Greetings to all my fellow Freedom Fighters and riding friends!

Hopefully, everybody's keeping warm as we endure the deep freeze of Winter in the Sooner State.  This season has really been a roller coaster, weather-wise.  As I write this, we're coming out from under a bunch of near-zero temperatures and heading toward afternoons in the 60's again.

That'll provide an opportunity to wash the bike and catch up on outdoor activities.  A lot of us ABATE of Oklahoma members have been keeping our minds off the cold weather by getting ready for the 2005 Legislative Session, which will begin with Governor Henry's State of the State Address the first week of this month.  We began our preparation with a very successful ABATE State Membership Meeting and Party on January 8, in the newly-refurbished Bricktown Central Plaza Hotel at I-40 and Martin Luther King Blvd.  The first part of the day was taken up with the State Board Meeting, which featured a vote to officially establish the ABATE Three Sands Chapter, serving the North Central Oklahoma area and based in Ponca City.

Motorcyclists from that area last Fall expressed a desire to renew an ABATE presence in that part of the state after a number of years following the disbanding of the old Cherokee Strip Chapter, and over 35 new ABATE members signed up.  ABATE of Oklahoma salutes these riders and their dedication to furthering Biker Freedom in our State, and look forward to us working together as we meet the challenges facing us legislatively in the coming year.  A hearty welcome, Three Sands Chapter of ABATE!  So now, we enjoy having eleven officially active Chapters in ABATE, and I think that's terrific.  I just wish some of the Chapters would be more participatory, as we haven't seen any representation from some of you in awhile.  That'll have to change if we're going to, as the state's Motorcyclists Rights Organization, effectively meet the legislative challenges facing Oklahoma's riding community on the horizon.  I think some folks need to realize that being in ABATE involves more than just paying your dues and wearing a patch, if you're truly dedicated to defending Biker Freedom.  The afternoon General Membership Meeting included a helpful Legislative Workshop dealing with effective lobbying techniques hosted by ABATE Political Director Holly Swinford, after an informative Keynote Address from Rep. James Covey (D-Hydro).  Rep. Covey, for those of you that are unaware, is a motorcycling enthusiast, rides a Harley, and is an ABATE member.  He also will be one of the authors on the House side for Jaggers Law, our renewed attempt to pass Failure To Yield Legislation increasing penalties for negligent, inattentive drivers.  Paul Brinker, our State Safety Officer, gave an informative presentation on Accident Avoidance, especially at intersections.  He also included tail-end collisions, which was especially interesting to me, since I was involved in one last year.  The State Meeting wrapped up with a spirited Open Format discussion of topics important to the General Membership, and I thought it was really cool that the meeting ran past its scheduled end time because members had so many things they wanted to talk about.  We followed the meeting's activities by tapping a frosty keg and enjoying munchies provided by several Chapters in the Hospitality Suite, and enjoying a party in the hotel lounge where some really nice Door Prizes were given out.  Many thanks to Sunset Chapter for handling the logistics, and congratulations to you on your Fifth Anniversary of safeguarding Riding Liberty!  Thanks also to the Central Oklahoma District for furnishing the keg, and for other Chapters providing food and support.  Those of you that couldn't attend missed a very productive session and a really fun time!

