Demanding Accountability

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Motorcycle Madness

Somehow the system has become our parents as "Big Brother" monitors and controls our every move. We get punished rather severely if we slip up or step out of line.

Once upon a time people in this country chose for themselves, and had a thing called freedom. Men have fought and died for the right to pursue their lives as they chose. We've had freedom to be happy and enjoy our lives as we lived in the United States. We paid the price and we've loved, unconditionally, this beautiful country. Now it seems in this all-American city, Grants Pass, Oregon, has begun to act more like a dictatorship. Similar to a place in time, not so long ago, in a country called Germany. Now, that should turn on a light for you!

Haley Davidson is a motorcycle that symbolizes the spirit of our country. Like our country, it has had a rough life. It was kicked to the gutter and came back stronger than ever. This motorcycle is the flagship of America and the American way of life. We love this machine. When you ride one, you feel pride and loyalty to our country. It's the All-American motorcycle and you love it as you should.

There is a war on our country called the "patriot act," the killer of our constitution and the rape of our bill of rights, should it be called as it is, or at least as it appears to be. This weekend the people of Grants Pass received a preview of things to come. It was in the disguise of protectors of the public from the outlaw motorcycle group called the "Vagos" and every other rider on a Harley. In reality those who rode, drove, or participated in this function were severely sanctioned by the policing agencies. Anyone riding a Harley in Josephine County received more than their share of trouble in the form of unjust tickets, being photographed and recorded by video and audio surveillance by at least a 6 to 1 ratio of police. I personally received two tickets in less than a 2 hour period. One for 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, where the posted speed was 45 mph and my actual speed was 43 mph, and the police car was behind me as we were coming up to a red light. As I got within 50 feet of the light it changed to green and this is when I noticed the reds and blues behind me. I pulled over and was in the company of at least 6 law enforcement officers. I was questioned as to who and what I was, photographed, video and audio recorded, as was my motorcycle, then I was given a bogus ticket.

The next encounter was while riding with friends through a quiet neighborhood at approximately 20 mph, and I was again followed and stopped. This time it was for failure to use turn signals. In this state it is not required to use turn signals on motorcycles until after dark. They must have chosen to ignore seeing my hand signal, so I received another ticket along with the harassment, pictures, and all. That was the end of my evening, I went home after ticket number two.

The next day the Vagos were having a poker run, hardly anyone participated do to the fear of more tickets and harassment. The poker run is done to raise money for, in this case, the local substance abuse organization. So, since the poker run didn't go over very well, that needy agency lost out on money.

I am not now, nor have I ever been a member or affiliated with any group. I support their right to freedom as I would anyone. I believe in human rights, and having said that let me tell you what happened the next day. I mounted my video camera on the back of my motorcycle in obvious plain sight to document and record the festivities and other activities around town. I road through town and then to Schroeder Park. While socializing, and complaining about my two tickets ... a member of the Christian Motorcycle group the "Sons of God," informed me that he had received nine tickets so far. One of which was for endangerment because his passenger was not wearing a DOT approved helmet. After listening to his tale of wow, I decided to leave and followed two police cars to the exit, where they parked in the road blocking my exit. I went around them, then stopped and put my feet down, and then proceeded onto the roadway at, again, 20 miles per hour. They followed me, pulled me over, and then arrested me for illegally recording with an audio device. They confiscated my camera and proceeded to take me to jail. They came to my camera, my "device," it did not go to them.

Police Cars have a saying on them. Have you noticed it reads "to protect and serve"? Well, I just received a good dose of what is being served here! I have lived and worked in this community for the past twenty-some-odd years. I am not proud to be a part of it any longer. Thank you for reading this.

Richard Anthony
Grants Pass, OR

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