Hello, Friends--
I hope his finds everyone doing well this weekend, and that you enjoyed a festive and happy Halloween with friends and loved ones. Here's my Tiger Tales article for November, and I hope you find it enjoyable and informative. I'd also like to point out to folks that you can check out my archived Tiger Tales articles, and more importantly, Adobe .pdf complete issues of our ABATE OK Biker Journal newspapers by checking out our State Website at www.abateofoklahoma.orgGive it a visit sometime, and consider joining and printing a Membership Application while you're there to take an active role in defending Biker Freedom in our state. Speaking of which, be sure to take time out of your busy schedules to head to the polls and vote on Tuesday, November 2. Whatever your political affiliation, it's critical that you exercise this fundamental right, which will influence significantly where our state and Nation is going in the future.
I'm attaching a flyer for our annual ABATE Veterans' Day Run to the State Capitol Veterans' Memorial Park on Thursday, November 11, which is described in my article below. Be sure to tell your friends! You will note that the American Legion Riders Post #1340 is collecting personal items such as those listed to bring to the Veterans' Home in Norman, OK. Thanks very much in advance for your generosity. Whether you can attend or not, please take the time to reflect upon and honor the service, sacrifice and commitment to defending Liberty our Armed Forces have undertaken. That said, I also want to mention that Harley-Davidson World in Oklahoma City and the Harley-Davidson World Shop in Edmond have graciously offered to host a Veterans Day luncheon in the afternoon on November 11 to honor our Military. Everyone is invited to take part at both the H-D Dealership On Rockwell Ave. north of I-40, and at the Shop on Broadway Extension, if folks can't make it to the American Legion Post in Del City. Please call 405-631-8680 if you have any questions.
Thanks for listening, Ride Free and Safely, and I'll see you at the Veterans' Day Run! I also look forward to seeing members planning to attend the OK Confederation Of Clubs Meeting this coming Sunday, November 7, starting at 1:00PM at the American Legion Post #73 in Del City, OK. Go to the Confederation Website at: www.okcoc.netfor more information. Take care, everyone!
Yours in Liberty,
Tiger Mike Revere, Proud Lifetime Member #001, ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.
405-596-1072 (cell)
TIGER TALES - NOVEMBER, 2010
A hearty Oklahoma hello to all my riding friends out there! It's hard to believe November is upon us already, and that we're almost done with 2010. Of course, with November being here, it's important for all of us to remember that Election Day is coming, and that many important offices are on the line, including seats in Congress and Oklahoma's Governor and other executive and legislative positions. Hopefully, all of you out there are registered to vote, as the deadline to vote in the Oklahoma November Elections was October 8. The changes produced in this year's elections will impact significant aspects of our lives, maybe even including the future of Free Motorcycling as we know it. No matter what your political orientation might be, it's vital that all of us get out to cast our votes. The Right to Vote is one of the privileges of our American Citizenship that we can exercise to take direct steps to influence what direction our Country is going to take in the future. Our Brothers and Sisters in the Armed Forces regularly put their lives on the line to defend our Rights, so voting helps honor their service and sacrifice. ABATE is all about Freedom of Choice, so remember that when you vote, the Choice is yours; if you don't, the Choice is theirs. Those that don't vote have no standing to complain about how things are, so be sure to take some time out of your busy schedules and stop by the Polls this Election Day. That'll help lay the groundwork for a successful ABATE Legislative Campaign next year!
