The Engaged Observer: October 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Walking The Walk

How many times have you seen a police officer driving in a reckless manner? I've stopped counting the number of cops talking on their cell phone while driving. I even saw a motorcycle cop riding his bike with one hand and holding his cellphone in another. Once when I confronted an LAPD officer while riding next to her squad car on my bike, she smiled and said to me "It's for official police business" as if the subject matter of her call magically immunizes her from distraction and me from the danger she poses to my safety. I've witnessed Beverly Hills police blow through stop signs while speeding through residential neighborhoods. While this is legal when their lights are on and they are responding to an urgent call, their emergency lights were off, and because they made no effort to alert anyone, it can only be described as reckless driving. A call to the watch commander confirmed they should not have been doing that. One of my hopes was that one day, all these officers would be held to the same laws that all other motorists must abide by.

For one Miami police officer, that day has finally come.

Florida Highway Patrol arrested a Miami police officer on Oct. 11 after a seven-minute-long high speed chase on Florida's Turnpike in Broward County.

VIDEO COURTESY OF UNIVISION 23

Friday, October 28, 2011

Bike Your Halloween Weekend

Tonight's Critical Mass will feature one thousand plus costumed riders taking to the streets of L.A. starting at 6:30pm, Wilshire and Western.

On Saturday, head over to the Graff Lab for the L.A. Fixie Bike Film and Music Festival. Music, Films, Food and Racing with CASH prizes for men and women! So if you think you're the fastest fixie rida in all the land,

PROVE IT, and collect $400. Here's a teaser:

And on Sunday, The 99% Ride takes to the streets starting at OccupyLA at noon, sharing our demands for a world that works through democracy, not corporatocracy.

I've invited the mayor to join us.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Cultural Genocide in South Dakota

A 3 part investigative report by Laura Sullivan and Amy Walters on NPR this week brings to light an awful truth about the United States of America:

Well into the 21st century, the state of South Dakota continues to perpetrate a systematic campaign of cultural genocide against numerous Native American tribes.

Why? To satisfy the greed of politically connected individuals who have succeeded in privatizing the care of foster children in the state of South Dakota, twisting and warping the purpose and mission of state agencies and ignoring federal laws in the process.

A company in South Dakota has figured out that they can steal native children off reservations, put them in group homes that they own, and collect millions of tax dollars to care for them. All they need to do is say the child is being neglected and no one can stop them. Federal law dictates that native children must be placed in native homes or with relatives, but South Dakota does nothing of the sort. Instead, 700 children a year are sent to a chain of group homes operated by this company awarded an exclusive no bid contract to care for foster kids in the state.

Guess who used to run the company: the governor of South Dakota, Dennis Daugaard.

I find it ironic that a Republican governor of a Republican state can pretend to rail against government waste when he has devised an evil little factory that steals children from their families so that he can bill the government for their imprisonment. The taxpayers of South Dakota are robbed annually to the tune of tens of millions of dollars as a result of this illegal child imprisonment scheme.

The loss of identity and psychological damage inflicted on these children is immeasurable. That this is able to occur in our country must give every American pause.

When will Dennis Daugaard be brought to justice for devising and perpetrating unspeakable acts of cultural genocide against the Crow Creek Tribe?

Monday, October 24, 2011

A Modest Proposal

I present to you modest proposal: This Friday, Los Angeles Critical Mass shall bring the ride to Occupy Los Angeles and ride a couple laps around City Hall in solidarity with OccupyLA. I bet we can EASILY give City Hall and the Occupiers a "bicycle bear hug" in costumes nonetheless!

After all, I'd bet 99% of CM ridazz are part of the 99%. Damien, can I get a Air Horn, Seen?

I can imagine that a vocal minority will say Critical Mass is not political. I guess you could make whatever conclusions you want about the simple act of riding in circles around the political heart of our city.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

BikeroParty!

Saw a tweet yesterday about some party and thought I'd pay the good people at Bikerowave a visit. Bottom Line: they know their bikes AND they know how to party.

STOLEN BIKE in Hollywood #APB

This is a Stolen Bike

When: This morning 10/22/11

Where: Near Sunset and Fairfax

What: Motobecane 10 speed. “Super Mirage” on center frame tube. Grey with Black tape on handle bars, 2 speed levers on handle bars. Toe grabbers on pedals. It is short, about 30” high.

Who: Suspect is a white male, 6’ with ski cap and possibly wearing a black or gray hoodie.

It belongs to my neighbor Bruce. If you see it anywhere call Bruce.

213-Three Hundred-2504

or me

818-Six Two Zero-7865

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The cavalry rides for OccupyLA

Last Sunday I helped organize a bike ride for OccupyLA

I brought the shopping cart rickshaw my friends from Alumina Design fabricated for the inagural CicLAvia.

Decorated with a 20 foot tall bamboo flag pole flying the 99%, and an Aiwa pumping revolutionary tunes, it was the perfect tool to inspire the people with the Occupation's message.

To our surprise, the 1% by and large supports the 99%

Monday, October 17, 2011

Rest In Peace Dan Wheldon

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Sunday, Oct, 16th: OccupyLA Bicycle Outreach and Action

Time	Sunday, October 16 · 12:00pm - 3:30pm

Location	City Hall 200 North Spring Street Los Angeles, CA


More Info	Occupy LA Bicycle outreach & action day! We will meet at City Hall at 12:00 noon to educate riders on bicycle signaling & safety guidelines. We then leave for Echo & Elysian Park at 1:00pm and return back to City Hall. Bicycles will have with flyers & banners with "Occupy LA" & "99%" !