheating the engine
however, further investigation
revealed that the heat was caused by the placement of the catalytic converter
which resulted in eight cracked cross-member welds and BUSTED FRAMES.
There are also
two bills in the House we must watch closely
HR 110 - a bill wherein
Congress will vote on "early rule/federal regulation" BEFORE
an agency may enact ANY regulation. Also we must watch HR 2542 - a bill
wherein Congress sets up a committee to review and approve ALL administrative
rules and federal regulation before enactment.
Then it was time
for lunch
sponsored by Harley-Davidson. I wasn't going to eat their
"suck-up-to-the-freedom-fighter meal" as I saw this as a way
for the Motor-Company to kiss ass and stay in the good graces of the same
bikers they're trying to screw over by working WITH the EPA and the European
Union to introduce the "one-world-bike". However, if they're
willing to give me (the enemy) a free lunch, why shouldn't I take it?
So I did. Bratwurst and beans
boy they went "whole hog"
on THAT meal!
For the first
breakout session, I attended "How to Put Together a Federal PAC"
by "Boz" & Rita from ABATE of Illinois. This was something
I am VERY interested in. However, I couldn't hear very well and lost interest.
I grabbed my handouts for future reference and left early.
The next session
I went to was "State PAC Funding" by Mark Buckner of Colorado
and past MRF President. Here, I gathered a ton of good information as
well as added my voice to the discussion.
After dinner
was the PAC Fundraiser. Games of skill and chance were played to raise
money for MRF PAC. As usual, my luck and skills sucked so I simply made
donations. A large contingent from both North and South Carolina made
their way over to the "nudie" bar
so I tagged along. We
had great fun and meaningful discussions
all the while surrounded
by beautiful naked women. (I love this stuff!!!)
Saturday morning
was almost as foggy (in my own head) as it was on Friday morning
but
another bucket of coffee and I was raring to go.
After a short
Award's Ceremony where Deb Buttita of AZ received the President's Award,
Charlie Umbenhauer of PA got a "special" award, Pennsylvania
got the National Legislative Award, Susan Buck got the Thomas Paine Award,
and "Fast Fred" of SC got the Outstanding State Reps Award
there
was a panel discussion surrounding the EPA.
Amongst this
panel was a guy named George Coates, who has invented a new revolutionary
rotary valve engine. This engine design has been built into a V-Twin platform
and installed on a motorcycle. This engine is 44% efficient with zero
emissions and a 12:1 compression ratio. After the session, I saw a video
and Powerpoint presentation on this engine
and I'm impressed. At
this point, the engine is still being evaluated and they only sell complete
bikes
but I asked them to consider a bolt-on kit that could retrofit
old 4-speed Harley style frames. For more information go to www.coatesengine.com.
Also on this
panel was Dr. Radwan Saade
from the Small Business Administration
Office of Economic Research, Office of Advocacy and a Regulatory Analyst.
He has been working with Tom Wyld on this EPA issue. This session was
very informative and at times combative. Dr. Saade stated that when concerning
the EPA, once the process reaches a critical point, proposed rules go
on cruise control. The proposed rule concerning highway motorcycle emissions
has already gone past that critical point. Dr. Saade also told us that
we all need to get involved in the regulatory process BEFORE the proposed
rule is written. Of course, the question was asked, "How do we KNOW
BEFORE the proposed rule is written?" Dr. Saade said we need to "create
contacts". Dr. Saade is the MRF's "contact" in the Small
Business Administration. His office gets notifications of proposed regulatory
rules before they are written. Dr. Saade says the best place for small
motorcycle manufactures to stay on top of issues like this is through
their own trade magazines.
Representing
the Office of Advocacy, Dr. Saade's job consists of fielding questions
from Congressmen and Senators that ask if "Regulatory Panel Reports"
are accurate. So, I only had one question and Tom Wyld allowed me to ask
it: "In your opinion Dr., has the EPA met it's regulatory obligation
under Executive Order 12866 and under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA) to consider a less stringent alternative
to the proposed emission standards". Unfortunately, the good Dr.
gave the simple answer
"Yes". He also went on to state
that the fact that "small entities" (manufacturers) DID NOT
step up and offer public comments during the public comment period is
NOT the fault of the EPA. So, as far as the Small Business Administration
is concerned - that angle of attack is closed.
However, ALL
IS NOT LOST!!!