Speaking of the contributions of our Military members, it's once again time to pay tribute to all our Veterans as ABATE hosts its annual Veterans' Day Run to the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park directly across the street from the State Capitol. It'll be held on Thursday, November 11, with the Bike Parade kicking off at 10:20AM. As we have for so many years, and every Memorial Day, we'll be departing from the Skyline Restaurant Parking Lot on S.E. 15th Street, 1/4 mile east of I-35 in Oklahoma City. The American Legion Riders Post #1340 has once again graciously offered to assist with logistics, and the Parade Route will take us past the front of the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center via the Avenue of the Flags. Our Riding Community will arrive to park in the Capitol South Parking Lot in time for the Veterans' Day services start at 11:00AM, and the ceremonies themselves shouldn't take more than 45 minutes. After the services are concluded, everyone is invited to proceed to the Del City Municipal Complex on S.E. 15th Street to take part in the dedication of the Del City Veterans' Center, and then head to the American Legion Post #73 on S.E. 24th Street in Del City, where a Hot Dog Cookout will be served for all attendees. Veterans Day is an important time to emphasize the need for all Americans to support our Military, and for the Government on all levels to honor its commitments to our Veterans. This is especially critical as we continue to fight the War on Terror, and while Congress decides on Veterans' Quality of Life issues and the Supreme Court debates the right of groups like the Westboro Cult to disrupt Military Funerals! I've long held that we have two types of folks attend our Bike Parade: Veterans and those that love Veterans, and if you're not in those two categories, you need to find somewhere else to hang out! We evidently have a bunch of people in Oklahoma who love Veterans, since our Bike Parades grow larger every year! So, please join us, or at least take some time on November 11 to reflect on what our Military has done to keep us Free--I'll be looking for you at the Skyline! Check out our ABATE Website at www.abateofoklahoma.orgfor a flyer.
I thoroughly enjoyed attending this year’s ABATE State “Party On The Plains” October 1-3 at the Westlake Sportsmen’s Complex in Enid. Members from almost all of ABATE’s thirteen Chapters showed up to enjoy good food, tasty beverages, lots of fun Biker-oriented activities, and a sense of Family borne of both riding together and working hard as an Organization to achieve one of the most successful Legislative Campaigns in ABATE of Oklahoma’s history! I arrived well after dark, since I was on the late shift at Tinker AFB, and there was a sizeable number of ABATE Members camped out together from several different areas of the state. Top and Mudflap produced quite a delicious series of meals throughout the weekend, and folks were kept both well-fed and watered, thanks in part to Ilka the Tooth Fairy, AKA “Queen Of The Korn”. Between her, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Tents, and their accompanying Man-Servants, everyone was kept in high spirits, and the laughs were non-stop. Score one for Women-Power!! I crossed paths with several old and dear friends I’ve been proud to know for many years, including Big Jeremy of the Kiamichi Chapter, and that made for long talks around the campfire which lasted past four in the morning. Saturday was a day crammed full of events, and mine started early with me headed to Pinky’s stitching booth to get a bunch of patches sewn on a new vest, since my old one is completely full. That’s the consequence of going to a lot of places and doing a bunch of stuff! For those that don’t know her, Pinky is a member of ABATE’s NW #69 Chapter, and is an expert stitcher with years of experience. You can expect the highest quality work from her on any leather garments or goods you give her to work on. All the activities went well, including the Bike Show, Bike and People Games, and T-Shirt and Tattoo Contests. Turtle got all dolled up with both tattoos and fishnet stockings made of black marker. I couldn’t help seeing the word “Permanent” on the markers, so I hope she was able to get the designs rubbed off by the time she had to go to work! Attendees enjoyed the best music we’ve ever had at our State Party as Big Blue Dump Truck and Five shades Of Grey rocked the house. All in all, it was one of the best-attended and most successful State-Level events we’ve put on. Heartfelt thanks to all those who worked so hard to ensure a terrific time! Those of you unable to show up missed a good one, and we missed you, so please make plans to attend the 2011 Party next October.
