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KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 05:56 AM Aug 2020

The Gob-Smacking Stupidity of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The Gob-Smacking Stupidity of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
The Wry Wing Politics blog
August 4, 2020 by Brian Lambert

Read it here: https://www.wrywingpolitics.com/the-gob-smacking-stupidity-of-the-sturgis-motorcycle-rally/#comment-144467

Excerpts:
It goes without saying that the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, a tribal extravaganza of face-to-face, jowl-to-jowl, belly-bumping machismo and consumer exhibitionism holds the high probability of being the single largest “super spreader” of COVID-19 held anywhere in the world since the outbreak began last November. A quarter of a million people, the vast majority middle-aged to older white men, will both ride into western South Dakota this week for the giant, mechanized bacchanal … and then turn around ride back to their homes, all across the country, spreading everything they picked up in Sturgis all along their routes, like a horde of toxic Johnny Appleseeds.

Bikerworld’s other big rally, in Daytona, Florida went on as scheduled this past March in the early days of the pandemic. But Daytona’s “Biketobefest” seems likely to be cancelled this fall, what with the virus surging worse than ever … in large part due to “protestors”, the roughly 36% of freedom-loving Americans who refuse submit to reality and continue to prolong and enhance the peril to the lives and livelihood of everyone else.

Letting Sturgis happen amid all this is of course not surprising given the culture of South Dakota. The current governor, Kristi Noem, once upon a time the South Dakota Snow Queen, is every Trumpist’s dream girl. She’s abolished the requirement to get a permit before carrying a concealed gun, opposed Obamacare and every form of abortion rights she can find or be pointed at, is on record — during Obama’s term — as being very concerned about the national debt, so much so that as a Congresswoman she declared the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicaid, high-speed rail projects, cap-and-trade technical assistance, and subsidies for the Washington Metro rapid transit system examples of federal programs she thought needed a damn good whacking.
+++
Point being. No matter what science or common sense or common courtesy say, no matter what’s good for the rest of the country, South Dakota wants the money the flagrant recklessness and naked stupidity Sturgis brings in.


Mr. Lambert is an excellent writer and I hope you enjoy his story.

Site Bio...
Our Mission. Elvis Costello crooned, “I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused.” That’s the mission statement here — try to see the amusing side of the world as it is, while languidly trying to change it.

I’m a liberal in Minnesota with, as polite Minnesotans say, a “different” sense of humor. So, there is a steady diet of liberal politics, Minnesota issues, and quirky humor. But please bear with me when I stray off-topic, and off-mission. Remember, Elvis’s Mission Statement only promises to “try,” so humorless rants, barbaric yawps and wonk-a-thons also sometimes are in the mix.

Overall, we’re just trying to save the world while having some fun. If you know anyone with similar interests – ranter or ponderer, conservative or liberal, gal or guy — invite them over for some politics on wry.

Joe Loveland



KY.......