Before this session,
Tom had taken me aside and told me that Dr. Saade would be holding a small
question and answer session, separate from the general session after the
panel discussion. He also told me I SHOULD attend. Thus, I missed most
of the "Global Test Bikes" sessions given by Imre Szauter of
the AMA and Eric Lundquist of HD Government Affairs. (OH yeah, I was bummed
about that ;) I spent some quality one-on-one time with the good doctor
instead. And here are the results of our discussion:
Dr. Saade told
me that he and Tom Wyld are working closely to monitor what the EPA and
other agencies are planning/doing that could adversely affect motorcycling
and small volume manufacturers. You see, Dr. Saade told me he has been
riding bikes his whole life
these issues affect HIM on a personal
level. He cares deeply about our causes and he will work with us. Dr.
Saade is committed to helping us in this fight, but he can not do it all
by himself. He needs us, the motorcycling community to get out there and
spread the word to other motorcyclists and to the small motorcycle shops.
Once the EPA
rule on Highway Motorcycles is finalized, there WILL be another public
comment period concerning how this rule IS affecting Small Business's.
That's right - we have ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. The year will be 2006. During
some point in that year, another panel will be convened and the panel
will ask small entities to give public comments on how the EPA rule has
affected their livelihoods since the Highway Motorcycle Emissions rule
went into effect. However, we MUST get as many small manufacturers' informed
and ready to act as possible. It is imperative that we get our EPA information
into the hands of every motorcycle shop. (For a one-page handout that
puts the whole EPA issue into perspective, download the .pdf file at the
bottom of the following webpage: http://www.solriders.net/solr/index.php?showtopic=20.)
We must also
inform these little shops that through their own Trade Publications, they
will learn what is "going on" and get first warning of what
the EPA and other government entities are trying to pull that will affect
their business. If these little shops don't read these trade publications
and just shove them into the circular file, they will continue to be blindsided
by regulation that could hurt their business. At the very least, these
small shops need to keep each other informed via email, snail mail
whatever.
We have been fighting this battle on our won
it's time the business'
that are going to be adversely affected step up and get involved. They
blew it during the first Pubic Comment Period by NOT sending in their
comments. If this happens again in 2006 - the war will be over.
Tom also gave
me a link to the "Final Report of the Small Business Advocacy Review
Panel on Control of Emissions from Nonroad Large Spark Ignition Engines,
Recreational Engines (Marine and Land-based), and Highway Motorcycles"
dated July 17, 2001. http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/is_marinerpt01_0717.pdf
If any of you have a couple of hours to kill, this is some fascinating
reading! To get to the important "stuff" about highway motorcycles,
who put forth comments to the panel, and what their comments were start
on page 28. You'll have to surf through all kinds of comments from all
kinds of manufacturer's (not just highway motorcycles) - but it will be
an eye-opening read! For sure, get to page 40. After these comments, is
Section 9, PANEL FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. Be sure to read pages 57 to
the end of the document.
OK, so after
all of THAT
I was beat. I skipped the 1rst afternoon workshops and
went to lunch with Aaron to this little Irish Bar (can't remember the
name). Good food (big ol' mushroom burger) and once back at the hotel,
I went straight upstairs and took a nap! I woke up just in time to run
downstairs for the HIPAA and the EPA General Session Panel Discussion.
Something happened though, and Karen Bolin was up there by herself
no
panel. However, she did brief us on a couple of issues.
She told us that
SB 243 and HR 1749, the companion bills for fixing the loophole in the
HIPAA Act will be moving through both the House and Senate in the spring
of '04. If you're Congressman and/or Senator has yet to sign on as a co-sponsor
to either of these bills, there is still time to get in there and get
them to sign on. We motorcyclists NEED all the help we can get and each
co-sponsor is one-step closer to us winning the battle.
We also heard
from Antonio Perlot, Secretary General, Federation of European Motorcyclists
Association. NHTSA is taking our hard earned tax dollars and testifying
in Geneva before the United Nations "Inland Transport Committee:
Working Party on Road Traffic Safety" Working Group considering United
Nations Acceptance of Mandatory Rider Apparel.
Karen also informed
us that NHTSA is going ahead with it's "Proposed Study of Characteristics
of Motorcycle Operators", (see the MRF's thoughts at http://www.mrf.org/articles/2003/03NR1603nr16nhtsaproposesstudyofcharacteristicsofmotorcycleoperators.htm)
regardless of the tons of negative public comments received from motorcyclists
nationwide. Karen says the MRF will find out who put this proposed study
together, who signed it and they will let us know what they find.
