Tiger Tails August 2005

Hello,

Hello, Folks--
I just got back in town, after being on the road and involved in important family business for almost a week.  I'm hanging in there, and trust you're enjoying your Summer.  Here's my August Tiger Tales article for you to check out, and I hope all my friends have a great week.  Stay cool!!
With Love and Respect,
Tiger Mike
 
                                    TIGER TALES - AUGUST, 2005
 
  Hi, Everybody!  Are you having as much fun this month running between air conditioners as I am?  We've had a pretty good stretch of hot days with elevated humidity this Summer, to the extent that we've had a number of High Heat Condition days declared at Tinker Air Force Base, a condition I haven't seen in awhile.  Riding in this weather is like getting a blow-dryer stuck in your face, but it sure beats the alternative!  So, enjoy the Summer RIding, especially in the early morning or after the sun goes down (watch the Full Moon crazies!), and keep downing those fluids to stay healthy in the sweltering heat!  I'm sure a number of you are on the road attending the 65th Anniversary Bike Rally in Sturgis, SD, and I hope you had an enjoyable and safe trip if you went--with over 300,000 bikes expected, I'm sure there'll be some interesting War Stories to share!  Here are a few things from last month: July proved to be a great month to celebrate 229 years of Freedom, starting with the Star-Spangled Salute I attended at Tinker, where thousands enjoyed the various activities, entertainment, and fireworks.  It was really awesome for me to see a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber up close on static display for the first time!  Speaking of Freedom, I headed up to Adair, America on the 10th to participate in the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs meeting for July.  We had over 100 attendees get together at Charlie's BBQ, which showed us a lot of friendly hospitality and good food.  It was especially heartfelt to hug Brothers and Sisters of the member organizations that are hurting after what's turned out to be a rough season for motorcyclists being hurt or killed by irresponsible, negligent drivers in Oklahoma.  My heart goes out to the Stone Rollers M/M, Bikers and Trikers United, several of our ABATE Chapters, and all the other clubs, organizations and families that have been victimized this year.  We had opportunity to discuss Federal-level judicial issues such as the impending extension of the USA un-PATRIOT ACT and its impact on Biker Civil Liberties, proposed enhancements of this Act, some of which echo the tactics of the Gestapo or the KGB, and proposed Anti-Gang Legislation which could basically characterize three or more folks that look the same as undesirable elements deserving of increased Federal scrutiny.  Sandy, an attorney from California specializing in Bikers' Rights, joined us to provide his insights on these important issues.  A highlight of the meeting included the Confederation's donating a check for One Thousand Dollars to ABATE of Oklahoma, becoming the first-ever Diamond Level ABATE Sustaining Member.  I'd like to profusely thank the Confederation and its member organizations for your generosity--I'm proud to continue functioning as Confederation Liaison.  I look forward to seeing folks at the next meeting, which will be held Sunday, September 11, 1:00PM at the VFW Hall on Harrison at MacArthur in Shawnee, OK.  The Oklahoma City air reverberated on July 12 as over 3,500 bikes and trikes escorted the Dignity Vietnam Wall Experience to Del City, OK in a Parade over 15 miles long!  The Wall Experience, which is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC, was on display July 15-17, and is traveling around the country.  The sponsoring organization routinely looks to the Motorcycling Community to escort the caravan, and it looks like Oklahoma riders set a record for turning out with the largest group of machines to accomplish this.  Congratulations and many thanks to all that turned out both at the Parade and at the Wall to honor our fellow Americans that gave their all for Freedom.  Hopefully, a number of you were able to head out on July 20 to enjoy National Ride To Work Day.  This provides an excellent occasion to reinforce to the motoring public that Motorcycling is an important alternative form of transportation, especially in these days of rising gasoline prices.  As we riders have known for a long time, Motorcycling is not just a recreational sidelight or a flash in the pan, and Motorcyclists aren't going to go away, so everybody will benefit if all motorists out there will Share the Road.  We also had a productive ABATE State Board Meeting on July 9, which will have to last for a couple of months since we don't have one in August.  One item we had to address was the dissolution of the Cookson Hills ABATE Chapter, which was accomplished by a vote of the membership the end of June.  It's been my pleasure to preside over the birth of several Chapters during my tenure as your State Coordinator, but this was my first occasion to be present at the death of one.  The Chapter membership has changed to At-Large status, and I hope individual members will join other area Chapters such as Muskogee to keep involved.  In any event, there are no hard feelings on my part, and I sincerely hope folks in the Stilwell area will continue to actively support Biker Freedom in the Sooner State.
 