     The following day, I headed up to Enid for the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs meeting at the American Legion Post downtown.  A number of members rode, but I took the truck, even though the weather in Oklahoma City was balmy.  I was surprised to find, as I got closer to my destination, that the roadways and streets around Enid were pretty icy, and there was snow on the ground.  I had to take a detour around Independence Avenue when I was almost at the Legion Hall, and found out when I got there that it was due to a bike wreck.  Unfortunately, Rick Hughes of the American Veterans M/C laid his bike down on the ice while en route to the meeting, and he was killed.  His passenger was treated at the hospital and released.  It was sad to see later that media outlets like the Daily Oklahoman and individuals like the Enid Police Dept. spokesman attempted to use the account of this tragedy as an opportunity to advance their position on helmet wear, but we can expect that to continue to happen.  The mishap provided a sobering atmosphere for the 207 attendees representing over 30 organizations--our largest Confederation attendance ever!  Rick, also known as "Sleazy", was honored, and Confederation members "passed the hat" to raise money to help out the family.  His funeral took place on Friday, January 14, and over 75 motorcyclists and trikers from all over the state attended.  Our Motorcycling Community is encouraged to please remember the accident victims and their grieving relatives in thought and prayer.  The American Veterans M/C, and indeed all of us, have lost a brother and friend--Ride Free Forever, Rick.  The key items addressed at the Confederation meeting included 2005 Legislative Session issues and the upcoming Oklahoma Motorcycle Expo scheduled for March 19-20 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, advertised elsewhere in this issue.  The Expo is shaping up to be a world-class, major league motorcycling event, and certainly one you won't want to miss!  There are nationally-recognized bike builders coming in to show off their latest creations, as well as some of the finest Oklahoma-built iron around.  There also will be a Tattoo Contest, Music, Vendors of all types, and children's' activities hosted by B.A.C.A.  Log onto the Confederation's website at: www.oklahomacoc.com for further information, especially as we draw closer to the event date.  ABATE of Oklahoma is going to have a vendor booth there too, for recruiting members and selling merchandise.  We're going to need ABATE members to help staff the booth, so any folks that are interested in volunteering will be greatly appreciated.  Oh yeah, we also held Confederation Board elections for 2005, and yours truly has been re-elected to serve as Club Liaison.  I appreciate the trust and confidence Confederation members continue to have in me, and I look forward to another productive year of us cooperating to promote unity among all the different groups and enhance the Quality of Life for motorcyclists and trikers in our great state.

     I trust that by now most of you are regularly checking out our newly redesigned ABATE State Website at www.abateofoklahoma.org, since that's where a lot of our members are scoping out my ramblings in the newsletter.  We have established access to Legislative Updates and the text of bills important to motorcyclists on our Home Page.  Familiarity with these bills is going to be vital for those planning to attend our ABATE Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, February 17, 7:30AM until 10:30AM at the State Capitol Fourth Floor Rotunda.  There's a link to the flyer for this event available on the Home Page, and it's critical that as many as possible from ABATE demonstrate their continued support of Riding Freedom and the preservation of our lifestyle by attending this important event.  Jaggers Law has an official bill designation now, SB 27, and its principal author is State Senator Debbie Leftwich (D-OKC).  It calls for a mandatory $1,000 fine and six month drivers license suspension for negligent drivers that injure or kill others they share the road with.

I've heard from some that they feel the fine amount to be too small, but the hard fact is, the higher the fine, the less the chance of passage.  Both North Carolina and Pennsylvania, which passed their bills, have a $500 fine installed.  I found out at the Downed Bikers Association January Meeting that, at the latest court hearing, there is a distinct possibility that David Jaggers' killer could get off with only a slap on the wrist, and I pray that doesn't happen.  In the light of some of the judicial outrages that have involved bikers nationwide, starting with the Bill Janklow case, this underscores the criticality of getting this law passed!  State Senator Jim Reynolds (R-OKC) has graciously agreed to author the Veterans Motorcycle Tag Bill, and I'll have more definitive information next month on how to pre-order them, since as we've said before, State Law requires a minimum of 100 pre-orders before the tag can be approved.  Personally, I don't think that'll be a problem to come up with at all!  There are also bills filed to make digitized, biometric fingerprinting optional on Oklahoma Drivers Licenses, forestalling Big Brother-type characteristics which could help lead to the establishment of a National ID Card, and exempting excise taxes on motor vehicles for Disabled Veterans.  The Legislative Breakfast, for those that have never taken part, will provide an excellent opportunity for Oklahoma's motorcyclists and trikers to directly interact with their legislators and discuss important issues with them, especially the 40-plus new faces elected to the House and Senate.  It's amazing how many of our elected officials use local news outlets as a barometer for what they feel the people want.  I firmly believe that the latest misleading pro-Helmet Law articles in the newspapers were designed to target newly-elected Legislators as possible Helmet Law sponsors, and we need to pin them down on where they stand.  Most importantly, we need to reinforce to the Legislature that we in Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community are passionate about being both Americans and Bikers, and demand not special treatment, but Equal Treatment under the Law as the FIRST-CLASS Citizens we are!  So, make plans to be there, and I look forward to seeing a bunch of you.  I think it would be absolutely awesome if we had a large crowd at the State House this year, especially if the weather will permit us to ride!  Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

