anti lane splitting comments on the radio

[madmike2]

Perhaps Ric in Sac or exskibum know someone in the District Attorney office. I read the transcript of his show and it seems to my untrained brain that he was inciting this speech. That should make him and the station criminally liable if this event were to befall a rider.

I'm almost certain that it would be considered assault with a deadly weapon for a motorist to actually do this to a motorcycle rider.

It seems they have notified the AMA and just about everyone else. I wonder how the station management will like a call or letter from the AMA legal team? Certainly the local Police Chiefs and the Commander of the CHP should be made aware. This could easily happen to one of their officers.

The entire situation is appalling to me.

 

[galxy5]

thanks Rich,, you da man!!!

sounds like the station manager had his foot up his ass!!!

 

[exskibum]

I'm almost certain that it would be considered assault with a deadly weapon for a motorist to actually do this to a motorcycle rider.

Yeah, that would be the likely charge, though manslaughter and murder are possible if death results.

It's amazing how much traction this issue got in 24 hours -- national and international exposure via the net and a shitstorm of e-mails to interested parties. Actually, the folks over at BARF seem to be doing a pretty good job turning this thing toward a positive resolution, along with the level headed and professional kick in the ass that the San Mateo Yamaha dealer administered on air today (plus his offer to pay for the DJs' MSF tuition).

Woody, the DJ, is new to SF from New York via Chicago and his GF wrote an e-mail to a BARF member she asked him to post there. That e-mail tells me Woody's probably feeling like **** so soon into the new gig and wishing like hell this would go away. It also tells me that BARF folks spearheading this may be able to make him into a useful bitch. That is, more or less offer him a conditional out -- conditional membership into the fraternity and welcome/acceptance to his new community. The price would be to admit what he did was wrong-headed and to take a constant and high visibility stance against road rage and for driver education regarding motorcyclists and the causes and effects of traffic congestion (with MCs as one solution). You know, be irreverent as much as he wants on other topics, even be funny if he can about this issue, but get the message across about sharing the road and looking out for riders.

Getting Woody and his crew fired is probably of little long term advantage, but turning him around not only gives him a hell of an opportunity to be accepted in his new community, but also gives motorcyclists a potential pulpit from which to get a badly needed message out to too many idiot cagers.

Seems to be the direction the cooler heads over at BARF are trying to push this. Let's hope that it works. He's been trying to cover his ass so far, but he's young, and my sense is that if he were given a viable option, he'd take it.

 

[Toecutter]

The price would be to admit what he did was wrong-headed and to take a constant and high visibility stance against road rage and for driver education regarding motorcyclists and the causes and effects of traffic congestion (with MCs as one solution).

I've been reading the BARF thread. Damn, 50 pages of replies. In the end, this thing may actually do more good for cyclists than harm. Woody the unlikely savior.

 

[madmike2]

I'm sure that some high-powered organizations got in on this, also. FCC, AMA, etc. Those BARF members r eally went to war. I was on ST.net a saw the news replay from Channel 5. So I agree that this really ended up spreading the work about motorcyclists and safety. If they turn Woody into an ally, that's a good thing!

 

[Bike Effects]

What they really got was lots of attention paid to thier sorry ass radio station. Do you think they are unhappy about that?

 

[freshmeat]

For those who haven't been following the play-by-play on "BARF" - it seems that they're still feeling the heat at 105 Live. "Budman," the forum admin (I think) posted this notice from the offending DJ at about noon today (PST):

====================================================

THE POST FOR BARF

==================================================

==

First, let me apologize to everyone for causing such a stir. Believe it or not this wasn't any kind of "stunt" to try to get listeners or anything.......what sense would that make? Anyway, I'm really sorry and I've tried to take it back a million times so far, and have advocated lane splitting and encouraged people to STOP PHUCKING WITH PEOPLE ON MOTORCYCLES on the roads, since the initial comment on the 12th.

At this point I don't know what else I can say other than I'm sorry and trust me, message received loud and clear......don't phuck with bikers. Ya'll are amazing at sticking together.

Besides taking the safety class (which I'll do, I'm actually really looking forward to it. I've always wanted to learn how to ride) I've got some other things cookin' in an attempt to "make good" with you guys and biker broads. Including, but not limited to running some awareness Public Service Announcements about lane sharing.....lots have been asking and suggesting that. So consider it done. They'll be on by weeks end. Is there somewhere I can get some specifics.....facts? We'll need to write copy.

Don't take this out on Dan at Bay Area Yamaha, he had nothing to do with this, and trust me when I tell you he gave an earful to everyone here at the radio station about his displeasure over the situation. You can hate me, that's fine.....I'll understand. But Dan wasn't involved in the original segment, and has done nothing but be a stand-up guy and defend motorcycling.

