[wvak47]

Ok background. My wife is taking an Executive Masters Program at a local university. Her classmates were planning a social evening at a local restraunt/bar called Tomahawks. This is the email the Director of the EMBA program sent to the students subject Get together at Tomahawks.

Dear All:

It has come to my attention that this place where a lot of bikers gather in the evening. I do not think this venue is an appropriate one. I am sorry but, I am very concerned about the image of the program, vis-à-vis WVU fiasco. I just do not want to give any opportunity to any outsiders to give us a negative publicity. Not that there will be anything from your side; it is the other side I am concerned about. To sum it up, please change the venue to a place like Embassy Suits, Tidewater in the Mall, etc. If this event has to be postponed, then so be it. Not a problem. But it is important that we go to a place where professionals such you frequent. I have been told by a couple of non-EMBA persons about the biker situation. Please let me know what is the situation. Thank you for your understanding.


Best regards,
XXXXX X. Tate, DBA


Needless to say didn't set well with me, or wifey for that matter. So here was my reply to the fine Doctor.

Dear Doctor Tate,

Regarding your close minded view of bikers; please except this, most humble opinion of one of the lowlifes. Since you asked to be informed of the situation.

You and those like you present more of a problem than do those of us who freely choose to exercise our liberties, in the pursuit of happiness. I, being a college graduate, would have thought that an individual who had achieved your high academic status would possess a broader view of culture along with current affairs. Motorcyclists come from all walks of life today, with Harley Davidson being a status symbol among many of the country’s more financially elite. So much so, that an acronym has been coined just for them. RUB (Rich Urban Biker).

In a group of today’s riders you are just as likely to meet a doctor, nurse, school teacher, lawyer, physical therapist, paralegal, CEO, or airline pilot as you are mechanics, warehouse workers, and truck drivers. While at Tomahawks you may even run into the likes of the Honorable Joe Manchin III, 34th Governor of our great State. Yes Mr. Manchin does own and ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

In closing thank you for avoiding our venues as we appreciate the space of those with inflated egos, far more than their company. I will also do my best to inform the executives I meet while riding my Harley Davidson Sportster of the views you are passing along to your students of the EMBA program. I am sure they will be pleased to know how they are viewed by your organization.

Thank You

Steve W Ray II
Price Auditor/IT

[Red Rider]

I wouldn't have given him a serious response. I'd have submitted, for his dining/conference approval, the name of a local pre-school or Chuck-E-Cheese.
Or better yet, I'd wait till an "approved" location was selected, then rounded up every hog rider I could to crash the party! Walk in, go up to Dr Tater-tot and say "Ma'am, could I have this dance?"
WARNING:
Your argument about how respectable bikers can be is OK, but I guess I am just a bit worn out in the push to make bikers into the largest frickin' chartible organization on the planet. Contribute to this; donate to that; save the whales; help the poor helpless vets (I'll loudly say this, being one and having volunteered with the DAV for a year - too many "helpless" veterans are sorry-azzed scumsuckers that won't take the responsibility to help themselves - and many of those were kicked out before even completing their first hitch).... it all gets to be too much. Are we all trying to make up for the crimes of the 1%ers? A toy run once a year is fine, but we shouldn't need to support a charity to ride. I've got no problem supporting them - have given thousands over the years - but I don't need to be on my bike to do it.

OK, I'm over it. I guess I just had to, too!

[Art_NJr]

"It has come to my attention that this place where a lot of bikers gather in the evening. I do not think this venue is an appropriate one."

Classic example of the fact that for most people, "Perception IS Reality."

But I've seen some interesting changes lately, including a young lady with her little boy I saw @ my rural post office. I came out tucking my mail into my jacket & hopped on the bike with them standing next to her car, Mom holding the little boy's hand & the little boy pointing @ the bike, "Mo-cycle - mo-cycle !!" They kept standing there as I put my helmet on & the lady said, "He wants to listen to the bike start up & watch you ride it." So I fired it up, waved to the little boy & headed on out of the lot, with the little boy waving & grinning from ear to ear.

[mwelych]

I'm a school teacher myself, and except for hanging out with my fellow science teachers (less one), I'd rather hang out with bikers. They're real, not phony, strong willed and just plain f#@%*!g fun. I don't care to hang with those other stuffy buttholes. And they really don't care to hang with me either. I'm too straight forward and gruff for most of them.

[BluePearl]

I would like to know if "Mr. Stuffyshirt" had the b@lls to give you a response? Like Red said find a group that gives more! He probably does 1 charity dinner a year just to put on "airs" and expects a 4 course meal for it instead of a hotdog and a coke like we get every other weekend it seems!

