Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

'Alpha Dog' is at it again! Putin leads biker gang in his latest macho photo opportunity
The Daily Mail ^

Posted on 08/30/2011 8:00:55 AM PDT by AfricanChristian

Politicians will usually kick off an election campaign with a rousing speech, a meet-and-greet handshaking session or a nice photo opportunity kissing a baby. Unless, of course, they are Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who joined a biker gang and led them on a testosterone-fuelled motorcade. Over-revving the engine as he sat astride a three-wheeled Harley Davidson, the former KGB tough man looked both ludicrous and very much at home in the latest of macho stunts that have punctuated his political career.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: agitprop; bikes; macho; propaganda; putin; russia
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 221-234 next last
To: Salamander
I’m getting to just generally liking you.

That's because we haven't gotten to the part where growing up with bikers has led to some very libertarian leanings when it comes to personal behavior, that I don't post on FR much as they're pretty much unwelcome views.

Still, it blows me away to think that my father started riding in the 1940's, and now my 19 year old son looks like he's going to carry the tradition into the 2040's and beyond.

161 posted on 08/31/2011 10:59:28 AM PDT by Melas (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 154 | View Replies]

To: Salamander
My policy is to not mix booze with bikes or shooting. Since I really like the latter two, I tend to just blow off the first.
162 posted on 08/31/2011 11:03:08 AM PDT by Myrddin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 160 | View Replies]

To: jjm2111
Melas, you’re right about one thing, a Sportster isn’t a girl’s bike. But I don’t get the H-D thing. It just seems heavy, overly chromed, poor handling, styling that’s a throwback to the 40s. I shake my head at choppers, especially the ones with ginormous rear tires. I don’t understand why anyone would ride a motorcycle to a bar. I don’t understand why anyone would ride bare shouldered, handed, etc. or with just a do-rag to protect the noggin.

Different strokes for different folks. I confess, I had to look up ATGATT, because I had no idea what it meant. I ride NGMOTT, No Gear Most Of The Time.

Funny, but in a way you do get HD thing, but you don't know it. They're throwbacks to the 1940's, that's the reason right there, and you said it. I take great pride in riding HD's very last bike that isn't counter balanced or rubber mounted. I can live with electronics and fuel injection, as they're transparent to the rider. Anything that I can feel, that takes away from the nostalgia, I'm against.

As for the bar, hell, you gotta get there somehow. I'd rather ride my bike to the bar than drive my Explorer. The Explorer exists primarily as a way to get my other passion, mountain bikes, to the trails.

I guess I would classify as RUB, but I ride because I like to ride not for any other reason. I’m learning to wrench on my own bike because it’s fun and satisfying to do my own repairs. I don’t do it for any image. I have enough man points in the bank to drive a pink miata to work and not give a hoot.

I hear you there. I had a conversation months ago with some guy here (I won't call him a FReeper) who's all hung up on outward appearances. Told me that it was effeminate to order a strawberry margarita in a biker bar after spending all day in the saddle.

Me, I'm a biker. It's as much a lifestyle or subculture as it is about motorcycles. Don't get me wrong, we're not all the same. There are things about biker culture that even I don't understand, like the unhealthy attachment to Lynard Skynard. I'm really more of a NIN kind of guy.

But I don’t want to be snob either.

That's a good start. I think I was 15, when I wanted to buy a "No Rice" patch from a vendor at a rally. One of the guys we were with, a full patch kinda guy, stopped me and told me that it was disrespectful and that if he knew my old man as well as he thought he did, I wasn't riding a Harley out of the gate. He was right, I turned 16 and my father bought me a Honda Twinstar 185. I rode that thing from Denver to St. Louis. That's what I call being a biker.

163 posted on 08/31/2011 11:25:47 AM PDT by Melas (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies]

To: jjm2111

Btw, you’re not a RUB. You’re a motorcyclist. RUB is just a another word for poser. Like I said, the guy who wears a tie 5 days a week and then tries to look hard with 3 days of stubble, factory distressed leathers, temporary tattoos (we noticed), and a cool biker nickname that he picked out for himself.

