I spoke with him just a few minutes ago and he will custom my bike so all you haters in Atlanta get ready to see what's new in custom motorcycles from Benny the Leather King!
more about "NEW GENERATION MOTORCYCLES! Video by ...", posted with vodpod
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
NEW GENERATION MOTORCYCLES! Video by TOMSCORPION - MySpace Video
more about "NEW GENERATION MOTORCYCLES! Video by ...", posted with vodpod
Mahalia Jackson singing How I got over...Martin Luther King's favorite singer
I thought this would be something we need to see to maybe excite us to come together again and fight for our rights as a people. We have lost that fire and I am keeping hope alive that we get it back.
more about "Mahalia Jackson singing How I got ove...", posted with vodpod
Rip Off Reports on the Better Business Bureau
Let's take a look at the reports on the Better Business Bureau since they want to put a blemish on Yele Haiti; check out this link to see there aren't any complaints. So what in the hell was the Wise Giving Alliance talking about. I took time to research the business practices of the BBB and to search and find businesses and consumers who weren't pleased with them. Yes…Ah Ha I found a lot of dirt starting with the extensive list on Rip of Report. On Rip of Report I found search results of 394 reports of dirt on the better business bureau nationwide.
You will need to setup an account, it is free and you will have access to read all of the complaints. This site will help you see what people are saying about a product or a service of any company out there that are getting bad press and complaints due to poor business practices. I actually have written several comments on bad employers and businesses; you know we gotta keep each other informed about the scam artists out here. You can check out an employer before applying for a job or a business before buying from them. This can be helpful info in the long run; preventing you from experiencing a headache, misdemeanor or a felony.
Now let's compare the complaints on Yele Haiti Foundation and the BBB on Rip off Report. Yele Haiti doesn't have any reports of bad business practices. Humm, so what do you think the reason was for the BBB to suggest not using Yele Haiti to make your donations to aid Haiti in its devastation from the Earthquake?
This is a current complaint dated 1/15/2010 on the BBB:
Better Business Bureau of Eastern Missouri & Southern Illinois
15 Sunnen Dr., Ste. 107
St. Louis Missouri 63143-1400
United States of America
Phone:
Web Address: http://stlouis.bbb.org/
Category: BBB Better Business Bureau
Submitted: Friday, January 15, 2010
Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010
Think about the following quote from the better business bureau at http://www.bbb.org/business-reviews/ratings/ and let your blood come to a simmer:
"Ratings are determined by a proprietary formula that represents BBB's opinion as to (1) the importance of each category, and (2) the appropriate score given to the business for each category."
Now this is not Microsoft, Google, or The Skunk Works. This is the Better Business Bureau. How ludicrous that their formula is "proprietary!" What
good are these ratings if the public does not understand how they are calculated?
Judging by the outrageously generous ratings at this site, business ratings are proportional to membership fees paid to BBB.
One company I have personally dealt with has a general rating of 3 out of 10 on the open Internet. Here they have a rating of A+.
I'll let you be the judge of the credibility of the BBB in your states. I honestly feel with the internet being as robust as it is the BBB has outlived its usefulness.
There are other online businesses who feel the same as me. Click this link and see how they shake down online businesses by charging extra fees for us do show our approval by them since we don't have a store front to display their emblem in our business for our customers to see.
The Better Business Bureau it’s not what you think!
Here is another person's experience with the BBB that will give you a better view of who they are and also their business practices.
The Better Business Bureau:
It's not what you think!
Living a dream, I recently filed a "Fictitious Business Name" with Riverside County in California. This is public information, much like getting a mortgage and transfer of property title. In one sense, this simply means that you get a lot of telemarketing calls. This is all fine and dandy – in fact, the fact that there is a wealth of public information out there is somewhat comforting.
Enter The Better Business Bureau. Until last week, I thought that the BBB was a government-run organization, funded by my tax dollars. I thought that it was a neutral observer of business standards and practices, a place where one could get information on a legitimate business or where one could lodge a formal complaint against a shady one. Just about none of this is true.
