Official response from Ulysses Club President

[Mudfart]

Divide and conquer my friends, that is any democratic governments strategy since it worked for the English in India.
The department I work for, is trying to do it to our staff.
Don't beleive anything.
Except that my farts stink, they really do, you have been warned.
High protein diet.

[Skyryder]

Yep a denial is what is needed. Whether Smith will give you a chance face to face is another call....................I doubt it.

Next best would be a statement sent to Smith and the media denying any kind of agreement whatsoever. Not as good as a face to face but better than nothing.


Skyryder

[Reckless]

Hold ON!! Voice of reason here again.
The comments where made at a noisy meeting with Nick smith off on a rant about how wonderful he was in meeting with Ulysses and doing all this development work with bikers when he said what the said! I think it would be best to make sure he was specific and he cannot wiggle out of it, double mean his words or prove us the fools! He will deny it or at least deny we understood what he said, that's for sure. He probably has access to the tapes, so before people start flying down to Wellington and publicly challenging anyone we should make sure we have him Bang to rights! How is the problem!
Even though I thought "shit thats no good" at the time. I'm not entirely sure of his exact words the following day? Ask 10 people and they will probably have a slight variance. I applaud your enthusiasm but a public confrontation that backfires on us is not what we need at present. Its facts or nothing.

Next time we must record the event or at least the sound, I wish I had of thought of it in the first place! Hindsight 20/20!

Edit:
BTW Big ups! to Peter McIntosh for taking the time to make their position clear, I look forward to riding with Ulysses on another protest ride!!!!

[Blackbird]

Interesting what Ulysses said about the Injury Prevention side of ACC too. Good on 'em for using this to run training programmes for their members. However, shouldn't ACC themselves be more proactive with injury prevention, not only for bikes but for car drivers too? This includes upping the required standard for getting a license.

[James Deuce]

Hang on a minute, since when did Ulysses publicly support the BIKEOI? They didn't. They objected to the idea, but not their members participating in it.

I don't recall seeing a Ulysses banner at the front of the barricades, though I may have been mistaken and will happily apologise if that is the case.

There's more than one worm wriggling on the hook methinks.

Once again I'd like to reiterate that the main issue here is not our wallets. It's the systematic destruction of Kiwi community spirit in replacing a No Fault compensation scheme with a some of you are responsible and deserve it insurance rort.

People need to stop focussing on the money and get back to the paying a flat rate that ensures each person and their dependants is/are adequately cared for in the event of an accident or death that is at the heart of ACC - No Fault Compensation.

[P38]

Thanks for this statement Peter.

I for one are 100% behind you on this one.

As I see it this is nothing more than a cheap shot at the old "Divide then Conquer Tatic".

Wake up Nick Smith, were not gonna fall for that one!!!!

Nick your doing your best to see yourself and the National Party relegated back to the opposition benches.
We wont beforgetting this in a hurry.

Keep it up and thats were you'll stay too.

[Dan Mapp]

Once again I'd like to reiterate that the main issue here is not our wallets. It's the systematic destruction of Kiwi community spirit in replacing a No Fault compensation scheme with a some of you are responsible and deserve it insurance rort.

People need to stop focussing on the money and get back to the paying a flat rate that ensures each person and their dependants is/are adequately cared for in the event of an accident or death that is at the heart of ACC - No Fault Compensation.

What he said.

[Ixion]

Hang on a minute, since when did Ulysses publicly support the BIKEOI? They didn't. They objected to the idea, but not their members participating in it.

I don't recall seeing a Ulysses banner at the front of the barricades, though I may have been mistaken and will happily apoligise if that is the case.

There's more than one worm wriggling on the hook methinks.

...

No matter . What was, was (and there is a bit more history then has surfaced).

Water under the bridge. The campaign STARTED on 17th November. It's going forward that matters and we all , old and young, crusiers and spotsbikes, four strokes and two strokes, scooters and tourers need to march forward, if not in unison (getting bikers to do anything in unison ! ), at least in vaguely the same direction.

