Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Kevan Lyman
We were coming to watch our favorite biker band play and give for a cause. It is ridiculous to assume that The Fryed Brothers Band was in any way an attraction to gang violence. They are a biker band that plays all over the country and is in big demand at all major biker events. They attract bikers, that is why they are a biker band. If you had a country concert instead would you have had all the police presence telling cowboys to go away or set up checkpoints watching for cowboys? Hell no!
The run would have been a much better turnout than it was but due to extensive police presence ity made bikers feel they were being watched, license plates recorded by law enforcement. It was totally out of line and being one of the bikers along with a group of about 35 who did not attend as we did not want to have to go through a police barricade to attend a charity event.
The law enforcement ruined this run for you not the bikers; the bikers came, saw and left before they reached the event. I sat at a popular eatery in Williams where a lot of bikers were and all were disappointed ... to the fact that they were telling other bikers on their way to the event to turn around as there were too many law enforcement officers. There were as many as several hundred that turned around when they heard that there were more police officers than bikers.
As most of us have nothing to hide, it is just an embarrassment and stereotyping to have to stop us and check our identification just because we were coming to an event for charity ... we knew it was for charity and that is why we came. But the police presence made it out to be a biker war in the making that day. That was totally undue harassment and as far as future Blue Heron Runs, save your money because the bikers will not come ... the word got out and the bikers responded accordingly.
Most of us enjoyed a day ride through Capay Valley and other areas that day and the money meant for the charity went to the casinos in the area instead. So the casinos should be pleased that all that charity money went for gambling and fun, not a law enforcement circus.
As for your police chief and other law enforcement, they told you the usual bullshit about ensuring a safe atmosphere. That is the biggest bunch of crap we always hear from law enforcement at any event ... they just wanted and had the opportunity to take down information from bikers to be used to help build their data base on bikers. They were not there to ensure safety as their main priority, they were there to gather information and they used your run to do so.
It's too bad because it could have been an event that would have been looked forward to for years to come and the money raised for charity only increasing with each year and the Fryed Brothers Band was what we were coming to hear play as well as most the other bikers, we love the band and they attract a huge crowd.
And the funny thing is that in the 27 years I have known the band, I have never seen trouble at one of their performances, only good biker camaraderie and fun.
Kevan “Doc” Lyman lives in Yuba City.
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- Details
- Written by: Angel St. Clair
First of all, I don't think riding on a Harley-Davidson with people you call brothers or sisters in a club constitutes being a gang member, or because they stand up for one other as family should be as the same ..."A gang member." These clubs ride in a pack with honor, respect and class! I know of many different members (men and women) from different clubs and I have not ever been disrespected by any: "Give Respect you Receive Respect"!
But, because they demand the respect it's all about bikers are bad boys and they're gangs? What kind of nonsense is that? Granted there are those ones that may not be as such but for the most part? C'mon thats part of life! The good with the bad. They're what family's in society should be!!! They like to party and have fun, so what.
Well, I wasn't at this event but, if everybody would stop labeling one another and acting like or pre-meditating in their heads that there would be trouble they may of not had the problems they did this weekend. Having hand in promotions Walt Gray's Make-A-Wish ride and rally in 2006, 4,500 bikers from many clubs and it was a complete success and not a problem one! Everyone had a great time and law enforcement did a great job. Each vendor, club, organizer and organization did their part.
I have helped put a few events together and it takes months in planning and preparation, and if again ... Everybody does their part you have a successful turnout! Sounds to me from this article law enforcement did not do their part, they were expecting trouble so they treated these clubs as such. Granted they have a very dangerous job, problems do occur, they have to be armed and ready for anything at anytime, that's an everyday thing for them.
Don't take the whole event away, or confuse clubs and gangs as one ... as for The Fryed Brothers ... a Biker Gang? Never hear such a thing. The Best and Baddest Biker "Band" ever! Not a GANG!! Ask Willie Nelson. So, to link them to being gang members or call them as such is a disrespect in my opinion. Mine may not matter to any of you or any others but they have to be the nicest group of people I've met. The talent that these men put out on stage is nothing more than a gift.
I hope for the clubs and people not part of one you will continue to have this event, and have a good time. Good luck!
Angel St. Clair lives in Sacramento.
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- Details
- Written by: Susan E. Jackson
WOW! I just read an article in your paper about an event that occurred in your area and the comments about some people I know absolutely shocked me and I'm compelled to write.
I refer to the comment below referring to Police Chief Allen McClain:
"For his part, McClain said he was concerned about the event, particularly relating to the band hired to entertain at the run, the Fryed Brothers, and its connections to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“He said he had been warned by specialists in motorcycle gang law enforcement to expect gangs – such as the Hell's Angels, Mullocks and Vagos – to come for the run, and gang members were in fact spotted at the event, he said.”
I am the mother of a 15 year old honor student that happens to be a gifted blues guitarist. He plays with many musicians and is frequently a guest with different Northern California bands. I am very careful where he plays and with whom he plays.
Recently he had the privilege of playing at an event with The Fryed Brothers Band. He has frequently played with some musicians involved with the Fryed Brothers and was thrilled to be invited to share the stage with them. There were hundreds of "motorcycle" club members at the event but not one connected with the referred-to "outlaw" motorcycle gangs.
Everyone was so supportive of my son and the event was so friendly and fun that my son can't wait to be invited to play with these talented musicians again. For them to be portrayed as some kind of trouble makers and associated with unsavory groups is disturbing to me. Ignorance is the only word I can think of!
The Fryed Brothers are kind and caring people that are always willing to step in for a charity event or when someone needs a fundraiser for some medical issue or tragedy in their lives. They are supportive of up and coming youth, such as my son, enough to share their stage with him and encourage his talents.
I hope that the impression that has been given by the feelings of fear and ignorance on the part of a few people does not override the good that The Fryed Brothers do and the value of their outstanding musical talent.
It's sad that a few ignorant people can make a lot of people fearful.
Susan E. Jackson lives in Sacramento.
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- Details
- Written by: Barbara Christwitz
“I don’t give a g--d---,” Bush retorted. “I’m the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way.”
“Mr. President,” one aide in the meeting said, “There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution.”
“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” Bush screamed back. “It’s just a g--d---ed piece of paper!”
Doug Thompson talked to three people present for the meeting that day and they all confirmed that the President of the United States called the Constitution "a g--d---ed piece of paper."
George W. Bush clearly stated where he stands in his interpretation of his vow to uphold the Constitution when he took the oath of office. I suggest dispensing altogether with the words "political correctness"; instead, replace those words with political consideration, ethics and integrity.
Barbara Christwitz lives in Clearlake.
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