As further illustration about how out of touch the mainstream media is with things, there are stories circulating in USA Today [now there's a heavyweight publication if I ever saw one] and other newspapers that say Sarah Palin is still popular with some Republicans.
Well, one or two Republicans anyway.
Anyone who thinks the outgoing governor of Alaska is popular with anyone other than her family has been vacationing in outer space.
Palin is a joke, and she'll continue to be a joke with the David Lettermans of the world until the next time the Republicans have to pick a leader.
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Another joke, of course, is Michael Jackson. Some will say I came along too early to appreciate him. Or maybe it was too late. But how that guy's death can be on page 1 of anything other than one of those publications you see at the checkout lane at Hy-Vee is beyond me.
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It's nice to know Shawn Johnson will be waving at people during the State Fair parade. Now that's wholesomeness if I ever saw it.
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The Albany [N.Y.] newspaper laid off its sports editor. Hmmm.
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Ryan Braun was right to be critical of his Milwaukee Brewers teammates and general manager Doug Melvin. The only problem was that he ripped the wrong part of the team. Braun said the pitchers were lousy. After watching the Brewers get mauled last night by the Cardinals, 5-0, he should have pointed the finger -- and I don't care which finger -- at himself and the other hitters.
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The Cubs really showed 'em last night with that 2-1 loss to a very ordinary Atlanta team. It looked like Ryan Dempster, the clown who broke his big toe by jumping over the dugout fence a few days earlier, was batting cleanup for them.
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Ny friend Paul Delger of Kanawha wrote a nice story for the Mason City Globe Gazette. Here it is, and the photo by Bryon Houlgrave of the Globe Gazette is at the right:
Mark Mullins intimately knows his new motorcycle. That’s because the Garner man crafted it himself from a bare steel frame.
After about four years of construction, he has a bike unlike any other.
“None of it looks like a factory machine,” said Mullins, a Realtor and casino security person. “Every piece on it is not typical.”
The bike features a complex electrical wiring system, stretched gas tanks, an over- length billet aluminum front end, an entire shop-built tail section, a wider-than-standard rear tire and a seat made from a grain scoop wrapped with a thrift store leather coat.
Mullins, 47, estimated the building project took at least 1,000-1,500 shop hours. He constructed the bike in his attached garage.
Most of the major parts were purchased on eBay or from a cycle shop in Anamosa.
“The whole bike basically showed up in a box one piece at a time,” Mullins said.
“The frame is from North Dakota, the gas tanks and front fender are from Colorado. The front fork is from Pennsylvania. The tires and rims are from Texas. The oil tank, headlight and brakes are from Florida.
“Lots of other parts, like the rear fender, fender braces, oil lines, gas tank mounts, etc., were all fabricated by me.
“I saved money anywhere I could on it,” he said. “I really enjoyed it because I’m a bargain hunter.”
Mullins said the bike is not for sale but judged its value at $30,000.
Now he is suffering from construction withdrawal.
“I’m a little sad the project is over,” Mullins said. “When I’m in the shop making a motorcycle it’s my game of golf.”
Although the building phase is completed, it may take a while before Mullins can ride his motorcycle on the road.
He has applied for a special construction title and registration from the state of Iowa. The state requires this so officials can watch for stolen bike parts. Mullins said that the permission could take from less than a month to several months.
Bike Basics
• 2 up and 2 out Classic Motor Works “Rustler” frame
• 2-inch over ball-milled front end
• Harley-Davidson “80” Evolution crate motor
• Chrome inner and outer primary chain drive final
• 200 mm. rear tire