  Well, I had my latest experience at the Tag Agency, exploring the latest state of Drivers' Licenses in Oklahoma.  My 53rd Birthday was July 15, and my Driver's License needed to be renewed by the end of the month.  In the July 11 issue of the Daily Oklahoman, our responsible, public-spirited Oklahoma City newspaper, there was an alarmist article about what kind of changes in the Drivers License application process were to take place now that the REAL-ID Act has been passed and signed into law.  The paper warned that due to all the additional paperwork and extra steps that would be required, Oklahomans should expect long lines and hours-long waiting at the Tag Agencies.  I didn't want to take any chances, so I decided to avoid procrastinating this year, as is my custom, and took care of my renewal on July 12,  before the month ran out.
 
  I was pleasantly surprised to find hardly any cars in the Tag Agency parking lot, and only one person ahead of me in the line for Drivers Licenses, so I didn't have to spend more than a half hour to get a renewal.  I think the Joke-Oklahoman was just stirring emotions to sell more papers.   What I didn't like, however, was having to have my signature digitally loaded into the database and have my index fingers scanned for the forty-point digitized information required.  The lady handling my paperwork was nice enough, and it wasn't going to do me any good to rant at her, since she was only an hourly employee doing her job.  I did like their providing every applicant a "Motor Voter" form to decide if they wanted to be a Registered Voter or not, or certify that they were registered to vote already.  The Tag Agency turns in the forms without fee or postage, and applicants receive their Voter Registration Cards in the mail.  You're also given the opportunity to digitally request to be an Organ Donor, which the Safety-crats consider me already since I exercise my Freedom of Choice regarding helmet wear, as we're able to do in the Sooner State.  Personally, I strongly recommend that everyone be an Organ Donor, if for no other reason than to keep special folks like Disco Doug up and around!  For those that aren't aware, our own Doug Griffith from the Tulsa Chapter has been active in both ABATE and the dirt bike community for a long time, and is a heart transplant recipient.  Anyway,  I looked over my new, colorful Digital Driver's License before leaving, primarily to make sure my "M" Motorcycle Endorsement was still there, because I don't trust the Government to automatically renew the information that was entered previously.  I noted several specific images, both multi-colored and holographic, designed to thwart counterfeiting, and my image and signature appeared in two separate places.  Focusing on the positive, I think I took one of the better-looking License pictures I've taken, although my beard is a lot more grey than it was four years ago.  Ironically, my old Driver's License had the state's nickname "Native America" on it, and they're not displaying that on the new ones anymore.  I consider that symbolic of a Nation that is fast departing from being the America it used to be, as it forsook the original Native Americans that gave of themselves to accommodate the new arrivals to this country in the first place.
 
  So now I'm more of a part of the digitized Federal information umbrella, strengthened by the REAL-ID Act to protect us from ourselves.  I suppose it really shouldn't disturb me like it does, since I've been part of the Federal database for the well over twenty years I was active-duty in the Military, and during the nine years I've been a Defense Contractor.  I carry a digitized Contractor Badge, and a digitized Computer Access Card required to slide into a card reader in order to use the Base Computer System where I work.  With a Security Clearance, I'm sure I've been listed on a number of dossiers for a long time.  Still, the idea of an established, official National ID Card scares the heck out of me, even if the concept has been around for a long time.  I chuckle about how my teachers back in the late 50s and early 60s talked to us about our actions were being logged into an all-powerful "Permanent Record" that would affect how our future would materialize.  Now that I've reached adulthood, it seems our future is materializing into a controlling, fearmongering, information-collating Governmental realization of a fantasy advanced by George Orwell, and not by my elementary school teachers.  I'm still proud of the Country I live in, and the Freedoms I possess and will continue to work to enhance.  I certainly didn't let the REAL-ID Act spoil my Birthday, nor will I allow it to spoil my future.  On the contrary, I'm going to drag out the sled my Driver's License allows me to drive legally, and I'm going to blast down the highway for awhile.  I might even twist the wick to the point where I might have to show off my new License picture to one of the Government's minions, but I hope not--I need to spend the cash on some good parties this Summer!
 
