Sonny Barger was the guiding force behind the Hells Angels
2006-11-04 19:20:30 · 6 answers · asked by Trigger 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Ralph "Sonny" Barger should be an icon. I don't know too many people that served 40+ years holding an office...maybe 14 at the most and I think that was Napoleon. All too many times we only hear what the media says and then label that group as bad, no good, trouble makers...etc. Sonny along with the HA's done more good then not. The one that comes to my mind, foremost is when Sonny spoke for the HA's and OFFERED to go to Vietnam immediately to fight for this country, while many of the Americans were burning the flag and even after the solders came home we treated them like crap, and they were doing only what they were told to do, so from face value....who was worst. Sonny is a great man and should be looked up to (in my opinion). Here's a few statements he said..."Treat me good, I'll treat you better. Treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." "Don't take **** from your enemies that you'd never take from your friends." "Commit yourself -- there's no reverse gear on a motorcycle." The Media and law enforcement made the HA's look bad or should I say look worst then what they are. They are GREAT guys and if you need help they will do more for you then the local Mayor, Doctor or even a close so called friend. Sonny is an American Icon in my eyes and always will be!!!
2006-11-06 01:36:57 · answer #1 · answered by WV_Nomad 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well lets see - an icon is by definition an object of uncritical devotion - mr. barger has certainly been this amongst other outlaws - he has also managed to do the impossible in his lifetime - he made the hells angels not only a household word but guaranteed their place in american history and folklore - and he did it by being a shrwed strategist and manipulator of not only the media, but of law enforcement, other outlaw motorcycle clubs and even his own members. whether you consider him an icon or not - his place in history is guaranteed - along with the hells angels' number two man, george christie. these two men are legendary - this kind of status and notoriety doent exist amongst the other big outlaw gangs - whether that is a good thing or not is a matter of opinion.
2006-11-05 18:46:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An American icon? Absolutely not. A colorful character? Maybe.
2006-11-04 20:09:06 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh please. Why should any common criminal be considered an American icon? No one in his right mind considers Jesse James an American icon or Billy the Kid. Go fly a kite.
2006-11-04 19:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No he can be considered an American crimminal.
2006-11-04 19:27:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think he should, because he had a part in making our country what it is today, regardless of the fact that it was a negative or positive impact
2006-11-04 19:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by cat_eye 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