Jetmech74,

PM me your address. I just finished the Motley Crue book and i will send it to you.

 

NOT trying to start a fight, especially as the new guy here, but isnt that what "1%" means?...to operate by their own laws and NOT those of society? I would think that means "criminal"...NOT saying all 1 %'ers are criminals by any means however, I always heard that was the definition.

Im pretty sure most law enforcement agencies define a "gang" as more than 2 people with a common identifier/name/patch/whatever whose MAIN purpose is to commit crimes. From what Ive read, thats what Barger did and he did his time for it. Thats what a LOT of 1%er clubs do, even though perhaps not all members are engaged, I would wager they all know about it...to associate with that bunch makes you appear just as guilty as thise who are the main actors. Thats what lowered the numbers of the Galloping Goose and El Forastero in my parts a few years back.

I must admit its a very interesting topic and lifestyle that most people, (even though they may never admit it), would love to have a taste of for awhile if they could escape it without consequences.

The part of about born again Christians not being criminals and doing bad things is kind of funny because, (Im assuming you meant), they are religious.........like Catholic priests.

Anyway, cool thread...lots of good opinions but nothing to fight over.

 

1% doesn't mean what the badges or talking heads say it is.

Follow the money and power so you'll know why it's true.

 

So true, anyone can be a bad *** prisons are full of them, takes ***** to stand up and actually contribute to society.

 

I would like next after Jetmech74 on that book if no one else has.

 

I've heard this is a very good book. I'll be ordering it soon.

 

Long post...

Couple 'a things...first, "Out Bad" is a good book, though I'm still not sure he made clear who the shooter(s) were. Second, I was raised in the South Chicago suburbs in the '60s (lived there until I went into the Military in late '69), and really haven't come out that bad, so I can't in a blanket fashion condemn those years...they were, in fact, pretty good years to me.

My time also saw the beginning of the "biker" movies, i.e., "The Wild Angels," "Hells Angels On Wheels," and that standout classic, "She-Devils on Wheels." I'd been around bikes most of my life through my Cousin (as you can see from my signature pic), the "black sheep" of the family who rode Harleys (another story altogether for another time), and as a teen-ager during the years of GTOs, Road Runners, and '57 Chevys, I wanted a Sportster XLCH more than any car on the street. So it's hard to convince me that those of us who have been around bikes, and maybe some characters of that ilk, weren't somewhat influenced by the likes of the Angels, and to us in Chicago, the "Chicago Outlaws" (later that decade the "American Outlaw Association").

A memory that will stay with me forever was when the "Wild Angels" came to town. Went to a forgotten theater downtown Chicago to see it and the promotion was a Hells Angel "type" and his bike sitting outside the ticket window. He was a nice guy, actually, learned and articulate believe it or not, and though he looked the part, after talking to him for a while his being a criminal, drug dealer, or gun runner didn't fit the picture...might have been, but in my conversation with him I'd probably guess otherwise. He did say something that has stayed with me ever since. He said that he chose to live as he did. He was beholden to no one, had no responsibility to anyone but himself, and the freedom and respect he enjoyed from his Brothers was earned and everlasting. He also said that every man, if he was true to himself, would choose to live his life in the same way.

And I think he was right to a great degree. Living with no compass to guide you but your own can generate a very alluring attraction, and to a 17-year old the thought of being the baddest *** on the sidewalk was like a rush of adrenaline. I didn't take the same path he did, but truthfully, don't we sometimes, when we've cranked the throttle, heard the bike bark in response, feel more alive than we were just hours ago in our office and staring at the computer screen, or tightening that lug nut, or dumping that last load of cut grass from the grasscatcher, wish we had? I'm not a wannabe...I made my choice all those years ago. And I'm not espousing respect for a criminal life. I'm saying that life is a series of choices, and part of the joy it brings us is wondering "what if..." and making up your own ending.

I say all that to say this...no matter what Sonny Barger, or any of his Brothers, have done or are alleged to have done, and no matter the statistics someone can cite or quote, we all live within ourselves as individuals, and generalizing about anybody, or any group of anybodys, is a dangerous turn of events.

Sorry for the ramble, but it's Friday afternoon and I'm sick of looking at email...out 'a here! A great weekend to all my friends on HDF! Ride to ride again another time...

 

Good post Hayden.

 

I think the problems are with romanticizing some of these groups and giving them reputations that they have never and can never live up to. The bottom line is that the HA and similar groups are gangs, they are big well organized gangs but gangs non the less, they have in the past been involved in crime and may currently be involved in crime and there is nothing romantic about that. However the fact is that many people will overlook the criminal aspects or even defend it or deny it for these groups regardless of the truth, primarily because they want to identify with the "bad boy" image that also goes along with these groups. Just the same way as people like tv and film about cheeky criminals from east end London etc.. I have heard people talking about the Kray twins in east end London and about how they were great guys, they loved their mum etc.., they also stole from, killed and maimed people on a relatively indiscriminate basis but that is forgotten so they can be romanticized for suitable association and hero worship. One of the biggest problems in US society is drug abuse, it destroys families, wrecks whole pockets of society and Sonny Barger and his peers were manufacturers and distributors, I would say any of the good things he did were outweighed by the evil he and his cohorts perpetrated.
Don't forget that the term 1% came from a comment that 99% of bikers were law abiding so those who then chose to call themselves 1% were declaring themselves as not being law abiding, sure it has changed somewhat to more of a fringe statement declaring themselves as the few that do not conform but that is where it started, nothing good or romantic there. These days people still like to join gangs so they belong to something, gain a feeling of family they may never have had before or maybe just so someone will tell them what to do so they can have a sense of purpose, I cannot in good conscience criticize someone for that, nor will I say all these gangs are criminal, in fact we may be getting to a time of 1% of 1%, i.e. 99% of 1% MC's are law abiding but I also don't feel the need to romanticize those days or yore, they were not good days.
In conclusion it is obvious that some people will always be attracted to these groups and will find reasons to justify that attraction and nothing I or anyone says will change that, I would never join such a group, regardless of their ideals because I don't feel any need to integrate with people beyond the usual bonds of friendship and I already have a good family that I was born into. People like Sonny Barger and his ilk will answer to God for their deeds and he will forgive or not as he sees fit and based on what is in their hearts on the final day, it interests me as a curiosity but not as something important, it is something I am exposed to as a motorcyclist but it is my choice wether or not it is allowed to affect me, they will get the same respect any stranger on a bike would get from me unless they decide they should be my boss when all bets are off.
I do sometimes have a drink with outlaws and I will give them my opinion if asked and in the most part they respect my honesty, as none MC i think it is important to respect all clubs but support none.
A quick comment on the articulate MC type guy outside the cinema, I have met some incredibly well educated, intelligent and articulate MC members, both criminal and none criminal, never judge a book by its cover.

 

Opinions vary based on experience and integrity.