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No need to be rude



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Published: August 13, 2009

The Annual Toy Run was held on Saturday, Aug. 8, and while I appreciate the time and effort that was expended by all before, during and after this event a few things happened that I think took away from the intent of it. First, as I waited at the light on the corner of Main and Maple streets for 15 minutes as the motorcycles went by, I pulled onto Main Street heading toward Montpelier. I got as far as The Salavation Army, when another round of motorcycles appeared behind me. As we approached The Twin City Lanes, we came to a stop due to traffic. My vehicle instantly was swarmed by motorcycles passing on both sides. As if that wasn't frightening enough, many of the riders hurled obscenities at me and my elderly passenger.

There also was a Berlin police officer who seemed to have no problem with the motorcycles passing on both sides of the cars on the road, but felt compelled to run up the road to scream in the face of a driver in a car, trying to turn into the bowling alley parking lot.

After all the motorcycles had made their way through the area, the same police officer appeared to use his lights and siren so that he wouldn't have to wait at the red light like everyone else.

While this is a wonderful event, and I realize it takes a lot of effort, planning and time on all those who participate, I don't believe it excuses breaking traffic laws, yelling obscenities and being rude.

Tammy Bailey

Barre







READER COMMENTS


I'm just testing my account. Interesting story, no need for obseneties.
-- Posted by flathead on Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 7:06 am EST

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Being naked is perfectly natural, we've turned it into something dirty in society, although I don't understand the difference with unclothing in public or walking out into public naked.. maybe it's like the law on the vermont books that we can't whistle under water. *someone had to do that* Outdated and plain silly. I'm not going to fight city hall or the state over it..eventually it will go away. Everything that's a political statement usually does.
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 4:24 pm EST

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backs=packs??? woof-woof
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 1:48 pm EST

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How do gangs operate? Running backs of mongrul dogs? Any similarity?
-- Posted by Joshua Bernstein on Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 12:32 pm EST

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I have no issue with your talkng loudly"Melissa B" I just feel someone wo Reads teh timesArgus blogs andhas a mature perspectiove needs to silence the affirmation of the city of Montpelier in permitting those antics in public. GEM
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 12:07 pm EST

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I talk out about stereotyping and that's how I see this. And I talk VERY LOUDLY WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN..

Naked people.. who cares!!!
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 11:15 pm EST

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Reads like Melisaa B is a main commenter about bikers in this blog.I wonder if she spoke out so often or so strong on Streaking bicylcle riders in Montpelier. I would like to hear her take on that one Oi-vey. GEM
-- Posted by None None on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 9:58 pm EST

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we agree Ben It is sad
-- Posted by carl None on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 8:14 pm EST

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"Hardly anything is written about the good bikers but STAND back when its a bad biker."

Carl,

Generally, good people get a lot less press than people screwing up. Good news is no news, they say in the bullpen. I'm afraid that the nature of things in general. Its kind of sad, huh?

.
-- Posted by Bennett Shapiro on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 3:58 pm EST

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I was the first car stopped at the roundabout construction near Walker Motors. I shut my car off, put in a CD and watched the parade. The bikes were cool but I was a little disapointed by the lack of hot biker chicks!
-- Posted by Jim Rice on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 12:21 pm EST

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Plus, she made them follow her all the way from Salvation Army to the light by twin city lanes.. she should have pulled over and let them pass! It obviously wasn't over yet, then she writes this letter berating them. Do you think she would have done this to a 4th of july parade or any other, and then wrote a letter complaining about their rudeness!!!?? I doubt it!!
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 11:56 am EST

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"First, as I waited at the light on the corner of Main and Maple streets for 15 minutes as the motorcycles went by, I pulled onto Main Street heading toward Montpelier."

RU. are you saying that if you're sitting at the intersection of Maple and Main you wouldn't be able to see the bikes coming after she obviously sat there and watched the bikes before them passing by? After 22 years of this going on, are you saying she and others don't get how this works? Cop in the beginning cop at the end.. then you know they are all thru.
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 11:44 am EST

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Personally I was not commenting on the Creator of this editorial But on the comment of Captain Obvious. Sorry if it was misinterpreted. I believe the reason of the comments is that Bikers have and are misunderstood do to the perception of the rebel bike groups. Hardly anything is written about the good bikers but STAND back when its a bad biker.
-- Posted by carl None on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 8:54 am EST

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I think you're all overreacting to this letter, and more than a bit defensive. The writer specifically states that she SUPPORTS the bike run. She made a mistake, thinking all of the bikers had passed. People do that.
-- Posted by R. U. Kidding on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 7:12 am EST

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What I find really rude.. Times Argus didn't even run a story on this great event. Shriners are in need of donations, especially now in times that are so hard, they are having a hard time keeping these speciality hospitals open for kids. That is RUDE!!!

http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, 12:32 am EST

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Ms. Bailey. obviously YOU do not appreciate the time and effort put in the event. because the rest of you blabbering and carrying on and YADAYADAYADA and complaining reflects NO appreciation for the event or what it stands for.. We were riding in a GROUP motorcycle event..meaning anywhere from 10 to over 1,000 motorcycles were involved..The event was traffic controlled by Law enforcement..I thought it was pretty cool to be able to go through red lights and down Main St. Barre at 40 MPH to keep up with the people in front of Me..and I absolutely appreciated the Law enforcement teams that Helped make this event safe from..well you know..you people.. And the reason for the bikers discontent,was probably because in your rudeness of not waiting another few minutes,you probably cut them off from the rest of the group and therefor when you were stopped and they went by you on both sides they were just expressing there....thanx/// for cutting them off/// Well anyway I and several thousands onlookers and bikers had a wonderful time.And for ALL of you who particapated and cheered us on Thank-You very much, and for all of you who complained and saw no great value in the event,,Well SHAME-ON-YOU,and you know who you are!!! "Happy-Trailes"
-- Posted by Edward Guy on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 9:11 pm EST

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I was at Lenny's in Barre when the bikes came through and I thought the amaranthine parade of bikes was awesome. (I liked them even better when I thought they put less carbon into the atmosphere than cars.) Its kind of cool watching everything come to a standstill while this anomalous factor winds its way through town after town. There's a lesson there for us, maybe.

.
-- Posted by Bennett Shapiro on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 8:05 pm EST

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She had to have known Jeff, at that intersection, you can see all the way up main street!!! Some people are just oblivious to the world around them, but that's others fault!!!!
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 6:24 pm EST

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they were going by while my sister was getting married and when she got out of the church she hopped on one of the motorcycles with her wedding dress on!! What a memory that makes for her and her new husband. It was awesome!!! That's our little harley mama!!
They do this for a great cause and anyone who would complain about it, is self centered!! It was their moment leave them alone!! Go bikers!!!
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 6:05 pm EST

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HAHA! Im sorry but, i just don't get it. How do you not know your pulling into the middle of that and then blame the bikers for it?
-- Posted by Jeff Perkins on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 4:48 pm EST

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:::pinch:::: =-)
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 4:40 pm EST

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This is really scary . Most of us are agreeing Someone pinch me lol
-- Posted by carl None on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 3:35 pm EST

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Sorry, but what's the point of a thousand-Harley-parade if they're not going to rev their engines? Isn't that what it's all about?
-- Posted by walt amses on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 3:31 pm EST

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If you were watching the crowd as you said you were. You would notice several people give the rev sign with their hands to the bikers, much like some people do with the truckers to blow their air horns. It's a crowd participation event, the people on the side of the road, well most of them, are thrilled to see the bikes and hear them revved it's part of the parade, just like the Fire Trucks send off their sirens when driving by children. Did you notice all the bikers throwing out candy to the little children on the sides of the road or did you just radar in on the negativity of the event?

Maybe the wedding enjoyed the show did you ask? They were married on a day where many people were giving of themselves for others, I think that's a great way to start off a life together.


I truly can't believe people are so extremely selfish that they are complaining about the noise during a time when 100s of people from all walks of life joined in an event to help hurt children. What is wrong with this world today? The wedding probably enjoyed the show did you ask?
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 3:01 pm EST

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If you were watching the crowd as you said you were. You would notice several people give the rev sign with their hands to the bikers, much like some people do with the truckers to blow their air horns. It's a crowd participation event, the people on the side of the road, well most of them, are thrilled to see the bikes and hear them revved it's part of the parade, just like the Fire Trucks send off their sirens when driving by children. Did you notice all the bikers throwing out candy to the little children on the sides of the road or did you just radar in on the negativity of the event?

