Hello, everybody--

Here's my June Tiger Tales article for anyone that might be interested in checking it out. Some additional updates I'd like to send along include that Senate Bill 507, supported by ABATE, was passed by the entire Oklahoma State Legislature this past Friday, which authorizes a Veterans Motorcycle License Tag in Oklahoma, and that, unfortunately, the Freedom Of Choice bill in Nebraska is dead for 2005 and Missouri was unable to get its Freedom Of Choice and Right Of Way bills passed. We need to throw our continues support behind Freedom Fighters in those states, and back the efforts of Rights Activists in other states attempting to shake off oppressive legislation as well. Many thanks to all that attended ABATE of Oklahoma's 13th Annual War Memorial Run to the State Capitol on Memorial Day--we had over 350 motorcycles and trikes take part, with over 500 members of Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community involved in what turned out to be a very successful event. I'm very proud of all of you that took time out to honor Americans that paid the Ultimate Price to preserve our Liberty. Have a good week, Ride Free and Safely, and I'll see you on the road.

Yours in Freedom,
Tiger Mike
State Coordinator
ABATE of Oklahoma

TIGER TALES - JUNE, 2005


I hope all of you are continuing to be deep into enjoying the warm Spring weather as we celebrate Free Motorcycling in the Sooner State!  I was able to participate in the 20th Annual National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention in Nashville, TN May 4-8, which was well-attended and productive. Over a thousand Freedom Fighters from all over the country showed up to take part in a number of interesting, informative and educational seminars covering diverse topics such as Effective Biker Lobbying, Freedom Of The Road and Use Of The Courts, The PATRIOT ACT Threat and Biker Civil Liberties, and Insurance Issues. "Slider" Gilmore once again gave his famous "Two-Wheeled Trauma" presentation on how to save your fellow rider's life in the "golden hour" following a bike wreck.  The NCOM experience also provided an outstanding opportunity to network with motorcyclists from all different backgrounds, share ideas, and come up with strategies to safeguard motorcycling freedom well into the 21st Century.  The Convention also provided the occasion to launch two key organizations which will play a major part in NCOM. The Christian Unity Organization was founded as a Confedration of all the Christian-oriented clubs, associations and Motorcycle Ministries, and will occupy a newly-established seat on the NCOM Board. The National Sport Bike Association was also established to provide a unified political voice for Sport Bike  enthusiasts nationwide and focus on more effectively integrating Sport Bike riders into the Motorcycling community as an important part of defending Riding Freedom.

We need to work together and face challenges that threaten ALL motorcyclists! Around 900 motorcyclists representing every club,association and organization you can think of attended the Worldwide Confederation of Clubs Conference, where attendees promoted Biker Unity and discussed threats common to all riders. Not only was the Convention enlightening, but it was a festive occasion as well, and a fine opportunity to hook up with old friends and make new ones. The Awards Banquet Saturday evening that weekend was packed, and an excellent capstone to a productive assembly of the movers and shakers in the world's motorcycling community. If you haven't attended an NCOM Convention, it would be well worth your while to check one out sometime! The 2006 Convention is planned for the second week in May, in Louisville, KY. 

I'm pleased to report that the Lautenberg Amendment to the Federal Highway Funding Bill (SAFE-TEA), which would've blackmailed the individual states by tying Federal Highway Funding to the passage of Mandatory Helmet Laws, was defeated in the US Senate May 12 by a vote of 69 Nays to 28 Yeas. Both Oklahoma Senators voted Nay, I'm proud to disclose.  Additionally, our own Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) stood to issue a rebuttal to Sen. Lautenberg after the Amendment was presented. Basically, Sen. Inhofe stated:

a. The Bush Administration didn't support the amendment;
b. The Highway Funding Bill was too important to be delayed by such amendments;
c. It wasn't the Federal Government's place to undermine States' Rights with issues like Mandatory Helmet Laws; and
d. We'd be better off prioritizing Rider Education and Training programs.

Sen. Inhofe used facts to overcome Lautenberg's Safety Nanny logic and emotional plea for his previous attempt at getting a National Helmet Law passed in the early 90s to be reinstated. Oklahomans are urged to contact both Sen. Inhofe and Sen. Coburn and thank them for voting against this direct threat to States Rights and Riding Freedom. Now, if only Sen. Inhofe could light a fire under our State Legislature to fund the State Rider Education Program! Indeed, everyone should thank their Senators for defending Individual Freedom if they voted Nay, and if they didn't, ask them why they would seek to, in Franklin's words, "sacrifice essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary Safety". Thanks very much, everyone,
for reacting so quickly on a National Level by contacting your Senators--you're a credit to furthering Riding Freedom in each of your areas.

