So Rolling Thunder is coming to an end because local parking and hotels have become too expensive?

[Anonymous]

GREAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the hate culture of DC - as evidenced here...

Are you saying Artie Mueller, a Vietnam veteran and founder of Rolling Thunder, Inc., is a liar?

How do you imagine that?

[Anonymous]

The Vietnam Vets got a raw deal. When I see them, I'm reminded of that fact about them and other vets, especially those who didn't really have a choice about serving. In a way, their situation reminds me of the people on the speck shouting "We are here, we are here!" in Horton Hears a Who.

Generally not a fan of motorcycles, but I guess I'm kind of a fan of rolling thunder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the hate culture of DC - as evidenced here...

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The tradition is ending because of escalating costs and a lack of cooperation from the Pentagon and metropolitan police departments, said Artie Muller, a Vietnam veteran and founder of Rolling Thunder, Inc.

Costs for the 2018 ride totaled more than $200,000, Muller said. The nonprofit hasn’t been able to recruit a new corporate sponsor, and Rolling Thunder didn’t sell enough merchandise, such as patches, pins and flags.

Yup. I think the “lack of cooperation” from local governments is key. Hence, your DC hate culture, especially if you ain’t black. (But of course many of these veterans are black.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rolling Thunder is much, much more tolerable than Cop Week.

Agree, they park wherever the hell they want. 12th street is a one lane road when they are here for the week. They take over Metro Center too.

[Anonymous]

“A lot of people are fed up with D.C.; it’s not only me,” said the executive director of Rolling Thunder Inc. and former army Sgt. Artie Muller. “We’re tired of the harassment.”

Muller, 73, expressed his frustration at what he characterized as continued mismanagement of the annual “Ride for Freedom” by Pentagon officials.

He said that despite multiple planning meetings and agreements in 2018, participants, sponsors and vendors were denied access to parking lots that the group paid “exorbitant permit fees” to secure for the Pentagon staging area. Staging the event in D.C. cost organizers more than $200,000 last year, Muller said.

“We’re tired of the aggravation there,” he said. “For 2020, our chapters are going to do demonstrations throughout the country, nationwide in their states.”

Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough released this statement to WTOP:

“During a review after last year’s event, we were unable to identify any instances when groups were denied access to the Pentagon Reservation. There is always the potential to experience a delay or detour transiting the Pentagon Reservation, especially during large events such as Rolling Thunder, either to assist with general traffic flow or for other reasons. As federal police officers, Pentagon Force Protection Agency personnel consider all relevant safety and security-related information while facilitating access to the Pentagon Reservation for participants at large events on restricted roadways.”

“Effective preparation for an event the size and scale of a Rolling Thunder ride is a complicated and lengthy process. PFPA and partner organizations are constantly analyzing law enforcement intelligence, threat information, and security, as well logistical considerations specific to an event’s physical location, anticipated size, and duration. As in previous years, the Pentagon has worked closely with Rolling Thunder representatives to achieve a safe and successful event.”

“All outside events pay fees to use the Pentagon Reservation. The fee includes costs for overtime for security and reimbursement for clean up after an event. Rolling Thunder, Inc. pays only a portion of the total costs incurred by the Pentagon to support the event.”

“We are proud of our history of providing a safe operating area for events on the Pentagon Reservation, to include Rolling Thunder every year. The Pentagon civilian workforce, including PFPA, have a large veteran presence, and we especially appreciate the opportunity to support events that honor those who’ve served and sacrificed.”

[Anonymous]

no loss.

[Anonymous]

A hammer bought by the Pentagon costs $40,000, so staging an event there for $200,000 seems like a downright bargain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“A lot of people are fed up with D.C.; it’s not only me,” said the executive director of Rolling Thunder Inc. and former army Sgt. Artie Muller. “We’re tired of the harassment.”

Muller, 73, expressed his frustration at what he characterized as continued mismanagement of the annual “Ride for Freedom” by Pentagon officials.

He said that despite multiple planning meetings and agreements in 2018, participants, sponsors and vendors were denied access to parking lots that the group paid “exorbitant permit fees” to secure for the Pentagon staging area. Staging the event in D.C. cost organizers more than $200,000 last year, Muller said.

“We’re tired of the aggravation there,” he said. “For 2020, our chapters are going to do demonstrations throughout the country, nationwide in their states.”

Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough released this statement to WTOP:

“During a review after last year’s event, we were unable to identify any instances when groups were denied access to the Pentagon Reservation. There is always the potential to experience a delay or detour transiting the Pentagon Reservation, especially during large events such as Rolling Thunder, either to assist with general traffic flow or for other reasons. As federal police officers, Pentagon Force Protection Agency personnel consider all relevant safety and security-related information while facilitating access to the Pentagon Reservation for participants at large events on restricted roadways.”

“Effective preparation for an event the size and scale of a Rolling Thunder ride is a complicated and lengthy process. PFPA and partner organizations are constantly analyzing law enforcement intelligence, threat information, and security, as well logistical considerations specific to an event’s physical location, anticipated size, and duration. As in previous years, the Pentagon has worked closely with Rolling Thunder representatives to achieve a safe and successful event.”

“All outside events pay fees to use the Pentagon Reservation. The fee includes costs for overtime for security and reimbursement for clean up after an event. Rolling Thunder, Inc. pays only a portion of the total costs incurred by the Pentagon to support the event.”

“We are proud of our history of providing a safe operating area for events on the Pentagon Reservation, to include Rolling Thunder every year. The Pentagon civilian workforce, including PFPA, have a large veteran presence, and we especially appreciate the opportunity to support events that honor those who’ve served and sacrificed.”

Is Sgt. Muller under the misapprehension that the Pentagon is in DC, or is controlled by the DC government?

I like Rolling Thunder, but this pisses me off. It's a lot easier for the organizers to take shots at the DC government, because all of their members and supporters in the hinterlands "know" that DC is corrupt, incompetent (and black). In reality, the specific complaints here are about the military and the DoD - but it wouldn't do to criticize them, would it? Eff that.

[Anonymous]

There was already news on this months ago when they stated this would be the last year. It is because they are losing money running the event and their base attendees are aging out (dying) or no longer coming because they're old. Hence the number of attendees is steadily decreasing. Unfortunately for them they haven't been able to recruit younger participants so the event has just run its course I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad to see it end. I'm tired of them grid locking the city every Memorial day! It feels like a hostile take over.

You don't like that vets are in DC on memorial weekend.

That is so DCUM of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was already news on this months ago when they stated this would be the last year. It is because they are losing money running the event and their base attendees are aging out (dying) or no longer coming because they're old. Hence the number of attendees is steadily decreasing. Unfortunately for them they haven't been able to recruit younger participants so the event has just run its course I guess.

Yup, the older generation is getting too old to ride and younger people just aren't that into motorcycles. It was definitely more of a thing for boomers. Even my dad, who is pretty straight laced, still has a bike he likes to tool around on sometimes. I don't know anyone my age who rides one. I have always liked Rolling Thunder, despite living in Crystal City for time. The riders were polite and my son loved seeing and hearing all the motorcycles. The expense is only an issue because they don't have the riders to support it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the hate culture of DC - as evidenced here...

Most people do not like them?

[Anonymous]

I love it and am sad to see it go. I either leave town on Memorial Day weekend or choose not to drive if I stay in town.