The BBB is not run by the government, but they do a lot of business with the FTC — at least that's what I hear. They are a non-profit, charity organization known as a 501(c) (3). This means that whatever money you donate to their cause is tax-deductible. The money that you donate is supposed to go into programs and charitable causes. The organization is supposed to report their income, report their board of directors, and report about their programs, and so on. This information appears on IRS form 990.
990s are public information. So, with my wife's help, I got hold of the 990 for our local BBB. Turns out, they report no income, no board of directors, no contractors who earn over $50,000 per year, and they have no programs. All they appear to have is -$849 in assets. This is, to say the least, shady.
You might ask, "Why is he so interested in the BBB?"
They cold called me. Mind you; this was back when (last week) I thought that they were a legitimate organization. It went something like this:
The "Guy" called and said that he was from the Better Business Bureau. My ears perked up: I thought either I have already done something wrong (!), or that they are a really conscientious organization interested in how I conduct my affairs. He said that he wanted to set up an appointment to visit my business. When I balked, he said that he could just ask me some questions over the phone. So I assented.
He asked questions that were already answered on the county DBA filing, so I answered diligently, thinking that he was probably checking up on me to verify if I had been honest on the DBA application. He finished his simple questions (e.g., do you have employees? How long have you been in business? What is the nature of the business?), and told me:
It costs $465 a year and that will carry you through June 2006. We take credit cards or check by phone.
I was floored. The "Guy" cold-called me and thought that I'd start doling out credit card numbers? Insane. I asked him, "Excuse me, you can't bill?" He answered, "We do credit cards or check by phone." Wary of phishing schemes, I told him that I had no way to know that he was who he claimed to be and that he would have to give me his information and I would call back if I was interested.
He gave me the information, and there started the investigation.
There are a lot of problems, right from the start — even before you start reading the complaints against the BBB.
Most importantly, there is the obvious conflict-of-interest problem. They take "subscription" or "membership" donations from businesses. This means that businesses are the BBB's source of income (even though they don't report income). But businesses are their object of complaint. So, if I as a consumer complain to the BBB, I'm complaining about one of their sources of income. Obviously, this is a problem.
The problems run deeper. An hour or so after they talked to me, my business appeared on their web site (if you're interested, find the Southern California BBB site and look for "Bluewood Designs"; I resist linking to them). The information on the site is the information that I told them over the phone.
They never confirmed that information. Furthermore, they assigned me a "BB" rating. This means, paraphrased, that they have no reason to believe that anyone would have trouble doing business with me. This is true, to some extent — they have no reason to think much of anything about me because, well, they know virtually nothing about me.
What's curious is that many other local businesses, who are members of the BBB, have "A" or higher ratings. Hmmm, I wonder what my rating would be if I paid for a "membership".
More curious, and again I encourage anyone to look this stuff up, I checked out the local Wal-Mart: they are a "member" of the BBB. They have had one complaint against them, but it apparently was resolved. So, they have an "AA" rating. I checked out the local Lowe's. They have 14 unresolved complaints against them and have an "F" rating. They are not members of the BBB.
What makes this case curious, in my estimation, is the number of lodged complaints. These stores are no more than a couple of miles from each other and so have basically the same customer base. I find it impossible to believe that the BBB has only received one complaint against Wal-Mart and 14 against Lowe's. This makes me suspect that a) the BBB is not recording complaints against their members; b) the BBB is not recording responses from non-members; c) the BBB might be "creating" complaints against non-members. Or some combination of these or others.
That last point is one that I've now read about (check out badbusinessbureau.com for more). Somehow this doesn't seem unreasonable — I consider how much due diligence the BBB did to get my business information. I imagine that they do similar diligence on complaints that they receive.
Speaking of how complaints go, a friend of mine, let's call him "Scott", lodged a complaint with the BBB against a local car dealership. The dealership had tried to make him replace a $500 part on his car when it was really just a fuse that had blown. That complaint, on the BBB web site, is listed as resolved. This is probably because "Scott" grew tired of the paperwork and didn't pursue the complaint further. The BBB let it end. The car dealership is a member of the BBB. They have a "B" rating and 14 complaints.
But Scott felt that he had lodged a complaint with a reputable organization and that something might be done about their business practices. This is not the case, for the BBB have no authority over businesses and no significant legal influence with state or county authorities. Yet arguably, they market themselves as having that kind of authority.
