Unelievable!!!

[steve harrison]

Dear Rt Hon Chris Grayling,

I read with total incredulity in the news how Micheal Meacher has instructed the police to persecute motorcyclists in rural areas. No reason or justification is given other than a personal dislike for people who ride motorcycles.

I have never owned or ridden a motorcycle myself but I am outraged that members of the government feel that they can pick on specific groups in society based upon nothing more than personal prejudice. If Mr Meacher had instructed the police to clamp down on black people, or Jews or homosexuals for example he would quite rightly face disgrace and prosecution. This is no different.

People like this have no place in democratic government and he should be dismissed immediately. As my Member of Parliament I implore you to press for the removal of this contemptuous bigot as a matter of urgency.

Yours sincerely

R. Stephen Harrison MA CEng. MIEE


What a neat system, I hope Mr Grayling has a lot of paper in his fax machine, he's going to need it from now on.

[MEMSDesign]

Dear Mr Michael J. Foster,

It has recently come to my attention that it appears to be the intention of the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher, to ban motorcyles from national parks. Whilst I do not own a motorcycle, I am firmly against this type of action. I would ask that you represent my views in Parliament, which I am sure are shared by many in your constituency.

This type of unilateral action by the upper echelons of the current government is very worrying, and appears run counter to the idea of a representative democracy.

I am also concerned by the emerging trend which appears to view speed cameras as revenue gathering devices. I am not opposed to enforcement of speed limits where appropriate, but I do believe that more discretion should be exercised than is currently the case. Bad feeling generated from inappropriate application of the law is lasting and damages the effectiveness of the police by stigmatising the profession. I would prefer to pay increased road tax than be convicted as a criminal to compensate for police underfunding.

Motoring issues are very close to my heart, and it is now very doubtful that I will be voting Labour in future, as I did in the last election. For every person willing to write to you to express their views, I'm sure there are hundreds who feel similarly, without the application to make a representation.

[hertsbiker]

I thank you, sports car brothers. As will any biker who gets to hear of your support.

I know that you're not just saying this stuff 'cos it affects you next - you're saying it because it is just so.... so.... fu*king unfair!!

Just don't see how this can go on. If any other portion of the population was discriminated like this, there would be a public enquiry. And the minister sacked.

Gotta stand tall, and talk loud on this one, or we're all gonna end up in the sh*t.

Thanks again.


Carl

[CarZee]

If anyone has been following the happenings surrounding the fox-hunting vote in Scotland,they'll know that the next stage is to invoke article 8 of the ECHR - says something like "the right to be allowed to pursue your way of life without interference or restriction from government" ... hmmm I just ahve a feeling it's going to come to that ..

Once the do-gooders have got fox-hunting banned in this country, they won't sit back in satisfaction, they'll look for the next target for their righteous indignation - and motorcyclists are a prime target, mate.

[MEMSDesign]

Motorcyclists are a far more difficult target than those who hunt. They are not restricted to rural constituencies (which tend not to be marginal, and not Labour) but well distributed. Losing the 'biker' vote would do Labour serious damage. They couldn't care less about rural constituencies.

>> Edited by MEMSDesign on Monday 18th February 09:01

[DIGGA]

quote:
Motorcylclists are a far more difficult target than those who hunt. They are not restricted to rural constituencies (which tend not to be marginal, and not Labour) but well distributed. Losing the 'biker' vote would do Labour serious damage. They couldn't care less about rural constituencies.

Could be worse - like perhaps legalising motorclyclist hunting!

[apache]

hertsbiker, Carl, have you spread the word in the biking community, are they aware etc etc

[steve harrison]

quote:

Just don't see how this can go on. If any other portion of the population was discriminated like this, there would be a public enquiry. And the minister sacked.

Carl,
You're so right. This goes way beyond any argument about the specific rights of bikers. We have a government minister instructing the police to single out a specific group of the population for special victimisation. It is truly astonishing. Even in 1930s Germany the Nazis preferred to operate by stirring up public opinion against specific groups rather than issue instructions to the police to harass them.

As I stated to my MP, there is absolutely no difference between this and a minister making a statement that the police should preferentially target black people because they are more likely to be criminals than white people. No difference whatsoever. In he did that he would be out in seconds and probably face criminal prosecution.

Quite apart from any argument against this I may have as a Pistonhead I am totally f@cking furious as a voter in a so called democratic country that the misinformed prejudice of a tiny-dicked, peanut brained bigot can be directed against anybody like this without him being immediately dismissed from government and thrown in the most unpleasant chokey available, preferably from a great height. It's totally incredible.

Sorry, rant off
Steve

[hertsbiker]

quote:
hertsbiker, Carl, have you spread the word in the biking community, are they aware etc etc

A lot of my mates read MCN, and I have been telling anyone I've spoken to !

