On the Legislative Front, I'm sorry to report that our Red-Light Bill finally went down to defeat because the Red-Light verbiage was stripped from HB1606 when it went back to the House for consideration.  We'll give it another shot next year.  Remember, it took us THREE YEARS to get Jaggers' Law passed, which was as Common-Sense a bill as I've seen!  I really appreciate the assistance ABATE has received from folks like Rep. Ken Lutrell, who authored this bill, and also folks like Rep. James Covey and Rep. David Braddock--these are Legislators who not only are Biker-Friendly, but also ride their own!  We need more like them in the State House--please be sure to contact your lawmakers when you hear of them stepping up on our behalf to defend Motorcycling Freedom in our state, and thank them for their efforts.  Another one of our very good friends who unfortunately is stepping down from Legislative Service due to term limits is Rep. Darryl Gilbert of Tulsa, and we're really going to miss him! 

 

  We may desperately need the help of folks like him as Tulsa ratchets up the assault on Loud Pipes, especially in the Brookside area.  Remember my recent warning about a certain lawyer campaigning against motorcyclists in general, and particularly loud exhaust systems in the Tulsa area, who had the ear of the District 9 Councilman last month: Apparently, the stakes have been raised, given the most recent communication included here--check out this alarm from several sources in Northeast Oklahoma, including Tulsa's Joe Sewell:  "Mayor Kathy Taylor, in an apparent reaction to Brookside resident pressure, has created a special task force within the Tulsa Police Department. The direction assigned to this unit is to cite any and all motorcyclists in or around the Brookside area. All bikes are to be cited for "loud mufflers." A uniformed official was quoted as saying " the Mayor has tasked us with ticketing any and all motorcycles for loud mufflers, no matter the type of bike, and regardless if the mufflers are stock [OEM] or not." He went on to state that the new police task force is incremental to normal TPD patrol units and is comprised solely of officers assigned "overtime" on their scheduled days off for this purpose and this purpose only.  This is an obvious attempt to rid the Brookside area of all motorcycles, especially after dark and on weekends. The officer went on to say "I would recommend all bikes steer clear of this area until this blows over or the local businesses put pressure back on the Mayor's office to rescind this direction." I guess we'll just have to spend our money in another areas of this beleaguered city!" 

  Given the slate of motorcycling-related events being planned for the Tulsa Metro in the near future, including a plan for the 2008 Oklahoma State Harley Owners Group Rally (and over the Fourth Of July Weekend at that), this unacceptable situation will need to be resolved as soon as possible!  I've requested both Tulsa ABATE and Oklahoma Confederation Of Clubs to provide me with as much information as they can, especially if the Mayor's campaign specifically involves roadblocks or checkpoints targeting and profiling motorcyclists.  I have also forwarded information on this development to our ABATE Legal Advisor, and the National Coalition Of Motorcyclists (NCOM) has also been notified.  ABATE Tulsa Chapter's President and Chapter Reps are attending Public Hearings addressing this matter, and I'll have more information to forward soon.  For now, my best piece of advice for Tulsa motorcyclists (and all of you, for that matter) is to ride responsibly and intelligently (especially around Law Enforcement): the days of riding as "loudly" as possible (racking pipes at intersections, under overpasses, etc.) need to be put behind us.  Be careful out there: Livin' On Tulsa Time seems now to be around 1984!  I also heard not long ago from several members of ABATE of Kansas who attended the recent TulsaRama event downtown, and they stated that the City of Tulsa would be better served by using municipal funds to fix their seriously deteriorated roads, as opposed to paying overtime for the Police to hassle bikers--and I enthusiastically agree with them!  I will, however, remind folks that it's not the officers on the street who originate these ideas: these programs are politically inspired, and generated by individuals high up in the Chain of Command (like Mayors, Sheriffs or Chiefs of Police), who are seeking to generate revenue, increase chances of re-election, or distract the public from issues highlighting their own shortfalls or incompetence. Statements like "Safety" or "The Public Good" usually mask their actual motivating factors!