This succeeds to dupe consumers into thinking that their complaints will actually be heard by someone who can or will do something about it. In the case of my friend, this stopped him from taking the complaint to an authority, such as the state Attorney General.
There are numerous other resources and anecdotes about the BBB out there on the web. This article aims only to raise a healthy suspicion about the organization and to encourage business owners and consumers to proceed with caution when doing business with the Better Business Bureau.
One final irony: if you have a complaint against the Better Business Bureau, you can't file it with the Better Business Bureau. And just as Groucho Marx once quipped that he would never join a club that would have him as a member, the Better Business Bureau is not a member of its own organization.
Maybe it's all a big joke?
Bikers you be the Judge of Yele Haiti Foundation…Not me
Bottom of Form
My responsibility to my viewers is to post the article that made the statement about Yele Haiti Foundation and allow you to be the judge of Wyclef Jean. I will continue to support him because with me starting a nonprofit, I too will possibly make a mistake along the way. At least he has a Servants heart and has a desire and passion to make a difference in the lives of his people in Haiti. It's unfortunate that I can't say that about all of us in this country.
I'd like to also add that if you, Mr. Art Taylor saw he was making some errors with his accounting why did you just disclose the information now. We need to stop stepping on each other and reach out to assist when we have the specialization to better someone. We see them trying to do something right and not take advantage of someone and we don't lend our assistance via education or referral, we just put bad press out about them and for what reason. Well I guess you know why you did this Mr. Art Taylor and your day will come when it will be your turn.
January 15, 2010
Update: Concerns Addressed at Press Conference... 'Yele's books are open and transparent'...
Yele Haiti has raised over $2 million, according to reports, but the goodwill was brought to an abrupt stop when TheSmokingGun.com unearthed documents claiming that the 12-year-old incorporated company only recently filed tax returns, for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Wclef emphatically denied any malicious wrongdoing, stating he had not profited as a result of his efforts. "Did we make mistakes, yes," Clef said, after the president of Yele Haiti briefed the audience first citing that the group was founded in 2005, not earlier as reported. "Did I ever use any of Yele's money for personal benefit, no. Yele's books are open and transparent, and we have been a clean bill of health by an external auditor every year since we started."
Previously: The Smoking Gun:
The Haiti earthquake has already triggered hundreds of thousands of donations to musician Wyclef Jean's charitable foundation, which expects to raise upwards of $1 million a day in the disaster's wake. However, Internal Revenue Service records show the group has a lackluster history of accounting for its finances, and that the organization has paid the performer and his business partner at least $410,000 for rent, production services, and Jean's appearance at a benefit concert. Though the Wyclef Jean Foundation, which does business as Yele Haiti Foundation, was incorporated 12 years ago—and has been active since that time—the group only first filed tax returns in August 2009. That month, the foundation provided the IRS with returns covering calendar years 2005, 2006, and 2007—the only periods for which it has publicly provided a glimpse at its financial affairs. In 2006, Jean's charity reported contributions of $1 million, the bulk of which came from People magazine in exchange for the first photos of a pregnant Angelina Jolie (the actress reportedly directed that the publication's payment go to Jean's charity, not her personally). As seen on the following pages from the foundation's 2006 tax return, the group paid $31,200 in rent to Platinum Sound, a Manhattan recording studio owned by Jean and Jerry Duplessis, who, like Jean, is a foundation board member. A $31,200 rent payment was also made in 2007 to Platinum Sound. The rent, tax returns assure, "is priced below market value." The recording studio also was paid $100,000 in 2006 for the "musical performance services of Wyclef Jean at a benefit concert." That six-figure payout, the tax return noted, "was substantially less than market value." The return, of course, does not address why Jean needed to be paid to perform at his own charity's fundraiser. But the largest 2006 payout—a whopping $250,000—went to Telemax, S.A., a for-profit Haiti company in which Jean and Duplessis were said to "own a controlling interest." The money covered "pre-purchased…TV airtime and production services" that were part of the foundation's "outreach efforts" in Haiti.