[voodoochild]

people like mr stuffyshirt are just d**ks, they think that they are better than a working man because they wear a suit and tie to work. i deal with them all of the time. it don't matter what you wear to work.......you're still going to WORK!! just like the rest of us. whatever.....I wasted a bunch of energy that I'll never get back on some J-off...

[ironhorse]

I can agree with both wvak and red as i feel i can and do hang comfortably with the percenters, the bankers and doctors ranchers, normal working stiffs, the full relm of the education ladder, i treat as to be treated, and if i responded as wvak had i would expect a response, and if not time to gather the any and every scooter ridin/lover you could find and just over populate the function at hand but be fully respectfull and polite as they are and when every one leaves you may have change an impression for the good, but if not and he still bad mouthes what he dosen't understand, then education is in need

[wvak47]

As I no longer have a working PC or internet at home I had to wait until today to follow up with you folks, and to see if Dr Tate responded to share as well. He did about 6 hours later but that is fine it was the same day and that was good. Here is what he had to say:

Mr. Steve Ray:

I certainly respect your opinion, but do not agree. By the way, I used to tend bars at a bikers' joint. So, please do not give me that about academic ivory tower.

So, my concern comes out of personal expoerience. I have nothing against those riding HD. Actually I wish I could be rich enough to own it. My concern is for the good of the whole and not a concern of how a few feel.
Anyway, I hope that we will consider your establishment in fufutre, if need be. Not a problem. Do nto take it personally. A business decision.

Dr. Tate


Although the fine doctor seems to have had a few before typing this he was atleast man enough to respond, and do so in a semi-good nature. I will of course have to continue this conversation with the good Dr.

Didn't mean to break a string for ya Red LOL. I never said crap about being a charitable organization. I said bikers are good people, and was simply letting this goofball know he has stepped on the wrong toes. I spent five years in a liberal re-education camp, ing up the crap they gave me to earn my freedom and a slip of paper saying "I B Smart". Not going to set by and allow that same camp to turn the table and label me cause I ride a Harley. uh hmmm FOOK DAT, as my "black brothers" would say.

As far as "crashing" their party, I care not to do that either. First it could do serious harm to my wife's future (as she is a student of that class) and I would find it hard to beat my own ass. Anyone that messes with my misses has a beatin' comin'. Second that would only prove to reinforce this joker's views and help prove his credit to the students. That would be among the last thing I wanted to do. So no, crashing is out, but giving up on this is as well . Before this is over I will shake Dr. Tate's hand in front of the bar (and his students) at Tomahawks.


My Reply:

Dear Dr Tate,

Thank you for your response and expressing your opinion in a professional and respectable manner. More than a few figured you would either turn your nose in the air in snobbish fashion, or simply not have the brass to respond. Personally I was hoping you would prove them wrong, as I very much wanted to hear your side.

Differences in opinion are a good thing for all of society. If everyone agreed this world would lack much of its luster. It is when one becomes bound by their beliefs/opinion and refuses to listen to another that problems arise. A closed mind should be reserved only for the dead. It is up to those who are more enlightened through education or life experiences to do their best to help right the wrongs they find in the path of life.

As I presume you are a busy man I will cut this short. I understand the phrase, “Nothing personal, just good business” extremely well. It is good to know you are trying to watch out for the image of the person who sent me your original message, as they are important to me. You must understand I am trying to do the same for that person as well from the “other side”, along with those I consider to be my chosen family. I hope that someday (soon) you and your class will see fit to join my friends and I and we can discuss this further over a drink of your choice.

Again thank you for your time and consideration.

[wvak47]

He must have been at his desk, as he has already replied to my last email.

Dear Mr. Ray:

No problem at all. I appreciate your professional response as well.

Should things change, I will take you up on your invitation and have a beer or two with you at the establishment. I am a down-to-earth guy who has to maintain a balance along the way in the program. I am sure you will understand this.

Again, thank you for your kind words and consideration and my apology in advance for causing any ill-will at your end. Please do not think that way. No malice was intended.

Sincerely,


XXXXXXX Tate

[cowboy]

MR Ray has anyone taken in the man's age , If he tended bar at a biker in his youth then he just might been there in the 70's , thing's where a lot different then , A lot rowdier group rode HD 's back then , & then you had hollywood & all the movies about the bad Asz bikers , that was just fuel for the fire for John Q public , just food for thought

[wvak47]

OH yeah I considered that. However, like it has been said, "Times, they be a changin' ". I don't give a rat's rectum to be accepted per se', but I be damned if anyone is going to look down or talk down to me. I am pretty pleased with how this is working out, and have every intention to turn up at one of their little get togethers and introduce myself in person.

[cowboy]

just besure to ride your bike & park on the sidewalk , I would & I do