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Hello, Motorcycling
Friends--
I hope this finds all of you doing well
as we close out September and begin the Autumn Riding Season. Here's my
October Tiger Tales Article for you to check out, and I hope you enjoy it.
One heads-up: don't any of you Harley Riders out there get too wrapped around
the axle about my Tip O' The Month--while I continue to be an enthusiastic
Harley Owner, I love dealing with ALL motorcycles (and riders), so some of my
remarks which may appear anti-Harley (Heaven Forbid--the Boss Man up there rides
one!) have been provided with tongue planted firmly in cheek! LOL Most
importantly, anyone who knows me knows that I support Freedom Of
Choice--something which (in the light of the Iranian Nut-Job's speech in
NYC) makes America one of the best Nations on Earth!
In my opinion, you can't start out the
Fall Season better than with a good party, and I recommend you get kick-started
by attending the ABATE of Oklahoma State Party! It's being held at
beautiful Camp McFadden on the shores of Kaw Lake in Ponca City this coming
weekend, September 28-30. Our annual event, designed to raise funds for
ABATE's 2008 Legislative Agenda, will feature Live Music Fri. and Sat. Nights
(FOUR BANDS!), Bike Games, People Games, a Bike Show, an Observation Poker Run,
a Tattoo Contest, Adult Entertainment on Sat. Night, a 50/50 Drawing,vendors,
and lots of fun for all! The event is once again being hosted by ABATE's
Three Sands Chapter, and they want me to let you know that there will be Black
signs with "ABATE" in Fluorescent Orange along the route, directing you to Camp
McFadden as you head East from the Pioneer Woman Statue in Downtown Ponca
City. You can download an Event Flyer and check out directions by logging
onto the ABATE State Website at: www.abateofoklahoma.org. Please
call Steve at: 580-491-3600 or Garry at: 580-725-3227 if you have any questions
about the State Party or need further directions.
I have one final piece of important
information. You might be aware that the Bikes, Blues and BBQ event is coming up
in Fayetteville Arkansas October 4-7, and that I had forwarded an informational
e-mail which I received from riders out that way regarding No-Colors
Policies and Loud Pipes issues during that event. I was contacted by Sgt.
Carey Hartsfield of the Fayetteville Police Department, and we had a very nice
conversation. Apparently, his office was contacted by a number of irate
Oklahoma Motorcyclists, and he's asked me to get the word out about a few
things. First, he wants to assure everyone that folks in Fayetteville are
committed to making this a Biker-Friendly event, and he's available to answer
anybody's questions--you can call Sgt. Hartsfield at:
479-879-6300. A number of the PD members ride, First, the Beer Garden
indeed has a No-Colors Policy (that includes the wear of any Motorcycle Club,
Association or Organizational Insignia), and there's nothing he can do about
that, as it's a privately run establishment. I got word from previous
attendees that anybody headed through the Beer Garden will be required to remove
their vests with insignias and carry them--If there's any trouble, the Beer
Garden can call the Police and individuals can be cited for
Trespassing. There are a number of establishments downtown which DO NOT
have No Colors policies, and where ALL Bikers are welcome--I'd encourage riders
to patronize facilities that are Biker Friendly! As far as the entire
event is concerned, the PD is not aware of what the BB&BBQ Rally Committee
has termed "Colors", so riders will have to use their own good judgment.
Regarding Loud Pipes, Sgt. Hartsfield stressed that those most at risk for
citations would be those who sit in traffic downtown revving their engines and
racking their pipes. He seemed to play down the idea of Bike Checkpoints
other than routine Traffic Stops (the PD will be stretched way too thin by
the size of this event to be able to do that), so Event attendees are strongly
urged to Ride Sensibly, Sober and Aware, and avoid drawing attention to
themselves by riding irresponsibly--stay Under The Radar, Figuratively and
Literally!! LOL As with any Bike Event, Common Sense should keep attendees
out of most trouble. Hope this info helps you and clears up any
misperceptions--please contact Sgt. Hartsfield if you have any other concerns
about this specific event, and call or e-mail me if you have any questions
about ABATE-related stuff in Oklahoma. Stay Free and Safe out
there!!
Sincerely,
Tiger Mike Revere
State Coordinator,
ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.
405-672-1008 (H/FAX)
405-596-1072 (cell)
TIGER TALES - OCTOBER,
2007
Hello, Freedom Fighters! We're finally
starting to get some of that "Football Weather" that stimulates us to break out
the leathers and make sure they're in good condition. It's nice to finally
enjoy what Shovelhead owners like to refer to as "Iron-Barrel Weather"! I
hope you're enjoying some of the Autumn riding that makes Motorcycling in
Oklahoma so special, like cruising Tali-Mena Drive and checking out the Fall
Foliage. As the Season progresses, Your Motorcyclist Rights Organization
is preparing to face any challenges to our Motorcycling Freedom and Quality
of life. We're getting kick-started by making sure we have quality
leadership, through conducting ABATE State Officer elections for
the 2008-2009 term. Nominations opened last month, and all offices are
uncontested right now. It looks like Carmaletta Lara, one of this
year's NCOM Silver Spoke Award winners, will get re-elected as our
State Treasurer, and you're going to have to put up with me again as ABATE State
Coordinator. It's hard to believe that I'm approaching ten years' service
in this capacity, even as I celebrate 20 years in ABATE of Oklahoma next
May--where has the time gone? Additionally, we have a couple of new faces
stepping forward: Brook Bullock of the Three Sands Chapter in Ponca City is
running for State Secretary, and Garry "Two-R" Canaday, also from Three
Sands, has decided to run for State Sgt-at-Arms. While I'm speaking
about this, I want to take the opportunity to thank from the bottom of my heart
Mike "Kemosabe" Penix, our current Sgt-at-Arms, and Mike "Wishbone" Lander, our
Secretary, who are stepping down from office. Your service and dedication
have been critical to our Organization's success, and deeply appreciated.
I wish for you both sunny skies, clear highways, and bright futures!
However the State Elections turn out, I hope we'll continue to enjoy the
widespread support of our Riding Community as ABATE continues to work on your
behalf in the future. ABATE's State Officers will be formally invested at
the State Membership Meeting, which is going to take place Saturday, January 12,
2008. It'll be held at the beautiful Quartz Mountain Resort, in Lone Wolf,
OK,and once again will be hosted by the Great Plains Of Altus ABATE
Chapter. This is located in a really beautiful part of the state, long
popular as an area where Bald Eagles come to winter. I think it's
appropriate to celebrate Biker Freedom in a region of Oklahoma where the symbol
of American Liberty flies proudly! So, put this important event on your
calendar, call the resort early to make reservations, and I look forward to
seeing a large number of you there.
The ABATE State Board convened again after taking
August off for Sturgis and the Summer Riding Season. Besides dealing with
State Officer Nominations, we started firming things up for the 2008 Legislative
Session. Holly, our Political Director, has been interacting on both
the Red Light Legislation to be authored by Rep. McNiel, and on the
proposed Cell-Phone Bill to be advanced by Rep. Wesselhoft--the "Britannie
Montgomery/Jeffery Smith Law". We're currently looking for State Senate
authors for both bills. I also talked to Holly about the Title 47 problem
regarding auxiliary lighting, and we're going to get the verbiage
clarified, since riders are still getting ticketed, especially in the Claremore
area, for running with their spotlights on. It's not right for
motorcyclists to be penalized for trying to increase their Margin of
Safety! ABATE also will be networking with the Downed Bikers Association
on a proposal to increase Jaggers Law penalties for negligent drivers that hurt
and kill those they share the road with. Other states, such as Delaware,
are proposing similar legislation. Holly also wants to remind all of you
that if you have other burning topics which need to be brought to the
Legislature next year, to have them to ABATE by October's State Board
Meeting--November's at the latest! We're also starting to firm up
logistics for the 2008 ABATE Legislative Breakfast, scheduled for Tuesday,
February 19 at the Fourth Floor Rotunda of the State House. Feel free to
call or e-mail me, or contact ABATE's Hotline: 405-329-7254.
We'll have opportunity to address these Legislative and
other subjects at this year's Mid-South M.I.L.E. Motorcyclist
Rights Seminars in Ft. Smith, AR Oct. 26-28. Rights activists, along
with representatives from National Organizations such as the MRF, NCOM and the
AMA will gear up to face critical challenges directly affecting Riding
Freedom. ABATE's Lakes Area Chapter is once again crafting the State
Basket to be auctioned off at the Saturday Night Banquet. You might
remember that they also built last year's Basket, which won the People's
Choice Award. I hope a number of you will consider attending this valuable
seminar--you can obtain more information at: www.midsouthmile.org
One of those issues reared its ugly head,
ironically, on September 11--the day after over 200 members of the Oklahoma
Confederation Of Clubs convened in Del City without knowledge of what was to
transpire. The Federal Government dropped a bomb on the Riding Community
by calling for Mandatory Universal Helmet Laws in every State, while refusing to
address the fact that a significant number of rider deaths and
injuries being caused by car and truck drivers, and actually dismissing Rider
Education as having NO BEARING on motorcycling deaths and
injuries! This has been trumpeted on TV and in the
Print Media already. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS) and the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), both pro-Insurance Industry
Lobbying Groups, are pushing this latest Press Release from the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which calls for Mandatory Universal Helmet
Laws NATIONWIDE! The NTSB Press Release, along with the accompanying info
from the Insurance Industry, contains erroneous information which will outrage
you, especially the idea of this Governmental Agency turning its back on Rider
Education and focusing on a false approach to Crash Survivability as opposed to
Crash Prevention.
Again, we motorcyclists and trikers
are assaulted with disinformation distributed by Lobbyist Fronts
influencing the Government Bureaucracy. Their dismissal of Rider Education
Training says it all: These organizations are committed to a National Helmet Law
in accordance with their Political Agenda, and "Safety" has nothing to do with
it. The Lobbyists' summary comment in their Press Release about "what's
missing is the Political Will and "Leadership" to make it happen" belies their
concern for improving Motorcycling Quality Of Life. Their orientation is
all about Politics, Money and Control. Any "Leadership" which would ignore
the value of Rider Education and not deal with riders being victimized by
Negligent Drivers is BANKRUPT Leadership! We need to fight them like
HELL!! I find it ironic that this Press Release emerged on the Anniversary
of the Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks on our Nation--this underscores our charge to
"Support and Defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL
Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!" Even as we speak of this, numerous states
are seeing renewed calls for Mandatory Helmet Laws in the Media (they also
are looking to boost profits), and we're seeing more polls put out for voters to
weigh in on. To be honest, I won't be truly worried unless the
Federal Government attempts to blackmail the states again by threatening to
withhold Highway Funding, as it did in 1994. Some of you might remember
how Bikers turned out by the hundreds to meet and defeat that
threat! However things shake out with this, it looks very much like
we'll be faced with a serious battle next year, both on the State and National
level, and all of us will need to keep informed, aware and active if we're to
successfully defend our Freedom Of Choice against callous agencies willing to
subvert our Liberties to advance their Profit Margin! If these
developments concern you, I appeal to ALL Sooner State motorcyclists (and
others, if you desire) to join ABATE of Oklahoma and fight for your
Rights! We need to take care of each other (the Government sure isn't
going to do it!), and Ride Safely, Sober and Aware. I also hope a large
number of you will consider coming out for ABATE's annual Veterans' Day
Bike Parade to the State Capitol on Sunday, November 11. As usual,
we'll be leaving out of the Skyline Restaurant parking lot at 10:30AM, and we'll
arrive at the Oklahoma Veterans' Memorial Park in time for the 11:00AM
ceremonies. We'll once again ride to honor our Americans in uniform
defending Freedom abroad--let's never hesitate to safeguard it at
home!
Tiger's Tip O' The Month
directly reflects ABATE's position on Freedom Of Choice in ALL forms for
Motorcyclists. I received feedback from someone recently who was upset
about people giving her and her husband a hard time for wearing helmets, as the
couple made their choice to ride helmeted based on their own personal preference
and their having small children. I equate people who look down their
noses at helmet-wearing riders with those types who look down their noses at
non-Harley Riders (and I've been riding Harleys close to Forty Years!). I don't
have too much respect for those kind of motorcyclists who rush to pass judgment
based on what exists on the surface, even though there's nothing wrong with
"Brand Loyalty". Most long-time riders who are "For Real" accommodate all
motorcyclists, regardless of bike or Helmet Wear, and I don't have too much to
do with those that don't. In fact, I have a T-Shirt that I wear on occasion
when I'm feeling ornery, which says, "BIKERS ARE A RARE BREED; HARLEY RIDERS ARE
A DIME A DOZEN!" That really irritates some of the Chrome-O-Sexuals out
there!
If you choose to wear your Helmet, then that's your business--and in Oklahoma you have the Freedom to do so or not, just like you have the Freedom to ride whatever bike you want. You EARN my respect because of who you are, not because of that you wear or what you ride. Those superficial types out there (and there are far too many of them lately, I'm afraid) aren't worth getting distracted over--until their actions cause the Government to take steps to jeopardize your Freedom (remember the old saying: your Freedom leaves off where my Nose begins!) Irresponsible riders (the 120MPH types or those racking their pipes everywhere) motivate politicians to call for restrictive legislation, as do drunk or impaired riders (like those seen sometimes at Bike Nights) who run up the tally of single-vehicle bike deaths and injuries. Rider Education can contribute to fixing this problem, but when the NTSB dismisses its importance, it makes lowering the "Butcher's Bill" of bike fatalities that much harder. It's bad enough we have the car drivers killing us out there. We don't need to make it harder on ourselves by being irresponsible or negligent motorcyclists--or by making it tougher for riders trying to do what they feel is right! So, go ahead and wear your Helmet, if you so choose--I'll continue to respect your Right to do so. To your Friends, you don't need to explain, and to anyone else, you don't HAVE to explain! Whether Helmets save lives is not the issue--I've seen them do so, and I've also seen them kill people (just like seatbelts!). The most important piece of Safety Equipment you possess is what's UNDER your Helmet, and not the Helmet itself! Enjoy the crispness of October, and Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and goblins out there as you ride in the cool air and tell stories around the campfire. Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees, Tiger Mike
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