38 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Gob-Smacking Stupidity of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Original Post) KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 OP
Watching biker interview on CNN... 634-5789 Aug 2020 #1
And does he suppose that the whole world is in on it? Cant fix stupid. SammyWinstonJack Aug 2020 #7
i was playing golf with a guy, walking, and i asked him if he thought dem4decades Aug 2020 #9
I've seen that on FB a hundred times. All over after the election. oldsoftie Aug 2020 #13
How'd the Democrats get people to die in other countries to help them with the ploy? dem4decades Aug 2020 #20
I've brought that up many times; they'll say "the whole world is against trump" oldsoftie Aug 2020 #29
...and how courageous of 160,000 people to die just to make trump look bad...I salute them spanone Aug 2020 #25
Remember, those people believe Trump can do no wrong. Mariana Aug 2020 #31
Ty for posting this, KY! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #2
Yet, these will be the first ones in line Sherman A1 Aug 2020 #3
Isn't it the way it unfolds The repukes screw things up and the dems have to fix it mitch96 Aug 2020 #5
Thanks so much introducing me BlueMTexpat Aug 2020 #4
You're very welcome. Always a treat to find quality writers! KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #27
In SD it's the Native Americans who are affected the most by this bs JI7 Aug 2020 #6
and the tribes are blocking bikers from crossing tribal lands DBoon Aug 2020 #37
I thought the sturgis rally had a lot of middle class in it... Maxheader Aug 2020 #8
That's what I've always heard too... Trueblue Texan Aug 2020 #11
HONDAS at Sturgis? oldsoftie Aug 2020 #14
There are all types of bikes at Sturgis IronLionZion Aug 2020 #22
I've never been a biker; just always thought it was a mostly Harley event. oldsoftie Aug 2020 #28
My cousin was a Prof Eng Disaffected Aug 2020 #36
Some of them wear helmets, don't they? bucolic_frolic Aug 2020 #10
A thesaurus might help with insouciance IronLionZion Aug 2020 #19
Why use a thesaurus, when DU has you? bucolic_frolic Aug 2020 #24
No, they have very thick skulls. TheCowsCameHome Aug 2020 #21
Motorcycles vs Religion Nexus2 Aug 2020 #12
I guess we'll find out how it pans out in a few weeks oldsoftie Aug 2020 #15
Why isnt there a Chump rally there? superpatriotman Aug 2020 #16
I have no fucks left to give the ones there Ferrets are Cool Aug 2020 #17
Really enjoyed reading Wry Wing! Alliepoo Aug 2020 #18
Governor Kristi Noem (R) is a Trump sychophant and is ready to sacrifice NCjack Aug 2020 #23
Did you see this letter she sent out? KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #33
Yes. I read stuff about SD, being a resident from 2005 to 2014. I remember her NCjack Aug 2020 #35
That part of SD is built around this weekend. Buckeyeblue Aug 2020 #26
There will likely be fewer townspeople as well DBoon Aug 2020 #38
Gee. I hope the guy on my way to work who has a Harley logo and a Trump/Pence sign on his mailbox... NNadir Aug 2020 #30
Think of the bright side... Wounded Bear Aug 2020 #32
Either that or sold to pay massive hospital and doctor's bills. KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #34

634-5789

(4,175 posts)
1. Watching biker interview on CNN...
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 06:00 AM
Aug 2020

And this super spreader said that the entire coronavirus situation was 'political'. I looked at my mate and we both busted up laughing. There's no meter for that depth of stupidity.

dem4decades

(11,241 posts)
9. i was playing golf with a guy, walking, and i asked him if he thought
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 07:00 AM
Aug 2020

we'd be walking next year too because of the virus?

He told me it would all be over after the election. He thinks this just a political ploy to make Trump look bad.

i was speechless.

dem4decades

(11,241 posts)
20. How'd the Democrats get people to die in other countries to help them with the ploy?
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 08:44 AM
Aug 2020

Do they even think about what they say?

oldsoftie

(12,410 posts)
29. I've brought that up many times; they'll say "the whole world is against trump"
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 09:35 AM
Aug 2020

Because he's upsetting the "establishment" & no longer letting all those countries walk all over us!!

Mariana

(14,847 posts)
31. Remember, those people believe Trump can do no wrong.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 10:30 AM
Aug 2020

They'll invent the most elaborate conspiracy theories, and fervently believe them, rather than admit to themselves that Trump could possibly have made a mistake about anything ever. It really is cult-like behavior.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
2. Ty for posting this, KY!
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 06:09 AM
Aug 2020

It is a great article & points up the type of characters who would attend such an event, especially during the era of the tRump virus!

mitch96

(13,816 posts)
5. Isn't it the way it unfolds The repukes screw things up and the dems have to fix it
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 06:47 AM
Aug 2020

Only to have it unfold again...29 crash to the new deal...Savings and loan debacle. 2006-7-8 bank crisis... Free market capitalism at it''s worst. The effect trickles down to the common biker.
"I don't need no stinkin' helmet" but when I crash I want y'all to pay for my medical expenses.
Same with the virus. "I don't need no stinkin mask" but y'all pay for my medical expenses when I'm on the ventilator...
uffda
m

BlueMTexpat

(15,348 posts)
4. Thanks so much introducing me
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 06:36 AM
Aug 2020

to this blog!