It was at this
point, that Karen and Tom proceeded to hand out the "Motorcycle Riders
Foundation Ride with the Leaders Awards". I was very cordial, clapping
for all of the recipients and wondering what they were gonna serve us
for the banquet dinner when I heard someone on a microphone say, "The
Sons of Liberty Riders." I thought I was dreaming
I looked at
my buddy Fast Fred and he looked as surprised as I felt. I went up front
and received an "Honorable Mention" award presented to Sons
of Liberty Riders dated Sept 20, 2003. I almost passed out! Then the next
thing I know, Fast Fred received one for the work ABATE of South Carolina
had done in the last year. Yep, that's right
both spotman and Fast
Fred were left speechless! John Mullendore, State Legislative Coordinator
for ABATE of PA took a pic of me and Fast Fred. If you want to view the
actual award, go here: http://www.solriders.net/mrf/Ride%20w-leaders%20award%2003.jpg
I went upstairs
and got ready for the banquet. The food was OK. There was Powerpoint slideshow
that ran all through the banquet chronicling the life of Buck Kittredge.
Congressman Mark Green of Wisconsin spoke eloquently and passionately
about his good friend, Buck Kittredge and challenged us all to keep up
the work that Buck started. Mark Buckner did a masterful job as the "auctioneer"
(as usual) and a ton of money was raised for the MRF. One of the highlights
of the evening was Still Ray Fitzgerald from Arizona accepting the John
"Farmer" Eggers Award. The other highlight of the evening was
John Bolin outbidding everyone else in the room for Buck's favorite belt
and buckle that the family had donated to raise money for the MRF
to
the tune of $3000! Then, he did the most compassionate deed I have witnessed
in a long time - he gave the belt to Buck's son. How cool is that?!!!
After the festivities, it got a little "nutz" in the Hospitality
Room and I ended up joining ABATE of Minnesota, Lake Chapter as a new
member. Man, are they gonna be pissed when they realize that I am now
"one-of-them"!
The rest of the
evening is kind of a blur. I was very tired and burned out. I turned in
early and was up ready to go a little after 8am as that is when Aaron
and I were supposed to take off for home. Of course, I had to say goodbye
to tons of people, so we got a late start
but once on the road -
well, it just felt great to have the wind in my hair! That was until the
"red" (left side) gas tank (the one that hasn't given me any
problems) looses the nut that was holding the rear of the tank to the
frame. At this point, I'm loosing what's left of my mind
I had enough
problems with gas tanks on the way to Green Bay
I was really hoping
to get home without any more problems. Anyway, Aaron looks around the
'51 while I'm cursing the day I was born and finds a 5/16" nut I
can take off my trailer hitch. Of course it's coarse thread and the stud
is fine thread
but once I got it screwed on there - it didn't come
off. The wicked vibration that had plagued the '51 since coming home from
Sturgis was getting progressively worse. I could only run about 75 mph
and after 80 miles - every part of my body had vibrated asleep. At one
point I said to Aaron, "Go ahead and ride on, I'll be fine".
Aaron says, "I'm a Marine, and we don't leave our brothers behind!"
Yeah, how cool was that? Even though he was trying to get to the D#5 meeting
and meet Carol, he babysat me all the way to Anamosa. Straight up: if
you're reading this Aaron, thank you for your patience with me & the
'51. It wasn't necessary, but it WAS appreciated. Of course, after I left
Aaron in Anamosa, it started raining buckets. I took the county roads
home so as to not shake the '51 into little pieces and we both made it
home A OK.
Now, for the
bottom line: We have a LOT of work to do folks. We have to fix the loophole
in the HIPAA Act, the battle with the EPA is never over until I quit breathing,
we still have the reauthorization of TEA 21 to get passed, NHTSA is not
only going forth with a foolhardy, limited study in this country but they're
STILL lobbying American statehouses along with the United Nations (on
YOUR dime) and there is helmet repeal legislation in states all over the
country. Not to mention "Right of Way" legislation, expanding
Rider Education, continuing to bring "Share the Road" to every
person in the nation and get in some good, long, hard riding! If you're
not yet a member of the MRF, it's past time to step up and not only give
them a couple of bucks for dues, but it's time to get involved and do
the work necessary to win these battles that matter to all motorcyclists.
Finally, Meeting
of the Minds '03 in Green Bay was the BEST MOTM I've attended to date.
The ton of information shared in public was concise and accurate. The
information shared in private was PRICELESS!!! It was great enjoying the
company of old friends and networking with all the new friends I met.
There's no way I can mention everyone by name (as this is too damn long
already!) But rest assure, I'll be seeing ALL of you at next years Meeting
of the Minds in Saint Louis. And we'll begin right where we leftoff
fighting
the good fight and doing what it takes to win hearts and minds in the
culture war!
-spotman
Sons of Liberty Riders Regional 3 Director
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