Take the Skinheads Bowling and discuss Mod History

I guess parenthood has made me tragically unhip... I had no idea that Camper Van Beethoven had gotten back together, but here they are, performing that late 80s college radio classic "Take the Skinheads Bowling"Schweet!and along a similar vein, I recently found this info graphic, which illustrates the history of Mod culture in the US. While it doesn't specifically mention scooters, or SHARPS, it

"socialism for life's needs, and capitalism for life's wants"

I know I haven't been blogging lately, but I ran across this on Reddit tonight, and thought that it was meme worth spreading.

Rules for the Cult of Capitalism

Recently, my buddy Klint renamed his Technoccult blog, Renegade Futurist, and his focus for the blog seems to shifted some.No worries, though, he's posting some awesome stuff like this "Rules for the Cult of Capitalism":3. When the government charges for its services (taxes), this is theft. When private enterprises charge for food and rent, this is just. 4. Theft is the worst crime known to man.

Jello Biafra's Advice to Obama

If you are up for some in depth reading, I suggest you check out this open letter to Barack Obama from Punk-Rock-Patriarch Jello Biafra. It's the sanest thing I've read in some time.IRAQ – TRY THIS!The closest thing to a solution I have heard was offered clear back in April 2004 by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (www.oic-ico.org). The OIC is comprised of 57 Islamic countries ranging

Life Imitates the Illuminatus Trilology

I just have no idea what to make of this story.In the months prior to 9/11, Israeli Art Students with loose links to Israeli Ecstasy traffickers attempted to infiltrate DEA offices; visited DEA agents at their homes; and lived near the 9/11 hi-jackers.If you think this sounds like the ravings of that guy on the bus who smells like stale milk and wears mismatched shoes, I don't blame you. But I

Solving Motorcycle Parking Problems

A Kent County man who got fed up with the run-around his requests for two-wheeler specific parking received from the local council, took matters into his own hands and painted the lines for a cycle parking spot himself. This story just made my morning.He painted a space for one motorcycle and carefully added the letters ‘MC’, only to realise there was no way he could park his bike in it. “It

Ride to Vote

The folks who organize the annual "Ride to Work" event are pushing the idea of "Ride to Vote."Sounds good to me. Democrat, Republican, Green, or Libertarian, hop on your scooter, cruiser, electric bicycle, sport bike, or moped and vote, gul-durnit!

Love and Marriage, American Style

So this past weekend, Jes and I attended the wedding of one of her childhood friends. Perhaps you can tell from the photo above, it was a little non-traditional.Still, it was the most beautiful ceremony I have ever seen.The ceremony was a mish-mash of Wiccan and Native American rituals, which was surprisingly poignant and non-New Age-y.With the recent developments in California about gay marriage

Why the USA is Losing the Energy Race

Unless we get our act together, the US is going to find itself left behind in the 21st century. There is no denying the current energy crunch, and those who would rather debate the possibility of global warming, rather than seek solutions are short-sided and irresponsible. Yet as this perfect storm of an energy crisis is ravaging the pocket books of average Americans, our leaders are cutting

Individual Energy Independence

Came across this story recently about a few folks who are using full electric vehicles in conjunction with solar panels.Darrell Dickey regularly commutes to work 24 miles, one way, by bike. But when it's too cold or wet for the bike, or when he and his family travel long distances from their home in Davis, California, he drives a battery-powered electric vehicle that he charges with

Vespa Expedition to Promote Kindness, Compassion, and Volunteerism

Chef Peter Ramstine is my kind of maniac. On April 1st (seriously) he began a journey through all of the state capitals and 8 Canadian Provinces on his yellow Vespa GTS. Along the way he will be volunteering where-ever he can. Look at this route!You can view the route and schedule in more detail here.Peter was originally inspired to start this journey after his experiences volunteering with

Ben Hur Enters Celestial Chariot Races with a Vespa

The first thing I was greeted with this morning upon firing up my browser was the news of Charlton Heston's passing, and the obligatory yet distasteful jokes about his "cold, dead hands."That Chuck spent his later years as a whipping boy of the Left has always troubled me. Though I may not have agreed with all his politics, I always respected Heston. He always gave me the feeling of being the

Metalheads for Obama

I'd like to say something clever about this, but am overwhelmed by its inherent cleverness. Sheer metal genius from Jay-Jay French, guitarist for Twisted Sister.

Flaming Lips + Cat Power = "War Pigs"!!!

Oh man! This is fantastic!Hmmm... makes me wonder if getting blood on the American Flag is considered blasphemous pinko desecration?Think for a sec, afore ya answer that, eh, hoss?I'll say one thing for Bush & Co., they have heightened my appreciation of Black Sabbath and Ozzy.For many years I wrote Ozzy off with the typical art-fags disdain for stoner-metal. But the only competition this song

Yes We Can

"There has never been anything false about hope."You know the Dragon is always hesitant to post about political subjects.But when it comes to the kind of hope Barack Obama is peddlin', I have only two statements:I Kan Has?Yes We Can!

Michael Franti and Spearhead

That last video I posted got me thinking about Spearhead.They played at my Alma Mater during the later half of my freshman year, and my roomate Sparky had one of their posters up for the remainder of the year. The next year, when I'd cook up five gallons of my infamous Cajun Dragon's Breath red beans and rice, at least one of my room mates would start into the chorus of "Beans and Rice." There's

Biker Charities and Causes

Among the booths at the NYC Int. MC Show were several with humanitarian goals.Now if you've never known personally a stereotypical "Outlaw" biker, or any motorcyclists for that matter, this might surprise you. On the other hand, perhaps you've seen an annual parade of leather, chrome, tattoos, and baby dolls, otherwise known as a toy-ride and wondered at the surreality of the vision. Having spent

This is What Freedom Looks Like, 2007 edition

Jimny Christmas!There is just so much wrong with this, I don't even know where to begin.

Rebuild America First

Look out Bushie, I think you just might be on the Hag's fightin' side."Let's get out of Iraq,Get back on track,And let's rebuild America first." I may just play this song on repeat until Jes threatens to strangle me.Has anyone started a Merle Haggard for President movement? I meant to do some special post for the 4th, but between scooter painting duties, and sheer frustration over the state of

Journalistic Integrity

This made me so happy.Life imitates Network.Hey, MSNBC, please give Ms. Brzezinski a raise!