There are no critical updates to report concerning legislative progress on issues we've been following at the State Capitol, except for the Tattoo Bill dying in committee. SB 806, which would have legalized and regulated Artistic Tattooing in Oklahoma, is dead for 2005. SB 806, authored by Sen. Frank Shurden (D-Henryetta) had passed the State Senate by a two-to-one margin. It would have required tattoo parlors to be licensed, and created a system of regulations administered by the Oklahoma Department of Public Health. Oklahoma now remains the only state in the Union where Artistic Tattooing is illegal. Rep. Al Lindley (D-Oklahoma City) asked lawmakers to allow the bill to be brought out of committee and directly to the House floor for a vote, after House Health and Human Services Committee chair Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) announced he opposed Artistic Tattooing on moral grounds and would not allow the bill to be heard.  Unfortunately, Lindley's attempt failed when the House voted it down, 53-42. The move would have required a two-thirds majority of House signatures to get the bill to be considered by the entire Oklahoma House of Representatives.  So, we in the Sooner State will have to continue to put up with the health risk we've had to deal with for years, and Oklahoma will continue to lose large amounts of revenue to tattooing establishments in our neighbor states, some of which even post billboards advertising their services on Oklahoma highways! I'd like to see some of them erect new billboards thanking Oklahoma for voting down the bill and giving them all that extra money. There seems to be a very small minority of the powerful in our state that have taken it upon themselves to dictate to the people they represent how their moral makeup should be. Oklahoma will continue to pay a heavy price for the privilege of being self-righteous and looking down its nose at others. I sincerely hope that some of our legislators who are truly public-spirited will consider advancing this bill next year.  In the interim, tattoo artists, enthusiasts and supporters that truly want to see this ridiculous prohibition eliminated might possibly finance a lawsuit  in State Court to get our tattoo ban declared an unconstitutional violation of Freedom of Artistic Expression.

On the good side, I was able to successfully coordinate with the Governor's Office on their graciously issuing a Proclamation designating May, 2005 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, in keeping with the law signed last year. Even with the law on the books, it's important that we secure a Governor's Proclamation every year, in order to support publicizing the importance of being observant on our roadways and looking out for two- and three-wheeled vehicles. I've been forwarding the text and scanned copies of the Proclamation for widest distribution. It's important that we employ Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month every year as a platform to re-emphasize to the Motoring Public that motorcycles are everywhere, they continue to exist as an acceptable form of alternative transportation, and we're not going away--so motorists need to Share the Road! Please publicize Motorcycle Safety Awareness with everyone you can--our lives and Free Motorcycling as we know it depends on that awareness! In that vein, let's all look ahead to again emphasizing this important issue on Wednesday, July 20, when we celebrate the 14th Annual National Ride To Work Day.  You can find out more about this important event by checking out www.ridetowork.org

Nationally, we're still close to enjoying Freedom of Choice regarding helmet wear in a number of states, including Missouri and Nebraska, and I hope to have good news to report on at least one of those states by, appropriately enough, Independence Day! Well, that's it for right now from the Cultural Center of the Universe. I'll touch base with you again as we Spring into Summer. Tiger's Tip O' The Month: Your oil is the lifeblood of your machine, but it's subject to quicker breakdown in Summer's hot weather.  Use the correct viscosity and change it at lower mileage intervals.  Your motor will be around for many more summers--I've got a 20 year-old Shovelhead to prove it! Continue to Ride Free and Safely, live life to the fullest, my friends, and I'll see you on the Road and speak with you again next month.

I'd like to close with a request that everyone remember my very dear friend Mike Bruno in thought and prayer. Mike has been a longtime member of ABATE of Oklahoma, out of the Tulsa Chapter (he holds Membership Card #4), supported operational success of the National Coalition of  Motorcyclists, and has been active in defending Biker Freedom in general for many years. He's been involved for a long time with biker activities twice a year at Pawhuska, where rally attendees always enjoyed his performance as Master of Ceremonies.  Mike is currently in Intensive Care, suffering from a critical heart infection which is affecting his major heart valves.  He underwent Heart Valve Replacement Surgery, which I understand was successful, but he'll be a while recovering. Please take some time to have a good thought for one of our venerable old-timers.

Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees, Tiger Mike