  Before I close, I'd like to publicize this year's Mid-South M.I.L.E., which is going to take place October 15-17 at the Radisson Hotel in Denton, Texas.  This year's seminar series is designed to provide motorcyclists a ton of ammunition with which to defend their Riding Freedom.  ABATE of Oklahoma's Sunset Chapter has graciously volunteered to once again build the Oklahoma State Basket, to be auctioned off at the M.I.L.E. Banquet on Saturday night.  I can't wait to see what idea they'll be coming up with, but it'll take some doing to top the eight foot tall Oil Derrick they assembled last year!  These decorative baskets are put together by each member Organization, and feature locally made products from the home states.  ABATE members and supporters are urged to please support Sunset Chapter's putting this together by donating Made In Oklahoma items to fill up the basket!  You can get more information on this year's Mid-South M.I.L.E.  and print an application by logging on to www.midsouthmile.org  Remember, if an ABATE Chapter pays $100 to pre-register, an UNLIMITED number of members from that Chapter can attend.  We've had several Chapters decide to do this in the past, and it's certainly an economical way to have a bunch of our membership both learn a lot and have a good time doing it.  Denton is just a short drive down the road, so I hope Oklahoma riders will be well-represented.  I'll be looking for you!
 
  I'm also hoping to see a good number of you at the ABATE of Oklahoma State Party and Swap Meet September 23, 24 and 25 in Ponca City, OK.  Our newest Chapter, the Three Sands Chapter of Ponca City, is organizing this event, for which a flyer is available in this issue and in the September issue.  Camp McFadden, the lakeside facility where the Party will be located, is a beautiful, comfortable place to kick back and have a great weekend.  We're re-scheduling this event after canceling it last year, so I'd like to see a bunch of our membership come on up and have a good time, as you have in the past.  It's always proven to be a lot of fun, and a great opportunity for everyone to share a sense of family.  We'll once again enjoy an Observation Poker Run, Bike Show, Bike Games, and a Tattoo Contest.  There'll also be vendors, a Saturday night dinner provided by the Three Sands Chapter, and Rock and Roll by the band "Therapy Seshun".  This Party is designed to raise money to support ABATE's legislative efforts on behalf of Oklahoma's motorcycling community, so let's all prepare to enjoy an early Fall weekend together at "A Party With A Purpose"!   Tiger's Tip O' The Month:  Now that the maximum headlight limit in Oklahoma's motor vehicle statute has been eliminated, riders have the opportunity to increase their visibility by running extra lighting such as spotlights.  It's important that we enhance motorist awareness of motorcycles in this environment where more and more four-wheelers are on the road with Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs), and it's harder for us to stand out.  However, nighttime driving is no place for running spotlights, since they're aimed higher and can blind oncoming drivers.  That could earn you a "Failure To Dim" ticket, or even get you run off the road or in a collision with an out-of-control motorist.  I also want to point out that some municipalities in our state, such as Tulsa, are cracking down on motorcycles running loud pipes and issuing Noise Violation tickets.  Now, I'm for Freedom of Choice regarding aftermarket exhaust systems, but I'm also for riders and our neighbors mutually respecting each other regarding Noise Pollution.  In any event, it comes down to the individual situation and what's on Law Enforcement's mind when you're pulled over.  Given that the state's Motor Vehicle Statute carries a decibel noise threshold, I'd recommend that anyone receiving a ticket from an officer not employing a decibel meter take the matter to court instead of just paying the fine.  You might also, if you're feeling frisky, claim your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination if an officer asks you to start your bike, or not be able to start it up due to a loose plug wire or something else.  Hey, it might be better to have your bike brought home in a truck than having to pay a $100 ticket!  These are ideas being explored in other states, so it's just a thought.  Also, anyone receiving a Noise Violation ticket is urged to contact my brother Larry Miers, President of the Rogers County ABATE Chapter, who is compiling a database of these types of riding problems.  Thanks for your efforts, Larry!  These Dog Days of Summer will be winding down soon--let's enjoy the balmy weather while we have it, and be careful out there.  I look forward to our next encounter, and I'll see you soon as, in my friend Rick's words, "The Road Goes On Forever, And The Party Never Ends!".
 
Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,
Tiger Mike