     Well, with February being the shortest month of the year, I'll make this a shorter contribution (Right!).  This year could prove to be a very interesting period for us riders, not only for motorcycling-specific issues, but for our fundamental Civil Liberties as well.  While some states such as Nebraska and Missouri are considering repeal of their Mandatory Helmet Laws for 2005, other states such as Maine are being threatened by those that desire to leave the denial of Freedom of Choice as their legacy.

NHTSA continues to abuse its authority and attempt an end run around Congress by using our Tax Dollars, and even by working

outside the country through the U.N., to promote its Anti-Freedom agenda backed by the insurance and health care

industries seeking to protect their profit margins.  The EPA, having temporarily backed off on the aftermarket industry and on modified bikes Americans presently own, is still lurking in the background as well, and intends to enforce guidelines applying to new bikes in 2006 which may drastically affect how bikes are manufactured from then on.  It's so important that all of us become knowledgeable of what's going on around us, if for no other reason but that an informed electorate scares the heck out of the Government!  To that end, I'd like to point out some valuable resources that are worth a look (besides our website, of course).  First, other ABATE sites have a tremendous amount of information, both on their local issues and on national topics.  We've drawn from other ABATE sites in the past to help improve both our format and content.  Our site is going to expand the Links Page, but you can find a wealth of contact information and links to MRO Sites nationwide at the ABATE of Pennsylvania site, www.abatepa.org. The National-level sites, like

www.aimncom.com (NCOM), www.ama-cycle.org (AMA), and www.mrf.org (MRF) are key on topics affecting the very survivability of motorcycling itself.  As we pursue Failure to Yield Legislation, a lot of valuable data regarding this issue can be had at the Bikers Against Negligent Driving website, www.band4safety.org and at the site of Bikers for Right-of-Way, www.bikers4row.org.  Lastly, I've gotten a tremendous amount of enlightening and educational material from the Sons of

Liberty Riders website, www.solriders.com, I'm on their

Bikers List, which I liken to the Committees of Correspondence whose effective communication directly contributed to our success in the American Revolution.  With threats to our Way of Life facing us, both as Americans and as Bikers, from at home and abroad, maybe it's necessary to think in more Revolutionary terms to safeguard our Freedom. 

  Tiger's Tip O' The Month:  We'll probably encounter a good bit of very cold weather before Spring, and it tends to prey upon machinery, so be kind and patient with your iron steed.  Take sufficient time to warm up your bike, and trickle-charge your battery occasionally, since the cold saps its strength.  Remember, your tire pressure gets low more quickly in Winter so check it more often.  You should really take the time to check it every time you ride, anyway.  Take advantage of the next thaw to wash the salt of your steel, and it wouldn't hurt to apply a little wax, maybe.  I sincerely hope every Chapter will be represented at the February ABATE State Board Meeting on the 12th, since we'll be finalizing strategy for the Legislative Breakfast, and since we'll convene our first meeting of the State By-Laws Revision Committee afterward.  It's important that every Chapter take part, and I'll look forward to working with you as we seek to make our By-Laws even better for our members.  I expect we'll be able to submit the revised By-Laws to the chapters for ratification by mid-Spring.  Speaking of revisions, most Chapters have held elections already, so those that need to, please forward me the names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail information on your Chapter Presidents and Board Representatives if they've changed.  I know a number of Chapters have enjoyable events planned soon, like the 25th Annual ABATE of Tulsa Bike Show scheduled for March 19 and 20 at the Tulsa Fairgrounds, so let's make sure we get out and support these events and not stay cooped up indoors suffering from Cabin Fever!  Ride Safely, hold your Significant Other close this Valentine's Day and show lots of Love since they add so much to our lives, and I'll jaw with you again when our beautiful state gets ready to rise from its Winter nap, and gets green and leafy. 

Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees

Tiger Mike