Another Article saying we are fair game for cagers.

[Roundboy]

and IN walks TMU

hmm...so if we cant persuade him verbally...

...BARF BEAT DOWN SQUAD!!

You called?

 

[Kato]

So are the cages

 

[SRADkneedragger]

HEY Guys(and girls)
Thanks for the support! Here's my letter:

To Whom it may concern:

I'm sure that by this time the negative EMail is begining to pile up concerning Mr Simpsons editorial. I spoke with an individual today (I believe it was Mr Simpson ?) at your newspaper, He listened very politely to my concerns and yet expressed no regrets or apology for the article. I feel that this article was totally inappropriate and irresponsible.
I'm sure if you have'nt yet realized, you soon will as the email and and negative response grows this was a poor idea for an article. At this point I am engaged in spreading a copy of the first portion of the article (which thankfully was saved on my computer) to more Motorcycle websites. (I have noticed the article was removed). My next step will be to encourage motorcyclists to boycott your advertisers and contact them and tell them why. The next step will be to encourage said individuals to contact the local Chamber of Commerce. I think a very suitable and equitable response would be to print a retraction and apology for this irresponsible muck and possibly a public service ad. I also think that by posting an apology to motorcyclists in general might help I would advise contacting the following sites to get started.
http://www.twtex.com/
http://www.odessasportbikes.com/
http://www.gsxr.com/index.php?
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/index.php

I hope that you will step up and take responsibility for this situation.

Carl Peterson
Fugitive Recovery Service
Odessa Texas

 

[dvsdesigner]

HEY Guys(and girls)
Thanks for the support! Here's my letter:

To Whom it may concern:

I'm sure that by this time the negative EMail is begining to pile up concerning Mr Simpsons editorial. I spoke with an individual today (I believe it was Mr Simpson ?) at your newspaper, He listened very politely to my concerns and yet expressed no regrets or apology for the article. I feel that this article was totally inappropriate and irresponsible.
I'm sure if you have'nt yet realized, you soon will as the email and and negative response grows this was a poor idea for an article. At this point I am engaged in spreading a copy of the first portion of the article (which thankfully was saved on my computer) to more Motorcycle websites. (I have noticed the article was removed). My next step will be to encourage motorcyclists to boycott your advertisers and contact them and tell them why. The next step will be to encourage said individuals to contact the local Chamber of Commerce. I think a very suitable and equitable response would be to print a retraction and apology for this irresponsible muck and possibly a public service ad. I also think that by posting an apology to motorcyclists in general might help I would advise contacting the following sites to get started.
http://www.twtex.com/
http://www.odessasportbikes.com/
http://www.gsxr.com/index.php?
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/index.php

I hope that you will step up and take responsibility for this situation.

Carl Peterson
Fugitive Recovery Service
Odessa Texas

Well done!

 

[dvsdesigner]

 

[originalsturge]

Upside: We are all complaining(sent an email on sunday)
+
Downside: The email addy listed in first post goes to the writers inbox.
+
Nothing better to do at 12:56 am
=
Publishers email address mark@sunnewspapers.com
Mark Henry

FWIW the papers website makes this look like its nothing more than the Examiner.
Damn I need a job.

EDIT:http://sunnewspapers.com/main.asp?SectionID=21&TM=14363.24 link goes to index of advertisers.

 

[SRADkneedragger]

Yeah I've been lurking a while,,,, well ever since saw the worlds coolest sidecar on another site, and it was linked here. Anyway don't stop now guys do what you do best!

 

[YMB22]

Irresponsible. I just sent them an email. I hope they do the right thing.

 

[SRADkneedragger]

Well

I called this afternoon to see if there was a change in their stance. I spoke with a very nice lady by the name of Marcia(another staff writer) She was VERY polite understanding and while offering no direct apology for Mr Simpsons remarks, did state that they are by no means "anti Motorcycle" and have run "Pro Motorcycle" articles in the past. I guess that at this point it may be starting to dawn on them that the general motorcycling public is unhappy with the content of said article. I told her that a retraction an apology or even an explanation might make a world of difference and the emailed her direct links to the threads on
Bay Area Riders Forum
Two Wheeled Texans
Gsxr. com
OdessaStreetBikes.com
Maybe after reading some of these threads they may have a change of heart.
I suggested also that I would encourage other riders to contact their advertisers and threaten a boycott. At this point I would encourage ALL riders to spread this to any other boards that you are on, again hopefully the sheer volume of responses mioght change these peoples minds about motorcyclists.
SRADkneedragger

 

[ersigh]

Before I get to that, I would like to say that he said, "I think..." ... who doesn't think about doing dasterdly and violent acts sometimes? It's okay to think it, it's not okay to do it and I think the issue is not that he thought it but that he, as a public figure, was irresponsible enough to make it sound "ok" to the general public. Not to sound racist but he is in Texas (and not in Austin) so he's probably got some issues to begin with ... and well, he is speaking to the general masses in Texas (frightening! haha, feel free to kick me for bashing Texas Sadly ...I might be moving there ) and I don't really expect the general masses anywhere to hear "I think" for what it is. There will be some dimwit, inbred, toothless, shotgun totten son of his sister who is also his grandmother who will hear "I think" as "DO IT DO IT KEEEL THE BIKERZZZ!!".

SO uhm ... yeah ... my response.


"
I sent them a brief response:

RE:

Airing of grievances (re: motorcycle riders)
By - Douglas Simpson

--

I understand and don't entirely disagree with some of his gripes however he HAD to go here: "I want so badly to open my car door just before they reach me." So now, I don't want to respect anything he has said.

It is stupid (and fun) to go fast on the freeway (i'm sure the article author has NEVER sped in his car) and weave through traffic but that does not mean he should disrespect the riders who don't do that. It sounds like he ignores riders if they aren't doing something that annoys him. For every squid there are easily 10-20 good riders.

It is stupid to do wheelies in public areas where there are cars but that still has nothing to do with lane splitters who more often than not, are not the riders he's so pissed off at. Either way, violence is not the answer and as a public spokes person he should be more careful with what he says because like anyone who makes thoughless remarks to the general public, there are many stupid stupid people who unlike him, might do more than "think about it". Especially if they have someone in what can be misconstrued as a position of power basically backing up their angry feelings.

Here is a in relation to similiar comments made by a radio personality. The backlash from the motorcycle community in my area was very strong and said angry car driver is now taking the MSF course and learning about riding first hand. It's always more difficult to judge once you're a part of something and understand it.

http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=149060&highlight=woody"



(yikes, i should have proofread that a bit )

 

[Janna]

Before I get to that, I would like to say that he said, "I think..." ... who doesn't think about doing dasterdly and violent acts sometimes? It's okay to think it, it's not okay to do it...

So, by following this reasoning, it would be ok for someone to think bad thoughts so long as they don't make them public? It would be ok to think "X-and-such racial group is stupid and inferior because God made them that way" but not write about it, or say it?

I disagree. I don't believe it's ok to think about doing dastardly and violent acts. Doesn't mean we don't do it, but that doesn't make it OK that we do. There's a difference.

Also, if someone shares their Bad Thoughts in a public forum without knowing or acknowledging that they are Bad, I believe we need to step up and illuminate the situation for our ignorant fellow human.

I've heard that some feel the Bay Area is every inch as racist as the South, but it's hidden because people "know better than to talk about it" here. I'd much rather have an idiot who verbalizes his Bad Thoughts than one who keeps his mouth shut. At least I know what the talkative person thinks, and have a chance to engage him in debate.

 

[ersigh]

So, by following this reasoning, it would be ok for someone to think bad thoughts so long as they don't make them public? It would be ok to think "X-and-such racial group is stupid and inferior because God made them that way" but not write about it, or say it?

You're changing the subject. I'm talking about angry/violent thoughts not racism. Anger is a natural emotion and with our violence soaked society (media), having thoughts about vaporizing cars to get them out of your way, smashing windows or whatever else is pretty normal and natural. Would it be better if people didn't think those things yes but it's far healthier to acknowledge the feelings and thoughts then to supress them.

Racism is an issue with ignorance and fear and is not related to the emotion of anger. I think it's important to recognize the difference in what I said and what you said.

I disagree. I don't believe it's ok to think about doing dastardly and violent acts. Doesn't mean we don't do it, but that doesn't make it OK that we do. There's a difference.

*edit*

Ok, I finally grokked what you were saying. I just woke up and am a little slow.

I'm not really going to agree or disagree with this. Idealistically, it'd be better if people didn't have as many of the ugly thoughts that they do but it's how we are and I think it's important to understand it and take responsibility for it. Placing labels on things, as we are prone to do, like "bad" just makes the issues worse. Look at the issues our society has with the emotions anger and pride. We're not supposed to feel either.

Also, if someone shares their Bad Thoughts in a public forum without knowing or acknowledging that they are Bad, I believe we need to step up and illuminate the situation for our ignorant fellow human.

I stated this point in my comments and my letter to the paper.

I've heard that some feel the Bay Area is every inch as racist as the South, but it's hidden because people "know better than to talk about it" here. I'd much rather have an idiot who verbalizes his Bad Thoughts than one who keeps his mouth shut. At least I know what the talkative person thinks, and have a chance to engage him in debate.

The bay area does have a lot of racism and I agree it would be better if people felt comfortable stating their dislikes so that we could react accordingly. The liberals in this area are sometimes no better than racists because they are so rigid and closed minded to not allow any other types of thoughts in so the whole subject of racism is sort of blanketed. However, racism is a difficult thing to unprogram out of someone and like the subject of religion it's generally not particularly logical and often far more emotional which means debating the subject will not result in anything but two angry people. I think racist people need therapy and education not debate.

Racism is not the same as violent thoughts and I don't think there is anything to be gained by a stranger on the freeway approaching you and saying, "When you did that one thing it made me want to shove a water bottle up your ass and slap you with a slab of beef". Those thoughts are personal and often times can be theraputic when people feel frustrated/trapped in a situation they can't control. Those thoughts don't make people "bad" people or "dangerous" people, they're just human ... with emotions.

A lot of people argue that violence is natural and based on a lot of studies I've read involving kids, I'm inclined to agree. So then, who is the better person, the one who thinks but knows how not to act or the person who acts on it or blurts it out and negatively affects others?

The issue is as you stated it, "Also, if someone shares their Bad Thoughts in a public forum without knowing or acknowledging that they are Bad, I believe we need to step up and illuminate the situation for our ignorant fellow human." ... the other stuff you are bringing, I really don't think is related.