My Feelings About Harley & America Are Pretty Similar

I'm probably not the type of person you would think of as being a Harley-Davidson brand loyalist. I don't look the part of the few different stereotypes whether it be cruiser outlaw, chopper boho, or midlfe crisis professional. I like the bikes that most other fans don't like, that they consider to be un-Harley. But having grown up in the Milwaukee area and loving my community and its brands, I also grew up loyal to the brand. Loyal regardless of the times they disappoint me.

As I hear about the new round of layoffs at The Motor Company, the fact that its not doing well, I think about how similar my feelings are towards HD and our country, of America.

I love Harley. I love America. Even with their rust, but especially when they shine.

Sprecher Supports Local Parks With ParkLife Beer

It's always great when a local business supports the local community, and we get that chance with the new Sprecher ParkLife beer.

First in a series of brews intended to give back to Milwaukee County Parks, one of the jewels of our community, you can grab one at the Grant Park beer garden, and other locations.

The Romanticizing of Guns in American Culture

This has been stewing in my head for a while. School shootings, mass shootings, racist killings, and more always get me wanting to start and finish this. It took the ridiculous image of the St. Louis couple inappropriately brandishing firearms and peaceful protesters (and social media discussion about it) to get to it.

The discussion around the St. Louis incident seems to boil down to basically 1st Amendment versus 2nd Amendment rights. The first seems to be clear, the protesters had the right. The local Circuit Attorney, Kim Gardner has already supported that: "I am alarmed at the events that occurred over the weekend, where peaceful protesters were met by guns and a violent assault. We must protect the right to peacefully protest, and any attempt to chill it through intimidation or threat of deadly force will not be tolerated," Gardner tweeted.

So then it comes down to, was this an appropriate use of gun ownership by this couple? Is this type of event, the "Self-Defense Gun Use" or SDGU, appropriate or necessary? Let alone legal?

In America, we have romanticized gun use to the point that even rational people get so worked up about the concept of owning guns that they are blinded to whether they are needed, useful, or are they actually dangerous to the owner and loved ones to keep around. Just look at what this couple did, they brandished their guns movie-style, like kids emulating their action movie hero with toy guns, with dangerous lack of discipline.

Why Saying All Lives Matter Is Ridiculous: An Analogy From A Motorcyclist

When someone says:

Watch for Motorcycles

You don't hear people correcting them:

Watch for ALL Vehicles!

BlackLivesMatter Is 'Reputable', On The Nature Of New Organizations

Just yesterday a friend posted on social media denouncing the "All Lives Matter" response to Black Lives Matter. Some commented on it: "I am fine with the sentiment and statement around Black lives. What I do NOT support is the organization." After some discourse, , they ended with this: "Follow the money and do some digging into their founders and funding." and finally " I could go on but I will let you research for yourself."

There are a few things going on here. I will delve into each, but the focus of this will be on the nature of 'non-profits' and start-up organizations. I can see how it is easy for manipulation to make it look questionable, but if you do what the person suggested and research for yourself, you will find no issues. I have direct experience with non-profits that have done exactly how Black Lives Matter operates as an organization and funding, so I can tell you it's on the up-and-up.

What you will see here, unlike comments like the ones above, as I lay out my understanding, are quotes and links that support my points.