Politics on
Two Wheels
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler
November 12th, 2006
Just when you thought there
would be a sanctuary from the endless stream of political
reporting, electoral Monday morning quarterbacks and analysis
of the analysis which picked apart the original analysis,
here’s an editorial which should be about motorcycles but
instead references the mid-term elections.
What is going on here? Well don’t click away yet, just bear
with me and follow the trail of biker thought.
Like most voters I was barraged by commercials and telephone
calls spouting what the political strategists thought I wanted
to hear. As with a smaller percentage of voters, I actually
looked into some of the issues that really did have my
attention. But through all this, my incurable addiction kicked
in, resulting in some humorous side-thoughts. The monkey on my
back would the unshakable passion I have for riding and it
hungered for some political attention as well as a little bit
of electoral focus.
Imagine a biker politician. Wouldn’t it be great!
This isn’t such a stretch since you’d be hard-pressed to find
a more patriotic or American loving group of people. Any kind
of biker event creates a sea of red, white and blue, not only
in the parking lot, but also by the attending crowds. Since a
two-wheeled rider was first called a biker,
armed service personnel have made up the ranks of those who
view life from the saddle of a modern ironhorse.
I would even be bold enough to say that no one could make a better
claim to loving and consequently exploring the many highways
and back roads of this great country called the United States
of America than the biker.
So what would a biker politician look like? How would the
rhetoric sound? Which direction would they want to take us?
The public would know immediately which politician on the
podium was the biker. Whether it was the wind-blown hair,
sun-seasoned face, tattoos, casual demeanor or glaring lack of
a suit, the biker would have the biggest life-loving smile out
of everyone standing on stage.
For the crowds listening on the radio, or those who happened
to be blind the biker politician who surely stand out in the
first few minutes of speaking. The public would glow in the
straight speaking, and simply put point of view on any subject
asked. There’s one thing that bikers can’t stand and never try
to give.
Bullshit.
This in itself would turn the political world on its side and
leave opponents speechless when called on their double-talk by
the candidate from the state of CC’s. Debates would be thrown
awry when the biker politician answered the question as
plainly as they could in the two minutes normally allowed for
a response. I guess they could play some rock music for
remaining ninety seconds.
The biker politician’s ability to look the voter squarely in
the eye as they responded to direct questions or during ‘meet
and greets’ everyone would surely wonder, ‘Who is this person
running for office?’
The most interesting aspect of all this is what would the
biker candidate stand for? Here are a few that came to mind.
Special biker only lanes and parking
Mandatory motorcycle awareness training for all road users
Tax cuts judged by chicken-strips or rallies attended
The State of the Union Address would start with a Poker Run
and end with a rock concert
Every major bill passed or year served in office would result
in a special patch to be worn on the politician’s leather
The President and First Lady would have to wear color
coordinated leathers to match Airforce One
Biker politicians would give each other the wave as they
passed each other in the halls of government
Debates would be decided by the best track time
All of these sound like a winning platform, cutting across
party lines. But then again maybe the euphoria from my last
ride just hasn’t worn off yet.
The Editor
Past
Editorials
July 18th
The only thing missing is an
engine The day
this editorial is being written, aside from the
motorcycle deaths and endless riders who insist on
trying to outrun law enforcement at triple digit speed,
no notable news stories have crossed the desks of Clutch
and Chrome. Although both types of stories are tragic in
their own particular way, we have long decided to run
neither for a variety of reasons.
June 23rd
Fixing political mistakes with
good old fashion biker sense
It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Charles Dickens opened his novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
with that seemingly contrary sentence. Even though the
famous British author wrote his contemporary stories
during England’s Victorian Era, the sentiments could be
about bikers in Anytown USA, here and now.
April 10th
Welcome to our new home
Sure it may look like we've knocked out a few walls
or something as extreme as adding a whole
new wing, but its amazing what a little bit of
paint, some well-placed plants and a new set of
curtains can do.
March 20th
American Idol, frontier of biker's
rights? So American Idol’s Queen
of rock is gone. Long live the queen. This editorial is
being written the day after Amanda Overmyer was asked by the
viewing voters to hop on her Sportster and ride off into the
graphically-enhanced, blue back-lit Fox sunset.
March 5th, 2008
Thankfully, life isn't a
bumper sticker
The bumper sticker, whose quick phrase put a smile on
drivers faces or could solve any of life’s problems, seemed
to infect every car on the road with its humor, wit and
thought provoking slogans has become a rare sight in recent
years.
February 11th, 2008
Passion or Possession? How can a person
not love motorcycles? Understanding that this editorial is
appearing the pages of Clutch and Chrome, the absolutely
free online resource for riders, I’m pretty much preaching
to the choir. Regardless, don’t you catch yourself asking
the same question?
January 11th, 2008
Throwing names into the Dunce
Cap
With Clutch and Chrome’s
Best
and Worst of 2007 just recently published, the morning
meetings which ran into afternoons and occasionally finished over
drinks are still fresh in everyone’s minds around the office. It’s not surprising then to read every
news story that finds it’s way onto the pages of Clutch and Chrome
with an eye to what will be nominated, and possibly win next years
awards. But who would’ve thought that just ten days into the
new year we’d not only be reading, but for some possibly living, a
shoo in for Dumbest motorcycle moment of 2008?
January 2nd, 2008
Riding one big bottle-rocket
into 2008 Like trying on a
new pair of jeans in one of those trendy boutique clothing
stores with too many younger shoppers looking on, we find
ourselves awkwardly in a brand new year wishing it would fit
better and the whole episode just didn’t feel so weird.
December 20th, 2007
Like looking in a mirror
One of the biggest ironies must be
that of the holiday season and the biker.
In many ways, your average rider has so many similarities to the big
man and his magical visit that children the world over look forward
too.
November 29th, 2007
Santa Claus and Cynics Who needs any
reindeer or the silly red suit? Okay, maybe the suit isn’t
so silly and surely enough bikers will tell you that well
insulated Santa attire is just what the bike-doctor ordered
for your upcoming local and possibly cold Toy Run. It
even looks good when you make the local paper and for some,
it’s the rare occasion a color other than black can be worn
while riding.
November 2nd, 2007
Facing down destiny with a Podcast
The road ahead is lit by sunlight
streaming through dark, looming storm clouds. It’s not just the
turning of the season bringing a chill to the heavy lying air.
Bikers are riding across the Great Plains of life straight towards a
menacing storm front, stretching for as far as the eye can see.
September 25th, 2007
Trying to ignore the sound of crashing celebrities
So it had been weeks in the making, between the first few
thoughts, organizing them into some kind of order and then
typing it all out. Everything was looking
great.
It was a deep introspective into our riding world, what
bikers are facing, possible consequences and most
importantly how we as a group will face them.
The new darling of advertisers everywhere There is no doubt the humble
motorcycle is experiencing a wave of popularity and
acceptance across all sections of society. Our riding
brothers of yesteryear who were at best judged and at worst
actively discriminated against could only watch in amazement
at how beloved bikers and their machines have become.
June 11th, 2007
Riding gear,
new look and life lessons I know, I know,
certainly a lot of road to cover in one trip, but it has
been two months since the last editorial so it’s
understandable having a lot to write about.
April 3rd, 2007
Our big
screen
biker brothers..... After
nearly a year of the first inklings the demonic motorcycle
daredevil would burst onto the big screen, and a shorter six
months of build-up for the all-star comedic biker-buddy
movie, both Ghost Rider and Wild Hogs are quickly fading
into movie history.
March12th, 2007
Perfection over passion Although
this editorial may at first feel the furthest from
motorcycles and the people who love to ride them, I’d ask
for indulgence and patience while we go around the houses
eventually getting to the point.
February 2nd, 2007
The
fresh smell of fines in the air The first
month of the New Year is still fresh in our minds and
already the world of riding is greeted with gainsaying.
December 26th, 2006
Why Bikers are dogs Admittedly
it’s a loaded and possibly inflammatory headline, open to a
range of interpretations. But before all the female readers
have their heads fall off from nodding in agreement with much
enthusiasm, don’t jump ahead of me.
November 12th, 2006
Politics on
Two Wheels
Just when you thought there
would be a sanctuary from the endless stream of political
reporting, electoral Monday morning quarterbacks and analysis
of the analysis which picked apart the original analysis,
here’s an editorial which should be about motorcycles but
instead references the mid-term elections.
October 23rd, 2006
Riding with a
bullseye on the back
There are
always signs. This editorial isn't about the ones that stand on the
side of the road which help various vehicles navigate the
endless roads of this great country.
September 20th, 2006
Changes
and perspectives
It's always a hard making a decision
for change, with the degree's of difficulty usually corresponding
with how much it impacts your life.
August 19th, 2006
Two
sides Of the
Worlds Coin
A quick informal survey around the
cyber-office has all the staff of Clutch and Chrome admitting the
same thing. Everyone is crazy about motorcycles. Sure some may lean,
if you'll excuse the pun to one kind or even one brand of bike, but
all in all if it's moves, is motorized and has two wheels, we're
interested.
July 26th, 2006
Life is like A sharp blind curve
I always find the
best friendships are those built on complete understanding
and upfront honesty. Certain buddies are quite happy with
riding once a month while others look forward to weekly
mini-excursions. Being the easy-going biker types and not
pushing anyone for more than they're willing to give has our
circle of friends happily wearing smiles and enjoying life.
June 16th, 2006
Limited run only!!! Tragic news and
moral outrage
The last week just goes to
show that any type of momentum, regardless of how strong it
may appear is stoppable and maybe even reversible. But
before we get to the conclusion, lets baby-step our way
through the connecting dots.
May 1st 2006
Looking back, glancing forward
It’s been just over three weeks since
Clutch and Chrome has been
‘live’ on the internet. That is, according to the official
launch date and schedule the Clutch and Chrome staff was
working with.......
April 1st 2006
A note from the Editor I’m honored to be the first to welcome you to
Clutch and Chrome, a
website devoted to news, information, facts and figures
about motorcycles for those who love to ride them.......
Politics on
Two Wheels
This isn’t such a stretch since you’d be hard-pressed to find
a more patriotic or American loving group of people. Any kind
of biker event creates a sea of red, white and blue, not only
in the parking lot, but also by the attending crowds. Since a
two-wheeled rider was first called a biker,
armed service personnel have made up the ranks of those who
view life from the saddle of a modern ironhorse.