He's got it right though.......as do most of you on this board.......let's try to turn this into a positive. We on the morning show will be more than happy to help promote a charity event, or something else of the ilk to help get the word out.

Again, I'm really sorry. Not that you have to believe me, but it's my hope that over time all of you can see that I'm not an evil guy. Just a dumb radio DJ. Lesson learned.

Woody (yes that Woody)

Live 105

(I'd send the link to his post, but I don't know how to ref within a page - this is on page _59_ of the thread !! )

Many, but not all, of the folks over on BARF seem to be OK with this as a genuine mea-culpa.

On the other hand, they're also letting folks know that hard-copy mail is much more effective than e-mail, since the station is required _by_law_ to keep their complaint letters on file [they're reviewed when their license comes up for renewal]...

And hardcopy's easy - just print out your angry e-mail, put it in an envelope and mail it to the station. Costs a stamp, but the station gets a "does not work and play well with others" mark in their permanent file. :headbonk:

 

[Rogue]

Well I hope he is sincere but what pissed me off even more (I don't expect much from DJ's) was the legal threats from the station to BARF!

If I lived in the Bay area I would be out there with a sign (And I'd have my Grand Daughter carrying a sign saying "FM105 wants to MURDER my family". Because attemted murder is what he was promoting and what the station was supporting with thier legal threats.

 

[freshmeat]

Well I hope he is sincere but what pissed me off even more (I don't expect much from DJ's) was the legal threats from the station to BARF!If I lived in the Bay area I would be out there with a sign (And I'd have my Grand Daughter carrying a sign saying "FM105 wants to MURDER my family". Because attemted murder is what he was promoting and what the station was supporting with thier legal threats.

Agree with being pissed, but from Budman's comments (see the edits he made to the first post in the BARF thread) it appears as if some of our folks may have gone a bit over the top in there replies - e.g. threats of bodily harm to the DJ.

Unfortunately, Woody's over the top "my pet peeve" statements endangered an entire community - over the top, 'my pet peeve' responses by the community were directed at specific individuals. The effect of the former is distributed and statistical. Suppose there's a spike in assaults on lane-splitting riders - how do you prove that Woody's comments are the cause? On the other hand, cops know how to work on threats to an individual

IF specific threats were made, then I'd think they (the station and the cops) would be required to take any threats seriously. This which would mean lawyers and cops collecting data from the threads, etc. as potential evidence, etc. This [legitimate, probably required] data collection would look a lot like they're trying to strong arm the community. [not in their offices, so can't say which it is. ]

Actually [sitting safely, if soggily, up here in Seattle], it seems to me that the guy that's skating in all this is Woody's ******* side kick(s). He was right there with "yeah man, if it wouldn't ding my door", etc. - and has never apologized - nor has he indicated that he'll take the dealership up on their offer (to take the MSF course).

just my 2c worth

 

[Toecutter]

This is what Woody the DJ posted up himself most recently.

OK, finally this is working. I've been trying to log in all day with no luck.....which is why I sent my last post to Dennis (Budman) in the first place.
Not sure when and where I'll be taking the safety course yet....but when I do, you'll know.

I know there are some people here who will never forgive me no matter what I say or do at this point......but what can you do.

For the record.....at this point I've only made ONE really bad comment during all this......which is the initial one on the 12th....as bad as it was, no denial. SINCE then, realizing how stupid that was (I'm not beyond making mistakes obviously) I've given considerable airtime to clarifying that road rage in any form is wrong and that screwing with bikers on the roads is ********.

I would hope that if someone is shallow enough to blindly listen to some morning radio DJ making dumb comments for guidance, that the repeated retractions and clarifications would repeal their thought process.......what little there is to begin with.

Like I said, I'm more than happy to continue to help you in your mission to raise awareness of "moto" related issues (ie: lane splitting), and the reasons to appreciate the benefits of bikes on the roads means to us "cagers."

To the people who are still full of piss and venom, unwilling to even let me make good on my promises.......I hope you never make a mistake in your life, because when you do, and you honestly in your heart of hearts regret it, you'll hope that people can find it in them to give you another chance.

Yes, I'm new to California....but so are lots of other people here in the Bay Area. This is a transient city.....many outsiders moving in who aren't aware on the ins and outs of the community and its local laws. I can help you. Live 105 can help you. Honestly, the people at Live 105 are good people, unlike most in this business. They do lots to help the community and give back. They've been serving the Bay Area for MANY MANY years.......don't let one comment, as bad as it was, by one DJ (Me) ruin the good. Let me worry about making this good. Live 105 will support me in whatever it is I want to do.....they're just like that. Not much at this station comes from the top.....one of the reasons I decided to come work here.