Christ, who's next on the Gov. hit list? maybe you'll get websites mysteriously vanishing..

Carl

[hertsbiker]

quote:
Quite apart from any argument against this I may have as a Pistonhead I am totally f@cking furious as a voter in a so called democratic country that the misinformed prejudice of a tiny-dicked, peanut brained bigot can be directed against anybody

Don't hold back now..

[nonegreen]

quote:

quote:
Quite apart from any argument against this I may have as a Pistonhead I am totally f@cking furious as a voter in a so called democratic country that the misinformed prejudice of a tiny-dicked, peanut brained bigot can be directed against anybody

Don't hold back now..

Huh You should hear him when he's had a few. It would appear that some sort of protest is planned to sort the b@stard out. If you follow the links on MCN there is a website to register but unfortunately when I got there it had exceeded its bandwidth for the day. That gives the impression that a lot of people are really annoyed by this and intend to do something about it. I would very much like to join any peacefull (or violent for that matter) protest. How would a bunch of cars go down with the bikers though?

[smeagol]

I would image a bunch of sports cars turning up in support of bikers would do nothing but good. I often get the friendly nod and wave from bikers. Remember that car enthusiasts and bikers have an awful lot in common. We both like roads and driving, both hate revenue cameras, both disagree with stupid speed limits. I believe it is time that petrolheads both 2 and 4 wheel should unite.

[gnomesmith]

How about leaving the bikes alone and banning caravans?

I've never been stuck behind a bike, although some Gold Wings are as big as cars, but I have had lots of grief from Caravans on the A470 in the National Park and I'm sure my frustration must have frightened the sheep!

Which Pistonhead will dare defend the civil rights of caravans...instant expulsion?

>> Edited by gnomesmith on Saturday 16th February 00:45

[hertsbiker]

quote:
I would image a bunch of sports cars turning up in support of bikers would do nothing but good. I often get the friendly nod and wave from bikers. Remember that car enthusiasts and bikers have an awful lot in common. We both like roads and driving, both hate revenue cameras, both disagree with stupid speed limits. I believe it is time that petrolheads both 2 and 4 wheel should unite.

You're so right. A good time indeed... I am sure that my biking friends would be highly pleased that there are some other people who think like them.

C

>> Edited by hertsbiker on Saturday 16th February 18:54

[andymadmak]

I live in Matlock, on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Every weekend, as many of you will know, Matlock is the focal point for hundreds if not thousands of bikers who congregate there to show off their bikes, chat and enjoy the scenery. Matlock also atracts lots of families ( there is a Gullivers Kingdom themepark here) I have lived here for a number of years and the bikes have never been a problem. Aside from the very rare 18 year old arsehole pulling wheelies on his yamahonduki 175 (and the police stamp on these very quickly) I've always viewed it as a great pleasure to wander down and look at the large array of top notch and well cared for machinery on view. Sometimes I take my Tiv down just to add to the noise and spectacle. I can honestly say that I have never heard one complaint from the locals, not even in the local papers. Maybe I have missed something but locals and visitors alike seem to like the bikers and there is never any trouble or nuisance.
Meacher does not speak for me. In fact I cannot begin to imagine who he does speak for. As far as I am concerned he can go and get lost somewhere. Preferably NOT in the Peak district national Park though, cos I would rather not have an offensive nuisance like him round my way.
Andy 400se

>> Edited by andymadmak on Sunday 17th February 16:18

>> Edited by andymadmak on Sunday 17th February 16:19

[nonegreen]

Andymadmac I posted an anti Meacher thread on the Guardian website (It amuses me to wind greens up from time to time). Few replies so far but it looks like his supporters are located there.

[hertsbiker]

the bloody guardian. Just DON'T mention that near me. Too many of my 'eco' minded friends (veggies & women) read the bloody Guardian, and quote crap from it all the time !! shame, I quite like the these people, but the bollo about recycling and green issues gets right on my pecs.
Carl

[horse]

Thanks to all for your supportive responses.If you feel so inclined, you can e-mail Mr Meacher directly at [e-mail]. The MCN website has links to on-line petitions of support for some kind of action such as town centre go-slows.
I am fortunate enough to be a Biker and a sports car driver and enjoy both equally. I hope to be able to continue enjoying both kinds of transport but little by little our freedoms are being eroded. They keep nibbling away at us and each bite takes us closer to the day when, if we are still allowed cars/bikes, they will be speed-restricted, auto-piloted, soul-sucking boxes.

[hertsbiker]

hope you're right about that email address ! - I just mailed to 'im.

rgds.

[s2ooz]

if any of you want to sign what seems to be the central point at the moment its at :

http://goslow.brinkster.net

but its struggling with bandwith (the original brought down MCN's website last week.)