It is great! And I am definitely bookmarking it.

As a Montanan by birth, I especially enjoyed the fact that Lambert was in White Sulphur Springs, MT when he met the bikers!

DBoon

(22,284 posts)
37. and the tribes are blocking bikers from crossing tribal lands
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 11:47 PM
Aug 2020
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/08/thousands-bikers-outh-dakota-rally-to-be-blocked-tribal-land-checkpoints
Thousands of bikers heading to South Dakota’s 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will not be allowed through Cheyenne River Sioux checkpoints, a spokesman for the Native American group said on Saturday.

Maxheader

(4,366 posts)
8. I thought the sturgis rally had a lot of middle class in it...
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 06:53 AM
Aug 2020

Riding those big hondas...

Professionals,,doctors, lawyers...?? Maybe they will have sum schmarts..stay away..encourage

others to do the same... .

IronLionZion

(45,250 posts)
22. There are all types of bikes at Sturgis
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 08:45 AM
Aug 2020

It was originally started by enthusiasts of Indian motorcycles and grew over the years to all types. It was never about Harley Davidsons.

oldsoftie

(12,410 posts)
28. I've never been a biker; just always thought it was a mostly Harley event.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 09:33 AM
Aug 2020

I do remember Indians being a hot thing when I was a kid

bucolic_frolic

(42,653 posts)
10. Some of them wear helmets, don't they?
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 07:14 AM
Aug 2020

Safety from crashes but insouciance toward COVID.

Could they spell insouciance? Pronounce it? They do think it a type of soup, no?

Nexus2

(1,261 posts)
12. Motorcycles vs Religion
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 07:56 AM
Aug 2020

The pilgrimage to Mecca dropped from millions to a few hundred, but we Freedom Loving Americas are having a huge mostly maskless rally to have fun with motorcycles.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,057 posts)
17. I have no fucks left to give the ones there
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 08:31 AM
Aug 2020

I do feel sorry for those they will infect and the health care workers.

NCjack

(10,279 posts)
23. Governor Kristi Noem (R) is a Trump sychophant and is ready to sacrifice
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 08:54 AM
Aug 2020

SD lives to show that Covid-19 is a hoax.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
33. Did you see this letter she sent out?
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 10:48 AM
Aug 2020

------------------------------------------

Found at:



I cannot believe the overt stupidity out of so many Republican leaders, acting like amateur epidemiologists and with nothing but business interests in their brains.

There surely must be laws governing this type of dangerous public health-related rhetoric from elected officials.


KY.........

NCjack

(10,279 posts)
35. Yes. I read stuff about SD, being a resident from 2005 to 2014. I remember her
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 11:17 AM
Aug 2020

her tour in Congress as being a lazy Rep; she often was not present for important debates. She could usually be found prowling shops and cafes in Georgetown.

I'm sure that she would like to get back to DC, probably as a senator. Her problem is that she is only slightly more capable than Sarah Palin. She would be the perfect McConnell stooge.

Buckeyeblue

(5,491 posts)
26. That part of SD is built around this weekend.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 09:17 AM
Aug 2020

Just know there will be fewer bikers next year. I just feel sorry for all the non-bikers they pass the virus to.

DBoon

(22,284 posts)
38. There will likely be fewer townspeople as well
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 11:50 PM
Aug 2020

maybe even fewer of the businesspeople who insisted the rally go ahead. They may not live long enough to spend all the money they made this weekend.

NNadir

(33,368 posts)
30. Gee. I hope the guy on my way to work who has a Harley logo and a Trump/Pence sign on his mailbox...
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 10:22 AM
Aug 2020

...is there and is celebrating his Freedumb by not wearing a mask.

Wounded Bear

(58,436 posts)
32. Think of the bright side...
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 10:37 AM
Aug 2020

There will be a lot of cheap motorcycles being sold off in estate sales in a few weeks.



(I'm bad sometimes, I know

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
34. Either that or sold to pay massive hospital and doctor's bills.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 10:56 AM
Aug 2020

Including those of their family members they infected.


KY............

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