<big snip of unrelated stuff>...The past is the past, and all I can do is worry about the future. By the way.....I didn't appreciate the one poster who said that I was calling for people to open doors on bikers, take a picture of the carnage, and then send it in for a prize? Holy hell? Who's got a bigger problem, me? or you for even blowing that up like that? What's the matter, the statement as is (joking or not) wasn't extreme enough for you? If that's the case I'm surprised you didn't try to lump kids in there somewhere........my god!

OK......I've been typing for a while. If anyone has any other questions, or suggestions (other than you're an ******* Woody, go **** yourself) you can email me at [email protected]

To the people here who are giving me another shot......I appreciate it. I'll follow through on my word.

To the others.......don't know what else to say.

OH.....and sorry for the form letter....I couldn't figure out how to post on here, and the emails were coming in like mad. I wanted to get back to everyone and figured SOME type of response was better than hearing NOTHING back at all.

........now I'm out....

Take care!

Woody

Live 105

 

[radman]

Nice horsey. Bred in Cal was he?

 

[exskibum]

Well I hope he is sincere but what pissed me off even more (I don't expect much from DJ's) was the legal threats from the station to BARF!If I lived in the Bay area I would be out there with a sign (And I'd have my Grand Daughter carrying a sign saying "FM105 wants to MURDER my family". Because attemted murder is what he was promoting and what the station was supporting with thier legal threats.

Guess you didn't read my comment on BARF about that hoax of a purported legal threat from the "CBS law department" (or whatever broadcasting company it was -- not going back to check). I called ******** on it as soon as I saw it. The more I looked at it, the more laughably amateurish it appeared. No way was that written by a lawyer or even a legal secretary.

Believe me, I can tell the difference, because I get paid to write threatening letters under legal letterhead, and even before editing, what I write is an order of magnitude better spelled, with better grammar, and with proper usage of the terminology that was spoofed there. Moreover, I've read many such letters, brought to me by clients, that were written by other lawyers.

As I mentioned in my post on BARF, I can't imagine the legal department (not "law department") at a major broadcasting network or affiliate being stupid enough to further aggravate an already bad PR situation with that kind of over the top bullying that early. Only the very stupidest of lawyers would ever write a letter that badly conceived and written, and I can pretty well guarantee you that legal departments or law firms servicing major broadcasting companies are NOT hiring lawyers remotely close to that description.

Pure and simple: a hoax.

 

[Toecutter]

Nice horsey. Bred in Cal was he?

Yeah. Purebred California Quarter Horse.

 

[kaitsdad]

Nice horsey.  Bred in Cal was he?

Yeah. Purebred California Quarter Horse.

So - Toecutter -

When is your Equine DNA manipulation company going public? B)

Cripes, I bet that animal can turn - be a good stock horse - but I can't quite figure out where you sit - and how the saddle fastens . . . .

:bigeyes:

 

[Rogue]

Well I hope he is sincere but what pissed me off even more (I don't expect much from DJ's) was the legal threats from the station to BARF!If I lived in the Bay area I would be out there with a sign (And I'd have my Grand Daughter carrying a sign saying "FM105 wants to MURDER my family". Because attemted murder is what he was promoting and what the station was supporting with thier legal threats.

Guess you didn't read my comment on BARF about that hoax of a purported legal threat from the "CBS law department" (or whatever broadcasting company it was -- not going back to check). I called ******** on it as soon as I saw it. The more I looked at it, the more laughably amateurish it appeared. No way was that written by a lawyer or even a legal secretary.

Believe me, I can tell the difference, because I get paid to write threatening letters under legal letterhead, and even before editing, what I write is an order of magnitude better spelled, with better grammar, and with proper usage of the terminology that was spoofed there. Moreover, I've read many such letters, brought to me by clients, that were written by other lawyers.

As I mentioned in my post on BARF, I can't imagine the legal department (not "law department") at a major broadcasting network or affiliate being stupid enough to further aggravate an already bad PR situation with that kind of over the top bullying that early. Only the very stupidest of lawyers would ever write a letter that badly conceived and written, and I can pretty well guarantee you that legal departments or law firms servicing major broadcasting companies are NOT hiring lawyers remotely close to that description.

Pure and simple: a hoax.

I'll take your word for it, I don't have time to read all 59 (thats what it was when I last looked) pages. I read the first 10 then some of the later posts.

 

[donaldb]

TC's new California quarterhorse confirms the old adage....you can lead a horse to wonder but you cant make him think!

 

[panthercity]

I thought it was “You can lead a horticulture but you can’t make her think.”

 

[donaldb]

Ha! I like....may I use sometime? :haha: