I belong to an online survey panel (NFO My Survey). A while back, they conducted a survey with TRUSTe “to find out what consumers think about a recent proposal to issue every American citizen a national identification card.”

The results:

* 50% of the respondents were in favor of such a card
* 33% of respondents were not in favor
* 17% were unsure

The survey also asked for opinions about another current issue under discussion by government and other organizations – the potential use of biometric data (such as fingerprints or DNA) to verify identity.

* 52% of respondents thought that use of biometric data to verify identity would make it much harder for terrorists to operate within the United States.
* 61% felt it would greatly reduce personal privacy because the government would be able to track your movements and 64% indicated that they believed there would be a high potential for government to misuse the information.
* 69% reported that they thought biometrics would make identity theft more difficult.
* Only 49% felt that the use of biometrics for a government-issued I.D. would make America more secure.

*sigh*

Btw, I’ve been informed that an RFID (or something like it) chip is due to start being put in passports. If you want a passport without this “feature”, get one now.

A Wiccan couple in Indiana got divorced. In the divorce decree, the judged added a provision that they are not allowed to expose their child to any “non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals” – including Wicca.

The Civil Liberty Union should have no trouble over throwing this one, but wow.

Well, its not a lot, but The US is giving Palestine $50 million in aid.

Just for the record, I think Anakin got really screwed over by the Jedi. Its a small wonder he went nuts.

This comic puts it crudely, but well enough.

Gotta check my email more often – AWC put on a rally/civil disobedience in support of the Palestinian cause Monday, and I missed it.

Grabbed from mezamashii: Sibel Edmunds ticked off former Attorney General John Ashcroft who declared her birth date and place, languages, education, and employment histories to be State Secrets, Top Classified. Yikes.

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Both TheFireCracker and I have been considering switching to one piece motorcyling suits. I’d prefer a waterproof setup, so I’m looking at non-leather which appear to be rarer than I would have thought. Here’s what I’ve found so far – If anyone has any experience with these or a really nice 2 piece option, please let me know. If anyone has any recommendations for reasonable quality options that are a bit more economical, please let me know. Sadly, at these prices, the suit will be worth more than many bikes I’ve owned.

I think my favorite is the Aerostich.com Roadcrafter suit ($727). Among the pluses, it has a great reputation for quality and protection, it has lots of pockets, it is easy to put on and off, and they offer customized fits.. On the down side, the zippers will leak after 30 to 90 minutes of steady rain, and it looks like it could get overwarm. Another bonus for Aerostich is that they’re in Duluth, Minnesota, so we can ride up and check them out.

The best protecting is probably the CycleSport GP-1 Kevlar Suit – $999, but currently on sale for $690. It is competition grade and appears to be very durable. Because they ask for full measurements, they make them to fit which is also cool. Since they’re based out of California, dealing with the company may take longer, and the current custom production time is quite long. The big question is whether or not this suit is waterproof. It makes no indications on the site that it is, and the zipper designs will definitely leak to a degree. It also seems a bit low on pockets.

The low price bargain from Cycleport is the Ultra Trek Cordura 1 Piece Suit. Priced at $699, but currently being sold at $299. The full suit is more protective than the Aerostich at 1000 Denier Cordura, although Aerostich has more protection at the impact points. It also appears to have some more pocket and it is pretty easy to get in and out of. The big quesiton is whether or not it is waterproof. CyclePort makes a point of not having any Polyurethane on their products (better breathability and accident performance), so I don’t know if they do anything for waterproofing.

And, the most expensive (stock, Aerostich will get pricier if modified) is the Spidi Admiral 1 Piece Touring Suit at $899. It seems like a pretty good suit, but I’m not sure if it is superior to the Aerostich.

And finally, the low price waterproof option is the Alpinestars 360 Drystar Suit (PDF link) which appears to run ~$500. The downside is, I believe this one is designed to be worn over leathers, so I’m not sure if it offers much protection.

I’ve also heard that there is a one piece Tour Master Cortech suit, but I can’t seam to find it.

Some useful links that I came across in this search:
The Vegan Motorcycle – a good resource for non-leather riding gear.

David Hough’s write up on riding gear covers the options and basics quite well. Worth reading for anyone into riding, IMO, especially new riders. Incidentally, the two sources he mentions for synthetic suits happened to be Aerostich and Motoport.

Random lists of motorcycle gear:
index of the web
web bike world

As long as I’m talking about spending lots of money on equipment, I’d like to find a good pair of water proof motorcycle boots that are comfortable for both walking and riding. I’ve noted Sidi and Tour Master Cortech, but I haven’t started really looking yet. Recommendations?

A smoking ban in Minneapolis was passed last year and started a month ago. Pretty much every one who knows me knows that I vehamently opposed the ban for multiple reasons. I’ve been gone for most of the time the ban has been in force, but in the time I have been here, my initial observations:

* The bars I like to go to that have patios are doing OK with it.

* The bars I like that don’t have patios are suffering badly.

* It is far noisier outside bars for many more hours as the conversation comes outside with the smokers.

* It is far more difficult to walk down the street without having to walk through clouds of smoke.

* The music scene is suffering a bit. As an example, this is an email from an Irish band I sometimes listen to:

Now, I need to rant a little. This is for everyone who has ever said they would come to one of our gigs, but don’t like the smoke. Hennepin County now has a smoking ban..where are you? We played out last month (our monthly Keegan’s gig) and played to 6 people. A drastic cut in population from the usual. The smoking ban is really kicking the bars butts. They need you. We need you. There are precious few places for bands like us and other festie bands to play already and if attendance at bars with music keeps dwindling they will stop hiring musicians. I like playing at festival, but if that were the only place to play, I would go crazy. Please support your local music bar and keep the musicians in business. End rant.

Eventually things will probably even out, but I should note that after spending 4 months in the smoke free bars of Vancouver BC, their music scene pales in comparison to the Twin Cities. I hope we don’t lose it.

The road trip has been completed, and I’m back in the United States.

We affectionately named the overweight and underpowered beast supplied to us by U-Haul as “The Sow”. We had reserved a 14′ truck, but The Sow was a 26 foot brick-like monstrosity. I shouldn’t complain – she managed to make it through both the Cascades and the Rockies, albeit at 30 – 35 mph with the pedal floored. Still, quicker than pulling all our gear with a bicycle.

I think we averaged about 6 and a half miles per gallon over the 1800 mile trip. I don’t know what hurts worse – the cost, or the guilt for burning almost 300 gallons of gas. I’m sure that StrangeBlackCat can give me an up-to-date calculation of how many soldiers and Iraqi civilians that cost.

Anyway, back in Minneapolis, and starting to get settled in again before I buckle down and get to work. Its not 100% yet, but I’m really hoping to go out and catch Filthy Divine and All The Pretty Horses tomorrow (Friday) night at The Triple Rock.