Many thanks to the American Legion Post in Ponca City, which is home to both one of our more active Legion Riders groups and ABATE’s Three Sands Chapter, for their hospitality in hosting a very productive Oklahoma Confederation Of Clubs meeting on September 12. Over 300 motorcyclists and trikers representing over 45 organizations attended, as well as NCOM Founder Attorney Richard M. Lester, who gave us an update on the Federal Trademark Seizure case still in litigation by Civil Rights lawyers. Be sure to check the NCOM Website at www.aimncom.comfor further updates. We talked to the Strategic Alliance Program improvements, and how other Confederations Nationwide are adopting the concept, as well as our initial establishment of the Veterans Contingency which I described last month. I’ll keep you informed as this program develops, since Veterans in ABATE and other groups can play a valuable role. The OCOC Strategic Alliance held its Unity Run in mid-September, and participants rode to Lake Sahoma to scatter Sputnik’s ashes near his birthplace. Many thanks to all for honoring the memory of one of America’s greatest Patriots. We discussed the US Defenders Program, and ABATE Members recently received word of a US Defenders Call To Action regarding establishment of Motorcycle-Profiling Checkpoints on the Federal level, which Wisconsin’s Congressman Sensenbrenner is moving against. Additionally, Texas Confederation Representatives joined us to advertise the upcoming NCOM Region 2 Conference November 19-21 in De Soto, TX, which I’ve talked about over the last few months. I hope we have a good bunch of folks from Oklahoma planning to attend. Check out the NCOM Website or www.dfwrally.comfor an event flyer and meeting agenda. Finally, we mentioned the May 2011 NCOM Convention in Albuquerque, NM. It’s going to be a good one and is not too far away, so be sure to put it on your Spring Calendar!
Tiger's Tip O' The Month: November's chill blast at the onset of Winter gives us an advance heads-up that it’s time to prepare for more cold-weather riding. That means we need to make sure both ourselves and our machines are in shape, so break out the leather treatment to keep your riding gear up to par, and pre-flight your bike for the colder months. Even with the newer battery technology, I wouldn't place much faith in a motorcycle battery that's more than two years old, so now is a good time to change it out if you need to. Also, two things manifest themselves in November to watch out for: an increase in bitter winds, especially cross-winds which can blow you into an adjoining lane; and suddenly dropping temperatures which could create unexpected icy conditions causing you to lose control. So, be sure to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you're out sharing the Road with rowdy fans during home football games in and around Norman, Stillwater, and Tulsa!
Well, it's time for me to head out and hit the Highway for another month. November is the month to reflect on what we're grateful for, as the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches. ABATE is going to hold elections for State Coordinator and Treasurer on alternate years from State Secretary and Sgt-at-Arms now, so I want to take this opportunity to thank all who are considering a run for office for your commitment to Riding Liberty in our state. I also want to salute Garry "2R" Canaday for his considerable efforts in leading our Organization as State Coordinator over the past year. With the successful passing of every bill in our Legislative Agenda, outstanding events like our Oklahoma "SMILE" and State "Party On The Plains", and expanding membership, the horizons for ABATE of Oklahoma are bright indeed. Most of all, I want to thank our ABATE Membership, both from our thirteen active Chapters and our Members At-Large, for your continued dedication to Motorcycling Freedom in Oklahoma and Nationwide, even as storm clouds again gather which could permanently alter how we ride, if we allow it. NHTSA is again calling for a National Mandatory Helmet Law (even as motorcycling deaths and injuries continue to decrease); various levels of Government seek to establish "Safety" Checkpoints profiling and discriminating against motorcycles and trikes; and Federal and State agencies propose to require stock exhaust systems and eliminate the Aftermarket industry. These are dangerous undertakings, not only because verifying EPA approval of stock exhausts is almost impossible, but also because Safety isn't the primary objective—it’s promoting Political Advantage, Revenue Generation, and Governmental Control! As long as these threats exist, Motorcycling Rights Organizations like ABATE of Oklahoma will continue to play a valuable role in keeping our Nation's Liberty secure. So, I wish for all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends, continue to Ride Safely, Sober and Aware, and I look forward to visiting with you again as Jack Frost arrives and we get ready for Christmas!
Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,
Tiger Mike