ABC News – Groups Raise Doubts About Wyclef Jean's Charity:
Groups that vet charities are raising doubts about the organization backed by Haitian-born rapper Wyclef Jean, questioning its accounting practices and ability to function in earthquake-hit Haiti.
Even as more than $2 million poured into The Wyclef Jean Foundation Inc. via text message after just two days, experts questioned how much of the money would help those in need.
"It's questionable. There's no way to get around that," said Art Taylor, president and chief executive of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, based in Arlington, Va.
Taylor reviewed Internal Revenue Service tax returns for the organization also known as Yele Haiti Foundation from 2005 through 2007. He said the first red flag of poor accounting practices was that three years of returns were filed on the same day — Aug. 10 of last year.
In 2007, the foundation's spending exceeded its revenues by $411,000. It brought in just $79,000 that year.
"Here's the bottom line: for an earthquake of catastrophic proportions, do people really believe that this organization is in a position to do anything right now?" he said.
The U.S. State Department has added a hotline for those trying to contact relatives in Haiti: 1–888-407–4747.
The powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday knocked out telephones and electricity in the capital, Port-au-Prince, adding to the fears of many Haitian expatriates and family members who could not contact t
The New York Times would like to connect people inside and outside Haiti who are searching for information about the situation on the ground. Readers outside Haiti, who have friends and relatives in the country, along with readers in Haiti who are still able to access the Internet, can use the comments section below as a forum to share updates. Some readers may be searching for the same family members.
Haiti needs your help text YELE to 501 501 and 5 dollars will go toward earthquake relief.
I am on my way to the D R to get to Haiti Please urge you council men governors etc we need a state of emergency for Haiti www.yele.org
MTV:
In the wake of the Tuesday's devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, singer Wyclef Jean has issued an urgent plea for help for his struggling homeland.
"Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced," Jean wrote on his Web site of the island nation, which is one of the most impoverished countries in the Western Hemisphere.
The massive earthquake, the largest the Caribbean island has seen in more than 200 years, struck around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter was around 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, which according to reports was largely destroyed by the initial quake and a series of aftershocks. While damage and casualty figures were not available at press time, they are expected to be high due to the poor construction of many of the island's buildings.
"I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse," Wyclef continued. "The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now. President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands 'ready to assist' the Haitian people. The U.S. military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible."
Jean established the non-profit Yele Haiti Foundation in 2004 to provide scholarships for the country's children, and he has worked with the United Nations World Food Program to send food assistance to the island. He is encouraging people to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund or visit Yele.org and click "donate" to help the island's people.
In the wake of the Tuesday's devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, singer Wyclef Jean has issued an urgent plea for help for his struggling homeland.
"Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced," Jean wrote on his Web site of the island nation, which is one of the most impoverished countries in the Western Hemisphere.
The massive earthquake, the largest the Caribbean island has seen in more than 200 years, struck around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter was around 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, which according to reports was largely destroyed by the initial quake and a series of aftershocks. While damage and casualty figures were not available at press time, they are expected to be high due to the poor construction of many of the island's buildings.
"I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse," Wyclef continued. "The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now. President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands 'ready to assist' the Haitian people. The U.S. military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible."
Jean established the non-profit Yele Haiti Foundation in 2004 to provide scholarships for the country's children, and he has worked with the United Nations World Food Program to send food assistance to the island. He is encouraging people to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund or visit Yele.org and click "donate" to help the island's people.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Black Bikers & Black Motorcycle Clubs it’s going down…Great North Atlanta Motorcycle Show
Georgia's Biggest & Only Indoor Motorcycle Show
Is Cruising Into Town JANUARY 22-24, 2010!
We are back and bigger than ever!
Show Hours: |
3 ½ FOOTBALL FIELDS from Customs to Cruisers
All at Great Prices!
Since 1992, The Great American Motorcycle Show has been the place to buy a new motorcycle and the accessories you need. Join us for Georgia's ONLY indoor bike show January 22-24! The show is full of 2010 motorcycles brought to you by Georgia's leading dealers. | ||
See foreign and domestic motorcycles, one of a kind custom bikes, cruisers, sport bikes, choppers, and touring bikes. Get great deals on motorcycles, trailers, leathers, ATVs, scooters, LED lights, detail products, patches and sewers, riding glasses, helmets, resorts, seat cushions, accessories, custom chrome & paint, insurance, jewelry, cold weather wear, gloves, wheels, tires, boots, security, motorcycle rental, garage gear, seats, apparel and more to get you on the open road in style no matter what you ride.