Maybe the wedding enjoyed the show did you ask? They were married on a day where many people were giving of themselves for others, I think that's a great way to start off a life together.


I truly can't believe people are so extremely selfish that they are complaining about the noise during a time when 100s of people from all walks of life joined in an event to help hurt children. What is wrong with this world today?
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 3:01 pm EST

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I have no problem with the Toy Run - it's an amazing effort and gesture. I have a problem with bikes revving their engines en masse for no reason other than to hear themselves. I'm sure many of the people who found themselves caught unawares in their midst (like the wedding that was getting out as they went by) felt the same.
-- Posted by Captain Obvious on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 2:37 pm EST

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Captain and anyone else that finds the toy run a problem. I'm flabbergasted. This has been going on for 22 years, the bikes are a parade. Most people enjoy the show of bikes, many different kinds, the different people that participate, hearing the engine rumbling down the street, with the contrast of all those bright beautiful toys displayed all over the bikes for the many children that they will bring the biggest smiles in months too, and to some, the last smile they may have. YOUR discomfort for a short couple of hours is HARDLY a concern.
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 2:16 pm EST

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*rolling eyes* How ridiculous!
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 2:13 pm EST

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Well...Most motorcycles I've heard are loud. So if you, your children, or your pets are sensitive to loud noises then I don't recommend going downtown to watch the toy run...personally I like hearing them rev their engines...theres my 2 cents.
-- Posted by Michelle Jean on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 2:04 pm EST

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I'm sorry - did you think they were cowering in joy?
-- Posted by Captain Obvious on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 1:32 pm EST

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Captain Obvious: Cowered in FEAR???? Sheese Get over it.
-- Posted by carl None on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 12:44 pm EST

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I participated in the toy run and I had thought the police were great and that all went without a hitch. Some people were upset that they were held up a little but I think they got over it quickly enough. As far as the revving of the engines I was reminded of the experience I had while riding. 3 of my friends and myself were riding by the Tilden house and this little elderly lady in a wheelchair actually motioned to us to rev it up. WE were happy to oblige her. And many children were thrilled to hear the sounds and they were also thrown candy by some of our riders. It was a great cause and I am sorry a few were not happy. Maybe we should have had a walk-a-thon and revved up our sneakers.
-- Posted by carl None on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 12:39 pm EST

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Well Captain Obvious and anyone else who is upset with the way the participants of the toy run conducted themselves...why don't you go take it up with them?
-- Posted by Michelle Jean on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 12:12 pm EST

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Tammy I guess you haven't paid much attention to the toy run! You were in the middle of a parade!! One planned for CHILDREN! Are you clueless?
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 12:01 pm EST

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I totally sympathize with the cop...some drivers are totally unconscious...or stupid..or both..
-- Posted by CJ maloney on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 11:36 am EST

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I happened to be on State Street in Montpelier when the riders came through, and couldn't help but wonder if revving your engine to a deafening pitch while dogs and children cowered in fear is an entirely necessary part of the Toy Ride.
-- Posted by Captain Obvious on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 11:26 am EST

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OMG, six months of planning, meetings, getting permits and collecting donations for the Shriners Hospitals for Children caused someone a 15 minute delay. Lets cancel the whole thing for next year.

And imagine a police officer becoming irate at a driver for ignoring directions and driving into a properly permitted parade. The nerve!

Most motorcycle accidents are caused by "other drivers." These other drivers will then claim that they never saw the motorcyclist and that's why they ran them over. I guess this driver didn't see the police and the nine hundred socially caring motorcyclists and decided to drive through them.

Maybe there should be a law to keep the police from stopping other drivers from trying to kill motorcyclists?
-- Posted by Joe Wilkins on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 11:10 am EST

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Ohs Noes! Rood bikerz!
-- Posted by Tam Suleman on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, 6:14 am EST

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