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Nobodies’ Opinion March 2012

Nobodies Opinion Header

By Billy”Kneecap”Braddock

Even though it is the month of Bike Week, I would first like to talk about the unemployment situation in America. These are terrible times. Unemployment is still at 9%, but there’s really 16% plus out of work. The government doesn’t count “Out of Work” as the unemployed.

The unemployed are actively looking for work. Some have stopped looking, they gave up. And if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed. So if you’re off the unemployment rolls, that would count as less unemployment. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number.

Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job, and unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for work. 1.2 million Americans have dropped out of the labor force in one month and 14 million Americans are still out of work. Could it be that the 9.9% unemployment rate in Florida could be attributed to the 1 million illegal aliens?

When asked if there were too many illegal aliens in Florida, 17% said yes and 72% said “I am not understanding the question please”. (That should get me some good Letters to the Editor). You have to love a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured, but not everyone to prove they are a citizen.

As I was growing up I was taught that serving your country was a privilege, and living in this country was a bigger privilege. This country accepts all, but we have rules. And now you know why the government’s unemployment figures are improving. Remember, statistics is the art of taking numbers and manipulating them to say exactly what you want. Example of that: in 1964 90% of the women who got pregnant had eaten mashed potatoes. Therefore, eating mashed potatoes could make you pregnant. Good thing all my girlfriends and wives were either allergic to mashed potatoes or me.

Now, let’s get down to the important stuff. Motorcycles are two wheeled vehicles patented after bicycles. Motorcycles have been a part of transportation for a very long time. They were much more prevalent than automobiles until such pioneers as Henry Ford found out how to mass-produce cars at a price below that of motorcycles. Today’s rider may use motorcycles for commuting or everyday use. Some riders use motorcycles for basic transportation and don’t own a cage. Some ride a motorcycle as part of their lifestyle and some only on weekends, but they are all bikers. In the United States, only one company, Harley-Davidson, has been able to survive over 100 years. To most non-motorcyclists, the words “motorcycle” and “Harley-Davidson” are synonymous.

This Bike Week, even with the bad economy, we should be expecting 500,000 bikers in Daytona. Bikers will stop eating for a month (I said eating not drinking) in order to come to Bike Week. There will be a lot of new people that are unfamiliar with our roads and the driving practices of the cages. Here are a couple of hints to help you avoid eating asphalt.

1) Assume drivers can’t see you; ride assuming that you and your motorcycle are totally invisible to motorists.

2) Maintain safe spacing; be an island.

3) Anticipate trouble; be ready to avoid a bad traffic situation.

4) Beware of oncoming left turners: motorist turning left in front of you at intersections. This is the leading cause of death to motorcycle riders.

5) Know your own personal limits.

6) Don’t give into road rage.

7) Don’t allow tailgating.

8 )  Don’t be blinded by sun and glare. You might just find yourself being blinded by the light, and remember if the sun is at your back, oncoming traffic may not be able to see you.

9) You might want to consider wearing protective clothing and a skid lid or a brain bucket.

10) Pay attention to idiots talking on cell phones or texting.

I saw a great sign on a church, “Honk if you love Jesus, text while driving if you want to meet him”. The best way to be safe is to learn the basic ways to control your motorcycle and to learn how to recognize traffic situations that you need to be ready to handle. Pay attention to the alcohol content, not in your gas tank, but in your belly. “Crashing SUCKS”. Be safe and enjoy the week, so you come back for Biketoberfest.

Even though the cost of gas and beer has skyrocketed, I’m anticipating a large turnout for Bike Week. I personally have been experiencing the rise in inflation. Cost of living has gotten so bad; my girlfriend is having sex with me because she can’t afford batteries.

Remember, Love is being “OWNED BY A BEAGLE!!!”

See you on the shiny side of tomorrow.

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