Bring the entire family and come see over 120,000 s.f. of bikes and accessories. Park in the secure bike corral and check your helmet at the March of Dimes Coat Check. No matter what you ride, this is the show to see!
Directions: From downtown Atlanta, take I-85 North to Exit 101, Indian Trail. Go east on Indian Trail to Oakbrook Parkway; turn right on Oakbrook. Go 1/2 mile to Jeurgens Court, turn right, and follow directly into the facility parking lot. Click for more detailed directions. | ||
Sunday, January 17, 2010
PAID Extras Casting for Dallas, Texas FOX Studio Television Series TV Series “Code 58″
"This is for my biker fam in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area Only"
Posted By: Chris Weidner Category: Casting/Crew Calls, Dallas/Fort Worth
PAID Extras Casting for Dallas, Texas FOX Studio Television Series TV Series "Code 58″
Production Title: Code 58 (Jack and Dan)
Studio/Independent/Student: FOX Studio
Production Company: TVM Productions, Inc. / FOX Television
Union/Non-Union: Non-Union
Project Type: Television Series
Production Location: Dallas, Texas
Production Start Date: January 26, 2010
Shooting Schedule: 13 episodes
Synopsis:
FOX television series "Code 58" starring Colin Hanks.
Character Breakdowns:
We will soon be casting Paid EXTRAS for the FOX television series "Code 58″ starring Colin Hanks to be filmed in the DALLAS, TX area starting on 1/26/10 for approximately 13 episodes.
We will be looking for ALL types, ALL ages of local Dallas/Fort Worth area talent to work on this project. NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!!!
**If you are already registered with us (On Location Casting) – please DO NOT fill out another profile, you will automatically be considered for this project! However, please be sure that your OLC profile and contact information is up to date.
Extras we will need include:
- Uniform Police Officers: male and female, clean cut, athletic, prefer previous law enforcement experience
- CSI Agents: male and female, clean cut, professional types
- Detectives: male and female, professional types with suits
- Civilian Office Workers: secretarial types with business attire
- Airline Pilots
- Flight Attendants
- Extras with cars that are NOT red, white or black (please put your car year, make, model & color in your talent profile under special skills)
- PERUVIAN Men, Women and Children
- Bikers with tattooes and motorcycles
- Exotic Dancers/Strippers/Burlesque Dancers
- Drug Dealer and Criminal types
- Businessmen with suits
- Seedy Character types (extreme interesting character faces, all ages)
- "smoking hot" gorgeous MODELS
- Homeless types
- African American Men and Women
- Asian Men and Women
- EXPERIENCED Standins & Photos Doubles for several lead actors (please list Stand-in experience on online resume)
All Extra roles are PAID. NON-UNION Extras Rate of $64.00 for 8 hours ($8/hr) plus overtime. Stand-in rate is $120.00 for 12 hours ($10/hr) plus overtime.
We will NOT be handling the principal (speaking role) casting for this project.
Paid/Non-Paid: Paid
Other/Additional Compensation: None
Meals/Lodging/Transportation Provided: Meals, Snacks and Beverages
*Email Your Casting Submissions To:
If you have further questions please emailonlocationcasting@yahoo.com
Special Notes for Potential Cast/Crew:
In order to be considered for EXTRA work, you will need to visit our company website at www.onlocationcasting.net and complete a TALENT Application. Please make sure to upload 1-2 photos to your talent profile. It is FREE to be in our talent files. The optional upgrade offered to an Active Agency Pro account brings you many additional marketing benefits and website services, however please note that the optional upgrades are NOT REQUIRED in order to work on "Code 58″ or any other OLC project.
*TEXAS Residents ONLY! We will NOT pay for your travel/accomodations to/in Dallas and you MUST have valid proof of Texas residency (Drivers License, Voter Registration Card or Full-time College ID Card)
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