Official response from Ulysses Club President

[James Deuce]

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.

I distinctly remember that Ulysses the National organisation wasn't that fussed with the BIKEOI protest but wouldn't prevent their members participating. I wasn't suggesting that those Ulysses members that stepped up to help with the BIKEOI were in any way tarnished by that attitude. But Ulysses the organisation chose to do their own protest ride and pow wow ahead of the BIKEOI and IMO (and in the opinion of some of the bike haters I know and work with) potentially diluted the impact of the BIKEOI a couple of weeks later. It didn't though, did it?

Truth is the first casualty of war.

[Mully]

Just out of interest, is there video evidence of Smithy "stretching the truth"?

Cos if so, a nice letter from Peter McIntosh to Smithy outlining Smithy's "stretching" with a few people in copy might be the go.

People like:
TVNZ
TV3
NZ Harald
Fairfax Media
Radio NZ
Radio Live

perhaps......

EDIT: Actually, is that complainable to the Speaker? Or do the misleading statements have to be in/to the House?

Cos if it was, that would be hysterically funny.

[Mom]

Just out of interest, is there video evidence of Smithy "stretching the truth"?

Cos if so, a nice letter from Peter McIntosh to Smithy outlining Smithy's "stretching" with a few people in copy might be the go.

People like:
TVNZ
TV3
NZ Harald
Fairfax Media
Radio NZ
Radio Live

perhaps......

TV3 recorded the entire meeting last night.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

I do hope you have been ending every conversation with the minister...

"Good luck with the next election ..."

[Mully]

TV3 recorded the entire meeting last night.

Can't find it on their website - do you have a contact at TV3??

[shafty]

As a Ulyssian I have posted my thoughts on our website:

"I reckon we need to use Natcom funds to take out a full page advert in the Herald and the Dom to clarify our position (from that which Nick Smith has twisted) and to reiterate the injustice they propose.

I for one would be happy with the expenditure.

This IS the rainy day....."

[rustic101]

The Ulysses Club categorically denies that it has entered into any agreement with ACC or Minister Smith over ACC levies and road safety programmes as apparently suggested by Dr Smith recently. We are absolutely against the outrageous levy rises still being put forward by ACC and are committed to working with other clubs and organisations to fight their implementation.

As Ulysses National President I am disappointed that many bikers have appeared to take Dr Smith’s comments at face value. Ulysses has been at the forefront of the ACC protests. I have been very vocal in my condemnation of the proposed changes to ACC – not only the motorcycling issues but the other changes that impact on us all as New Zealanders: car levy up 36%, diesel goods vehicles levy up 94%, increases in petrol, employee, employer and self employed levies plus cuts in services.

The first mass rally in Nelson was widely supported by the local Ulysses branches and other clubs. I was invited to take part and did so in my role as National President. Ulysses organised the mass rallies held across the country on the following two weekends – thousands of bikers demonstrated in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Timaru, Tauranga and other towns. Then the Bikoi – once the message of maximum safety and minimum disruption was implemented, the Ulysses Club took an active part in supporting the ride as did many of our members. I was out of the country at the time of the Bikoi and was unable to attend.

The work that Ulysses has done and still does with the Injury Prevention arm of ACC will continue and is separate from the levy issue. This work has input from other motorcycle clubs and interest groups and continues to benefit all motorcyclists.

It is clear that the fight against the levy increases is not over – that was very evident in ACC’s complete disregard for the hundreds of submissions that had been made. The revised proposed levies are completely unacceptable as they are only marginally less than the originals. We need to stand together not only as motorcyclists but as citizens of this country. The government has a clear agenda to attack the very fabric of ACC – an institution that is world renown no fault compensation scheme. We need to push for a full scale review if ACC with a view to returning it to its original purpose. ACC management and the government have done a great job of hiding the massive changes planned for ACC behind the furore around the motorcycle levies. We need to engage public support for the wider purpose while ensuring that our interests are protected.

Peter McIntosh,
National President,
Ulysses Club of New Zealand Inc

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...d.php?t=113905

[StoneY]

Just out of interest, is there video evidence of Smithy "stretching the truth"?

Cos if so, a nice letter from Peter McIntosh to Smithy outlining Smithy's "stretching" with a few people in copy might be the go.

People like:
TVNZ
TV3
NZ Harald
Fairfax Media
Radio NZ
Radio Live

perhaps......

I had Radio Live call me at work this arvo...I repeated the standard lines ACC not broke, ask Charlie Lamb PhD, said its obviously being prepared for privatization, etc......

Beat the drum...beat the drum....sigh

[Mully]

I had Radio Live call me at work this arvo...I repeated the standard lines ACC not broke, ask Charlie Lamb PhD, said its obviously being prepared for privatization, etc......

Beat the drum...beat the drum....sigh

Did you tell Radio Live to ring Mr McIntosh with regard to Smithy's claims?

Or was it before you found out?

[StoneY]

Did you tell Radio Live to ring Mr McIntosh with regard to Smithy's claims?

Or was it before you found out?

Pete has his own channels mate, he aint happy with Smithy, watch ... its comin

[ST4s]

"I reckon we need to use Natcom funds to take out a full page advert in the Herald and the Dom to clarify our position (from that which Nick Smith has twisted) and to reiterate the injustice they propose.

I for one would be happy with the expenditure.

This IS the rainy day....."

I'd 2nd that - but we, as Ulysses, should SUE him. The posts here are proof of damage to the club's reputation.

[duckonin]

I'd 2nd that - but we, as Ulysses, should SUE him. The post here are proof of damage to the club's reputation.

Yes I would also move with that...

[Dan Mapp]

Among other things;


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

Thanks.
I think we need to know why the media is not chasing up all these lies. Something to do with the free to air broadcasters getting tax payer money to show the Rugby world cup maybe???

[Mom]

Thanks.
I think we need to know why the media is not chasing up all these lies. Something to do with the free to air broadcasters getting tax payer money to show the Rugby world cup maybe???

Ask them. Really, ask them. The more the merrier on this roundabout

[Blackbird]

Ask them. Really, ask them. The more the merrier on this roundabout

Have a look at Rod Oram's analysis. It's the most succinct I've seem and actually deals with FACTS! http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-t...nd-the-reality.