 

  Since the Tulsa Mayor's announcement, more Tulsa folks are actually being ticketed for excessive noise, not unlike what's happened in the Bricktown area of Oklahoma City in the recent past.  Remember, friends, don't just reflexively pay the ticket if Law Enforcement doesn't attach a meter to measure the noise of your bike--take it to court and minimize the damages.  As I've mentioned, folks can also help themselves and stay "under the radar" by not attracting unwanted attention through screaming out of parking lots and racking their pipes at stoplights--Ride Sensibly!  We can be our own worst enemy in this regard.  Remember I wrote last month about the oppressive Loud Pipes legislation recently passed in Denver?  Well, similar legislation is now being proposed in the wealthy enclave of Aspen, so stand by for news on that one--I hope this disease doesn't infect all of Colorado!  Here's an excerpt from a recent issue of the Rocky Mountain News regarding how Law Enforcement is applying the new Noise Ordinance in the "People's Fascist Republic of Denver": "Officers are using their training and experience in the field "as reasonable suspicion to briefly stop the rider" and check for the EPA stamp."  My Translation of this is: "I MAY NOT KNOW THE LAW, BUT I KNOW WHAT I LIKE!!" I have a feeling the Police Department up in T-Town is using the same mind-set. This problem sure as heck better be resolved before the Tulsa ABATE Toy Run in December!!

 

  Speaking of Denver, I checked out a local News Media forum dealing with the area's Noise Issue, and was floored by some of the venomous comments that were lodged by area residents.  Motorcyclists in general were typecast as drug-dealing lowlifes and worse.  Some comments were even negative to the extent that actual threats were issued, suggesting motorists run into bikes whose exhaust systems offended the drivers!   After reading some of that bilious stuff, I just couldn't hold back.  Here are the comments I submitted:  "After reading all these moronic, anti-motorcycling comments uttered by some who remind me of the West end of a Horse going East, I'm convinced that Denver, Colorado is one big Proctology Clinic, and it'll be my express pleasure not to come anywhere near some of you imbeciles! There's a lot of Free America left to ride in--an America I was proud to defend as a Military Member, and not one turned into a Fascist, Police State by the Denver City Fathers. I'm Proud To Be A Biker!"  I was just angry--not only at the repressive legislation, but also at the responses which were largely flat-out anti-motorcyclist to the point of expressing Death Threats.  As I've said before, it's a War out there, and we KNOW the face of the Enemy!

  Everybody be sure to put Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 on your calendar--that'll be the date for the 2008 ABATE Legislative Breakfast at the Oklahoma State Capitol.  Here's some really good news--ABATE of Oklahoma has networked with Rep. Skye McNiel (R-Creek County) in Mid-July (you might remember her from March of this year, when she pulled her Mandatory Helmet Law Proposal and graciously attended the Oklahoma Confederation Of Clubs Meeting).  She's agreed to author our renewed attempt at Red-Light Legislation for next year--isn't that great?  We're going to model our legislative proposal after the one passed two years ago in Tennessee--it's been working just fine there, with no chaos ensuing.  That's going to be a highlight of our 2008 Campaign, and the ABATE State Board suggested pushing for Rider Education Funding, ODOT Billboards urging motorists to Look Out for Motorcycles, and a re-write of Title 47 to clarify once and for all verbiage allowing riders to run auxiliary lighting.  There's a Claremore Police Officer who is vehemently Anti-Motorcyclist, and he's ticketing every bike he can find that's running with spotlights on.  We also need to consider what other issues ABATE is going to pursue during the 2008 Legislative Session, so don't hesitate to contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions.  

 

  Well, take care, many thanks for your support of Riding Freedom in the Sooner State, and I hope to see you in September if not before!  We're hosting our annual ABATE of Oklahoma State Party and Swap Meet in Ponca City Sept. 28-30.  You can check out an event flyer on the front cover of the State Newsletter, and on the Home Page of the ABATE State Website.  It'll be at Camp McFadden, on the shores of beautiful Kaw Lake, and will include Live Music (FOUR Bands), Bike Games, a Bike Show, a Tattoo Contest, vendors of all types, and lots of fun for all.  The cost is reasonable and the area Biker-Friendly, so you're all cordially invited to camp out and party with us if you can make it. In fact, you can save five bucks on the admission by joining ABATE--if you value your Freedom, you belong with us anyway, so download, print and fill out a Membership Application from our State Website, www.abateofoklahoma.org and send it in!  As I close, I'm reflecting on writing this not long after July 15, my 55th Birthday.  That's not TOO old, but I've gone through quite a bit getting there.  Like the song "Ol' 55" says, "I'm Ridin' with Lady Luck!" (and probably a Guardian Angel or two!).  The ride's been made that much sweeter by associating with you Freedom-loving members of our Motorcycling Community out there, and I really appreciate your assistance.  Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer, don't get too sunburned, and Ride Safely!

 

Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,

Tiger Mike