I’ve got nothing against the orthodontist who loves motorcycles, just drop the airs. Don’t call your wife your ol’ lady in the company of bikers if you don’t call her that at home. Just say that your career and ink don’t mix. Most of all, please for God’s sake, don’t give yourself a nickname with “wolf” in it, we not only know, but we laugh behind your back.

Note for clarity: Melas refers to his spouse as his wife or his bride, but never his ol’ lady, and used equally respectful terms for his parents when they were alive.


164 posted on 08/31/2011 11:45:37 AM PDT by Melas (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

Awww geez. You mean Putin DIDN’T buy an alpha dog?? Silly me.

:)


165 posted on 08/31/2011 11:48:25 AM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (Mr B has a new cousin on the way!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 153 | View Replies]

To: Melas

Why would I care about your “personal behavior” if you didn’t try to force it on me?

;]


166 posted on 08/31/2011 12:48:03 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 161 | View Replies]

To: Myrddin

We need an Olympic sport that combines riding and shooting.

[if they can ski and shoot, why not?]

All I want is a 50 cal. mounted on my trike.

Is that *so* much to ask?

;D


167 posted on 08/31/2011 12:50:43 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 162 | View Replies]

To: Brad's Gramma

Nope.

Woof!


168 posted on 08/31/2011 12:51:25 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 165 | View Replies]

To: Melas

“I’m really more of a NIN kind of guy.”

That does it.

I love you.

;D


169 posted on 08/31/2011 12:54:28 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 163 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

retort of the week bump dear...well done


170 posted on 08/31/2011 12:54:53 PM PDT by wardaddy (I support Bachmann...or Palin should she enter...but I am not a Palin Harpy...know the difference)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy

Thanks, WD!

;]


171 posted on 08/31/2011 1:02:25 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 170 | View Replies]

To: Melas
Told me that it was effeminate to order a strawberry margarita in a biker bar after spending all day in the saddle.

One of my favorites. My brother and I ride to Tahoe on some Sundays, just for the margarita, usually strawberry, then come back down the mountain.

172 posted on 08/31/2011 1:10:19 PM PDT by going hot (Happiness is a momma deuce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 163 | View Replies]

To: Salamander
All I want is a 50 cal. mounted on my trike.

Belt fed? There's a guy in Pocatello with a "Rat Patrol" style truck with a belt-fed .50 cal mounted. He takes it to the range on occasions. It's a noisy, expensive novelty. We have a couple FFL's in town licensed to work on the full auto stuff. The sheriff is pretty decent about it too. Too expensive for my budget.

173 posted on 08/31/2011 1:22:50 PM PDT by Myrddin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 167 | View Replies]

To: Myrddin

Well of course!

(but I’ll really only need a round or two to warn non-yielders and tailgaters)....;)


174 posted on 08/31/2011 1:48:24 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: Melas

LMAO!!!!!!!

I *know* the guy you just described!
He rode a Honda, of all things.

The 1%ers made him lose “the colors” he’d made up for himself.

(I’ve been “the ol’ lady” for 18 years....I want reparations!)


175 posted on 08/31/2011 1:57:40 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 164 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

Sal, I opened the link and looked at those pics.

I am NOT impressed.... I’m REALLY happy this thread concentrated on the bikes.

WOOF! Backatcha, (heh) Butch.

(Man, that’s hilarious, in and of itself ....)


176 posted on 08/31/2011 3:45:46 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (Mr B has a new cousin on the way!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: Brad's Gramma
Oh, okay...*here*.

Yer buddy, Butchamander

;D

[actually, Butch is only one letter off]...bwahahahaaaa!

177 posted on 08/31/2011 5:50:36 PM PDT by Salamander (Can't sleep...clowns will eat me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 176 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

SHOW OFF!!!!!! You’re both a couple of show-offs!

:)

Putin’s pics...WHO goes hunting ... shirtless I ask? Huh?


178 posted on 08/31/2011 8:01:57 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (Mr B has a new cousin on the way!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 177 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

Made his own colors? Something tells me he had a complete lack of social skills in all areas of his life.


179 posted on 08/31/2011 9:21:17 PM PDT by Melas (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 175 | View Replies]

To: going hot

Sounds like a good time to me.


180 posted on 08/31/2011 9:21:41 PM PDT by Melas (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 172 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 221-234 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson