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Hello, Everybody--
I hope you're enjoying a Happy Halloween
this evening, and receiving maximum treats with minimum tricks! You
might not necessarily consider this a treat, but here's my Tiger
Tales Article for November for you to examine, and I hope you'll
find it informative. The reason it's a bit longer this month is
because ABATE just held State Officer Elections, and I'll be serving
as your State Coordinator for another two years. As I've done in
the past, I'm sending along a Position Statement both providing some
background on me and our Organization for those unfamiliar with
ABATE, and giving an idea of our goals for the future as ABATE
continues to lead the charge for the improvement of Motorcycling
Quality Of Life in Oklahoma, and for the preservation and
enhancement of Biker Rights in Oklahoma and Nationwide. Completion
of this term will make it nine years for me as ABATE of Oklahoma
State Coordinator, and I've been proud to serve in that capacity. I
can't say that this will be my last term, but my health hasn't been
the best, and while I plan to improve that over the next few months,
I serve at the pleasure of the ABATE Membership, and I intend to
keep on fighting for Biker Liberty as long as I have the capacity.
There are serious threats out there, and we need to stand united to
defeat them--so Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of The Way!! I'm
deeply appreciative for the trust and confidence our ABATE Members
place in me, and for the support and respect of our Motorcycling
Community in general. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you
have any questions--you know where to find me, and I'm willing to
discuss Riding Freedom with anyone at any time. Take care,
everyone, and continue to Ride Free and Safely!
With Respect,
Tiger Mike Revere
State Coordinator,
ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.
405-672-1008 (H/FAX)
405-596-1072 (Cell)
TIGER TALES - NOVEMBER,
2007\
Greetings to my Riding Family! I'm glad to be
visiting with you
again, as the Fall progresses and the weather gets cooler. It was great seeing a bunch of our membership from most of the Chapters at our successful A.B.A.T.E. State Party in September. I hope all who attended had a great time--I know I sure did! Hopefully, this finds all of you getting ready for a festive Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends. Even with a war going on and some folks in our Community suffering financial hardship, we have lots to be thankful for here in America--still the most Free Nation on Earth. As I write this, the State of Oklahoma is hosting the Sooner Sendoff recognizing the accomplishments of the 45th Infantry Division as they get ready to deploy to Iraq. Our men and women in the Military continue to deserve our support and appreciation, and ABATE will once again honor their service with its annual Veterans' Day Run to the State Capitol on Sunday, November 11. This will be the eleventh year A.B.A.T.E. has been hosting this Bike Parade paying tribute to all our Armed Services members, and it'll be departing the Skyline Restaurant Parking Lot promptly at 10:30AM, arriving at the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park in time for the 11:00AM ceremony start. After the services are concluded, all participants are cordially invited to come on out to Charley's Last Stand, where the American Legion Riders Post #1340 has again graciously volunteered to host a cookout featuring build 'em yourself hot dogs and chili dogs. Mike "Kemosabe" Penix, our A.B.A.T.E. State Sgt-at-Arms, will be in charge of logistics as well as the event kick-off, so look for him at the Skyline if you have any questions. With Veterans' Day being on a Sunday this year, I expect we'll enjoy a good turnout of riders, so please plan to join us as we honor America's Military. Our Riding Community also had opportunity to take part in honoring American Veterans last month when State Senator Jim Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City) contacted A.B.A.T.E. regarding something that should be dear to the heart of every Oklahoman and Freedom-loving American. For those not aware, the USS Oklahoma is the only capital ship sunk at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which does not have a memorial erected to her honor in Hawaii. However, that is about to change. It took six long years for Pearl Harbor Survivors and their families, working with State Sen. Reynolds, US Senator Jim Inhofe and US Rep. Tom Cole to get approval for a memorial. Now, a beautiful memorial has been authorized to be built on Ford Island (not far from where the USS Oklahoma capsized, and close to where the battleship USS Missouri stands guard proudly today). This is designed to pay tribute to the memory of the 429 sailors and Marines who perished on her--a death toll secondary only to that of the USS Arizona. This memorial in Pearl Harbor will be dedicated on December 7, 2007--Pearl Harbor Day in Oklahoma's Centennial Year! On October 18, Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community helped escort the truck caravan taking the memorial components to the Pacific Coast for shipment to Hawaii, along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, governmental and civic leaders as well as Pearl Harbor Survivors and other Veterans' Organizations. It was a tremendous opportunity for Motorcyclists to express solidarity with our Armed Forces members who made the Supreme Sacrifice on that "Day which will live in Infamy". I don't think anyone out there supports our Military as actively as our riders, and as a Veteran, I greatly appreciate your continued involvement. At our October A.B.A.T.E. State Board Meeting, the State Officer Elections for the 2008-2009 Term were concluded with all positions being uncontested. So, your A.B.A.T.E. of Oklahoma State Officers will feature Garry Canaday as State Sgt.-at-Arms; Brook Bullock as State Secretary; Carmaletta Lara as State Treasurer; and Tiger Mike Revere as State Coordinator. I very much appreciate your continued confidence in me as we continue to guard Riding Freedom against any threats on the horizon. It was good to read Garry's and Brook's announcements of candidacy last month, and I look forward to working closely with such dedicated Freedom Fighters. I didn't submit a background sketch of my own, so I wanted to write something this month, since I don't want to take anybody's support for granted, and there might be some out there who don't know where I'm coming from, even though I celebrate my Eight Year Anniversary this month as you're A.B.A.T.E. State Coordinator. With challenges facing the very survival of our Nation, both from abroad and at home, motorcyclists in Oklahoma and elsewhere continue to face threats against the Riding Freedom and Civil Liberties that we've enjoyed and sometimes take for granted. I possess a strong desire to keep working together with my Brothers and Sisters that have volunteered their time and resources in our Organization. Our vigorous cooperation and interaction is vital to A.B.A.T.E.'s leadership in the fight to preserve, protect and improve the level of Quality for Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community. I resolve to stay motivated to and respectful of the bond we members share as we respond to assaults against motorcycling in the future. We've shared the same goals and concerns in A.B.A.T.E. for a very long time, and I've appreciated the support of our Organization's membership. While A.B.A.T.E. membership constitutes a relatively small fraction of Oklahoma's total motorcyclists, we continue to lead the charge in defending Motorcycling Rights at the State Capitol, encouraging Oklahoma's motoring public to Share the Road, and improving the positive image of motorcycling in our state. Most A.B.A.T.E. members know me, and are familiar with my views, but I have a sense of responsibility to those that represent the heart of what we're about. My integrity and leadership, I believe, are unquestioned, and I pledge to continue to advance the cause of Oklahoma's Motorcyclists Rights Organization. We've had a good ride together since I first assumed State Coordinator duties in November, 1999, and I feel my communicative ability and management skill has helped to improve A.B.A.T.E. I realize, however, that success is a team effort, and that I've only played a part in the improvements we've enjoyed. I'm deeply grateful to my fellow State Officers both past and present, State Appointees, and to the members of A.B.A.T.E.'s State Board for their efforts and cooperation. While we have ten active Chapters in our Organization and have improved our financial base, we're still challenged with the need to significantly increase our level of membership and, most importantly, the awareness of motorcyclists regarding the threats facing us. There are over 80,000 registered motorcycles in the Sooner State, and Oklahoma's motorcyclists and trikers are logging more mileage than ever before. We enjoy one of the most rewarding and fun motorcycling environments in the Country, as evidenced by the thousands of riders that turn out to support charitable causes, Veterans-oriented events, and Biker Rallies. We might not feel overtly threatened, since we've been able to defeat recent Mandatory Helmet Law proposals, so there's a risk of becoming less vigilant and more complacent. However, and especially since an alarmingly high number of Sooner State riders keep getting killed and injured on our roadways, we need to continue to address key issues such as passing legislation increasing penalties for negligent motorists that injure or kill those they share the road with, funding Rider Education, and eliminating Anti-Biker Discrimination. We were able to successfully defeat the most recent attempt at passing a State Helmet Law, but we must also must continue to battle against Federal restriction of motorcycle customization, insurance and medical health care discrimination, characterization of riders as a Public Burden, and vague Anti-Gang legislation that would criminalize groups of motorcyclists that look the same. With continued membership support and confidence, I'm excited about keeping at the forefront of helping achieve our goals and benefiting Oklahoma motorcyclists of every background, since we on two- and three wheels share a common interest. I'm a proud American and Oklahoma Citizen, with almost 39 years on the road as a motorcyclist. I retired in Oklahoma after serving honorably for well over two decades in the United States Air Force, and have lived in the Sooner State since 1988 as a permanent resident, homeowner, taxpayer, and registered voter. I ended up in this part of the country after spending nine years as an Air Force enlisted member, finishing my Bachelor's Degree in college, and obtaining my Officer's Commission and retiring as a Captain. My military career included postings in Southeast Asia, Europe, Central America and the Middle East, as well as throughout the United States, with combat tours in Southeast Asia, Panama, and the Persian Gulf. I chose to retire in Oklahoma because of the good friends I've made here in our Motorcycling Community, as well as because of our riding Quality of Life experienced over my last nine years on active duty as an aircrew member in the USAF's Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) at Tinker Air Force Base. Since retiring in 1996, I've been working for a major defense contractor as an instructor supporting the AWACS Mission Crew Training Program. Our state's Motorcycling Freedom motivated me to continue my involvement in motorcyclists' rights activities here, after being part of the Motorcycling Rights Movement in other states. I've been active since the early 1980s, from when I started out as a member of the Modified Motorcycle Association of California. While there, I was privileged to meet Rights Pioneers such as the late Ron Roloff, folks that were dedicated and influential in the fight for Motorcycling Liberty. I was inspired, by their efforts, to become more actively involved in safeguarding Riding Freedom, which dovetailed with my being committed to defending my Country as a Military Member. After an assignment in the Philippines, I came to Oklahoma and joined then-Central Oklahoma A.B.A.T.E. the week I came to Oklahoma City. We were still a couple of years from organizing on the State Level, but I was impressed by the enthusiasm of those activists I met when I first arrived. The hard work of Oklahoma's Freedom Fighters has been instrumental in keeping ours a Freedom of Choice State for all the time I've lived here. I pay tribute to those continued efforts that make our state one of the best in the Nation in which to ride a Motorcycle. That's something we were able to showcase to riders from all over the world when A.B.A.T.E. hosted the 19th Annual National Coalition Of Motorcyclists Convention, held May, 2004 in Oklahoma City. I'll be celebrating Twenty Years in A.B.A.T.E. of Oklahoma next year, having served as Sergeant-at-Arms on the Chapter level for the Central Oklahoma District (COD) for two years, and as Chapter Representative to the State Board for two years. I've also served simultaneously as COD Chapter President and State Sergeant-at-Arms for two years, and as your State Coordinator since 1999. I've been honored to work closely with an involved membership both on the local level and Statewide as we continue to pursue our Charter Goals. Together, we support the campaign to improve our political and legislative effectiveness, enhance the positive image of Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community, and increase the education, safety, and awareness of motorcyclists and trikers, while we also have lots of fun socially enjoying the Riding Lifestyle. Our mind-set can't be about all work and no play! One of the things that motivates us is the sheer joy of Motorcycling, and those that know me realize that I like to have a good time as well as work hard. My relationship with A.B.A.T.E. has also provided me with a forum for both leadership and citizenship that has greatly improved my ability to effectively interact with our elected officials on all levels of government. My education in this regard has been enhanced by participating in events such as the Mid-South M.I.L.E. MAKOT Lobbying Bus Trip to Washington, D.C. in March, 2003, where we and other Motorcyclists Rights Organizations were able to defend against assaults upon Riding Freedom by the EPA and NHTSA. It's critical for all of us to cultivate productive political relationships, especially where we have new friends to make due to Term Limiting. We need to improve upon those friendships to help counter any threats to Free Motorcycling in the State House and elsewhere, should they arise. Being in A.B.A.T.E. has enabled me to keep being involved on a regular basis with other Motorcyclist Rights-oriented groups both in our state and across the Country. I've served for close to Ten Years as a member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Board of Directors, representing Region 2, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, states where riders are deeply committed to obtaining and preserving Riding Liberty, as witnessed by the continued Freedom of Choice campaigns in some of those states. I've also continued as Liaison to the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs, which plays an important role in promoting unity among all of Oklahoma's motorcycle clubs, organizations and associations, and focusing on issues common to and threats affecting all riders in our state, such as overcoming Anti-Biker Discrimination. I'm a Life Member of the American Motorcyclist Association and a longtime member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, two of our most important national-level organizations lobbying on behalf of Riding Freedom. I also support, as A.B.A.T.E. of Oklahoma does, the AMA's "Justice For All" Campaign against negligent and irresponsible motorists hurting and killing people, and getting away with little or no penalty. Interacting with National-level organizations such as NCOM, the AMA and MRF has helped me to increase my political awareness and knowledge. That awareness has also been enhanced through networking with other SMROs and with groups of dedicated Freedom Fighters such as Biker Republic. I've also been actively involved in the Mid-South M.I.L.E., which has provided a valuable environment for a coalition of Rights Organizations from five states to share ideas and focus on important Liberty-related issues. I'm also a Life Member of the Harley Owners Group, and belong to two local H.O.G. Chapters. I not only enjoy motorcycling-related social events with these organizations, but try to keep the H.O.G. membership informed on issues directly affecting their Riding Freedom. It's important to stress here that, while having been a Harley Rider for thirty-nine years, I'm interested in and enjoy ALL kinds of motorcycles and trikes, both on- and off-road, and am firmly committed to defending Freedom of Choice to ride the way an individual wants. It's important to emphasize the common bond uniting all the membership on two- and three wheels in our Organization--the forces that unite us are stronger than those that divide us. Maintaining positive relationships with our surrounding communities provides us with an important opportunity to improve our image and advance our cause--witness the impact we make with our annual A.B.A.T.E. Bike Parades to the State Capitol every Memorial Day and Veterans' Day. I continue to be active in this area as well, as a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion (Riders Post #1340), and through the public service group of my company. I'm also a proud member of Local Lodge 850 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and firmly support Organized Labor's ongoing fight to improve Quality of Life for America's working men and women, and to guard against the forces threatening quality jobs, fair wages and decent benefits in Oklahoma and nationwide. So, you have my position on what I'm about and where I come from. I stand for efficient communication, continued fiscal responsibility, membership growth and improved political and organizational effectiveness. There've been some potholes, and I know I haven't pleased everybody, but I'm still standing and fighting for Motorcycling Liberty in my beloved state of Oklahoma. I resolve to keep dedicating myself to leading the effort to making things better for riders in our state, and to support Freedom Fighters all over the Nation. I'd deeply appreciate your continued support and confidence in me as we strive together to ensure the survivability of Free Riding, and to improve the environment for motorcyclists everywhere. I'm nowhere near a model of Perfection, but I can honestly say that I've done the best I can for A.B.A.T.E. of Oklahoma as your State Coordinator, and I solemnly promise to the membership that I'll continue that commitment. Continuing on as a State Organization, I think we've come a long way and have exhibited improvement in a number of areas. That improvement is directly the result of the hard work and sacrifices of both the A.B.A.T.E. leadership and its members. We have the potential to expand our Organization with the inclusion of new Chapters, we've augmented the quality of our communication through computer networking and enhancement of our state Internet Website, greatly improved the content and quality of our State Newsletter, expanded our merchandise selection, and streamlined our membership accountability. We'll have another chance to present Oklahoma to the entire Country as a Beacon of Motorcycling Freedom when we host the Mid-South Motorcyclists Improving Legislative Effectiveness (M.I.L.E.) Seminars in October of 2008. Riders all over America need to realize what we've known for years: that Oklahoma is a terrific Motorcycling State! Our maintaining that reputation will continue with my platform of improved organizational structure, expanded membership and treasury, increased cooperation and improved communication both among Chapters and between Chapters and State Officers, and continued effectiveness in our relationship with the State House. We riders in Oklahoma are still able to exercise Freedom of Choice regarding helmet wear (as part of a THIRTY STATE majority!), and we've beaten back several assaults on that Freedom over the years, and we'll vigorously respond to the NTSB and NHTSA Pro-Helmet Law attempts on the Federal level. We gotten both a Veterans Motorcycle License Tag and Handicapped Tags for disabled riders authorized for Oklahoma; got the Motor Vehicle excise tax eliminated for Disabled Veterans; got Multiple Headlights authorized for improved visibility and safety; and headed off a bill which would've required license plates on both the front and rear of vehicles. Most importantly, we got David Jaggers' Law passed to hold to account negligent motorists who hurt and kill others. However, there are still major challenges facing us, and I don't intend to rest on any laurels. There still isn't any State-sponsored Rider Education being conducted in Oklahoma despite having a law on the books, since no funding was ever authorized. Negligent motorists in autos and trucks continue to kill and injure Oklahoma riders, and we need to add strength to Jaggers' Law to include License Suspensions or possible jail time! We need to campaign against distracted drivers yakking on cell phones as well, which we'll once again do in the 2008 Legislative Session. Serious threats still exist, my Brothers and Sisters--threats that we've spoken of, which could still negatively impact our ability to even ride at all! Federal agencies pressing for State Helmet Laws while stating that Rider Education has no impact in reducing Motorcycling deaths and injuries; Global Harmonization's influences on motorcycle manufacture, equipment and customization to the extent that a Federal Agency is even appealing to the UN to impose a "World Helmet Law"; the Insurance and Health Care Management Lobbyists' continued working against providing medical benefits for motorcyclists; and NHTSA's campaign of disinformation and lies to advance their cynical agenda--all these assaults could eventually make Free Motorcycling extinct on the national scene if we aren't ever-vigilant and keep up the good fight. Let's keep on fighting and winning together, as we meet the challenges and face the threats to both our Motorcycling Freedom and Civil Liberties. As I'll continue to say, our objectives aren't really that lofty, nor are they unattainable. We simply desire the Freedom to dress the way we want to, ride our machines that are set up according to how WE want them to be configured, and ride them to wherever we'd like to, free from governmental harassment and interference. For us as motorcyclists, that is what's required for our simple survival! I'm grateful to all of you for your support and confidence, and wish for each of you God's richest blessings as we keep upholding the finest traditions of our great Nation in the knowledge that the cost of Freedom is not Free! I'm ready to interact with anyone that can contribute to making a brighter future for A.B.A.T.E. of Oklahoma, and will entertain any suggestions on how we can cooperate in making things better for all. Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me anytime with your comments. Even though my health hasn't been good lately--arthritis and a bike wreck will cause me to have to get back and hip surgery soon--I intend to continue dedicating myself to the cause of Riding Liberty. Thanks for your attention and patience, and I look forward to seeing all of you on the Road! We're finalizing our A.B.A.T.E Legislative Agenda for the 2008 Session, and Holly, our Political Director, has been busily networking with Legislators to both author and co-sponsor bills reflecting our interests. Rep. Skye McNiel will be authoring our Red-Light Bill which will be similar to that passed in Texas this year. If approved, motorcyclists whose bikes don't trigger the light to turn green at controlled intersections will be allowed to ride through after stopping and determining it safe to proceed. Unlike what our shrill detractors say, this is NOT designed to allow riders carte blanche to run red lights; it's designed to safeguard motorcyclists from waiting excessively and risking tail-end collisions from inattentive motorists, or risking getting hit from having to ride through parking lots or side streets to get around intersections. As you probably know, Biker deaths and injuries have been reduced in several states where this has been passed. A.B.A.T.E is also working with Rep. Paul Wesselhoft on the bill increasing penalties for those causing death or injury while driving and using Hand-Held Cell Phones; and we're interfacing with Sen. Sean Burge on passing legislation clarifying Title 47 regarding use of auxiliary lighting (spotlights) along with headlights on motorcycles. We ought to have authors and co-sponsors in both the House and Senate on these three key bills lined up within the month. The last issue we need to address involves increasing penalties for negligent drivers who hurt and kill others; namely, putting more teeth in Jaggers' Law! Expect more information on this key item next month. Incidentally, for those who haven't heard, the driver who killed David Jaggers finally, after all the legal delays, started serving his jail term. On the down side, the Illegal Alien who killed Rogue "LV" was deported back to Mexico, so basically, he got away with Murder! Personally, I'd sure like for those defenders of Illegal Immigrants to explain their position to our victimized riders! For now, be sure to put two key A.B.A.T.E items on your calendar. First, our 2008 A.B.A.T.E. Membership Meeting will take place on Saturday, January 12, and all ABATE Members are invited. It'll be held at the Quartz Mountain Resort in Lone Wolf, and will be once again hosted by our Great Plains Of Altus A.B.A.T.E Chapter. We'll start off with the State Board Meeting, where we'll formally install the A.B.A.T.E. State Officers for the next two years, including Carmaletta Lara as Treasurer, Brook Bullock as Secretary, Garry Canaday as Sgt-at-Arms, and yours truly as State Coordinator. The afternoon session will include seminars and workshops, a Keynote Speaker from the State Legislature, and a "Town Meeting" where A.B.A.T.E. Members can air their views and opinions. Please join A.B.A.T.E. if you'd like to be part of this important event and fight for your Rights! If you represent an establishment, firm, club or whatever, please consider becoming an A.B.A.T.E. Sustaining Member--Motorcycling Freedom needs your support. Also, be sure to attend our annual A.B.A.T.E. Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 7:30AM to 10:30AM at the State Capitol Fourth Floor Rotunda. We'll once again invite the entire Oklahoma State Legislature and their staffs to enjoy breakfast with us and discuss important Quality of Life topics like the bills we're advancing. It's important that we have a large turnout of riders at this occasion--whether or not we're faced with a Helmet Law Threat. Remember--politicians sit up and take notice when a voting bloc of Citizens with a common purpose takes action! You can download and print flyers for both these events from our A.B.A.T.E. State Website at: www.abateofoklahoma.org Tiger's Tip O' The Month: The dark side of Oklahoma's eliminating Mandatory Vehicle Inspection involves lots of irresponsible motorists not maintaining their vehicles the way they should, to the extent that some are quite literally falling apart in the street! Be aware of the condition of vehicles around you, not just their presence, and deconflict on threats, whether it's a car traveling at highway speed on space-saver spares or polluting your lungs with a cloud of oil smoke. Also, very few concern themselves with ensuring their headlights are properly aimed (or even replacing blown-out lamps or taillights), so be careful when riding at night. Thanks for listening, and continue to Ride Safely. I'm very thankful this Holiday Season for your further support and confidence as A.B.A.T.E. keeps working on your behalf to make this one of the best motorcycling states in the Union. Enjoy your Turkey Day, and I'll get back with you as the Toy Run season kicks into high gear and we get ready to settle into Winter. Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees, Tiger Mike |
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