DAD GOES HOLLYWOOD

My father, Jerry Hatfield, is a published author many times over. His field of interest? Antique motorcycles, especially everything to do with the legendary (but long-defunct) Indian Motorcycle.

His most recent book, a labor of love called 'Flat Out', is a meticulously-researched, beautifully-illustrated volume about Rollie Free, a fascinating character whose life seems drawn from pulp fiction, a motor sports daredevil and promoter of the same who memorably set the world speed record on the Bonneville salt flats, wearing little more than a bathing suit atop a stripped-down Vincent. Free's life, adventures and especially his iconic pose astride the whizzing Vincent, memorialized in a well-known photograph, have become part of the lore of antique motorcyclists....to the extent that Tonight Show host Jay Leno, a well-known enthusiast and collector, wrote the forward to Dad's book.

That's a Hollywood connection, but recently my Dad outdid himself. Earlier this week, he attended a Tonight Show taping as Jay's guest, and yesterday spent much of the day doing a video shoot with Jay, to be shown on-line at Jay Leno's Garage.

I'll forward more details as they become known, Dad! How about your people talk to my people, and we'll do lunch? Ciao, from Ace-Baby!

ADVENTURES IN FILTERING

My school district (FUSD) is understandably eager to make sure that neither district personnel or students view illegal or inappropriate materials through their Internet. So they have filters that are designed to catch phrases like 'adult entertainment' or 'off-shore gambling' and the like. All well and good.

But what else might these filters be up to? For example, they blocked an attempt by yours truly to view the web page of the director of Fresno's Islamic Cultural Center who is part of the IACC (Interfaith Alliance of Central California). They've also blocked other pages expressing viewpoints on religion, among them atheist sites.

This concerns me. If a page is blocked for no other reason than containing the word 'Islamic' or 'atheist', we've got a problem with the filters.....or else, the filterers. Qui custodiet esto custodes?

VOX REPLIES

You can read his rejoinder to what I wrote earlier here, along with comments from his minions, and quite a few barbed responses from yours truly.

I invite further comments in this space, and thank any from Vox's place in advance for any thoughts they might wish to share, pro or con.