Ulysses are on board. That's what counts and what Nick may have schemed is history ,and hopefully he knows it now.

What our challenge now is to get Bill Battler to realise that he is going to be paying out an extra $500 , it's not just about bikers.

And getting mainstream New Zealand to tell Nick Smith that ACC is for New Zealanders, not trans Tasman asset strippers.

[Bald Eagle]

Too true we need to stop this divide and conquer BS

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

What our challenge now is to get Bill Battler to realise that he is going to be paying out an extra $500 , it's not just about bikers.

I know I will not be able to afford much let alone my bike if I have to pay the new PAYE $2.48 per $100 levy as well as the $730 levy for rego (+ rego) and the increase in fuel... I not on a big wage...

the bit the irks me more is that we pay more and they are wanting cut services

[James Deuce]

Too true we need to stop this divide and conquer BS

Absolutely. But don't go squandering integrity in the process. Ulysses haven't supported the protest from the start. A better worded release would have started, "We have come to realise that..", and I'd be right there up the front cheerleading for Ulysses.

From a more positive perspective it appears the Dr Smith's attempts to divide and conquer have simply strengthened slightly uneasy alliances. Ixion is correct in that the "water under the bridge" appraoch needs to be taken, so I'll shut up mmmkay?

[Mom]

Get the pair of them together on Close Up.

Have you contacted them with that story idea? I have.

Once again I'd like to reiterate that the main issue here is not our wallets. It's the systematic destruction of Kiwi community spirit in replacing a No Fault compensation scheme with a some of you are responsible and deserve it insurance rort.

People need to stop focussing on the money and get back to the paying a flat rate that ensures each person and their dependants is/are adequately cared for in the event of an accident or death that is at the heart of ACC - No Fault Compensation.

Sadly J2 listening to Nics Myth last night, it already is an insurance company, not only that but he is hell bent on comparing what happens in Australia to what happens here. We HAVE to fight for our ACC scheme. If nothing else we at least will be able to say we tried.

Me, I am not about to go away, hopefully I am not alone.

[DougieNZ]

Hang on a minute, since when did Ulysses publicly support the BIKEOI? They didn't. They objected to the idea, but not their members participating in it.

I don't recall seeing a Ulysses banner at the front of the barricades, though I may have been mistaken and will happily apologise if that is the case.

Get ready to apologise mate.. Ulysses were heavily involved in marshalling at both the Papakowhai and Avalon marshalling points and several other places. I personally was heavily involved on the day along with several follow Ulyssians. Ulyssians are just as outraged as all other motorcyclists... The reason I wasn't "at the front with my banner" is because I was one of the last to arrive - after riding at the back and ensuring (with several other Wgtn and Kapiti Ulyssians) that 4,500 odd motorcycles at Papakowhai got in to Welllington OK.

What we are seeing here is rather normal..

"Why doesn't the Ulysses President tell us the real story"
"Speak up the Ulysses President"
"What is going on with the Ulysses"
etc etc

Then the president makes a statement. Most normal people would then apologise (thanks to some that have).

But no - now it becomes

"Ulysses President should make a media statement"
"Ulysses President should go on Close Up"

Unbelievable!! You made a mistake and believed the politicians as apposed to a fellow motorcycler who has ALWAYS been on side. Now be big enough to APOLOGISE and lets get on with fighting the REAL enemy???

[Mom]

What did he say?

Among other things;


http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.co...mpting-to.html

[StoneY]

Actually James once we had the Safety meeting (which Peter attended I might point out) the tone changed to a solid onside attitude
There was a little to and fro'ing but on the actual day Ulysses stepped way WAY up and even spent club funds on printing, megafone hire etc etc

Again, lest forget the 'us vs them' we need to be one family untill we can start filling in the trenches and rolling up the barbed wire

And as James has pointed out, lets not lose sight of the target, not JUST the money but the raping and pillaging of our treasured no fault system


PETERS IS ON TV3 NEWS right NOW